NFL Week 14– The Gunslingers

By Hamish Girvan

There are two quarterbacks in the NFL today that can be referred to as gunslingers. One a veteran in the twilight of his career maybe firing his final shot – the other the highest paid quarterback in the league however his team around him don’t live up to his standard

Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Monday 7am NZ time

Lions quarterback Matt Stafford is a tough competitor and at the age of 29 should be hitting his stride. To be fair he does however the supporting cast round him sometimes look like B grade actors. With no real running game Matt Stafford has to do a lot himself – perhaps that’s why he’s getting paid the salary he is. This week he leads his team to Tampa to face a Buccaneers side that will no doubt be looking at a coaching shake up come season end. They really have not come together and the decision the season before last to promote offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter to head coach due to his working relationship with quarterback Jameis Winston has backfired. After all the hype of the NFL reality TV show, Hard Knocks, Winston is erratic at best and has lost more games then won. The Lions are favourites here by 3 points and to keep any chance of a playoff appearance they need to win this. After Winston’s effort versus a worse team at the moment in Green Bay last week the Lions should put a sword to the Buccaneers – even if it’s only another minor wound

 

Possibly one of the easiest pick 6 scores this season in Green Bay last week

 

Washington Redskins at Los Angeles Chargers – Monday 10.05am NZ Time

The Redskins head to the Stub Hub Center soccer ground to face the form team of the AFC at the moment, Philip Rivers Chargers. Rivers is possibly in his last season however he still has the ability to throw a game winning pass. Losing their first 4 games of the season the Chargers now see themselves in a tie for the AFC West title mainly due to the stuttering Kansas City Chiefs. The Redskins season is over unless by some miracle they win out and lots of other results go their way. No chance really however their quarterback Kirk Cousins is a free agent come season end and will be wanting to put in performances at the tail end of the season that will increase his value. No slouch he’s a player that could give another team a real run into the playoffs. Rivers and his Chargers may have the current local wildfires at the back of their mind however with a 6 point start they should easily march on into an unlikely divisional title chance that a month ago looked nigh impossible.

Take the Chargers -6

 

Rivers is still old enough to throw a tantrum when not going his way

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