In our fifth Head to Head of the season Wide Receiver Jack Davis-Fletcher took on Club Treasurer Michael Dilley. Here’s how they got on…
Falcons 21 Saints 31
STICKS: Jack said Matt Ryan would pass for 300+ yards and 2 TDs. He threw for 295 and 2 TDs so that’s so far so good, but he backed the wrong horse in Thursday Night Football and is off to a bad start. 0-1.
DILLEY: The Saints clearly didn’t read the script but Dill didn’t give them a prayer against the previously undefeated Falsons (seriously, did anyone?). Bad starts all round. 0-1.
Bengals 34 Bills 21
STICKS: Correctly called that the Bengals offense would be too strong for Rex Ryan’s Buffalo, and Sticks is off the mark. 1-1.
DILLEY: Never really in doubt on this side of the fence either, 1-1.
Broncos 26 Browns 23
STICKS: This is the first game our guys disagreed on, and it didn’t work out for Sticks. It almost did, but you don’t get points for almost. 1-2.
DILLEY: Thought the Broncos D would keep them in it, and that ultimately proved to be the case as Peyton continues to be all over the place despite Denver moving to 6-0. 2-1.
Bears 34 Lions 37
STICKS: Sticks goes to 1-3 by incorrectly predicting the Bears would edge it. Having gone to overtime it’s kind of hard to criticise the pick too much, so we’ll just move on.
DILLEY: Well it wasn’t actually bowling show ugly, it was actually a pretty exciting game. Also went with the wrong team to win, so all in all an ugly Bears win wasn’t the best of shouts. 2-2.
Texans 31 Jaguars 20
STICKS: Correctly called a big night for DeAndrew Hopkins (10 receptions, 148 yards and 2 TDs) and a win for the Texans, but Blake Bortles and the Jags kept it very interesting until the fourth quarter. Sticks improves to 2-3.
DILLEY: Picking the Jags is always a risk but that’s what happened here. 21 fourth quarter points for Houston later and we’ve got two guys on 2-3.
Chiefs 10 Vikings 16
STICKS: The lowest scoring game of the week, where the Chiefs’ inability to run the ball in the absence of Jamaal Charles hurt them. Sticks called it right, and goes to 3-3.
DILLEY: Calling Adrian Peterson a difference maker isn’t exactly the stuff of genius, and AP only ran for 60 yards and an average of 2.3 yards per carry, but the Chiefs would kill to have someone like that to take the pressure off Alex Smith at the moment. 3-3.
Redskins 20 Jets 34
STICKS: Jets fan Sticks was never going to go for anything other than a win for Gang Green against the inconsistent Redskins. He thought Cousins would throw three picks which was possibly a little optimistic, but he still goes to 4-3.
DILLEY: Cowboys fan Dill didn’t exactly get the result he wanted “Jets to win by 150”, but a Redskins loss is a Redskins loss. 4-3.
Cardinals 13 Steelers 25
STICKS: One of the best offenses in the NFL were expected to beat the Steelers by 14 – at least according to our man Sticks. – so a 12-point victory for Pittsburgh represents a four-score swing. Not the stuff legends are made of. 4-4.
DILLEY: Was prepared to look stupid by going with the Steelers and was left to look like a genius. This doesn’t happen often, so we should pause for a moment’s reflection………………….5-3.
Dolphins 38 Titans 10
STICKS: His loyalty to Mariota cost Sticks big time with this pick, and it takes him down to 4-5.
DILLEY: Head said Fins, heart said Titans. Picked the wrong one, and would have been pretty much home and dry if that wasn’t the case. 5-4.
Panthers 27 Seahawks 23
STICKS: Got the score right (that there’d be less than 1 TD between them) but backed the wrong horse again. Remember when the Seahawks used to be almost unbeatable at home? Seems a long time ago now. 4-6.
DILLEY: There won’t be too many people outside of Flair country that correctly called the outcome of this match, and neither of our guys are in that group. The Panthers are on the march, and our two are sinking fast. 5-5.
Chargers 20 Packers 27
STICKS: If you have a game like Phil Rivers had and still lose, you know it’s just not your day. Sticks goes to 5-6.
DILLEY: “You don’t bet against the Pack at Lambeau, you just don’t. The Packers will win, but it’ll be close”. Correct. 6-5.
Ravens 20 49ers 35
STICKS: He called it right that it would be a high scoring game, but again backed the wrong horse. Is Colin Kaepernick back though? We’ll have to see. For now, Sticks goes to 5-7.
DILLEY: “I honestly haven’t got a clue..” – finally some honesty from one of our contributors. 6-6.
Patriots 34 Colts 27
STICKS: “The Pats will tear them a new one” said Sticks. Not quite, but 34 points on the road is, well, what the Patriots do. He goes to 6-7.
DILLEY: The Pats sure didn’t win by a “country mile” but they’re already looking they’re going to take some stopping this year. 7-6 and it’s all down to Monday Night Football.
Giants 7 Eagles 27
STICKS: “Giants to win this one in a shoot-out”. Nope. Sticks crashes and burns, and finishes 6-8.
DILLEY: Unable to find a way for both teams to lose, Dill opted for the Eagles just to keep the NFC East tight while the Cowboys wait to get Romo and Bryant back. It may have been more by luck than judgement, but it’s still good enough for 8-6 and a win for the staff.
So there we have it. As a result of this week’s scores the Coaches and Staff lead after five rounds 46-29 to 41-34. It’s still all to play for, so be sure to check back on Thursday for this week’s predictions.
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