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NFL WEEK 4: WEMBLEY, PART 1
IT'S WEMBLEY DAY (ONE)!!!!!
6PM, CHANNEL 4/SKY SPORTS
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (0-3) VS. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (0-3) (WEMBLEY)
Not the best game of the weekend by any stretch of the imagination, but hey it's HERE IN THE UK SO WE SHOULD CARE YEAH? Just kidding, have a fun day everyone.
Here's two teams who didn't necessarily have the highest expectations for this year, but I don't think either expected to be winless by the time of the trip to Blighty. As a result, this should actually be a fairly entertaining game, with both teams needing a win desperately to salvage something from an as of yet highly disappointing season, especially if they're going to keep up with their very tough respective divisions.
Here's what to expect: AP should have a big game because the Steelers just can't seem to stop the run, Matt Forte proved this last week, but that's not to say the Steelers don't have decent receiving options so both should be able to produce some offence where their defenders are lacking. Potential shoot-out, and probably quite close throughout, I'm going MIN by 3.
9:25, SKY SPORTS
DALLAS COWBOYS (2-1) @ SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (1-2)
As always, this just depends on which Cowboys and which Chargers show up. Both these teams and fairly evenly balances and both are suspect to a bi-weekly wobble, so anything could happen. Both Murray and Mathews COULD have break-out games or be lame ducks, ditto Romo and Rivers. Think San Diego edge this one at home (by 3)
1:30AM, CHANNEL 4
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (3-0) @ ATLANTA FALCONS (1-2)
This is supposed to be New England's first test of the season, but the Falcons simply haven't got it together yet this season. Atlanta have shown plenty of their usual talent and proficiency in a largely unchanged team but late mistakes away from home has cost them. In their defence, the Falcons are very strong at the Georgia Dome, but that's not to say their impregnable, and despite all the injury (and other) woes Brady's Patriots have had to deal with, he's still getting things done. On paper, the Falcons should win this, but the Patriots have a habit of exposing their opponents weaknesses (and generally don't make mistakes/give away penalties) so expect this to be a close one (ATL by 3)
MONDAY, 1:40AM, EUROSPORT
MIAMI DOLPHINS (3-0) @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (3-0)
The fins are 3-0 for the first time in ten years! But so are the Saints, who have done this a lot more recently. Though the Fins have shown they mean business with an impressive win at home to Atlanta last week, the Superdome is a whole other kettle of fish, and one that I imagine will be much too strong for them. (NO BY 7)
THE REST:
Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills - The bills can't defend, and though Baltimore still aren't getting much on offence, they're doing enough to make it count. (BAL by 7)
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns - Cleveland won a game! Away at Minnesota! Despite trading away their best player! Hoyer looked decent for the Browns who will want to use that momentum against one of their biggest rivals at home. Sadly for them though, the Bengals sure aint the Vikings (CIN BY 7)
Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions - This should be a good one, the Lions have started the season well with Jaque Bell torching defences across the land. The bears are different though, a very strong, balanced team who have already proved they can do it away from home (CHI by 4-5)
Seattle Seahawks at Houston Texans - The Texans were a disaster last week in Baltimore, and I can't see them letting that happen again. But the Seahawks may well be the best team in the NFC right now so this is going to be a very tough test and possibly the game of the weekend. I see the SEA (by 4-5)
Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars - Is there any point? The Jags are now offering fans two free beers to come Trent Richardson blow them apart. (Colts by 7+)
New York Giants at Kansas City Chiefs - A story of two seasons. Eli hasn't got a hope in hell with the lack of protection he's getting (KC by 7)
Arizona Cardinals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY! lollll (ARI by 4-5)
9PM: New York Jets at Tennessee Titans - This should be an interesting one, both these teams have made quietly confident starts. Titans have looked slightly more convincing, particularly at home (TEN BY 3)
Philadelphia Eagles at Denver Broncos - Philly may have just looked good against a horrific defence in week 1. (DEN by 7)
Washington Redskins at Oakland Raiders - I'm going to go ahead and say the Raiders, under Pryor, aren't as bad as people give them credit for/their record shows. Until the skins sort out their defence, they are. (OAK by 3)
PREDICTIONS, FANTASY, WEMBLEY?