All articles by: Howard Knowles

NFL – Gameweek 12 Preview

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NFL – Gameweek 12 Preview – As the playoff race intensifies, here are my top 5 NFL Predictions for week 12:

Thanksgiving Thursday

Vikings at Lions

With the NFL playoff race being tight, this is a must win season on the line game for the lions. The Vikings lead the NFC North by two games and with a win, they would virtually clinch the division with a 3-game lead. The lions won the first matchup between these teams earlier this year, however the Vikings weren’t the team they are now. I see the Lions struggling to move the ball against the Vikings defense, however the Lions do tend to play well in primetime and historically well on Thanksgiving. Expect one of the best early Thanksgiving games we’ve seen in a few years.

Lions to Win – 23-17

Stafford: 225 YDS, 2 TDS

Tate: 85 YDS

Galloday: 88 YDS

Skybet Price Boost – Marvin Jones (DET) & Stefon Diggs (MIN) both to score a TD – 8/1

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Panthers at Jets

Panthers are coming off their bye week, and will be looking to keep their momentum on offense going. Meanwhile, the Jets are still alive in the playoff race and have been overachieving this year. It won’t be a cake walk but I have the Panthers winning late.

Panthers to Win – 21-17

Newton: 250 YDS, 2 TDS

McCaffery: 85 Total YDS, 1 Rushing TD

Skybet Winning Margin – 1-6 Carolina Panthers – 5/2

 

Saints at Rams

My game of the week with both teams fighting for second place in the NFC, this will be an impactful game for both teams moving forward. The Rams have looked impressive this season and have made strides on offense. Expect heavy usage from RB Todd Gurley with a gameplan to control the ball. The Saints rallied last week behind future Hall of Famer QB Drew Brees. In a shootout with the old guy in Brees vs the new guy in Goff, when the dust settles in this big game, I’m going with experience.

Saints to Win – 28-24

Brees: 315 YDS, 3 TDS

Ingram: 100 YDS, 1 Rushing TD

Kumara: 88 YDS

Thomas: 95 YDS, 1 REC TD

Skybet Handicap and Total Points – LA Rams (-1.5) and Under 55.5 Total Match Points – 2/1

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Sunday Night Primetime

Packers at Steelers

When the schedule was announced during the offseason this game was circled to be a big one, however with Packers QB Aaron Rodgers out, and with the number 1 seed up for grabs in the AFC, this can get ugly. The Steelers played well last week against the Titans, and at home I expect the momentum to continue.

Steelers to Win – 30-10

Roethlisberger: 288 YDS, 3 TDS

Bell: 125 Total YDS, 1 Rushing TD

Brown: 105 YDS, 1 REC TD

Skybet Alternative Match Points 1 – Under 40.5 – 11/8

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Monday Night

Texans at Ravens

If the playoffs started today the Ravens would have the 6th and final seed, and while they have struggled on offense this year their defense has carried the weight the past few weeks. This is a big game at home, I expect the Ravens to pull it out.

Ravens to Win 24-14

Flacco: 215 YDS, 2 TDs

Ravens defense: 1 TD via turnover for TD

Skybet Handicap and Total Points – Baltimore Ravens -7.5 and Under 39.5 Total Match Points – 11/4

 

**5 Fold Win Accumulator – Lions, Panthers, Saints, Steelers and Ravens All to Win – 9.34/1 – Skybet**

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NFL – Gameweek 11 Preview

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NFL – Gameweek 11 Preview – This is the final week of the season for byes with the Panthers, Colts, Jets, and 49ers on a bye, here are my top 5 Week 11 Picks:

 

Thursday Night: Titans at Steelers

On a short week between two playoff teams this matchup will be very intriguing. The Steelers offense hasn’t been consistently good, and against the 22nd ranked defense in the league they will be looking to get things right. Meanwhile in the AFC South, the Titans are locked in a division race with the hot Jaguars. Expect a close game here!

Steelers To Win –  30-24

Roethlisberger: 315 YDS, 3 TD

Bell: 125 Total YDS, 1 REC TD, 1 Rushing TD

Brown: 100 YDS, 1 REC TD

Skybet Price Boost – JuJu Smith-Schuster (PIT) & DeMarco Murray (TEN) both to score a TD – 5/1

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Rams at Vikings

Both teams are 7-2 this season, both teams are leading their division and finally both teams are fighting for the top seed in the NFC, both 1 game behind the Eagles. The Rams are an offensive team while the Vikings are a defensive team. In the end it comes down to the weaker side of ball, the question will be can the Vikings out play the Rams defense? As the old saying goes, offense wins games, defense wins championships.

Rams To Win –  24-20

Goff: 225 YDS, 2 TDs

Gurley: 110 Total YDS, 1 Rushing TD

Woods: 85 YDS, 1 REC TD

Skybet Total Points Band – 41-44 Points – 6/1

 

Patriots vs Raiders

The Pats have been hot and seem to be gaining momentum as again the top team in the AFC! The Raiders coming off their bye week will be looking to get things right after an underwhelming start to the season. The Raiders defense is in for a tough task against Tom Brady. I expect a high scoring game with this one.

Patriots To Win –  34-24

Brady: 325 YDS, 3 TDs

Lewis: 88 Total YDS, 1 Rushing TD

Gronk: 85 YDS, 1 REC TD

Skybet Handicap and Total Points – New England Patriots -6.5 and Over 51.5 Total Match Points – 2/1

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Sunday Night: Eagles at Cowboys

If the Eagles win they basically are division champs by pulling five games ahead of the Cowboys. Dallas didn’t look good without suspended RB Ezekiel Elliot last week along with their banged up offensive line. Meanwhile, the Eagles have been rolling on both sides of the ball, and their pass rush will be a problem.

Eagles To Win –  27-23

Weinz: 285 YDS, 3 TDs

Skybet Handicap and Total Points – Philadelphia Eagles -3.5 and Over 48.5 Total Match Points – 3/1

 

Monday Night: Falcons at Seahawks

The Seahawks are injured on both sides of the ball but particularly with their defense, which against a high scoring offense will be trouble. However, QB Russell Wilson in primetime seems to work magic so I am expecting a close mid scoring game. The Falcons have just a little more in their arsenal which in the end will give them the edge.

Falcons To Win –  28-27

Ryan: 300 YDS, 2 TDs

Freeman/Colman, 2 Rushing TDs

Jones: 115 YDS, 1 REC TD

Skybet Away Team Points – Falcons 26-28 Points – 5/1

 

**5 Fold Win Accumulator – Steelers, Rams, Patriots, Eagles and Falcons All to Win – 13.6/1 – Skybet**

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NFL – Gameweek 10 Preview

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NFL – Gameweek 10 Preview – With the Ravens, Chiefs, Raiders and Eagles on byes this week, here are my top 5 NFL Predictions for week 10:

 

Thursday Night: Seahawks at Cardinals

The Seahawks have been hot of late, although losing an upset to the Redskins on Sunday. On a short week against the injured Cardinals, I am expecting Seattle to get back on track especially in the tight division race with the Rams. The Cardinals running game and defense have maintained course even through the injuries so expect a close but low score game.

Seahawks to Win – 17-10

Wilson: 245 YDS, 2 TDS

Baldwin: 88 YDS, 1 TD

Skybet Price Boost – Adrian Peterson (ARI) & Doug Baldwin (SEA) both to score a TD – 5/1

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Cowboys at Falcons

The Slumping defending NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons are facing the hot and surging Cowboys. The Cowboys offense has rounded into form the past few weeks, and the defense has improved since the start of the season. The Falcons offense has been steady, but haven’t executed in the redzone as successful as last season, and the defense aren’t getting key stops when needed. At some point the Falcons are due for an offensive explosion; another loss could end their playoff chances being in the tough NFC south Division. I see this game turning into a shootout!

Falcons to Win – 35-31

Ryan: 350 YDS, 3 TDS

Freeman: 115 Total YDS, 1 Rushing TD, 1 REC TD

Jones: 125 YDS: 1 TD

Skybet Handicap and Total Points – Falcons (-2.5) and Over 54.5 Points – 7/2

Texans at Rams

With the injury to leading Rookie of the Year candidate QB Deshaun Watson, questions will be high on the Texans QB situation moving forward. The Rams have been impressive this season including their 51 Point explosion win over the Giants last week. The Texans run game, and defenses are still strong and will play a motivated game. However, the Rams at home I believe will prevail.

Rams to Win –  24-10

Goff: 285 YDS, 2 TDS

Gurley: 130 YDS, 1 TD

Woods: 88 YDS, 1 TD REC

Skybet Handicap and Total Points – Los Angeles Rams -10.5 and Under 48.5 Total Match Points – 2/1

Browns at Lions

Coming off their win against the injured Packers on Monday night, the Lions are looking to take the division. The division leading Minnesota Vikings are still without their QB, RB, and have injuries at WR. Meanwhile, the struggling Browns have yet to win a game this season, and on the road will be in a tough battle. They lions need a win to keep pace, I believe they will.

Lions to Win –  24-14

Stafford: 300 YDS, 2 TDS

Jones: 105 YDS, 1 TD REC

Tate: 88 YDS, 1 TD REC

Skybet Handicap and Total Points – Detroit Lions -11.5 and Under 45.5 Total Match Points – 5/2

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Sunday Night: Patriots at Broncos

On paper the Pats should defeat the Broncos easily, however these two rivals always have a tough battle, and the Broncos are historically successful against the Pats at home. The Broncos haven’t been consistent on offense this season, and will be relying on the defense to lead the way against the explosive Patriots. While they haven’t made too many news headlines, the Pats offense has been consistently good and their defense have made improvements. Coming off a bye week it’s hard to pick against the Pats.

Patriots to Win –  27-14

Brady: 288 YDS, 2 TDS

Lewis: 85 Total YDS, 1 Rushing TD

Gronkowski: 115 YDS, 1 REC TD

Skybet Handicap and Total Points – Patriots (-8.5) and Under 47.5 Points – 11/4

 

**5 Fold Win Accumulator – Seahawks, Falcons, Rams, Lions and Patriots all to Win – 3.08/1 – Skybet**

 

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