Sometimes, you just need to punch adversity in the face. That’s what Geno Smith has done, in the too-perfect words of Brandon Marshall, and it’s also what participants in our Pick Six contest did, roaring back from a frustrating fortnight with some monster scores in week six.
A whopping 15 people called all six games correctly, so let’s have a toast to each and every one of amwill, BaffledBySaussey, Cameldancer, carloscontrole, cockfarmer, GoCards, Hobble, ID1704972, James Selwood, Lekeg, Mark Lewis, mercat, Omre94, pauln1, and Uma Blue. I’ll have the overall scores up in the comments section shortly, but until then, here are this week’s games:
New York Giants @ Los Angeles Rams (Sunday 9.30am ET/2.30pm BST)
The last time the Rams came to London, they wound up losing 45-7 to New England. That remains the most lopsided game in the 10-year history of the NFL’s International Series. Their opposition might look a little less daunting this time around, but the combination of an eight-hour time difference from Los Angeles and an early kickoff (it’ll be 6.30am in California when this game begins) presents a whole different set of challenges. Perhaps Jeff Fisher’s decision to bring his team over early in the week will allow players to fully adjust. But even if they do, can we trust Case Keenum – coming off an admittedly impressive performance against Detroit – to keep up with Eli Manning now that Odell Beckham Jr has woken up? Giants to win
Minnesota Vikings @ Philadelphia Eagles (Sunday 1pm ET/6pm BST)
Sam Bradford’s trade to the Vikings looks like one of those rare examples of a deal that worked out for everyone. He has helped Minnesota to become 2016’s last undefeated team, whilst the Eagles can look forward to building an even stronger supporting cast for the impressive Carson Wentz in next year’s draft. The one concern I have with Philadelphia right now relates to the offensive line. Halapoulivaati Vaita struggled mightily at right tackle after stepping in for the suspended Lane Johnson last week. He could be in for a long day against a defense that has compiled 19 sacks in five games. Vikings to win
Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans (Sunday 1pm ET/6pm BST)
Five long years have passed since Tennessee last beat Indy. That was back in the dark days that went between Peyton Manning’s neck injury and the drafting of Andrew Luck. But could this be the occasion when that run comes to an end? I like DeMarco Murray’s chances of having a strong day against the league’s 25th-ranked rush defense, and this has the makings of yet another painful afternoon for Luck. The most sacked quarterback in the league is up against a defense that has got to the opposing passer six times in each of its past two games. Titans to win
Baltimore Ravens @ New York Jets (Sunday 1pm ET/6pm BST)
Could we see two quarterbacks making their first starts of the season at MetLife Stadium? Geno Smith’s promotion for the Jets has divided opinion in New York, but the Ravens might be obliged to make a change of their own after Joe Flacco missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday with a sore shoulder. Ryan Mallett started two games for Baltimore last season after joining the team in December, and even helped them to a win over the Steelers, but his performance overall was underwhelming. Such uncertainty at the most important position on the field has me tilting the Jets’ way, hard though it is to feel good about backing Geno. Jets to win
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ San Francisco 49ers (Sunday 4.25pm ET/9.25pm BST)
Carlos Hyde’s productivity in the running game was just about the one thing San Francisco had going for them – until he showed up at practice this week with his arm in a sling. He will miss out on what could have been a favourable matchup against a Tampa Bay team that has been playing without three starting defensive linemen. Gerald McCoy may return on Sunday, but Robert Ayers and Clinton McDonald are unlikely to join him. Perhaps Colin Kaepernick will find opportunities to run against their replacements, but I am less convinced that Hyde’s replacement, Mike Davis, can do the same. The Bucs have lost both of their own top two tailbacks, but Jacquizz Rodgers showed last week that he can keep things ticking over at a modest clip. Against a 49ers defense that has surrendered more than 100 rushing yards to five different players in as many games, that might be good enough. Buccaneers to win
Seattle Seahawks @ Arizona Cardinals (Sunday 8.30pm ET/Monday 1.30am BST)
The Cardinals have finally clawed their way back to .500 after an almost catastrophic start to the season. But the schedule does not get any easier from here, with road games against the Panthers (OK, that one’s not looking quite so daunting as it once did), Vikings and Falcons in the next month. Winning this game, at home, feels imperative, but recent history is against them. The Seahawks have come out on top in all of their last three visits to Arizona, and by a combined margin of 105-34. Of even greater concern is the erratic form of Carson Palmer, who has struggled to hit the deep ball and been picked off five times in as many starts. But there has been a hint of an offensive shift from Bruce Arians in the last fortnight, towards shorter passes and heavier reliance on the run. The Seahawks defend the latter as well as anyone, but David Johnson does not look like an easy man to slow down right now. Cardinals to win
