NFL Week 16 Picks 2025 (Thursday 18th December-Monday 22nd December)

Three regular season weeks of the 2025 year remain for NFL teams and that means the margin for error has all but disappeared.

Last week we saw the Kansas City Chiefs eliminated from the post-season for the first time since Patrick Mahomes took over as starting Quarter Back, although the bigger concern for the team is the ACL injury picked up by the star player. All season he has battled through adversity and pain to make sure he can lead the Chiefs, but the late injury suffered in Week 15 of the 2025 season could potentially impact how the Kansas City Chiefs approach the off-season and perhaps even the entire 2026 year.

Patrick Mahomes was not the only big name player suffering an injury in Week 15 after Micah Parsons went down for the Green Bay Packers and he is another likely to miss the remainder of the season.

It has been one of those seasons- so many important names have been sidelined for huge lengths of time and the top of the NFL has been impacted by that.

Some teams have played up to the level of expectation- the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams looked to be the top teams in the NFC and both are expected to be playing beyond Week 18.

The Buffalo Bills earned a big win last week and may feel this is the most open route into the Super Bowl than thye have encountered in the Josh Allen era- big threats like the Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals are out, while the Bills look built to compete in January as long as they can find a way to just get the Defensive unit up another level or two.

You have to expect the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos and perhaps the Baltimore Ravens will have something to say about that, but this really does feel like a season in which you can take a handful of teams and still fail to identify the Super Bowl Winner.

Uncertainty on the field has also seeped into the NFL Picks and it is going to take some effort to turn this season around and end another year with a positive return.

Week 15 produced a small victory, but much more is needed with the selections beginning on Thursday Night Football again.

Further Picks will be added to this thread in the days ahead.

Los Angeles Rams @ Seattle Seahawks Pick: The NFC West looks very likely to send three teams into the Playoffs, but the Division is still up for grabs and the top three will all still believe they can finish as Champions. The likelihood is that the NFC West winner will also finish with the Number 1 Seed in the NFC, meaning the run towards the Super Bowl will have to go through them, and this Thursday Night Football game is a very important one.

The Los Angeles Rams (11-3) are leading the NFC West having already earned one win over the Seattle Seahawks (11-3) and having a 3-1 Divisional record compared with a 2-2 mark for the Seahawks.

It makes this an important game for both teams, who are a game ahead of the 10-4 San Francisco 49ers, and the winner of this game in Week 16 will have the momentum to take home the Divisional crown.

Both teams were victorious in Week 15, although the Seattle Seahawks made much tougher work of the Indianapolis Colts than most would have expected.

Some of that could have been down to this upcoming game and not taking the Colts as seriously as they might, but Seattle did win and that makes it four victories in a row.

They will need to make sure they are putting together a more consistent Offensive plan if they are going to win this game, but Seattle should be confident that they can do that. Of course that will only work if they can avoid the turnovers that cost them the game when they visited Los Angeles last month.

Sam Darnold had four Interceptions in that game and the Quarter Back still has plenty to prove when it comes to showing up when the pressure is at its most intense. He has experience, which will help, and Sam Darnold is playing in front of a very loud home crowd and there are holes in this Los Angeles Secondary that can be exploited.

Running the ball is going to be difficult against this Rams Defensive Line, but Seattle will feel they can execute better than they did in the road loss in Los Angeles. As long as they remain balanced, Seattle should have success moving the chains and making sure they give the Defensive unit the best chance to win the battle of the field position.

It is going to be the battle at the Line of Scrimmage on the other side of the ball that really could determine the outcome of this game.

In recent games, the Los Angeles Rams have been very good at establishing the run with the tandem at Running Back operating behind this strong Offensive Line. However, the Seattle Defensive Line have been able to clamp down on the run and they will want to make sure they are stronger than the first meeting when the Seahawks did allow Los Angeles to pound out some big gains on the ground.

Matthew Stafford has been well protected and he has been playing as well as any Quarter Back in the NFL and through a much longer period- his numbers continue to impress, but Davante Adams may be missing and this Seattle Secondary have impressed.

When the teams met earlier this season, the Rams saw Matthew Stafford throw two Touchdown passes, but he was restricted to 130 passing yards and it is going to be a test for the Seahawks to match that kind of output again.

Even in recent weeks, the Seahawks have continued to play the pass really well and this is where they may be able to turn the tables on the Los Angeles Rams and level up the season series.

Los Angeles have won four of the last five Divisional games between these NFC West rivals, but the Seahawks played well enough to beat the Rams last month and they may just do enough to edge this important game.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Commanders Pick: Last year these two NFC East teams ended up meeting in the Conference Championship game, but things have not gone to plan in 2025, at least as far as the Washington Commanders (4-10) are concerned.

Injuries have been a big issue for the Commanders all season and they have struggled to find any momentum.

The Philadelphia Eagles (9-5) went on and won the Super Bowl after crushing the Commanders in the NFC Championship Game, but they have not been as good as they looked last season. This has not prevented them from dominating the NFC East and the Eagles are one win away from becoming the first repeat Champion of the Division in twenty years.

Injuries on the Offensive Line have been a problem for the Eagles and this is a team that have not always been on the same page on this side of the ball. They did at least snap a three game losing run last week and Philadelphia will be hoping that they can round out the regular season with the kind of form and momentum that can carry them through January and February.

Encouragement for this game can be taken from the fact that the Commanders are plenty banged up and the Eagles Offensive Line have been able to help establish the run pretty effectively in recent games. That should bode well for Philadelphia, who know the importance for the whole team to have the Offensive unit playing in front of the chains, and they should be able to pound the rock against this Washington Defensive Line.

This should mean things are opened up for Jalen Hurts at Quarter Back who still has some big time Receivers to target down the field- playing in third and manageable means Hurts remains dangerous with his legs and he can use play-action to expose the holes in the Washington Secondary by getting the ball down the field.

There would be more concerns that they may need to be involved in a shoot out if Jayden Daniels was playing at Quarter Back for Washington, but the young player is not going to be risked the rest of the way so he can fully recover from the injuries he has played through this season.

Instead it will be Marcus Mariota back behind Center and he can at least hand the ball to the Running Backs in this one against an Eagles Defensive Line that is missing Jalen Carter. In recent games, Philadelphia have struggled to stop the run with any consistency and so this is an area that Washington can target, although Marcus Mariota will have to remind the Eagles of his threat with his arm.

We have not seen too much of that of late and this Philadelphia Secondary has really been operating at a high level and look to be the key in any prolonged Playoff run.

It could allow Philadelphia to play closer to the Line of Scrimmage and dare Mariota to beat them with his arm, which is something he has struggled to do with any consistency since coming in for Jayden Daniels. Throwing against this Secondary is dangerous for a player struggling with turnovers and this looks a good chance for the Philadelphia Eagles to come through with a road win.

Almost exactly twelve months ago, Washington did beat Philadelphia at home, but the injury hit Commanders have to face this team twice in the next three games and they look unlikely to be competitive all the way through.

Taking some of the juice away and backing the Eagles to cover a number just below a converted Touchdown mark looks the way to go as they clinch a Playoff spot and remain interested in finished as high as the Number 2 Seed in the NFC.

Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears Pick: The NFC North looks like a Division that will be sending at least two teams to the Playoffs, but it is still uncertain as to which two teams that will be.

With that in mind, a second meeting between the Chicago Bears (10-4) and Green Bay Packers (9-4-1) in three weeks looks vitally important.

The Green Bay Packers beat the Chicago Bears at home in Week 14 when Caleb Williams was Intercepted in the End Zone as he looked to put the Bears in a position to tie the game. Both teams have picked up some serious injuries in the time since, which changes the mood around the game, but it is the case of 'next man up' with the Playoffs fast approaching and both teams targeting a spot in the final Bracket.

Micah Parsons is the big name that suffered a serious injury for the Green Bay Packers, but Josh Jacobs and Christian Watson are banged up on the other side of the ball. The latter two look like they will suit up, which is big news for the Packers as they look to retake the Divisional lead, but the injury to Parsons adds up to others on the Defensive side of the ball and that has to give the Chicago Bears huge encouragement.

In recent games, the Bears have been running the ball really well behind a strong looking Offensive Line and they will feel they did run well enough in the road loss at the Packers. Now they are facing a Green Bay team that have lost key personnel up front and that could see the Bears have perhaps a bit more success compared with the first meeting, which was still amongst the better performances against the Packers Defensive Line.

Putting Caleb Williams in third and manageable spots is very important considering the Bears are without a couple of key Receivers this week.

This will allow the Quarter Back to make moves with his legs when the pocket does break down, while DJ Moore and Colston Loveland can still find spaces to exploit down the field.

As injuries have cleared up on the Defensive side of the ball, the Chicago Bears have shown improvement here and that will be something that they will be looking to show in this rematch. If Josh Jacobs was going to miss out, the Bears might have felt more comfortable, especially as they allowed the Running Back to almost reach 100 yards on the ground in the game two weeks ago.

This is still an area that the Green Bay Packers will be looking to exploit considering the Bears Defensive Line have continued to show some weakness to the run.

Making life comfortable for Jordan Love could give the Quarter Back the opportunities that the Bears feel they can offer Caleb Williams, and Christian Watson being available would certainly help. Key players have returned to the Chicago Secondary, which will make the passing game that much tougher to execute, but Jordan Love had over 200 yards through the air in the first game between these NFC North rivals and that meant the Packers were extremely balanced in the Offensive output.

Interceptions could be a key part of the game as it was in the first meeting.

This Bears Secondary have been very dangerous and they did pick off Jordan Love in the first game, while the Week 15 win over the Cleveland Browns underlined the ability of this Chicago team to win the turnover battle.

Losing two key Receivers hurts though and that is where the Green Bay Packers have to feel they still have enough Offensive firepower to come through.

It will be wise to keep an eye on the injury report with both Josh Jacobs and Christian Watson needed and pushing to be included, even if the Coaching staff are less sure.

Conditions will not be easy at Soldier Field in a night kick off in December, but the Green Bay Packers may just have enough to maintain the mental edge in this rivalry by earning a narrow road victory.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Carolina Panthers Pick: The top of the NFC South will be decided in the last three weeks of the regular season as the two leaders meet twice in the remaining schedule.

Both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7) and Carolina Panthers (7-7) have been struggling for consistency, while both are 2-2 in the Division- make no mistake, the team that wins both of the regular season games between these teams is going to be making it through to the post-season, although the pressure on the losing team will be having to win next week to make sure the winner has not been able to pull clear ahead of the Week 18 rematch.

Neither will be thinking ahead though and this Week 16 game is hugely important.

The Buccaneers lost on Thursday Night Football in Week 15 on a late Field Goal, but Mike Evans was back in action and the mini-Bye has to do the team the world of good. Key players have either missed significant time or they have been playing through the pain and that has hindered the long-time dominant NFC South team.

Carolina were not able to take advantage of the Buccaneers slip after losing to the New Orleans Saints for a second time, but they have been much better in 2025 compared with 2024 and there is still so much for them to play for.

They may be without an important Offensive Lineman for this game, but the Panthers have to feel they can still establish the run against what has been a surprisingly vulnerable Tampa Bay Defensive Line. That is an area where big players have been playing through injury and that has meant the Buccaneers have struggled to stop the run with any consistency, which is an area Carolina have to exploit.

It is important just to take the pressure from Quarter Back Bryce Young, who has continued to be a little up and down.

Bryce Young will be facing a Tampa Bay Secondary that has been struggling to stop plays, but he is hoping that Tetaiora McMillan is able to suit up to give him more options.

Running the ball should be something the Buccaneers are able to do in this game too and they have Bucky Irving back in the lineup, which is a boost. They will be looking to keep the pressure away from Baker Mayfield, who is clearly playing despite not being at 100% healthy, although the return of Mike Evans is a massive boost for the veteran under Center.

He has been faced with some pressure as the Offensive Line have struggled to offer time, but Baker Mayfield can step back and target Evans in any jump ball situation knowing his Wide Receiver will likely win.

That should help and the experience of the Buccaneers should mean they have not panicked too much about some tight losses.

Having a bit of extra time to prepare for this game should also be an important factor in favour of the road team, while Tampa Bay will not have forgotten the dominance they have had over this Divisional rival in recent years. This could all be at play with the Buccaneers capable of finding enough big plays, and perhaps a turnover or two, to turn this game in their own favour.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Miami Dolphins Pick: The defeat on Monday Night Football might have spelled the end of the Tua Tagovailoa era as Quarter Back of the Miami Dolphins (6-8). The underwhelming 2025 season has officially ended with elimination with the defeat at the Pittsburgh Steelers, but Tagovailoa's performance was heavily criticised and he has been replaced at Quarter Back by rookie Quinn Ewers.

The Dolphins are hosting a Cincinnati Bengals (4-10) team who have had another really poor season where Quarter Back Joe Burrow has missed a number of games again.

Joe Burrow has even hinted at the potential of leaving the Bengals, although that looks unlikely in the very near future- the focus instead is to bounce back from a miserable day in the office for the Bengals when blown out by the Baltimore Ravens and failing to score a point.

There is expected to be a reaction to that, even if Joe Burrow's comments have raised plenty of eyebrows this past week.

He is fortunate to be going up against a Miami Defensive unit that may struggle to pick up the intensity after elimination was confirmed and with a rookie Quarter Back coming into the lineup on the other side of the ball. It may feel Miami are already thinking ahead to next season, which could cloud the thinking of those on the field, and this Dolphins Defensive unit have been inconsistent all season anyway.

To give them some credit, Miami have played pretty well on this side of the ball in recent games, but could not do much to slow the Pittsburgh Steelers and are now playing on a short week.

The Bengals may be without Tee Higgins, but Ja'Marr Chase and Joe Burrow can make connections to keep the ball moving and Chase Brown has been running the ball with real competitive spirit. He has also proven to be capable of catching the ball when leaking out of the backfield and Cincinnati have to feel they can move the chains.

It is easy to say the same for the Miami Dolphins as they look to lean on De'Von Achane, who had a tough night in Pittsburgh, but who has been a huge figure in the Offense with the way he has been running the ball behind this Miami Offensive Line.

Coming up against the struggling Bengals Defensive Line should be a huge advantage, but it may depend on how much respect there is for a rookie Quarter Back- there is every reason to believe the Bengals play closer to the Line of Scrimmage and dare Quinn Ewers to beat them with his arm, rather than allow Achane to run all over them.

Things will feel a lot different if Quinn Ewers is able to make some plays with his arm, although it should be noted that the Miami Offensive Line have been struggling with their pass protection. Instead the focus may be to get Ewers going with quick passes closer to the Line of Scrimmage, and that may just benefit Cincinnati to come up and make sure they are keeping the Miami Offensive unit in third and long spots where they can.

Being at home has to give Miami motivation, even on a short week, and Head Coach Mike McDaniel is convinced Quinn Ewers gives his team a shot in the arm from the Quarter Back position.

As long as he can make some throws to give the Bengals something to think about, it should keep things clear up front for De'Von Achane to have a bounce back game and having more than a Field Goal worth of points with the home team looks too good to pass up here.

Minnesota Vikings @ New York Giants Pick: Both of these teams may be eliminated, but the end of the regular season is an opportunity to assess how they can turn things around in 2026. Both have young, inexperienced Quarter Backs starting in this game, and those players need to impress upper management ahead of the Draft where both teams will potentially have high Picks.

The New York Giants (2-12) are one of three teams with just two wins secured this season and there will be some in the fanbase hoping they lose out.

They have a tough test this week against an improving Minnesota Vikings (6-8), although that improvement has come too late. In Week 15 they effectively ended the Dallas Cowboys season with a win on Sunday Night Football and it is going to be a test for the Vikings to back that up after winning in front of a national audience.

JJ McCarthy has not been quite as good as hoped, but he had a big game against the Cowboys and has some big Receivers who can help him continue that trend. It certainly helps that he is throwing against a New York Secondary that has been struggling in recent games and the young Quarter Back can have another solid performance.

He is throwing outdoors this time, which is going to bring its own challenges, but it will help that McCarthy should be well backed by the running game and that should keep him in third and manageable spots around the field.

This should give the Vikings every chance of keeping the chains moving, while the Brian Flores led Defensive unit have to be confident of giving Minnesota a chance to pull clear for a road win.

Jaxson Dart had given the Giants a boost when being brought in as the starting Quarter Back, but he has not looked fully healthy and it really does not help that key Offensive skill players have gone down with injury around him. With a potential high Draft Pick coming up, the Quarter Back will be looking to show the management what he can bring to the field, although a new Head Coach is going to arrive and that may spell Dart being pushed backwards in any pecking order.

He will need the Giants Offensive Line to help establish the run, although Jaxson Dart has not looked as comfortable running the ball himself to steer clear of pressure.

The Vikings Defensive Line may be extra ready to stop the run in order to bamboozle Jaxson Dart by asking him to make plays from third and long spots on the field. That would be the plan so they can perhaps create some turnovers, while the Minnesota Secondary have been playing well and will believe they have the talent needed to shut down this Giants passing attack.

It is a tough spot for the Vikings with this game being after a big win on national television and moving from indoors to outdoors.

However, they look stronger than a Giants team that have to be counting down the days until the end of the regular season and Minnesota can do enough to win and cover on the road.

Atlanta Falcons @ Arizona Cardinals Pick: The top of the NFC South and NFC West are being fought out pretty hard as we close on the end of the regular season, but both of these teams are not involved. There will be real disappointment around the Atlanta Falcons (5-9) and Arizona Cardinals (3-11) for the seasons that have been put together and that does make it hard to know what kind of motivation that both will be playing with.

At least the Falcons can point to a couple of wins in the last four games played, but the Arizona Cardinals have lost six in a row and look like they really have lost their way.

Jacoby Brissett has not been to blame for the poor season put together by the Cardinals and he has shown enough to have the team thinking they need to move on from Kyler Murray. That means the veteran will conclude the season at Quarter Back for the Cardinals and he could have a strong outing in this game against a vulnerable Atlanta Defensive unit.

Injuries have not helped the Cardinals, but there have been players willing to step up and make big plays for the team and they will feel there are opportunities against the Falcons.

Just being able to run the ball well enough to put Jacoby Brissett and third and manageable spots is the key and it should allow the veteran to make some plays into this Secondary. Marvin Harrison Jr looks set to miss out again, but Michael Wilson has shown his qualities while Harrison Jr has been on the sidelines and Arizona should have successes.

However, you can say the same for the Atlanta Falcons, even if Kirk Cousins continues to guide the team instead of Michael Penix Jr- the veteran was an important figure in the Falcons Week 15 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and there is talent on this side of the ball.

Bijan Robinson was not the star of the show, but he had another big outing in the win over the Buccaneers and there is every chance he picks up from where he left off against this banged up and vulnerable Arizona Defensive Line. Having Robinson rip off some big gains on the ground would be a huge edge for the entire Offensive unit and it should mean Kirk Cousins and the passing game can take advantage by finding plenty of balance on this side of the ball.

There is a hope that Drake London could be ready to suit up, while Kyle Pitts Sr had a dominant game at Tight End- this should make Kirk Cousins' life very easy and the Atlanta Falcons should be comfortable playing indoors in this one.

Time should be given to Kirk Cousins by the Offensive Line and the road team may have a bit too much firepower for the home team.

Both teams should score plenty of points, but the Falcons may find a bit more Offensive balance and that can be key to a road win.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Detroit Lions Pick: Both of these teams are in a position to push their way into the Playoffs, although there is a feeling that the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) pathway is much clearer than the one faced by the Detroit Lions (8-6), despite both holding the same record in different Conferences.

The record has proven to be good enough for the Steelers to lead the AFC North and they remain a game ahead of the Baltimore Ravens, while Pittsburgh would also be in touch with those teams chasing Wild Card spots. Winning out is important for Aaron Rodgers, who is incredibly familiar with the Lions from his time with the Green Bay Packers, and the Steelers in their bid to return to the Playoff.

For the Detroit Lions, 8-6 means being third in the tough NFC North and the team are needing to win out and hope for results to land their way in order to finish in a Wild Card spot. The likelihood of winning the Division again look very, very slim after the latest loss and Head Coach Dan Campbell will be disappointed by some recent inconsistency as injuries continue to take a toll on the team.

One important factor to note is that the Lions have bounced back from losses and they are looking to do that again this weekend. Under Dan Campbell, not only do the Detroit Lions regularly avoid back to back losses, but they tend to come out with something to prove and that will be the case in this Week 16 game.

There has to be some real excitement amongst the group after seeing the way the Pittsburgh Steelers have struggled to stop the run in recent weeks and they are going to have to deal with 'Sonic and Knuckles' this time.

Both David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs should get back on track in this one, especially with the Steelers set to be without TJ Watt again, and the Detroit Lions should keep Jared Goff in third and manageable spots throughout the game.

Jared Goff should have a touch more time in the pocket with Watt out of the game, but he also should not have to hold onto the ball for too long as he looks to attack this Pittsburgh Secondary. Credit has to be given to the Steelers for the performance in the win over the Miami Dolphins, but playing in Detroit against this Lions Offensive unit is a different challenge and the pressure will be on Quarter Back Aaron Rodgers to keep up on the scoreboard.

The injuries have piled up on the Defensive side of the ball as far as Detroit are concerned and that should offer Pittsburgh real encouragement.

However, the Steelers have not always been the most consistent Offensive team, although Aaron Rodgers has led his team to consecutive wins to hold onto the Divisional lead.

Aaron Rodgers has found some chemistry with his Receivers and Kenneth Gainwell has given the team a real spark running the ball and so you do have to expect the Steelers to at least move the chains and have some Offensive successes. They should find some balance, but the Steelers Offensive Line can be a little hit or miss and this Detroit Lions team may have the anger and motivation to wear down a team playing on a short week.

As mentioned before, Detroit have bounced back from straight up losses very well under Head Coach Dan Campbell and this game feels more important to them than the Pittsburgh Steelers.

It means plenty to the Steelers, but the Lions would be on the brink of elimination with a defeat and that motivation is going to keep them focused and ready to grind down this opponent at home.

Covering will not be easy, but find any layer that takes the juice out of the price by dropping the line below a key number 7.

New England Patriots @ Baltimore Ravens Pick: The collapse in the Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills have raised the volume of the doubters around the New England Patriots (11-3), but this is a team that remains in charge of the AFC East. Bouncing back with a victory will be a tough test for the Patriots who will be travelling to face the Baltimore Ravens (7-7) who host this Sunday Night Football game knowing they have very little margin for error in their bid to return to the post-season.

Not many teams in the AFC would like to see the Ravens in January, but Baltimore have had to battle through adversity this season.

In Week 15 they secured an important win over the Cincinnati Bengals to snap a two game losing run and the Ravens can still win the AFC North by making sure they sweep the remainder of the regular season scheduled and hope the Pittsburgh Steelers lose twice.

Focus has to be on winning this game and the Baltimore Ravens are going to be really confident that they can establish the run against this Patriots Defensive Line. Lamar Jackson will have to make sure he is using his legs when the pocket breaks down, but the Ravens being in third and manageable spots will give them every chance of making sure they are keeping the chains moving.

Lamar Jackson will know that his Offensive Line has had some issues in pass protection, but the team being in third and manageable should mean the Quarter Back does not need a lot of time. There are Ravens Receivers who can make some big plays, although Jackson will respect this Patriot Secondary and the performances produced this season.

New England are going to try to bounce back from the home loss to the Buffalo Bills, but they are up against an improving Baltimore Defensive unit.

In particular, the Baltimore Defensive Line have really been clamping down on the run in recent games and they will be very keen to make sure they put Drake Maye in a position to beat them where he needs to hold onto the ball a little longer than usual. The Patriots are a strong Offensive Line and TreVeyon Henderson has been in fine form, but they struggled to maintain the run in the loss to the Buffalo Bills and that did ultimately cost them the chance of closing out the win.

Drake Maye does have some solid Receivers around him, much like Lamar Jackson, but it is always going to be more challenging if asked to make plays from third and long spots.

The Quarter Back will know that there are some holes in this Baltimore Secondary that can be exploited, but a desperate Ravens team may still have the edge in this big prime time game.

There have been some doubts about this New England team seeing as they have yet to beat anyone of note outside of Buffalo in the first game, but the Bills earned revenge in Week 15 and the Ravens will feel they are still a genuine Super Bowl contender.

It is a game that matters more to the home team and Lamar Jackson can play well enough to help build on the big win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Patriots are unlikely to roll over under Head Coach Mike Vrabel, but they have a tough task to bounce back from a really disappointing defeat. It also helps that the Patriots can still win the Division even if they lose this game and they will maintain control of their own destiny and the Baltimore Ravens have the clarity to secure an important win and they can cover too.

MY PICKS: Seattle Seahawks - 1 Point @ 1.83 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

Philadelphia Eagles - 6.5 Points @ 1.86 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Green Bay Packers + 1.5 Points @ 1.95 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 3 Points @ 1.95 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Miami Dolphins + 4 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Minnesota Vikings - 2.5 Points @ 1.86 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Atlanta Falcons - 3 Points @ 2.00 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

Detroit Lions - 6.5 Points @ 1.80 William Hill (1 Unit)

Baltimore Ravens - 3 Points @ 1.86 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Week 15: 3-2, + 0.73 Units (5 Units Staked, + 14.60% Yield)

Week 14: 0-1, - 1 Unit (1 Unit Staked, - 100% Yield)

Week 13: 3-4, - 1.50 Units (7 Units Staked, - 21.43% Yield)

Week 12: 1-5, - 4.17 Units (6 Units Staked, - 69.50% Yield)

Week 11: 2-4, - 2.23 Units (6 Units Staked, - 37.17% Yield)

Week 10: 3-3, - 0.34 Units (6 Units Staked, - 5.67% Yield)

Week 9: 2-2, - 0.18 Units (4 Units Staked, - 4.50% Yield)

Week 8: 4-3, + 0.52 Units (7 Units Staked, + 7.43% Yield)

Week 7: 3-2, + 0.69 Units (5 Units Staked, + 13.80% Yield)

Week 6: 3-4, - 1.09 Units (7 Units Staked, - 15.57% Yield)

Week 5: 3-3, - 0.33 Units (6 Units Staked, - 5.50% Yield)

Week 4: 2-3, - 1.14 Units (5 Units Staked, - 22.80% Yield)

Week 3: 5-3, + 1.56 Units (8 Units Staked, + 19.50% Yield)

Week 2: 3-2, + 0.67 Units (5 Units Staked, + 13.40% Yield)

Week 1: 0-2, - 2 Units (2 Units Staked, - 100% Yield)

2025 Season: 37-43, - 9.81 Units (80 Units Staked, - 12.26% 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)

NFL Week 15 Picks 2021 (December 16-20)

It hasn't been the case very often over the years, but we have concluded Week 14 of the NFL season and have yet to determine even one of the PlayOff teams that will take part in the expanded post-season beginning next month.

With only one team receiving a Bye to the Divisional Round of the PlayOffs in either Conference, I think games are going to matter to all right down to the wire and there are some huge games coming up in Week 15.

Covid issues are playing havoc with this sport as much as any other around North America and Europe and that means there could be huge swings in the spreads for all of the games coming up and will likely mean the best plan is to try and wait until late as possible before making your selections. I will be posting my Picks below, but it is something to consider going forward with the new Covid variant that is likely to rip through and cause havoc for players as much as it will for all of us.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Los Angeles Chargers Pick: Covid issues are ramping up in the United States as much as anywhere in the world and it is having an affect on the sports being played. While the NBA is still very much in the early stages of their season, the pandemic is likely to have a real impact on the NFL with none of the PlayOff places locked up despite the fact we are heading into Week 15 of the 2021 season.

This is just the third time in over forty years that we have yet to see PlayOff berths confirmed for any team in the League at the end of Week 14, but things are soon going to be clearing up. Teams are hoping that they can avoid Covid and other injuries to position themselves for the post-season and this is a huge game on Thursday Night Football when two leading AFC West teams meet one another.

The Kansas City Chiefs (9-4) have won six in a row to move to the top of the Division, but they are only a game clear of the Los Angeles Chargers (8-5) who have won the first of the two meetings between the teams. That means a win for the Chargers on Thursday will give them the inside track when it comes to winning this Division, although both teams are playing well enough to believe they can finish in the top seven in the AFC and be involved in the post-season.

In fact, at this stage I think the Chiefs and Chargers will both be targeting the Number 1 Seed and earning a Bye in the Wild Card Round of the expanded PlayOffs. That adds to the importance of this game and I think it is going to be a very close one.

Both teams are going to be missing key personnel on Thursday with players added to the Covid-19 list and injuries also having an impact in Week 15 of the season.

Offensive Line issues have reared up for the Los Angeles Chargers at a bad time of the season and it has left Justin Herbert exposed behind the backups that have come in. Rashawn Slater is the latest Offensive Lineman expected to miss out and that is a big blow for the Chargers who are already down a couple of players on this Line.

There is still a chance that Slater will suit up, while the Kansas City Chiefs could be without a key player on the other side of the ball with Chris Jones on the Covid-19 list too and another who will have his status cleared up before the game is scheduled to be played. It could be a key with Jones sparking the Kansas City pass rush that has helped the Chiefs pick up their level of performance on the Defensive side of the ball, the unit that has effectively been the reason they have been able to win six in a row.

I still expect the Chiefs to generate pressure on Justin Herbert whenever he is in obvious passing situations, but Los Angeles can counter with Austin Ekeler, who is expected to suit up. The Running Back will find some room behind this makeshift Offensive Line, but it is his ability to leak out of the backfield and offer a safety blanket for Herbert where Austin Ekeler can be most dangerous.

Staying in front of the chains will open up the play-book for the Los Angeles Chargers and the return of Keenan Allen means they should be able to make some big plays down the field. The Chiefs Secondary have played well thanks to the pressure the Defensive Line will get on Quarter Backs up front, but I think Justin Herbert has shown he can expose the Kansas City Defensive unit in the earlier win this season.

He was helped by the fact that the Chargers won the turnover battle by a convincing margin in the first meeting, but you have to believe Kansas City will be more careful this time. Patrick Mahomes is still trying to find his best form, but, like the Chargers, he can lean on the Running Backs to pound the ball on the ground and at least offer him more time to make his throws down the field.

The Chiefs Offensive Line have sometimes struggled in pass protection and the Los Angeles Chargers have a fierce pass rush of their own, one that will feel they can get to Patrick Mahomes if he is having to hold onto the ball in third and long spots. The Quarter Back can scramble away from some of the pressure and Mahomes is a dangerous thrower on the run, but the Chargers Secondary have played well and I think they can make some plays to slow down the visiting Divisional rivals.

Los Angeles have won on their last two visits to Arrowhead Stadium, but they have lost seven home games in succession to the Kansas City Chiefs.

However, the Chargers pushed the Chiefs all the way in a narrow home loss in Overtime in 2020 and I do think they are an improved team now. The Chargers are 5-1 against the spread in their last six against Divisional rivals, while they are 4-1 against the spread in their last five as the underdog.

Andy Reid has had considerable success against Divisional rivals since arriving as Head Coach of the Kansas City Chiefs and I will admit I hate opposing Patrick Mahomes, but I think the Chargers can keep this one competitive. They look to match up pretty well with Kansas City and I think the potential absence of Chris Jones would be a massive blow for the Chiefs.

Los Angeles can struggle for consistency, but I think they are worth backing with the points.

New England Patriots @ Indianapolis Colts Pick: The NFL is beginning to be hugely impacted by Covid-19 issues and it has meant that Week 15 has seen the scheduled moved around at the last minute. Instead of two games on Saturday, there are games scheduled to be played from Saturday through Tuesday in Week 15 as we head towards the PlayOffs and with games beginning to take on incredible importance.

There is a surviving game on Saturday and that comes from Indianapolis as the Colts (7-6) continue to chase a Wild Card berth in the PlayOffs. The AFC South looks to be beyond them with four games left as they are two behind the Tennessee Titans, who have swept the Divisional series between the teams, but the Colts are firmly in the mix when it comes to taking one of the three Wild Card spots that are available in the Conference this season.

The Colts will be hosting the New England Patriots (9-4) who are almost certainly going to be playing post-season Football having missed out last season in the first without Tom Brady. In fact this has been an even more special season for the Patriots and there is every chance that they can finish with the Number 1 Seed in the Conference, although the next two weeks may tell us all we need to know as they face the Buffalo Bills after the visit to Indianapolis.

On Thursday night the Kansas City Chiefs became the first team in the AFC to reach ten wins for the season, but the Patriots will feel they can do the same even as the slight underdog. They are coming in off a Bye Week and you know Bill Belichick will have had the team well prepared for the game, and the Patriots have looked really good on both sides of the ball with rookie Quarter Back Mac Jones perhaps the best to come out of the last Draft class, at least in 2021.

Both of these teams will be confident in their Offensive Line and will be looking for them to lead the way in the game, although New England will be without Damien Harris for this one. Even then, the Patriots have shown they can keep the ball pounding on the ground and I do think they will have success against the Colts considering what we have seen from the Indianapolis Defensive Line prior to them heading into their own Bye Week.

There is an outside chance that Harris will suit up, but Rhamondre Stevenson has shown his own capabilities with the ball in his hand and I do think the Patriots will be able to move the chains on the ground. That should make things a little easier for Mac Jones, who will be asked to throw the ball having only attempted three passes in the win over the Buffalo Bills in the Week 13 snowstorm.

Being able to run the ball against the Colts means teams have perhaps not tested the Secondary as much as they would do usually, but Indianapolis do have strength in the back end of their Defensive unit. They can win their battles if Mac Jones is left in obvious passing situations, although I do think New England will have successes with the ball in hand.

The Patriots may be able to perform well even without their lead Running Back, but the Indianapolis Colts will go as far as Jonathan Taylor can carry them. This has been a special season for Taylor already, but the Running Back has also given plenty of credit to the Colts Offensive Line and the weakness of the New England Defensive unit has been on the Line and stopping the run with any consistency.

This should be music to the ears of the Indianapolis Colts and Jonathan Taylor can have a very big outing as he pounds the rock on the ground. He has also shown a real ability to break out of the backfield and make sure he catches the ball in space an I think Taylor will be able to have a big game for the Indianapolis Colts as they look to produce a statement win.

Carson Wentz should have some time behind this Offensive Line, but he has been inconsistent as a passer this season and has been guilty of some terrible mistakes that have proved costly. Like the Colts, the New England Patriots are very happy with the performance level of the Secondary and they have been tough to throw the ball against, but Carson Wentz will be looking to get the ball out of his hands into his skill players hands as soon as possible and the Colts could have more success than the Patriots are used to giving up.

The Patriots have dominated recent meetings against the Indianapolis Colts, although those were before Tom Brady departed and since Peyton Manning left the Colts.

New England have been money at the window this season too and I do think they are a dangerous underdog, but Frank Reich has been known for preparing the Indianapolis Colts very well out of a Bye Week. The home team can match up with the Patriots and I think Jonathan Taylor can do enough to give them the edge.

It will be close and I would not be surprised if there are long drives in this one with both teams looking to pound the ball on the ground and put their Quarter Backs in strong positions to try and take advantage of spaces in the Secondary. Mac Jones has really played well, while Carson Wentz can be guilty of throwing an errant pass at bad times, but my feeling is that this game means more to Indianapolis and they can use their powerful Offensive Line to pave the way for a narrow win.

Las Vegas Raiders @ Cleveland Browns Pick: The top of the AFC is tightly packed together, but we are in Week 15 and there is little room for error. A game that was supposed to be played on Saturday has been moved to Monday afternoon thanks to a Covid outbreak in the Cleveland Browns (7-6) locker room.

With many players vaccinated that have tested, Cleveland were given an opportunity to move this game a couple of days in the hope that some key players are able to return. At this time they will be going in with their third string Quarter Back, Nick Mullens, but Baker Mayfield has hinted that he feels fine and is hoping he will be able to suit up.

Up to 20 players are on the Covid list, but at least the majority of the Offensive Line and Nick Chubb are available for Cleveland. That will give them a chance to play the game in the way they would have wanted, even at full strength, and I think the Browns will believe they can move the chains.

Cleveland are facing the Las Vegas Raiders (6-7) who have not been playing well in recent weeks and are now in a desperate position as they look to get back on track. Another loss on Monday will likely mean the PlayOffs are beyond them, but the Raiders will be firmly in the mix with a victory and there was some frustration that this game has been rescheduled rather than forfeited.

The Raiders have at least shown some power on the Defensive Line in recent games, but in the main it has been an issue for them when it comes to stopping the run. That is going to be music to the ears of Nick Chubb and the Browns and it will certainly be important for them if they are going to give their backup Quarter Back an opportunity to win the game.

It feels like Las Vegas do match up pretty well with the Browns on this side of the ball- if they can slow them down up front, Cleveland don't really have the consistency in the passing game to feel they can expose some of the holes the Raiders have in the Secondary. Nick Mullens is capable of having some success, but Jarvis Landry looks set to miss out and that means the Browns are relying on Receivers that have been nothing less than inconsistent.

Cleveland have struggled Offensively since their blowout win over the Cincinnati Bengals in early November and that has to be a worry for a team that could be down a number of players on this side of the ball. As bad as the recent results have been for the Raiders, they have been competitive Defensively and will give Derek Carr and the Offensive unit an opportunity for an upset on the road.

Earning that will not be easy as Derek Carr continues to flash his talent, but too many times has been guilty of some bad mistakes that has Raiders fans wondering if they need to move the Quarter Back on. Rumours are that he could be traded at the end of the season in what could be a fast moving Quarter Back situation for many teams around the League, but for now Derek Carr has to try and lead his team to the post-season again.

He will be wise to lean on Josh Jacobs at Running Back considering some of the issues the Cleveland Browns have had in stopping the run in recent games. Josh Jacobs is a very strong Running Back and has also shown he can be a threat catching the ball out of the backfield, while establishing him here and keeping the Raiders in front of the chains will be key to the outcome of the game.

Derek Carr will then be given the time to make his plays down the field, although he is still missing Darren Waller. The passing game has struggled without the top Tight End and ever since Henry Ruggs was released it has felt easier to defend the Raiders.

I do think the Browns will be able to do that too with their Secondary playing pretty well, but Jacobs can get Las Vegas moving on the ground and that should help them remain competitive in this game.

Las Vegas won here on the road last season and they are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven games as the road underdog. Cleveland are 1-4 against the spread in their last five as the home underdog too and I do think the Las Vegas Raiders can keep this one close with the points in their hand.

Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears Pick: Only one team in the NFC has been officially eliminated from playing in the post-season, but the Chicago Bears (4-9) will need a festive miracle to move back into the top seven in the Conference. Another loss on Monday Night Football will almost certainly be the end for the Bears, but even winning out would mean finishing with a losing record and needing plenty of help to return to the PlayOffs.

It has been a difficult season for the Bears with injuries and inconsistencies a major problem for the team to deal with. Matt Nagy was almost fired during the season, if reports are to be believed anyway, but the Head Coach is certainly on the hot seat and I would be very surprised if he is still in that position on January 11th 2022.

The Bears might not be in contention to make the post-season with any reality, but they can play spoiler for others and facing a Divisional rival should mean plenty of motivation for the home team. The fans will be here in big numbers in Chicago as they host the Minnesota Vikings (6-7) who snapped a two game losing run by holding onto a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14 and who are now half a game behind the top seven places in the Conference.

They will be playing the Chicago Bears twice before the end of the regular season, but Minnesota have to really win both of those games with tougher games against the Los Angeles Rams and Green Bay Packers to also negotiate.

Covid issues are plaguing teams around the NFL and that is the case for both the Bears and the Vikings, although it feels like it is a bigger problem for Chicago considering the injuries that have also decimated their team.

The Bears are also coming in off a big, emotional effort against the Green Bay Packers and you do have to wonder if that was their last hurrah in what has been a very difficult season. David Montgomery looks like he could be missing for the Bears, but I still think they will have some success moving the ball on the ground against the Minnesota Vikings, especially with Justin Fields set to play again at Quarter Back.

Justin Fields made some big time throws in the loss to the Packers in Week 14 and he will be encouraged to pick up from where he left off. If the Bears can establish the run, it will mean the Vikings pass rush is perhaps not able to make the big impact on the game as they can whenever Fields is in obvious passing situations.

There are some issues in the Minnesota Secondary that could see Justin Fields make some big plays again, but the Offensive Line has been an issue all season and it is very important for the Chicago Bears to stay in this game and not have to move away from the run.

Running the ball will be the main priority for the Minnesota Vikings too and I think Dalvin Cook will have another big outing having sparked the win over the Steelers. The Bears have had their Defensive Line hit by injuries and the Vikings Offensive Line will believe they can bully their opponents up front and that should see Cook come away with another big game.

It also eases the pressure on Kirk Cousins, who is quietly having a strong season at Quarter Back, while opening up play-action and seeing him able to hit the Receivers down the field. The Bears have not been able to generate much of a pass rush with the injuries on the Defensive Line so Kirk Cousins should have plenty of time to make his throws, while the Bears Secondary can only hold onto to their Receivers for so long.

This is a really big spread, but the Minnesota Vikings look to be the right side to back.

I expect them to have an Offensive balance that may be missing for the Chicago Bears, while Kirk Cousins should be a little more consistent than Justin Fields.

The Vikings have been a terrible team to back at the window, but the Bears are 1-6 against the spread in their last seven as the underdog. Chicago have not been competitive off of blow out losses either and I think that will show up here with the Vikings moving back to 0.500 and keeping their PlayOff hopes alive at the expense of a Divisional rival that will likely be making some big changes in the off-season.

Seattle Seahawks @ Los Angeles Rams Pick: Three teams from the NFC West are in with a realistic chance of making the PlayOff, but the outsiders are the Seattle Seahawks (5-8) who are running out of time to turn this season around. Injuries have really impacted the Seahawks and they have to win out and hope for some help from other teams if they are going to finish in the top seven.

They head to Los Angeles to take on the Rams (9-4) who will be looking to overtake the slumping Arizona Cardinals and take over as the leaders of the Division, which will offer at least one home game in the PlayOff. Even now, the Rams may feel they can chase down the Green Bay Packers who lead the Conference with eleven wins and this is a pivotal game for both teams involved.

And that makes the Covid issues that have impacted both teams even more troublesome- the game was supposed to be played on Sunday, but the extra time has been granted by the NFL to ensure both teams can be as healthy as possible. If the game had been played on Sunday, the Los Angeles Rams would have been down multiple players, but things have changed as we reach Tuesday and now it is the Seahawks are likely to be facing more of an impact from the positive tests running through the roster.

Some fans will be upset and that goes beyond the fanbases of both teams considering the impact on the post-season this game has the potential to have. However, the NFL is trying to do the best for all and without having games cancelled and so the situation is what it is.

This has not been a good match up for Seattle in recent seasons when at their strongest and I do think they are going to need to have a huge performance to even be competitive. Tyler Lockett looks like he could miss out and that is going to give Russell Wilson a major problem moving the ball with any consistency.

The Seahawks are unlikely to be able to run the ball very well against this Rams Defensive Line and they are without their top Running Back, Alex Collins, anyway. Even with Collins, the Los Angeles Rams pride themselves on making teams one-dimensional against them and leaving the Seahawks in third and long spots only exposes a vulnerable Offensive Line with the quality pass rush the Rams will bring to the field.

Teams have been able to have some success when throwing into the Rams Secondary, but Jalen Ramsey is expected to suit up and the Seahawks potentially missing Tyler Lockett should make them 'easier' to deal with. DK Metcalf has been a little banged up, although I don't want to disrespect the ability Russell Wilson has to make plays.

Even then, the Los Angeles Rams will feel their Defensive unit can do enough to slow down the Seattle Seahawks and their own Offense will feel they can move the ball. Matthew Stafford has been having a strong season and has bounced back from a slump as he has led the Rams to back to back wins, and the Rams will go as far as the Quarter Back can take them.

It has not been a season where they have had a lot of success running the ball and the Los Angeles Rams will not find much room up front from an improving Seattle Defensive Line. However, I do think Sean McVay is able to scheme a different way to run the ball with little screens and quick passes able to put the team in front of the chains, while Matthew Stafford should be able to expose the Seattle Secondary which has had its issues all season.

A stuttering pass rush should mean Matthew Stafford has time in the pocket and Odell Beckham Jr is set to suit up having had a negative Covid test in the time between the original schedule time of this game and the Tuesday kick off.

The Rams are 7-3 against the Seattle Seahawks since Sean McVay took over as Head Coach and they dominated the Seahawks on the road earlier this season. I think they will be able to make the plays to pull away in this one too and they will be back on track to win the NFC West.

Russell Wilson is one of the best Quarter Backs in the NFL and he has a very strong record as an underdog, but this is not a great match up for him. That should show up here with a healthier looking Rams roster capable of winning this one by a Touchdown or more on the night.

Washington Football Team @ Philadelphia Eagles Pick: The NFL landscape has always been one that can change very quickly, but the new Covid variant is one that has hit teams very hard, very quickly. The Washington Football Team (6-7) have been given a couple of extra days to try and get through the outbreak which has decimated the roster, but I am not sure that is enough time for the team to be ready to compete.

In Week 13 the Washington Football Team entered a game with the Dallas Cowboys having won four in a row and looking like they may still have an impact on the NFC East race, but a loss meant the Wild Card positions were their best bet to reach the PlayOff. That is still the case in Week 15, but the Football Team will be feeling the pressure with the top eight teams in the Conference all holding at least seven wins and a loss on Tuesday would put the Football Team behind yet another team.

The Philadelphia Eagles (6-7) do not have the same issues as the Washington Football Team, but the extra time may have benefited them with the likelihood that Jalen Hurts will be able to return at Quarter Back. There are still some questions about Hurts and his ability to be a starting Quarter Back in the NFL, but this should be a good place to return when you think of the huge amount of starters the Washington Football Team are set to be without.

Running the ball efficiently has sparked the Eagles season and the feeling is that they will be able to do that here considering the players missing on the Washington Defensive Line. Jalen Hurts is well backed up by the Running Backs on the Eagles roster and this is a key for Philadelphia to ensure there is not too much pressure on their Quarter Back to have to make plays on his own.

The passing game has been inconsistent to say the least, but again you have to point out the favourable match up that is likely going to be in front of the Eagles.

Moving the ball on the Offensive side is going to be another challenge for the Washington Football Team who have both Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen on the Covid list. It is still a mystery as to the availability of either and that could mean the Football Team going in with a third string Quarter Back who could be without the likes of Logan Thomas and Terry McLaurin.

Garrett Gilbert may be given the chance having at least played in the NFL before, but it is a huge ask of a backup playing in a tough environment like this one. The match up may have been easier if facing a Defensive Line that struggles to stop the run, but that is not the case against the Philadelphia Eagles and Gilbert may be asked to try and dink and dunk his way down the field.

He should be given some protection, although the Offensive Line could be down starters too, but Gilbert will be throwing into a Secondary that is capable of making plays.

Turnovers feel like they could play an important part in this game and that is where the Eagles may have the edge over the Football Team.

Philadelphia are 6-2 against the spread in their last eight in the series with this Divisional rival, and these teams are going to be meeting twice before the regular season is completed.

Ron Rivera does guide the Football Team well when they are an underdog, but the Bye Week might have been a struggle and Washington are 1-4 against the spread in their last five with rest behind them.

The Eagles are another who have struggled out of a Bye Week, but they are 4-1 against the spread in their last five as the favourite and I think they can take advantage of the injury hit Divisional rival as they move ahead of the Football Team in the race for a Wild Card spot in the NFC.

MY PICKS: Los Angeles Chargers + 3.5 Points @ 1.91 Coral (2 Units)

Indianapolis Colts - 2.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (2 Units)

Arizona Cardinals - 13 Points @ 1.91 William Hill (2 Units)

Jacksonville Jaguars - 6.5 Points @ 2.00 Bet365 (2 Units)

Pittsburgh Steelers - 1 Point @ 1.95 Bet365 (2 Units)

Cincinnati Bengals + 3 Points @ 1.91 Sky Bet (2 Units)

New Orleans Saints + 11.5 Points @ 1.91 Paddy Power (2 Units)

Las Vegas Raiders + 3 Points @ 1.91 William Hill (2 Units)

Minnesota Vikings - 6.5 Points @ 1.91 Paddy Power (2 Units)

Los Angeles Rams - 6.5 Points @ 1.91 Sky Bet (2 Units)

Philadelphia Eagles - 6.5 Points @ 1.91 Paddy Power (2 Units)

Week 14: 6-2, + 7 Units (16 Units Staked, + 43.75% Yield)

Week 13: 2-1, + 1.64 Units (6 Units Staked, + 27.33% Yield)

Week 12: 5-6, - 2.74 Units (22 Units Staked, - 12.45% Yield)

Week 11: 0-6, - 12 Units (12 Units Staked, - 100% Yield)

Week 10: 5-5, - 0.88 Units (20 Units Staked, - 4.40% Yield)

Week 9: 2-5, - 6.28 Units (14 Units Staked, - 44.86% Yield)

Week 8: 1-6, - 10.18 Units (14 Units Staked, - 72.71% Yield)

Week 7: 2-1, + 1.64 Units (6 Units Staked, + 27.33% Yield)

Week 6: 3-4, - 2.64 Units (14 Units Staked, - 18.86% Yield)

Week 5: 4-2-1, + 3.28 Units (14 Units Staked, + 23.43% Yield)

Week 4: 7-3, + 6.46 Units (20 Units Staked, + 32.30% Yield)

Week 3: 7-3, + 6.68 Units (20 Units Staked, + 33.40% Yield)

Week 2: 6-5, + 0.98 Units (22 Units Staked, + 4.45% Yield)

Week 1: 3-6, - 6.46 Units (18 Units Staked, - 35.89% Yield)

Season 2021: 53-55-1, - 13.50 Units (218 Units Staked, - 6.19% Yield)