Wednesday 19 October 2016 08:55, UK
It was an agonising defeat for Sky Sports News reporter Richard Graves in week five, as a 9-5 record wasn't enough to beat @UK_Vikings fan Dave, who went 10-4.
The Philadelphia Eagles suffered their first loss of the season last week, and Richard will be hoping to subject Eagles fan @StuOnSport to the same fate.
Denver Broncos @ San Diego Chargers (Friday, 12:30am Sky Sports 1)
Richard: Just when you think you've seen everything, the San Diego Chargers come up with a new way to lose. For head coach Mike McCoy and his players, this season is becoming an exasperating one, imploding in the fourth quarter in four of their five games.
Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos suffered their first defeat of the season last weekend as the usually infallible defence was unable to handle the resurgent Atlanta Falcons. Starting quarterback Trevor Siemian was reportedly close to playing against the Falcons, so the Broncos will hope to have him available in week six.
Ultimately San Diego's inability to close out games is now a real concern. That's not been an issue for the Broncos and they should bounce back from that first defeat on Thursday night. Broncos
Stu: This game will be closer than a lot of people expect. The game will see Denver's fifth-ranked scoring defence go up against Philip Rivers and his fourth-ranked passing offence. After losing Keenan Allen for the season, Rivers has done a phenomenal job spreading the ball around, but he has yet to face a defence as ferocious as the Broncos.
On the other side of the ball, Denver's ninth-ranked scoring offence faces off against San Diego's 28th-ranked defence. If Siemian is healthy, which early indications say he is, Denver should have enough to win this one. Broncos
Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Redskins (Sunday, 5:30pm Sky Sports 2)
Richard: Three weeks ago Kirk Cousins and the Washington Redskins had an 0-2 record and were being written off. Road wins in New York and Baltimore, along with victory over the Browns have somewhat silenced those critics and although Cousins's accuracy has continued to be a concern, they've improved to a 3-2 and are very much in contention in the NFC East.
Now they face an Eagles team, fresh off their first defeat this season but who have impressed on both sides of the ball. The Eagles have the No. 2 ranked defence for scoring, giving up fewer than 13 points per game. They also have the third best scoring offence, averaging nearly 29 points.
In the major statistical categories they hold the advantage over Washington BUT Detroit caused them problems utilising Theo Riddick out of the backfield. If the Redskins can get similar production from Matt Jones and wide receiver DeSean Jackson, they will cause the Eagles defence problems, but all of that is predicated on Kirk Cousins finding his receivers. Eagles
Stu: As an Eagles fan, I've fallen in love with Carson Wentz, even after the week five defeat. We finally have a quarterback with the potential to lead us to post-season glory in the future, but I still expect him to have some rookie troubles this season.
Philadelphia defence looked shaky in the first half against Detroit without linebackers Nigel Bradham and Jordan Hicks seeing the majority of reps. The Redskins rank 16th in scoring offence, but seventh in passing offence, and I expect Jordan Reed to get a touchdown or two with the mismatch he creates.
If Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson's suspension comes through this week they'll lose a key cog on their line. I'm going with the Redskins at home in this NFC East game. (I never pick my own team!) Redskins
Atlanta Falcons @ Seattle Seahawks (Sunday, 9:00pm Sky Sports 2)
Richard: Are the Falcons for real? Many accept they are after beating Denver on the road, but there are a few observers who believe only a win this week in the Pacific North West will be enough to validate the 2016 high flyers.
Wide receiver Julio Jones had just two catches for 29 yards last weekend, a week after chalking up 300 receiving yards, and still Atlanta were comfortable winners over the Broncos with running back Tevin Coleman showing his worth as a receiving threat. Seattle's defence are sure to have their hands full.
This is the kind of contest the Seahawks and the Legion of Boom will relish. They've had an extra week to prepare, having enjoyed a bye last weekend and concede just 13 points per game - only the Eagles and the Vikings have been meaner. However, the Broncos much vaunted defence couldn't handle the Falcons and their number one ranked scoring offence, so the challenge has been laid down. Both teams will be aware the outcome here could have big implications when it comes to deciding post-season rankings in the NFC. Seahawks
Stu: How about that Falcons offence? Scoring 35 points per game, averaging 457.4 yards, 84.2 yards more than any other team, And that's after facing the Denver Broncos defence!
Seattle, in comparison, averages just 19.8 points per game, and 99.9 less yards, but their defence is, as always, one of the best in the league, third in scoring at this present time. Going into Seattle after a bye is no easy task, and I can't see the Falcons continuing their winning run. Seahawks
Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans (Monday, 1:00am Sky Sports 2)
Richard: At the start of the season this was build as an encounter to look forward to between two heavyweights in the AFC South. Both teams are in contention at the top of the division, but their overall form has been disappointing.
While the Colts struggled to only their second win last weekend, the Texans were being comprehensively beaten by the Minnesota Vikings. The bottom line is, regardless of J.J Watt's loss to their defence, it's the play of highly-paid quarterback Brock Osweiler which hasn't been good enough and the Texans are struggling. Osweiler has already thrown seven interceptions, compared with six touchdowns, completing just 58 per cent of his passes this season.
Andrew Luck is another quarterback under pressure to perform and Colts general manager Ryan Grigson hasn't sought to ease it this week, sighting Luck's large contract as the reason for limited investment in their defence. In truth, Luck has looked hesitant at times this season but behind a porous offensive line, offering little protection and a receiving corps which has suffered from dropping passes at big moments in games, it seems unfair to lay the blame squarely at his feet. He's found ways to keep Indianapolis in games this season and unless Osweiler plays better on Sunday, the Colts may well leave Houston with back to back wins for the first time this season. Colts
Stu: The Texans are ranked joint last in scoring offence with Brock Osweiler at the helm, one of the best receivers in the game DeAndre Hopkins and rookie Will Fuller, who has shown flashes of brilliance.
There is a chance the Texans can get their struggling aerial attack going against a poor Colts pass defence, who have made just one interception all season. My gut feeling says Indianapolis win it late. Colts
New York Jets @ Arizona Cardinals (Tuesday, 1:15am Sky Sports 1)
Richard: Neither of these teams are playing well right now and not even a Cardinals victory over NFC West rivals, San Francisco 49ers did much to inspire confidence. Arizona hope to have Carson Palmer back this week after the QB missed week four while he completed concussion protocol.
The only thing the Jets were able to take from last weekend's defeat in Pittsburgh was that Ryan Fitzpatrick didn't throw an interception! For a team which expected to challenge for the AFC East championship, a 1-4 record is hugely disappointing. Now they face one of the better defensive units in the NFL and one which is more than capable of getting turnovers - no-one has more than their 12 this season.
Much will depend on Arizona getting the ball down the field and taking advantage of Darrelle Revis' absence, should he miss another game with a hamstring injury. Even after only five weeks both teams need a win here. Arguably the Jets need it more but it's a tough ask for a team struggling to find any kind of form. Cardinals
Stu: The New York Jets are bad on offence, bad on defence, and turn the ball over a tremendous amount, that is not a good recipe if you want to win football games.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals rank 10th in total scoring, mainly thanks to explosive running of David Johnson who has 457 yards and five touchdowns on the season, as well as a top ten scoring defence. All signs point to a Cardinals win on Monday Night Football. Cardinals
Keep up to date on all the scores with NFL Redzone this Sunday from 6pm.
