NFL Week 16 PIcks 2024 (Thursday 19th December-Monday 23rd December)

Three weeks of the NFL regular season remain and the threads over this Christmas period will not be featuring much more than the selections.

We are at that time of the season when teams will begin to think ahead about what is to come and that could see players rested or focus lost if motivation is not as high as it could be.

It is something to consider when making your selections ahead of another very busy and crucial week of games.

Houston Texans @ Kansas City Chiefs Pick: Teams are securing their places in the post-season as we move into the final three weeks of the regular season and both the Houston Texans (9-5) and Kansas City Chiefs (13-1) are secured as Division Champions.

That means a top four Seeding is in the bag, but that does not mean that all ambitions for the regular season have been met.

For the Chiefs it is all about holding off the Buffalo Bills for the Number 1 Seed in the AFC, which could be huge as Kansas City look to win yet another Super Bowl. Earning the Bye through the Wild Card Round is a huge boost, as is having home field advantage right through to the Super Bowl, and Kansas City need two more wins to secure the top Seed.

Winning out is perhaps not so meaningful for the Houston Texans, although there is still an opportunity to move into the Number 3 Seed that should give the team something to play for. The Texans have won three of their last four games and they are looking for some momentum after an inconsistent season that has perhaps not lived up to the expectations that Houston were managing heading into the season.

Injuries have played a part in that, but the Texans do have an opportunity to produce a couple of big wins to give the team real belief entering the Playoffs.

This is going to be a test for CJ Stroud and the Houston Offensive unit, but there have been some signs that the Kansas City Chiefs are not playing as well on the Defensive side of the ball as they had been. A team that does want to establish the run, Houston have an opportunity to do that against this Chiefs Defensive Line which has just struggled a little bit in recent games.

With a player like Joe Mixon, the Texans can put CJ Stroud and the Offensive unit in a position to use their Wide Receivers to stretch the field. It will also be important to just offer the Quarter Back enough time to make those plays down the field and slow down this Kansas City pass rush and Houston can keep their hopes of finishing as the Number 3 Seed alive.

The Houston Texans know all about how a season can change thanks to injuries, and the Kansas City Chiefs must be extremely grateful that Patrick Mahomes has avoided a significant injury of his own. Things did not look that good in Week 15 when Mahomes was forced out of the game and he did not walk with his full weight on his ankle at the end of the win over the Cleveland Browns, but has been in practice this week.

Andy Reid will not take any chances with the health of his Quarter Back, but Mahomes is set to start and try and help Kansas City secure that top Seed. They do have a capable backup in Carson Wentz, but Patrick Mahomes is a different level of Quarter Back and the Chiefs will go as far as he can take them.

They will need Patrick Mahomes to be at his best with the Chiefs unlikely to have a lot of success running the ball against this Houston Defensive Line. And it is also very important for Mahomes to have his wits about him when dealing with the Houston pass rush, one that is likely to be very effective if they can keep the Chiefs behind the chains.

Throwing out of that pressure will be difficult, although Patrick Mahomes is set to have Marquise Brown available for the first time and that just gives the Chiefs another serious weapon.

Early chemistry issues may be expected, but the Chiefs will be able to have some success throwing into the Secondary, although it is perhaps going to lead to yet another close game involving Kansas City.

The Chiefs have dominated the recent head to head, but this game is expected to be close and competitive and Houston might just be getting enough points on the spread to make them the right team to back. For much of the season Kansas City have been playing close games, even if they win more often than not, and the slight concern about the full health of Patrick Mahomes makes it tough to believe that this one will not play out in a similar way.

Houston look to have turned a corner in recent weeks and have closed out the AFC South and they will be looking to just show what might be to come in January in the Playoff.

Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals Pick: Two of the AFC North teams are heading to the Playoffs and it will be a big disappointment for fans of Cincinnati Bengals (6-8) and Cleveland Browns (3-11) that they have fallen way below the expectations of the teams back in September.

Injury has not helped, but the Browns are officially eliminated and the Cincinnati Bengals Playoff hopes are now on life support. With three games left, even winning out may not be enough for the Bengals with the maximum number of wins being nine and the three teams occupying the Wild Card spots already at that mark.

However, you have to credit the Bengals for still playing with focus and they are looking for a third win in a row. It is important for Head Coach Zac Taylor, whose own position has to be questioned, and winning out to finish with a winning record will at least give him something to counter with when the decision about his future is made.

The Bengals still have special talents on the Offensive side of the ball and Tee Higgins is still showing out to win a new contract, either here or with another team. Joe Burrow at Quarter Back has been well supported by Ja'Marr Chase, while Chase Brown has given the Bengals a real threat out of the backfield and it may be tough for the Cleveland Browns to find the motivation here.

Cleveland have lost three in a row and have struggled to contain the Offensive firepower that the likes of the Los Angeles Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs have brought onto the field. It makes it even tougher to believe in them when thinking the Chiefs played with Carson Wentz for plenty of snaps last week and Joe Burrow and company could put the Browns in a tough spot.

To make it tougher for the road team, another Quarter Back change has been made with Jameis Winston replaced by Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

It is the kind of decision that may say to many inside and outside of the building that the Browns are perhaps positioning themselves for a top NFL Draft Pick next year. Dorian Thompson-Robinson will have something to say about that and the Quarter Back is facing a Cincinnati Defensive unit that have been destroyed by injury and with issues struggling any opponent that has faced them.

Teams have found a really good balance against Cincinnati and Thompson-Robinson is a dual-threat from the Quarter Back position and will not hesitate to tuck the ball and run down the field. He should have support from the Offensive Line against this Bengals team that have not played the run or pass very well and Dorian Thompson-Robinson can have success by operating in front of the chains.

However, the Bengals are a team that will bring some pressure up front if the Browns are ever behind the chains and needing to throw down the field. This is where things could potentially get away from Cleveland considering the turnovers that the Cincinnati Secondary have been able to create in recent games.

It has been a long time since the Bengals have beaten Cleveland twice in the same season, but the Offensive unit gives them a chance to do that. If they can move a couple of scores ahead and just force Cleveland to have to take to the air to keep up on the scoreboard, things could spiral out of control for the Browns and it could lead to a big enough win to cover this spread.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Commanders Pick: Sweeping a Divisional rival is never easy in the NFL, but that is what the Philadelphia Eagles (12-2) will be aiming to do when visiting the Washington Commanders (9-5).

We know the Philadelphia Eagles will be returning to the Playoffs in a season where Head Coach Nick Sirianni has been seemingly under pressure throughout. Last season was a disappointment for the Eagles when beaten early in the post-season, but we are not that far removed from Philadelphia making the Super Bowl and Sirianni has deserved his chance.

His team have had some tough moments, but are motoring now and look like they have the confidence to make a real impact in the post-season. The first ambition is to look after the NFC East with a win on Sunday, but the Detroit Lions were beaten by the Buffalo Bills last week which means the Number 1 Seed in the Conference is now in play for the Eagles.

The Eagles are finishing up with three Divisional games, but winning out will put them in a very strong position to secure the top Seed and that is going to be focus.

For the home team, you would think nine wins would put Washington in a really good place when it comes to earning a Wild Card spot, but that is not the case. The NFC North has been really strong and the Commanders are only 1 game ahead of the Seattle Seahawks and 2 games ahead of the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals as far as the final Wild Card place goes.

Back to back wins have just calmed things down for Washington after previously losing three in a row, but there is work to do and this is a tough match up for them against a motivated rival.

Jayden Daniels has to be given respect for the level produced in his rookie season, but wins over Tennessee and New Orleans will not have prepared him fully for this rematch. There was not a lot happening for Washington in the defeat in Philadelphia and finding spaces to exploit against this Eagles Defensive unit is going to be tough.

The Commanders will hope to use the Offensive Line to get things going and they have been able to establish the run effectively in recent games, while the Quarter Back is capable of moving the chains with his legs. However, this is an Eagles Defensive Line that have clamped down on teams up front and they will certainly feel they can do enough to force Jayden Daniels to have to step back and throw into perhaps the best Secondary in the League.

Pressure can be generated up front to aid the Defensive Backs, while Daniels is just going to have to be careful with where he throws the ball having been guilty of a couple of turnovers of late. The Commanders will be well aware that they need to play a clean game if they are going to earn the upset, but it will be tough to move the ball with a lot of consistency when they have the ball in their hands.

A healthier looking Philadelphia team will certainly believe they can have another efficient showing against this Commanders team having piled up 434 yards in the first game and with an almost perfect split between passing and rushing.

Recent games have been better as far as the Washington Defensive Line are concerned, but they have not really gone up against an Offensive Line like the one that the Eagles have thrived behind. Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts can both combine for big yards on the ground, while the latter has shown off his ability when dropping back to throw as he helped Philadelphia keep their winning run going last week.

Despite their strong run, there were reports that Jalen Hurts and Wide Receiver AJ Brown were not on the same page, although that was anything but the case in their Week 15 win. They can combine to get Washington problems in the Secondary and the balance that Philadelphia have with their play-calling will make it tough for the Commanders to keep this much closer than when the teams met earlier in the season.

The money has piled in on the Eagles which has moved the spread past a key number, which has to be a disappointment, but they still look the right side to back in this NFC East Divisional contest. You have to expect Washington to have learned plenty from the first game against the Eagles, but they are not quite at that level and Philadelphia's momentum can take them to a win by around a Touchdown in Week 16.

MY PICKS: Houston Texans + 3.5 Points @ 1.86 Bet Fred (1 Unit)

Cincinnati Bengals - 8.5 Points @ 1.91 Paddy Power (1 Unit)

Philadelphia Eagles - 3.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet Victor (1 Unit)

Week 15: 6-2, + 3.37 Units (8 Units Staked, + 42.13% Yield)

Week 14: 2-4, - 2.23 Units (6 Units Staked, - 37.17% Yield)

Week 13: 1-3, - 2.17 Units (4 Units Staked, - 54.25% Yield)

Week 12: 2-4, - 2.17 Units (6 Units Staked, - 36.17% Yield)

Week 11: 2-3, - 1.23 Units (5 Units Staked, - 24.60% Yield)

Week 10: 1-6, - 5.05 Units (7 Units Staked, - 72.14% Yield)

Week 9: 3-2, + 0.73 Units (5 Units Staked, + 14.60% Yield)

Week 8: 4-2, + 1.72 Units (6 Units Staked, + 28.67% Yield)

Week 7: 4-3, + 0.73 Units (7 Units Staked, + 10.43% Yield)

Week 6: 4-2, + 1.67 Units (6 Units Staked, + 27.83% Yield)

Week 5: 4-2, + 1.64 Units (6 Units Staked, + 27.33% Yield)

Week 4: 6-2, + 3.45 Units (8 Units Staked, + 43.13% Yield)

Week 3: 3-3, - 0.23 Units (6 Units Staked, - 3.83% Yield)

Week 2: 4-2, + 1.62 Units (6 Units Staked, + 27% Yield)

Week 1: 5-2, + 2.67 Units (7 Units Staked, + 38.14% Yield)

Boxing Picks 2024- Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury II (Saturday 21st December)

The last big fight night of the year was supposed to take place in Tokyo on Christmas Eve, but Naoya Inoue's defence against Sam Goodman has been postponed for a month after the latter suffered a cut in one of his last sparring sessions that had been scheduled.

Instead we round out the Boxing season in Saudi Arabia where the top two Heavyweights of this generation meet for a second time.

This time it is not for 'Undisputed', but the winning fighter will be considered 'the man' in the Division and the flourishing Heavyweight scene has already got other big fights lined up in the first quarter of 2025.

The rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury is the headline, but there are some potential future Heavyweight Champions on the undercard.

Ultimately all eyes will be on the main event on Saturday and that is a fight that has captured the sporting headlines during the busy festive period of sports. Both Usyk and Fury have their legacies on the line and it should be another top fight after the original exceeded all expectations.

With the final card of the year set to take place, it has proven to be a decent year for the Boxing Picks.

After the disappointment of 2023, it was important to put a solid year together, even if there remains some for improvement going into 2025 and what is expected to be another big season for the sport.

There are some big cards already in place for next year and more to be announced with the Saudi backers still firmly invested in Boxing.

Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury II

There is little doubt that the Heavyweight Division has really thrived thanks to the huge amount of investment made in the sport of Boxing over the last fifteen months.

Having an Undisputed Fight to determine the King of the Division is clearly something the fans had been demanding for a long time before Riyadh Season managed to put it together back in May.

Now we get to see Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury prepare for the Thirteenth Round of their rivalry, albeit without all of the Heavyweight Titles on the line as they were the first time around.

Activity has been key to keeping the Division going while the top two have been preparing to meet again and there have been a lot of fights that have been made that may not have without the Saudi investment.

When these two Heavyweights met the first time around, I ended up sitting on the fence with the prediction even if my narrow lean had been with Tyson Fury.

And the feeling is that this could be another razor-thin Decision either way.

It is hard to ignore the sight of Tyson Fury being battered around the ring from pillar to post in the Ninth Round of the first fight, but it has perhaps overshadowed the fact that he had been looking like the stronger fighter through the first Eight Rounds. That is not to say he was winning the fight, but Fury looked pretty comfortable with his approach and he did win the Twelfth Round to just remind everyone of his powers of recovery.

Without the Knock Down Tyson Fury might have been the one to edge to the Decision win and he was certainly hurting Oleksandr Usyk at times. The latter showed he has perhaps got the stronger ability to take the punches coming his way compared with Fury, but there is going to be very little between them again and Tyson Fury has previously shown how much he can grow when entering a rematch.

Having that experience of facing Oleksandr Usyk the first time around should help Fury as he looks to turn things around, and it should be noted that Anthony Joshua performed better in the rematch than the original bout with the Ukrainian. Tyson Fury is an overall better boxer than AJ, although the miles on the clock do make you wonder if The Gypsy King is far beyond his peak.

Adjustments make it more difficult to know what to expect from Fury compared with the Champion who will look to pick up from where he left off in May.

Oleksandr Usyk's motivation levels have to be questioned having achieved all he has set out to do, while he may have to be even better than the first match if only to avoid falling victim to a narrow defeat that may set up a lucrative trilogy.

There are simply too many uncertainties to really be confident about this rematch and it is one where I will just sit back and watch the two best Heavyweights since the end of the Klitschko era try to prove they deserve to be called Number 1.

On February 22nd there is a hugely loaded card being put together in Saudi Arabia, but this one for the Heavyweight rematch is perhaps not as deep or as intriguing.

Instead there are a number of younger fighters looking to progress in their own development before headlining big cards of their own and a couple of crossroads bouts.

With the investment being put into the sport, it is a big opportunity for all on the card to impress the organisers and earn further chances in the weeks, months and perhaps years ahead.

One of the expected early bouts features Tyson Fury's friend Isaac Lowe, but he has not really been mixing in top company since losing back to back fights.

Lee McGregor is still on the road back from his first professional defeat, but might just have the edge in this one and can break down his opponent with a potential late Stoppage in his favour.

The two Heavyweight contests on the undercard feature young, up and coming potential Champions taking on opponents who are another notch on their development.

It would be an upset if either Johnny Fisher or Moses Itauma were to be beaten and the likelihood is that both overcome their opponents, Dave Allen and Dempsey McKean respectively, through the first half of the scheduled Ten Rounds.

The same can be said for Peter McGrail and Serhii Bohachuk who take on late replacements for different reasons- the former is in a new fight because of Dennis McCann's VADA failure, while Bohachuk's original opponent, Israel Madrimov, said he was ill having already signed on for a 'bigger' opportunity in February.

A Stoppage for both is expected with Serhii Bohachuk likely to get through his bout before the Seventh Round bell is rung.

MY PICKS: Lee McGregor to Win by KO/TKO @ 3.60 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Johnny Fisher to Win Between 1-5 @ 1.80 Sky Bet (1 Unit)

Moses Itauma to Win Between 1-5 @ 2.62 Sky Bet (1 Unit)

Peter McGrail to Win by KO/TKO @ 2.75 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Serhii Bohachuk to Win Between 1-6 @ 3.25 Sky Bet (1 Unit)

Boxing 2024: 34-61, + 8.59 Units (121 Units Staked, + 7.10% Yield)

College Football Picks- Playoff First Round 2024 (Friday 20th December-Saturday 21st December)

The first twelve team College Football Playoff Bracket will begin on Friday with the First Round games being played across a couple of days.

It is a new situation for teams involved in home games just days before Christmas, but the television companies are expecting big viewing numbers before moving into the Quarter Final and beyond.

The excitement is that the new expanded format will offer more teams an opportunity to play and the twelve teams selected all deserve their spot, even if the likes of Alabama are going to be hugely disappointed in missing out. They would have made it if SMU had won the ACC Championship Game, but that was not to be and the Mustangs were offered the final spot in the Playoff after losing narrowly to the Clemson Tigers.

Fans are looking forward to the Playoff and the new format and the Picks from the First Round games can be read below.

A new thread will be created for each Round of the Playoff through to the National Championship Game next month.

Indiana Hoosiers @ Notre Dame Fighting Irish Pick: The new look College Football Playoff kicks off on Friday evening in South Bend with the First Round played over the next couple of days.

We will then move into the Quarter Final around New Year's Day before the Semi Finals and National Championship Game are played in January. The twelve team Playoff is likely to be expanded further in the years ahead, but this is a new era for College Football team and there will not have been many complaints about the twelve that are set to embark on a run towards being crowned National Champions.

That is not to say that there are not surprising schools involved and that is the case on Friday when the Indiana Hoosiers (11-1) make the 200 mile journey to South Bend to take on hosts Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-1). Teams coming out of the Big Ten to compete for National honours is not the surprise, but the Hoosiers were not expected to be one of those names and have put together a special season to earn their spot.

However, there is still something for the Hoosiers to prove having come through a relatively weak schedule with the biggest game being the blowout loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes. Wins over defending Champions Michigan Wolverines and last year's Finalists Washington Huskies deserve some respect, but both of those schools have fallen off the standards set in the 2023 season and so Indiana have arguably not beaten any team of note.

This is a chance to change that narrative against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish who have overcome an upset earlier in the season to take their place in the post-season. Most impressive has been the fact that the Fighting Irish have not only beaten teams, but beaten teams convincingly and they look a real threat to have a very deep run in the Playoff.

Winning this First Round game will move the team onto a date with the Georgia Bulldogs, the SEC Champions, and the Fighting Irish are deserving favourites in this First Round match up.

It is the Defensive unit that have sparked things for the Fighting Irish, while the Offensive Line continues to bully opponents up front and that is going to be the challenge for the Indiana Hoosiers.

Credit has to be given to the Hoosiers Defensive Line for the standard of play they have set all season and even the Ohio State Buckeyes were limited to 4 yards per carry in their big win over Indiana. The Line of Scrimmage is going to see both teams looking to impose themselves when Notre Dame have the ball and a duel-threat Quarter Back in Riley Leonard can help the Fighting Irish to at least play in front of the chains.

The Quarter Back will be asked to manage the game at times and avoid the turnovers that can be such a big part of a tight match up like this one. Riley Leonard has been well protected by this powerful Notre Dame Offensive Line and he will have noted the Will Howard performance for Ohio State, although the fact is that the Indiana Secondary have played well and it will not be a game in which the Fighting Irish can expect to have sustained success.

That will mean looking to lean on the strong Defensive unit that has ground down Offenses that have struggled to find a way to move the ball with any consistency against the Fighting Irish.

One problem for Indiana is that their Offensive Line were not able to establish the run with the same kind of efficiency as they would have hoped when the quality of opponent picked up down the stretch in the regular season. Establishing the run against Notre Dame will be challenging, but the Hoosiers cannot become one-dimensional if they are going to give Kurtis Rourke the opportunity to show off his talents to the nation in a big spot.

Kurtis Rourke might have a bit more time than usual when he steps back to throw the ball down the field, even if the Indiana Offensive Line have had issues in pass protection, and that will give him some chances to make big plays. This is not an easy Secondary to face, especially with Notre Dame's ability to turn the ball over through the air, but Rourke has had a big season and can help his team.

However, it has to be noted that the Quarter Back really struggled when facing the intensity of the Ohio State Defensive unit and this is arguably the second toughest Defense he will have seen this season. It is a potential concern for Indiana and the edge in this one has to be with the home team in a Playoff setting in their tough environment created in South Bend.

An in-State rivalry will be in play here, but Notre Dame look to be the stronger team all around and they may just win at the Line of Scrimmage on both sides to earn the edge in the contest. Covering will not be easy with the line where it is, but the Fighting Irish can make some big Defensive plays to do that and move onto a date with the Georgia Bulldogs in a couple of weeks time.

SMU Mustangs @ Penn State Nittany Lions Pick: The new College Football Playoff format means there is unfamiliar mid-December home games to be played.

It looks like being a cold day at Beaver Stadium, which could impact the teams, but the Penn State Nittany Lions (11-2) and SMU Mustangs (11-2) have plenty of motivation as they look to move through to the Quarter Final Round.

In the days of the four team Playoff, neither of these teams would have expected to be involved having failed to win a Conference Championship and with two defeats on the board, but the twelve team Playoff offers another opportunity for the teams.

The Penn State Nittany Lions have been beaten by fellow Playoff teams Oregon and Ohio State in the Big Ten this season, but those are quality defeats and home advantage looks to be important for them. Having a deep impact in the Playoff is possible with the winner heading into a Quarter Final with the Boise State Broncos, but the Nittany Lions will not want to overlook the SMU Mustangs.

They finished without the Conference Championship after losing to the Clemson Tigers, but the Playoff Committee gave the Mustangs deserved respect as they edged out the Alabama Crimson Tide for a spot in the bracket. Motivation will be easy for the players when they note they are set as a pretty big underdog for this First Round game and the Mustangs may have the Offensive power to at least keep this one competitive.

Being perfectly honest, the Mustangs do still have something to prove having competed in arguably the weakest of the four Power Conferences. There are not a lot of standout wins and the loss to Clemson will have stung as they prepare to face a tough Penn State Defensive Line.

Both teams will be challenged at the Line of Scrimmage by the Defensive Lines that the other will have on the field and that will mean the pressure is on the Quarter Backs that take to the field.

Kevin Jennings has had a strong season for the Mustangs and he has been well protected by the Offensive Line, which will offer him time to make throws into the Secondary. There are not a lot of holes to exploit, but Jennings has to be encouraged by what Oregon were able to do against Penn State in the Big Ten Championship Game.

After announcing his retrun to Penn State for 2025, Drew Allar might just have a bit more support from his Offensive Line as they look to push Penn State into third and manageable spots. The Quarter Back has enjoyed a nice season and establishing the run will be key to just easing the SMU pass rush and give Allar the chance to enjoy another strong day in a big spot.

Interceptions were costly in the defeat against Oregon in the Big Ten Championship Game, but Drew Allar also had over 200 passing yards with three Touchdown passes and that is encouraging for the Nittany Lions. The Quarter Back will have studied the tape from the ACC Championship Game and the successes Cade Klubnik had against the SMU Secondary and it may just see this game lean in favour of Penn State.

The spread is going to be a tough one to overcome, but being at home might just see the Nittany Lions have the edge in this First Round game. The Mustangs should be able to keep things competitive, but the feeling is that Penn State will have the stronger Defensive unit on the field and ultimately they can make a play or two to just push clear in the Fourth Quarter and narrowly overcome this mark.

Clemson Tigers @ Texas Longhorns Pick: There are two losses on the record for the Texas Longhorns (11-2) and that meant failure to win the SEC Championship. Both defeats were to the Georgia Bulldogs and ultimately that has dropped the Longhorns into the Playoff First Round, while the Bulldogs have earned the Bye through to the Quarter Final.

Despite that, and some shaky Offensive play, the Longhorns have the opportunity to host the ACC Champions and Texas are a big favourite to progress past the Clemson Tigers (9-3).

Without the upset over the SMU Mustangs to win the Conference, the Clemson Tigers would not have earned a spot in the Playoff and most will believe that the the likes of the South Carolina Gamecocks, Alabama Crimson Tide and Mississippi Rebels deserved the place instead. Head Coach Dabo Swinney is not going to be interested in all that and his team have an opportunity to play in the Playoff and try and win another National Championship in Clemson.

There is no doubt that this is a huge test for the Tigers to move the ball against the Texas Defensive unit that has been amongst the very best in College Football.

Against weaker opponents, Clemson have had Offensive success, although the Tigers will point to the performance against the South Carolina Gamecocks. They did only score 14 points in that defeat, but Cade Klubnik had 280 passing yards with an Interception and facing that SEC team will offer some encouragement for the team.

However, Texas have a stronger team than the Gamecocks and they have a Defensive Line that will make it very tough for Clemson to establish the run and thus shift the pressure onto Quarter Back Cade Klubnik. Being behind the chains would mean dealing with a Texas pass rush that has harassed Quarter Backs and that only increases the pressure on Klubnik when it comes to throwing against an elite Secondary.

Avoiding turnovers will be key for the Tigers and they will also hope that the Texas Offensive inconsistency has not been resolved in the time since the SEC Championship Game.

Quinn Ewers will hope his College Football Playoff experiences can helo, but there is some pressure on the Quarter Back who has not been playing at the level that Texas expected. He is going to be healthier with the two week break between games, but the fans are going to look for Ewers to start this game efficiently.

However, the Quarter Back will be happy to have Kelvin Banks returning to the Offensive Line to offer stronger pass protection. A fully healthy Offensive Line will also mean the Longhorns can push the Tigers around up front and establish the run very effectively and this is where the Longhorns can win the game.

Moving the ball on the ground against this Clemson team that has struggled to clamp down on teams up front will just makes things that much more comfortable for Quinn Ewers and the passing game. It should mean a clean pocket for Quinn Ewers and the Tigers Secondary may not be able to force the stops if the Quarter Back does not have to throw too far to keep the chains moving.

It may eventually open things up for the deep shots and the expectation is that the Texas Longhorns will show off their gap in quality compared to the ACC Champions that have lost three games this season. The spread is pretty big and Cade Klubnik could engineer a backdoor cover, but you have to believe the Longhorns Defensive unit can make the big plays to help Texas have pushed clear enough to cover deep into the Fourth Quarter.

Tennessee Volunteers @ Ohio State Buckeyes Pick: Winning the National Championship would make up for the awful home loss to the Michigan Wolverines, but anything less than that may raise questions about the direction Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2) are going under Head Coach Ryan Day.

Despite that defeat to the Wolverines as a three score favourite, the Buckeyes were locked into a Playoff spot and they will be looking to make amends for the defeat. If they had won, Ohio State might have played for the Big Ten Championship and the chance to earn a Bye through to the Quarter Final, but the team are hoping to move past the defeat to Michigan.

First up in the expanded Playoff is a game against the Tennessee Volunteers (10-2) who had a strong season in the SEC, but who will need more from the Offense if they are going to really challenge for a National Championship.

Defensively they have to believe they can produce similar to the Wolverines in largely keeping Ohio State out of sync and that is likely going to be key to the outcome of the game outright and especially against the spread.

There have been injuries that have impacted the Buckeyes Offensive Line and they struggled to get things going on the ground against the Michigan Wolverines. Even with the break between games, Ohio State might be asking too much to move the ball on the ground against a Volunteers Defensive Line that have been amongst the very best in College Football and so the pressure is likely going to be on veteran Quarter Back Will Howard.

Despite the injuries up front, the Buckeyes Offensive Line have given Will Howard some time to make his throws down the field and there are some very skilful playmakers around the Quarter Back. This will help, but the Volunteers are tough at all three levels of their Defense and Tennessee will certainly feel they can avoid giving up a lot of points.

It is important to do that and not force their young Quarter Back and the Offense to try and keep up on the scoreboard.

Once again the Line of Scrimmage is going to be massively important and the Volunteers would love to find a way to establish the run. The Volunteers Offensive Line have played well this season, but this is another big test for them against Ohio State who have plenty of talent on the Defensive Line.

In their defeat to the Wolverines, the Buckeyes did hold the team to 4.1 yards per carry, but Michigan were allowed to stick with the run in a close game and that is something that the Volunteers will look to do and avoid putting Nick Iamaleava under the scrutiny to make plays against the Ohio State Secondary.

The Tennessee Offensive Line has been much happier when it comes to run blocking than pass protection so they will want to avoid obvious passing situations.

Ohio State have a Secondary that have really played well down the stretch and you would worry for the underdog if they were to fall a couple of scores behind.

However, it is the Tennessee Defensive unit that have the capabilities of keeping this game close and it makes the points being offered to the road underdog appealing. The cold weather is a concern, but that should not prevent the Volunteers from sticking with the game plan and they can keep this one competitive in a hostile environment.

MY PICKS: Notre Dame Fighting Irish - 6.5 Points @ 1.86 Bet Fred (1 Unit)

Penn State Nittany Lions - 8.5 Points @ 1.95 Bet Fred (1 Unit)

Texas Longhorns - 11.5 Points @ 1.91 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

Tennessee Volunteers + 7.5 Points @ 1.86 Bet Fred (1 Unit)

Week 15: 3-3, - 0.28 Units (6 Units Staked, - 4.67% Yield)

Week 14: 6-2, + 3.50 Units (8 Units Staked, + 43.75% Yield)

Week 13: 4-4, - 0.36 Units (8 Units Staked, - 4.50% Yield)

Week 12: 3-6, - 3.23 Units (9 Units Staked, - 35.89% Yield)

Week 11: 1-5, - 4.15 Units (6 Units Staked, - 69.17% Yield)

Week 10: 1-6, - 4.05 Units (7 Units Staked, - 57.86% Yield)

Week 9: 4-2, + 1.82 Units (6 Units Staked, + 30.33% Yield)

Week 8: 2-4, - 2.23 Units (6 Units Staked, - 37.17% Yield)

Week 7: 6-3, + 2.55 Units (9 Units Staked, + 28.33% Yield)

Week 6: 3-2, + 0.82 Units (5 Units Staked, + 16.4% Yield)

Week 5: 0-5, - 5 Units (5 Units Staked, - 100% Yield)

Week 4: 3-2, + 0.73 Units (5 Units Staked, + 14.60% Yield)

Week 3: 3-5, - 2.35 Units (8 Units Staked, - 29.38% Yield)

Week 2: 2-4, - 2.26 Units (6 Units Staked, - 37.67% Yield)

Week 1: 4-2, + 1.64 Units (6 Units Staked, + 27.33% Yield)

NFL Week 15 Picks 2024 (Thursday 12th December-Monday 16th December)

There may only be four regular season weeks left in the 2024 NFL campaign, but there is little doubt that the biggest news story leading into the latest round of games actually involves College Football.

The Playoff Bracket was set, but even that has been overshadowed by the very surprising decision made by Bill Belichick to become the new Head Coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Most anticipated that Belichick would join a NFL team in the off-season as he looks to pass Don Shula in the list for all-time wins, but apparently there has not been enough interest in the former New England Head Coach to persuade Belichick to wait for offers and ignore the approach from North Carolina.

It is a coup for the Tar Heels and the rumour is that Bill Belichick has only accepted this job with the succession plan in place that would see son Steve take over as Head Coach when his father steps down. The younger Belichick is expected to leave the Washington Huskies and join up with Bill in what has to be one of the most surprising moves made by a College Football school in recent times.

There is no doubting that it is a huge boost for the Tar Heels, who have underachieved and who are looking to join the elite schools in becoming a regular that plays in the College Football Playoff, especially with the new expanded format set to only get wider in the years ahead. And some are still suggesting that there will be some break in the contract that allows Belichick to think again about returning to the professional ranks at the end of the 2025 season.

A lot of the talking heads will place their own opinion on the record during Week 15 of the regular season, but the players are only focusing on a strong end to the season and the chance to play for a Championship.

Some things did clear up after Week 14- the Kansas City Chiefs look like they have a clear edge to the Number 1 Seed in the AFC, while the NFC North might be down to a two-way battle for the Divisional Championship after the Lions edged past the Green Bay Packers.

The margin for error has certainly lessened a bit more with four games left and there are some big games on slate in Week 15 which is going to have an impact on both Conference Playoff pictures.

After a really strong start to the season for the NFL Picks, the fine margins have just turned and it was another tough week for the selections made.

In another week we could have easily finished 4-2, but it was a 2-4 record when all was said and done and that has just extended the poor run a little too long for my liking.

Week 15 offers another chance to bounce back with the selections kicking off on Thursday Night Football with a big NFC West Divisional battle.

Los Angeles Rams @ San Francisco 49ers Pick: Four weeks remain in the regular season and the tightest Division in the NFL will kick things off on Thursday Night Football in Week 15.

All four teams in the NFC West can still see a pathway through to the Playoffs by winning the Division, although time is a factor now. It does also mean that the Divisional games left on the schedule are hugely important for all four teams and you would say exceptionally so for the San Francisco 49ers (6-7) who are propping up the Division and who have a 1-3 record against fellow NFC West rivals.

That means tie-breakers are another factor that could come into play against the 49ers, a team that reached the Super Bowl several months ago and were considered the team to beat in the NFC in some quarters. Injury has made it very difficult for San Francisco, but the blowout win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday has snapped a three game losing run and this is a team that still believes, despite the adversity faced.

Next up is game against the Los Angeles Rams (7-6) who are a game behind the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West, but who have won two in a row including the back and forth with the Buffalo Bills. The Rams also hold a road victory over the Seahawks and look to have plenty of momentum in their bid to return to the Playoffs, despite playing with some inconsistency for much of the season.

Matthew Stafford's experience at Quarter Back has been hugely important for the Rams and helped them come through games even playing with third or fourth string Receiving options. Going into Week 15, Stafford will be very comfortable with the top names back and there could be another boost for the Offensive unit if Tyler Higbee is activated having recovered from a serious knee injury that has kept him out all year.

The Rams make the relatively short journey on a short week, but there will be confidence coursing through the team after the way they held off the Buffalo Bills in Week 14. There was a stubbornness to persist with Kyren Williams on the ground and the Running Back did have a couple of Touchdowns while working up to 87 yards, although it took 29 carries to reach that mark.

Once again the game plan has to be to attack the 49ers on the ground and there have been one or two holes up front that has prevented the Defensive Line from clamping down on the run nearly as well as they would have liked. Running the ball is key to the while Offensive plan that the Rams have so they will look for Williams to continue to pound the rock and see if that leaves their talented Receivers to find spaces to break into out of the play-action.

An experienced Super Bowl winning Quarter Back is obviously going to help, but Cooper Kuup continues to make things easier for Matthew Stafford. He also has an improving Puka Nacua fresh off a day in which he caught 162 passing yards, and the potential return of Tyler Higbee will be a huge boost too.

However, they will be throwing against a 49ers Secondary that can make plays as long as they are able to get some pressure up front from the pass rush. Nick Bosa looks set to miss out on the short week, which will impact that pressure, but the 49ers may still feel they can rush Matthew Stafford and try and stall drives.

Injuries to the likes of Bosa have impacted the Defensive unit, but it is the other side of the ball where San Francisco have really suffered and look to continue to suffer. Already down to a third string Running Back, Kyle Shanahan is only hopeful that Isaac Guerendo is able to go after seeing both Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason ruled out for the season.

Running the ball has proven to be a very effective way of attacking the Los Angeles Rams, but being down to a potential fourth string Running Back is one probelm. Arguably a bigger one for the 49ers is the continued absence of Trent Williams on the Offensive Line, a player that has paved the way for the run, and it has just made things a little tougher all around for the 49ers.

Patrick Taylor Jr would be next up for San Francisco at Running Back and had decent numbers in limited appearances for the Green Bay Packers before signing with the 49ers. He did have a Touchdown last week and the 49ers will believe the system allows them to plug in a Running Back that can exploit some of the weaknesses on the Rams Defensive Line.

It certainly helps with Brock Purdy back at Quarter Back and he is likely going to have a bit of time to make his plays down the field with the limited pass rush pressure the Rams have produced in recent games. There are key players out in the Receiving department too, but Purdy has decent chemistry with those that are going to suit up and he can help the 49ers keep the chains moving.

Los Angeles somehow won the first meeting between the Divisional rivals and they have won two in a row overall against San Francisco.

However, you do have to wonder how much intensity they can bring after putting a huge emotional effort into beating the Buffalo Bills on Sunday in Week 14. They are looking healthier at a good time, but San Francisco are desperate and the win over Chicago has just reminded the team what they can still achieve.

It could be a close, competitive game, but the feeling is that the 49ers will find a way to establish the more effective running game and ultimately Brock Purdy makes a play or two more than Matthew Stafford to help the home team pick up a very important win to keep their Playoff hopes alive.

Miami Dolphins @ Houston Texans Pick: They return from the Bye Week in a really strong position in the AFC South, but the Houston Texans (8-5) would love to wrap up the Division as soon as possible.

They do hold the tie-breaker over their nearest challengers, the Indianapolis Colts, but the Texans face the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens next with both on relative short weeks and the team will be keen to enter those contests with some momentum.

It is only the second year with DeMeco Ryans as Head Coach and CJ Stroud at Quarter Back, but expectations have been raised by reaching the Divisional Round of the Playoffs last season. 2024 has been tough in terms of consistency with injuries perhaps contributing to the feeling of underachievement, but the Texans are pretty much where they would want to be with the Division close to being secured, which would mean at least one home Playoff game coming up.

They have been hit with a couple of key injuries, but the Texans should be rested and ready to go with the run towards the Super Bowl beginning in Week 15.

Next up is a home game with the Miami Dolphins (6-7) who barely kept their own post-season hopes alive in Week 14 with an Overtime win over AFC East rivals New York Jets. Even then, it is going to likely need the Dolphins to win out and hope one of the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers or Baltimore Ravens slip up in their remaining four games with the Dolphins still two games out of the Wild Card spots.

It is a big ask, but the team and the Head Coach have spoken about focusing only on this Week 15 game with the Dolphins feeling in Playoff mode already. The 1-3 run without Tua Tagovailoa looks like being fatal to their hopes of making the Playoffs and there will be some big decisions that need to be made in the off-season with plenty of Miami fans feeling the window to win a Super Bowl may already be closed for the current roster.

Tua Tagovailoa led the Dolphins to the Touchdown drive to beat the Jets in Overtime last week, and the feeling is that the pressure will be on his shoulders again. In recent weeks the Miami Offensive Line have simply not been able to help establish the run as effectively as they would have hoped and they are not expected to get a lot of change out of this Texans Defensive Line.

Quick passes have been used in lieu of a traditional running game and that has helped Miami, while Tua Tagovailoa may feel there are holes in this Houston Secondary that can be exploited. Those may look a bit bigger after news that the Texans have lost Jalen Pitre for the remainder of the season, but much is going to depend on how much time the Dolphins Offensive Line can give Tagovailoa when he steps back to throw.

If in obvious passing situations, the Houston pass rush has the potential to disrupt drives as long as they can come up and tackle efficiently when the Miami Quarter Back decides to use quick passes to negate that rush.

Miami will feel they can drive the ball up and down the field, but the Houston pass rush might be key if the team are not able to run the ball and become one-dimensional in their play-calling.

That should not be an issue for the Texans who have found a decent balance on the Offensive side of the ball, even if CJ Stroud has perhaps not been as strong as his Quarter Back year. He has not been helped with Nico Collins missing time, but the top Wide Receiver is back for Houston and Joe Mixon has shown there is plenty left in the tank at Running Back.

Unlike Miami, Houston are going to be confident in being able to hand the ball to Mixon and have him keep the team in third and manageable spots, which also means the play-action becomes a real advantage for the Texans.

This should just offer CJ Stroud the time to attack a Miami Secondary that made Aaron Rodgers look more like the Green Bay version of the Quarter Back rather than the one that has been playing for the Jets this season. With Collins and Tank Dell around, the Texans may just be able to sustain drives that much easier than the Miami Dolphins and it may end up giving the home team the edge.

There is a desperation about the Dolphins that can inspire, but it has long been said that 'needing' to win games is not exactly a glowing recommendation about strength of the team involved. Coming out of a Bye Week, the Houston Texans should be healthy and ready to compete and they may just have the balance on the Offensive side of the ball that forces Miami into positions where they have to throw.

This is where the Houston pass rush could come into their own and they can win this game and just move a step closer to locking down the Number 4 Seed in the AFC.

Washington Commanders @ New Orleans Saints Pick: They return from a late Bye Week and the Washington Commanders (8-5) remain in a very strong position to earn a Wild Card spot into the Playoffs.

Winning the NFC East looks a long shot with four weeks left of the regular season and it would need Washington to win out and hope the Philadelphia Eagles slip up. The top two teams in the Division meet in Week 16, but the Commanders have to be focused on putting some momentum behind themselves rather than any real belief in winning the Division from their current position.

The Commanders could have Marshon Lattimore suiting up for the first time since his trade from the New Orleans Saints (5-8) and they are also facing a team that has lost their starting Quarter Back again. A decision has been made to give Jake Haener his first start for the Saints, and three wins in four have not really been enough to get back into the Wild Card mix.

In saying that, New Orleans are only 2 games out of the lead in the NFC South and so there is still some hope for the Saints.

They will need a couple of upsets if they are going to surprise and win the Division and that has to begin in Week 15 against the Washington Commanders.

An inexperienced Quarter Back can be potentially problematic, but the Saints have to lean on the Offensive Line and hope they can churn out the yards on the ground. Alvin Kamara is going to be the key to their hopes, especially as a safety blanket for Jake Haener in the passing game too, but the absence of Taysom Hill is another blow for this team.

Stopping the run has been an issue for the Commanders all season and they will need to strengthen up if they are going to have a deep Playoff run. However, in this game they may not have the same respect for the passing game as they would if Derek Carr was behind Center, and creeping up to stop the run and leave the young Quarter Back in third and long has to be game plan.

Jake Haener should be well protected, which will help, but you have to believe there will be some inconsistency in the passing game with the inexperience there.

The Commanders are not exactly bringing out a Quarter Back with a host of experiences at the NFL level, but Jayden Daniels came into the League with plenty of expectations and he has largely met those.

It certainly helps playing with this Washington Offensive Line that have helped open up some big running lanes for Brian Robinson Jr. They also know that Daniels is capable of picking up chunks of yards with his legs and the recent problems the Saints have had in stopping the run may be shown up.

Jayden Daniels will be under a bit more pressure when he steps back to throw, but establishing the run should make things a bit more comfortable. The Quarter Back will also be throwing into a New Orleans Secondary that have given up some significant yards through the air in recent games and it should mean a balanced approach to the Offensive side of the ball.

This should be the key to the game and Washington should be ready to compete after the Bye Week following a crushing win over the Tennessee Titans.

It is a big spread, but the Commanders might be able to rattle the New Orleans Quarter Back into a couple of mistakes and that can see them pull clear. There is a big game on deck for the Commanders, but the focus should still be on this one as they look to keep in touch with the Philadelphia Eagles before facing them in Week 16 and that should see the road team come through with a double digit win.

New York Jets @ Jacksonville Jaguars Pick: Two of the most disappointing teams in the AFC meet in Week 15 of the 2024 season and with elimination already confirmed.

The New York Jets (3-10) and Jacksonville Jaguars (3-10) will have big decisions to make in the off-season, although the two teams did play hard in Week 14 and that will offer the fans some encouragement.

Some, but ultimately very little encouragement in a disappointing year.

Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets have lost four in a row, but there is no suggestion that the Quarter Back will be shut down for the season. His longer-term plans are a bit more uncertain with many reports suggesting that Rodgers does not want to retire, but also does not want to continue playing for the Jets, but there were some positive signs in the defeat to the Miami Dolphins.

Facing a struggling Jacksonville team will help and the Jets should be able to get something going on the ground, even if Breece Hall is not able to suit up. While the Offensive Line has had problems in pass protection, the Jets are not going to be facing up to the fiercest of pass rushes from the Jaguars and it should give the road team a chance to sustain drives.

The Jets fans have not really had the spark at Quarter Back that they would have hoped when Aaron Rodgers returned, but he had a decent showing against the Dolphins. There is every chance that Rodgers can exploit the issues the Jaguars have had in the Secondary and that gives the road team an edge.

New York will have their first choice Quarter Back on the field, but the Jacksonville Jaguars will have to go with Mac Jones ahead of Trevor Lawrence again. The latter is out for the season, and it has been tough work Offensively without their starter.

It all begins on the Offensive Line and the issues that the Jaguars have had in trying to establish the run, something that will be very challenging against this Jets Defensive Line. This has forced Mac Jones into trying to make plays from third and long, which has been a big ask, and it has meant inconsistent Offensive play.

One of the big disappointments for the Jets has been the play of the Secondary so there may be opportunities for Mac Jones to hit some of his Receivers down the field. However, it should be noted the inconsistency displayed by the backup Quarter Back and Interceptions have been a real trouble for him, which could just give the Jets another edge.

Backing bad teams to win games is never much fun, but the Jaguars look weaker than the New York Jets and Aaron Rodgers can out-duel Mac Jones to lead his team to a rare win.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Tennessee Titans Pick: Four losses in five games have likely ended any real hopes of working their way into the Playoffs, but the Cincinnati Bengals (5-8) kept faint dreams alive with the late win at the Dallas Cowboys.

They have to win out and hope for a lot of help from above them, but time is running out rapidly.

Next up is another road game on a short week, but the Bengals are facing a Tennessee Titans (3-10) team that have lost two in a row and who many not be massively focused on this game. That is down to the fact they finish the season with three straight Divisional games and playing spoilers for their rivals might be more important than putting in the effort needed to beat the Bengals.

The Titans will be given a boost by facing this Cincinnati Defensive unit that have struggled to make stops all season. It should allow Tennessee to establish the run and just ease the pressure on Will Levis at Quarter Back by keeping him in third and manageable spots on the field.

The jury remains out when it comes to making a verdict about Will Levis and his long-term prospects of being a franchise Quarter Back for the Titans. Will Levis will definitely appreciate the massive holes that the Bengals have continued to display in the Secondary, although the Quarter Back is expected to be under some duress at times when he steps back to throw and that could be the key to stalling some of the drives.

Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Offensive unit have not had too many issues when it comes to their performance level on this side of the ball and they should be able to keep things going against this Titans team. In recent weeks the Titans Defensive Line have just allowed teams to get something going on the ground and that can only aid the Bengals with Chase Brown hitting the Line hard and making gains on the ground.

He is also an effective weapon coming out of the backfield, while the Wide Receivers continue to shine  in the system.

The Quarter Back has not always been given a lot of time in the pocket, which is one concern for the road team, but Joe Burrow has still found the big passes to keep things moving. With the team likely to be in third and manageable spots, Burrow may have more time than he has been used to and that should help the Cincinnati Bengals as they look to build up some head of steam before the end of the regular season.

It may already be too late to earn a Wild Card spot, but the Bengals can just keep their hopes alive through another week and they can beat a Tennessee team that might not be as focused as they need to be.

Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings Pick: The Week 14 performance at the San Francisco 49ers was extremely disappointing, but the Chicago Bears (4-9) are a team that know big changes are coming in the off-season with a new Head Coach to be appointed. That might have factored into the performance, while some players could have been looking ahead to Week 15 and Week 16 when the Bears have an opportunity to play spoiler for the two top teams in the Division.

They will also play the Packers, but there is perhaps more on the line for the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings (11-2).

On Monday Night Football it is the Minnesota Vikings who are hosting the Bears and they still have an opportunity to not only win the NFC North, but to finish the regular season with the top Seed in the Conference.

Merely making the Playoff would have been seen as an overachievement back in September, but the Vikings are here now and ambitions of the players will never have slackened.

Sam Darnold was supposed to be a placeholder at Quarter Back, but credit has to be given to the Coaching staff in Minnesota that he has looked the franchise Quarter Back that other teams had hoped for. He is still young, so at worst case scenario for Sam Darnold is that he is in line for a big contract somewhere.

He is helped by the Coaching staff, the Wide Receivers that Minnesota have and the Vikings Offensive Line that has given Aaron Jones the spaces to burst through on the ground. All of these elements of the Offense are going to be on display, but Darnold also has to be given credit for having the courage to make the plays down the field that has sparked the team.

The Vikings should be able to get things going on the ground, which is only going to open up the dangerous passing game.

In recent games the Bears have not looked the same Defensively as injuries have piled up and a long season moves into the final run. They have not had much success in stopping the run, while the Secondary is also suffering and you have to believe the Vikings will have considerable amounts of joy when they have the ball in the hands of the Offense.

However, we saw in the first game between these Divisional rivals that Caleb Williams and the Bears can move the ball pretty well too.

The Running Backs room is banged up so it may come down to the rookie Quarter Back, but Caleb Williams will note the amount of yards this Minnesota Secondary continue to give up. The one problem with not running the ball effectively is that Williams will left operating behind the Chicago Offensive Line that has not been very good at pass protection and it is always that much more difficult throwing when under duress.

Brian Flores will also know a bit more about this rookie Quarter Back and that may help him put a game plan together to just offer a few more unfamiliar looks. The Vikings may give up a lot of passing yards, but they have also picked up the Interceptions when needed and turning the ball over here might just give them the impetus to pull away for a solid win.

The Bears did force Overtime in the first game, but it should be remembered they were down 11 points with 22 seconds left so a lot went right for Chicago at the end of that game. Another backdoor cover cannot be ruled out, but the Minnesota Vikings have momentum and they may just be a bit more keen to wrap this one up at home without the same kind of drama and a turnover or two may be what it takes to do that.

MY PICKS: San Francisco 49ers - 2.5 Points @ 1.86 Bet Fred (1 Unit)

Houston Texans - 2.5 Points @ 1.83 Bet Fred (1 Unit)

Washington Commanders - 7.5 Points @ 1.95 Bet Fred (1 Unit)

New York Jets - 3.5 Points @ 2.00 Bet Victor (1 Unit)

Cincinnati Bengals - 4.5 Points @ 1.86 Paddy Power (1 Unit)

Denver Broncos - 4 Points @ 1.91 Sky Bet (1 Unit)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers + 3 Points @ 1.91 Bet Victor (1 Unit)

Minnesota Vikings - 6.5 Points @ 1.86 Bet Victor (1 Unit)

Week 14: 2-4, - 2.23 Units (6 Units Staked, - 37.17% Yield)

Week 13: 1-3, - 2.17 Units (4 Units Staked, - 54.25% Yield)

Week 12: 2-4, - 2.17 Units (6 Units Staked, - 36.17% Yield)

Week 11: 2-3, - 1.23 Units (5 Units Staked, - 24.60% Yield)

Week 10: 1-6, - 5.05 Units (7 Units Staked, - 72.14% Yield)

Week 9: 3-2, + 0.73 Units (5 Units Staked, + 14.60% Yield)

Week 8: 4-2, + 1.72 Units (6 Units Staked, + 28.67% Yield)

Week 7: 4-3, + 0.73 Units (7 Units Staked, + 10.43% Yield)

Week 6: 4-2, + 1.67 Units (6 Units Staked, + 27.83% Yield)

Week 5: 4-2, + 1.64 Units (6 Units Staked, + 27.33% Yield)

Week 4: 6-2, + 3.45 Units (8 Units Staked, + 43.13% Yield)

Week 3: 3-3, - 0.23 Units (6 Units Staked, - 3.83% Yield)

Week 2: 4-2, + 1.62 Units (6 Units Staked, + 27% Yield)

Week 1: 5-2, + 2.67 Units (7 Units Staked, + 38.14% Yield)

Boxing Picks 2024- Emanuel Navarrete vs Oscar Valdez II (Saturday 7th December)

It has been a brilliant year for Boxing fans, although the only real criticism you may feel in the United Kingdom is the lack of really big cards here.

There have been some top nights, but it is clear that Matchroom, Queensberry and Boxxer promotions are all well aware that more nights are needed to keep fans engaged and attending events, especially if there is ever a moment that the Saudi Arabian authorities decide they are going to pull back from the sport.

For now that looks far from the case with another big night planned on Saturday 21st December to round out the year and with the Ring Magazine purchased, while other sources that are important to the sport have had offers, including Boxrec.

Those have been resisted for now, but it is clear there are no immediate plans for Turki Alalshikh to slip behind the scenes.

In fairness to the face of the Saudi promotion, Turki Alalshikh has been able to announce a hugely impressive card for Saturday 22nd February back in Riyadh- it is a card that features three or four fights that could be headline acts alone and with solid support around those, while Alalshikh admitted there are at least two other bouts that had to be removed to just ensure fans are not having to sit down for too long to take it all in.

Those bouts removed will be announced for a March card according to Turki Alalshikh and there are plenty of other big fights that he wants to put together, which can only be good news for fans.

And with Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren both joining forces on DAZN, an announcement for their first quarter fight nights in 2025 are also expected soon, which should only be further positive news.

In reality, by the time the Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury rematch rolls around later this month, the first quarter of the Boxing calendar for 2025 should have a few weekends filled out and there should be much to look forward to.

For now the concentration is on another big weekend with three decent cards across three different parts of the world.

World Titles are on the line, and World eliminators will be fought out and it all begins in the early evening in London before the action shifts to the United States and Puerto Rico.

Emanuel Navarrete vs Oscar Valdez II

There will be plenty of eyes on the main event in San Juan where Liam Paro defends his World Title against Richardson Hitchins, but the layers are not having an easy time separating the two.

In reality, a World Title may be on the line but it looks like a terrible match up and one that is only really designed to set the winner up for a big bout in 2025.

Liam Paro might have a slight edge, and the hope is that he comes through with a more attractive style compared with Richardson Hitchins, although the latter has plenty of attributes that could see him edge this one. My hope is to be pleasantly surprised by the quality of the fight, but it is not one where my expectatons are all that high.

Instead the main focus from the two late cards will be the one that Top Rank have put together.

The headline is a rematch between Emanuel Navarrete and Oscar Valdez and it really feels like a bout where the losing fighter may struggle to determine a good path back to relevancy.

It is easy to make the argument that this World Title bid means more to Oscar Valdez who lost the first fight with Emanuel Navarrete without really putting a dent in the Champion. The defeat was the second in three fights for Oscar Valdez against truly world class opponents, but he bounced back with a Stoppage of Liam Wilson earlier this season to earn a second crack at the WBO World Title.

Since that win, things have not been the same for Emanuel Navarrete, which has perhaps made this rematch a bit more intriguing considering the strong win he had in the first bout in August 2023.

A Majority Decision draw with Robson Conceicao to retain his title was followed by a very tight defeat to Denys Berinchyk in the Lightweight Division, which has forced Navarrete back to the Super Featherweight Ranks.

It was a poor night for Emanuel Navarrete and there is a concern that the miles on the clock have added up and perhaps put him on the decline in his career. Going back down to 130 Pounds will help, and Navarrete has admitted has work to do in order to improve his technique.

There is also a feeling that Emanuel Navarrete needs to work harder to achieve what he wants, but the power that did not carry up to Lightweight should be much more telling back at Super Featherweight. Some have suggested that ha had not put in the kind of effort you would expect in training camp, but a loss should just refocus the defending Champion and he might be all the better for that.

In their first meeting, Emanuel Navarrete took away some of the Oscar Valdez heart and a hand injury perhaps hindered his chances of pushing through and eventually Stopping the challenger who has come up in weight.

Oscar Valdez is definitely on the back nine of his own career and we will learn how much he still wants it when he has to come through some stormy moments.

The feeling is that Emanuel Navarrete has a bit more in the tank and his extra power should start to break down Oscar Valdez, whose time at this level feels much closer to the end than the Champion. He was getting a little beaten up in the first meeting and that was against a Navarrete with an injured hand with the suggestion that this time the power is a bit more telling and can force a Stoppage in the final quarter of the contest.

The co-main event on this card is another rematch when Rafael Espinoza defends his WBO World Featherweight Title against Robeisy Ramirez.

The defending Champion won the World Title in an upset of Ramirez almost exactly twelve months ago and Rafael Espinoza is tall and awkward for this Division. However, that has led to some suggestions that the unbeaten fighter is thinking of moving up to Super Featherweight and could have potentially had some issues making weight.

His work ethic saw Espinoza overcome a Fifth Round Knock Down and later put Robeisy Ramirez on the floor in taking a Split Decision win.

The former Champion has stated that he was not ready for the first fight and Robeisy Ramirez was perhaps looking past Rafael Espinoza at potentially bigger bouts that could have been ahead. Boxing is a sport where losing focus can end up with a real punishment and Ramirez will be very keen to make up for the defeat.

He can redeem himself, even set as the underdog and Rafael Espinoza's suggestion that he needs to move up in weight after this one could mean the body work is where the title can be reclaimed by Robeisy Ramirez.

The Cuban had Rafael Espinoza hurt the first time around, and the extra focus for this remaatch should see Robeisy Ramirez bounce back and reclaim his World Title with an impressive performance.

Over in London, Frank Warren and Queensberry Promotions have put together another of their 'Magnificent Seven' cards and there are a host of their potential stars in the making on show.

The headliner is a WBO World Title eliminator and there is a real feeling that Warren is hoping to set up a huge Unification between two British fighters at the back end of 2025 if the names on his roster can bring home World Titles over the next six months.

There is a decent undercard, which is expected, and the return of Lawrence Okolie under a third different promotional banner is intriguing, if only because the former Cruiserweight and Bridgerweight Champion has now officially entered the Heavyweight ranks.

It is tough to really have great expectations of Okolie in this Division, but he should get some big opportunities to prove a lot of people wrong over the next year.

He has come in very heavy, but should have too much for Hussein Muhamed and likely gets the job done before the second half of the fight.

Another Heavyweight is making a return from a fourteen month layoff (even though it feels a lot longer than that) and David Adeleye is looking to bounce back from the one-sided loss to Fabian Wardley in October 2023. He is with a new trainer now, Adam Booth, but Adeleye is not going to be entering a tune up.

Instead it is unbeaten Solomon Dacres in front of Adeleye, but the feeling is that the latter's power edge will prove to be telling.

Big things are expected of Sam Noakes who is in the chief support position on the card and he continues his progression towards the World level.

He has earned plenty of experience from his last two fights at European level and he is the naturally bigger man compared with Ryan Walsh, who has veteran experience and will feel he has nothing to lose as the B side.

However, it is far from ideal preparation to have just five Rounds under the belt since March 2022 and Ryan Walsh's record of never being Stopped in a professional ring will be under serious threat.

In reality, Ryan Walsh is unlikely to have been hit as hard and consistently as he will when facing Sam Noakes and this could be a real statement performance in an impressive 135 Pound Division.

The main event was mentioned above and both Denzel Bentley and Bradley Pauls have a massive opportunity in front of them with the winner becoming mandatory for the WBO World Title held by Janibek Alimkhanuly.

This is a rematch that Bentley has wanted ever since pushing the Champion to a defeat on the cards, but his stock dipped after losing his British Title to Nathan Heaney.

While trying not to make excuses, Denzel Bentley has made it clear that all was not right on that night and he has won two fights in a row to earn this opportunity to regain the British Title that was lost.

It is Bradley Pauls who holds it after beating Nathan Heaney in a Twelfth Round Stoppage in a rematch of a controversial draw between the two. Credit has to be given to Bradley Pauls after bouncing back from the defeat to Tyler Denny, but there is a feeling that Denzel Bentley at his best is a significant step up from the level of Pauls, Heaney and Denny.

The Londoner can be frustrated at times depending on the style, but this main event looks like it will mesh pretty well with Pauls looking to come forward.

Ultimately that could lead to his downfall against someone who hits very hard like Denzel Bentley and the feeling is that the former Champion can earn the British Title again and then push for the rematch with Alimkhanuly in the first half of 2025 with the hope that eventually there could be a Unification against Hamzah Sheeraz to be arranged.

MY PICKS: Emanuel Navarrete to Win by KO/TKO @ 3.75 Paddy Power (1 Unit)

Robeisy Ramirez to Win by KO/TKO @ 4.50 William Hill (1 Unit)

Lawrence Okolie to Win Between 1-5 @ 1.80 Sky Bet (2 Units)

David Adeleye to Win by KO/TKO @ 2.50 Sky Bet (1 Unit)

Sam Noakes to Win Between 1-6 @ 4.00 Paddy Power (1 Unit)

Denzel Bentley to Win By KO/TKO @ 2.62 Bet Fred (1 Unit)

Boxing 2024: 31-58, + 5.74 Units (115 Units Staked, + 4.99% Yield)