NFL Predictions: Sky Sports Cricket's Nasser Hussain takes on Richard Graves in Week 15

By Nasser Hussain, Cricket Expert & Columnist

Nasser Hussain takes on Jeff Reinebold in our Champion of Champions Nine Dart Shoot Out.

In Week 15, Sky Sports cricket expert Nasser Hussain is the challenger taking on Richard Graves in NFL predictions...

Last week, Graves endured a first losing record since Week Seven, but his 7-9 mark was still good enough to see him get the better of WWE superstar Baron Corbin (6-10) and extend his seven-week unbeaten run.

2017 Prediction Results

Richard Graves Opponent's score Graves' season record
v Paul Merson 9-6 10-5 0-1
v Sam Quek 13-3 12-4 1-1
v Vernon Kay 10-6 6-10 2-1
v Laura Wright 9-7 10-6 2-2
v Anya Shrubsole 7-7 4-10 3-2
v Gethin Jones 4-10 7-7 3-3
v Jen Welter 11-4 12-3 3-4
v Anthony Watson 11-2 9-4 4-4
v Jim White 9-4 7-6 5-4
v Laura Woods 9-5 9-5 5-4-1
v Jade Clarke 9-5 8-6 6-4-1
v Jack Sock 12-4 11-5 7-4-1
v Rob Lee 12-4 10-6 8-4-1
v Baron Corbin 7-9 6-10 9-4-1

Can Hussain be the man to end that streak? He'll certainly hope for a better showing than the one he mustered in Sky Sports' Champion of Champions Nine Dart Shoot Out, against our very own 'Coach' Jeff Reinebold - click on the video above to watch the two go head to head.

"My son watches the NFL all the time," said Hussain. "I'm not sure who his favourite team is - I think, like me with the Premier League, he changes it just depending on who is winning!

"I like the sound of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Whoever named them, did a good job. They're London's adopted team, so if I can get any free tickets, it will be to watch them.

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Image: Hussain hopes the Jaguars, Vikings and himself all make the Super Bowl in Minnesota

"I'm also going to try to talk to someone in the NFL about getting some tickets to the Super Bowl - that's the only reason I'm doing this!

"It's in Minnesota this year - freezing cold in February. Lovely! I hope the Vikings can make it all the way. It's like in cricket, it's always good if a home nation can stay in a World Cup all the way to the final. It would be a great atmosphere."

Also See:

Ashes Panel: Perth memories

The WACA is staging its final Ashes Test - so what memories do Nasser Hussain, Mike Atherton and Bob Willis have of the place?

With the Ashes series continuing with the third Test in Perth, follow along on the Sky Sports Cricket website for our live blog, news and reaction from Hussain and our expert team of pundits. The next Sky Sports Ashes Podcast will go live on Tuesday, reflecting on the Perth Test.

Here's a look at Hussain's, and Graves' Week 15 predictions...

Green Bay Packers @ Carolina Panthers, NFL Sunday LIVE
Sky Sports Action (407), 5.30pm, Sunday

Image: Packers QB Aaron Rodgers makes his long-awaited return from injury in Week 15

Graves: Throw all the stats out of the window. This game is all about Aaron Rodgers. The Packers QB has missed eight weeks since breaking his collarbone in Minnesota, but he returns with Green Bay just a game outside of the Wild Card spots in the NFC.

There is no doubt he is one of the best QBs playing the game right now but, a word of caution - two years ago Tony Romo made a swift return for the Cowboys from a similar injury and lasted less than two games before breaking it again, against...the Panthers.

Make no mistake, Cam Newton will be keen to reclaim the spotlight on Sunday. The Panthers QB has led his team to victory in five of their last six games and ripped off a huge run which led Carolina to a late game-clinching touchdown against Minnesota last week. It's a win which means, at 9-4, they're now tied for the lead in the NFC South with New Orleans.

PICK: PANTHERS

Hussain: I'm going for Green Bay. I like the history of some of these sides - I watch some of episodes of these NFL 'America's Game' that get shown on Sky Sports and the Packers feature a lot. They've got a great history and I'm a bit of geek like that.

PICK: PACKERS

New England Patriots @ Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL Sunday LIVE
Sky Sports Action (407), 9.25pm, Sunday

Image: Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell leads the NFL in rushing yards for 2017

Graves: The game of the week! Victory for the Steelers secures home field advantage in the postseason. Defeat for the Patriots, meanwhile, opens the door to the Jaguars and the very real possibility that Jacksonville, not New England. could gain that first round bye in the playoffs.

New England slipped to 10-3 as they were simply outplayed in Miami on Monday night. They gave up 193 total yards to running back Kenyon Drake in that game, so the prospect of facing Le'Veon Bell - the man who leads the NFL in total scrimmage yards this season - should not fill you with confidence about the Patriots defense.

It's not all bad news for New England though. A win in Pittsburgh will clinch the AFC East title, regardless of what happens elsewhere, and Tom Brady's record against the Steelers isn't to be sniffed at. He's won 10 of his 12 starts against them (including the postseason), he has a 115.2 passer rating in that time and has thrown 29 TDs against three interceptions.

PICK: PATRIOTS

Hussain: They're doing well New England, I know that much. The 'Coach' Jeff Reinebold, who beat me at darts, was talking about the Patriots all evening. So I'm going for them.

PICK: PATRIOTS

Dallas Cowboys @ Oakland Raiders, NFL Sunday LIVE
Sky Sports Action (407), 1.20am, Monday

Image: Questions have been raised over the play of Raiders QB Derek Carr

Graves: This is a game that could well have a play-off-like atmosphere. If Dallas lose, they can kiss their postseason hopes goodbye. If they win, they stay alive, knowing they get star runner Ezekiel Elliott back next week. For the Raiders, defeat won't end their play-off hopes but it makes it extremely difficult to see how they get in.

Oakland have not lived up to expectations this season and following last weekend's defeat in Kansas, QB Derek Carr's performance has come under scrutiny with some observers suggesting he's actually regressed this season. Dallas, meanwhile, head into Oakland riding a two-game winning streak but that may only be papering over the cracks, with those wins coming against an injury-ravaged Redskins and rudderless Giants team.

PICK: COWBOYS

Hussain: I'm going with 'America's Team', the Cowboys. Love it! They had that famous coach back in the day that used to wear a hat, Tom Landry. And as I've said before about the Raiders, any team that changes city isn't for me anymore.

PICK: COWBOYS

Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday Night Football
Sky Sports Action (407), 1.15am, Tuesday

Image: Julio Jones and the Atlanta offense are firing towards the end of the season

Graves: The Falcons currently sit just one game back of Panthers and Saints in the NFC South, knowing they will meet both in the final three weeks. There can be no doubting their offensive weapons, with Julio Jones at wide receiver and Devonta Freeman at tailback, not to mention Matt Ryan under centre. It's a lot for a defense to deal with. Especially if, like the Buccaneers, that defense is ranked 31st overall in a team with a 4-9 record.

PICK: FALCONS

Hussain: They play in the same division which is helpful. I've been told you can play teams in different divisions, be at home when you're actually away, and you can just move city whenever you want! This is more confusing than the County Championship in cricket...

I'll go with the Falcons, as they'll be keen to get back into the playoffs and hopefully another trip to the Super Bowl, to make up for their shambolic choke against the Patriots last year.

PICK: FALCONS

Week 15 Predictions

Richard Graves Nasser Hussain
Broncos @ Colts Broncos Colts
Bears @ Lions Lions Bears
Chargers @ Chiefs Chargers Chiefs
Packers @ Panthers Panthers Packers
Texans @ Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars
Ravens @ Browns Ravens Ravens
Dolphins @ Bills Bills Dolphins
Bengals @ Vikings Vikings Vikings
Cardinals @ Redskins Cardinals Redskins
Eagles @ Giants Eagles Giants
Jets @ Saints Saints Jets
Patriots @ Steelers Patriots Patriots
Rams @ Seahawks Rams Seahawks
Titans @ 49ers Titans 49ers
Cowboys @ Raiders Cowboys Cowboys
Falcons @ Buccaneers Falcons Falcons

Denver Broncos 25-13 Indianapolis Colts

Highlights of the Denver Broncos' clash with the Indianapolis Colts in week 15 of the NFL.

Graves: To say this is a meaningless game would be to misunderstand the pressure coaches Chuck Pagano and Vance Joseph are under. Make no mistake, even though this is Joseph's first season in charge of the Broncos, both are feeling their seats warm up! Indianapolis have been competitive, without being good enough to clinch wins, while Denver continue to struggle offensively.

But, the Broncos defense is still one of the better units in the NFL and is boosted by the return of cornerback Aqib Talib from suspension. They also come into this one on the back of a convincing win over the Jets last weekend, while the Colts may still be recovering from their 'snow bowl' game in Buffalo.

PICK: BRONCOS

Hussain: I'm going with the Colts, for no other reason than my brother once worked in Indianapolis, and there is nothing else to do in Indianapolis! So, he took me to watch a Colts game about 15 years ago - I thought it only lasted for 20 minutes, but it lasted like a week! Great fun though.

PICK: COLTS

Chicago Bears 10-20 Detroit Lions

Graves: The Bears won't be appearing in the play-offs this season but for Detroit, every game is now a play-off game. Currently at 7-6, the Lions find themselves on the outside, looking in, tied with the same record as Green Bay and Dallas, one game adrift of Atlanta and Seattle.

The Bears, meanwhile, are continuing the development of their rookie QB Mitchell Trubisky - there are positive signs. He had arguably his best game of his young professional career in last week's win in Cincinnati. Combined with the talented Jordan Howard at running back, Chicago have the potential to cause their NFC North rivals problems. This could be a tight contest.

PICK: LIONS

Hussain: I'm purely picking on the basis that I actually know what one of these two teams are - and I know the Bears are from Chicago. 100 per cent. The Lions? Detroit? I should have known that...

I'm going with the Bears, at home. No? They're not at home? They switch it round? Obviously! The home team comes second. But, I'm still sticking with the Bears - they travel well!

PICK: BEARS

Los Angeles Chargers 13-30 Kansas City Chiefs

Graves: After four weeks of the season, when the Chargers sat at 0-4 and the Chiefs were 4-0, did anyone believe that this Week 15 clash would be for the outright lead in the AFC West?! Well, believe it now with both teams locked on a 7-6 record.

Back in Week Three, the Chiefs were handy 24-10 winners in Los Angeles, but last weekend's victory over Oakland was their first in five games, while the Chargers have won four in a row!

The key battle this time will be at the line of scrimmage between the Chiefs offensive line and the dangerous Chargers pass-rushing duo of Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa. If the Chiefs can't quieten those two down, it could be a long day for Alex Smith.

PICK: CHARGERS

Hussain: I'm not going for the Chargers. When I used to follow the NFL highlights in the 1980s, I used to like the Los Angeles Raiders, but if they keep moving these teams around, I'm not going to pick them. I'm doing a blanket ban on any L.A. team as a rule.

I'm going with the Chiefs - they've not been in the best of form over the past couple of months, but once 'The Beak' has backed them, they'll be fine. Their coach will use that to motivate them.

PICK: CHIEFS

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