Friday 20 October 2017 07:51, UK
In Week Seven, former Arizona Cardinals coach Jen Welter - the first female coach in the NFL - takes on Sky Sports News' NFL reporter Richard Graves for our weekly predictions.
His opponent this week, Welter, became the first female coach in the NFL when she joined the Cardinals as an assistant intern during the 2015 preseason, and she is backing her former team to win out on their trip to London, as they take on the Los Angeles Rams at Twickenham on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
"The biggest question when I went into Arizona was would the players take coaching from a woman?" said Welter. "You could hear the narrative in all of the media coverage, but the great thing is that we proved without a doubt that the answer was yes because those players were phenomenal.
"They were not only welcoming, but they were interested and excited and they knew everything about me before I even walked in through the door.
"I love their pick-up of Adrian Peterson. It looks like their offense is revitalised, They've got some good energy and it'll be good to see them carry it overseas. I have to go with my team!"
Here's a look at Jen's, and Richard's, Week Seven predictions...
Graves: The Cardinals rediscovered their own offensive potency last week. The impact of newly-acquired Adrian Peterson gives them a bonafide running game and helps open up their aerial attack, too.
The Rams, meanwhile, are the surprise package of the season. Top of the NFC West with a 4-2 record, the number one ranked scoring offense - 29.8 points per game - and a defense, under Wade Phillips, which many observers believe will only improve. All of which makes for an exciting NFC West showdown at Twickenham! But, simply put, this Rams team find a way to win.
PICK: RAMS
Welter: I have to go with my team the Cardinals. Peterson was exactly what they needed. He is a runner who can see plays evolve and really take any hole that is provided and open it up. Combine that with Larry Fitzgerald, who is on fire, and you're going to have a problem. Dedicate and pull some attention to Peterson and the running game and then that just opens up some different passing options for the Cardinals.
PICK: CARDINALS
Graves: A week ago, this game would have been written off as a Seattle banker. However, that all changed when the winless Giants - bereft of their star playmakers - went into Denver and took the win!
The Seahawks have struggled mightily on offense and this week learned offensive lineman Luke Joeckel will miss up to five weeks after knee surgery - once again it looks likely QB Russell Wilson will have to make plays while running for his life behind a shaky O-line. Seattle has a winning record built on that game plan, though, and it takes more than one Giants win - even in Denver - to convince their detractors that the corner has been turned.
PICK: SEAHAWKS
Welter: Until Week Six, the Giants looked like they were just getting taken advantage of at every turn, however, they came out with a big victory over the Broncos. That said, I don't think they're going to have enough tricks to be able to take out a veteran Seattle side.
PICK: SEAHAWKS
Graves: Everyone remembers Super Bowl LI. And if you don't, all you need to know is New England rallied to mount the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history to beat Atlanta.
That was last season, though, and the landscape in this one is very different. The Patriots now have the worst overall defence in the NFL. However, they do still have Tom Brady who, after winning in New York last week, now has more wins than any other quarterback ever to play in the league.
For Atlanta, this is a chance to avenge their Super Bowl heartbreak but, more importantly, it is an opportunity to get their own season back on track after surrendering a 17-0 half-time lead to lose to Miami. In short, despite an arsenal of weapons, the Falcons offense has spluttered in 2017. On paper, though, this is a fantastic match-up for them to get back on track and Foxborough is no longer the fortress it was for so many years - Kansas City and Carolina have already won there this season.
PICK: FALCONS
Welter: Oooh, the rematch! The Patriots have not looked great so far this season. They almost lost to the Jets last weekend and required some late magic to come out of that game. However, the Falcons have not looked like themselves either.
I think both teams are going to step up and play in this game. But I can't help but think that Bill Belichick has more tricks up his sleeve than anybody in the coaching game and Brady will not go down quietly, so I'm going to go with the Patriots.
PICK: PATRIOTS
Graves: Week Seven closes out with a big NFC East battle. The Redskins appear to be finding their stride. Running back Chris Thompson is becoming an increasing threat in their offense, recording more than 100 yards in two of their last three games while, once again, Kirk Cousins is proving his worth to Washington - no QB in the NFC has a better passing rating than his 106.2.
At 5-1, the Eagles are tied with the Chiefs for the best record in football and they're riding a four-game winning streak. Second year QB Carson Wentz has been hugely impressive this season - he's thrown seven TD passes in their last two games. Also, Philly's swarming defense poses plenty of problems for Washington. They were problems that proved too great for the Redskins to overcome in Week One when the Eagles won the reverse fixture 30-17.
PICK: EAGLES
Welter: Both teams looked good with wins last week, but I'm going to go with the hotter hand of the Eagles.
PICK: EAGLES
Graves: If, at the start of the season, I told you one team was heading into this match-up averaging 29.5 points per game, had a QB with a 119.2 rating - 12 TDs and no interceptions - and led the AFC West with a 5-1 record, you might have expected it to be the one from Oakland. Well, it's Alex Smith and his Chiefs.
True, they fell to their first defeat this season on Sunday, but Pittsburgh also enjoyed a little luck at crucial points in the game - moments which could easily have meant Kansas City remained unbeaten had they gone the other way. By contrast, Oakland have suffered home defeats to the Ravens and the Chargers and are acutely aware that this already has the feeling of a must-win game. Former 49ers linebacker Navarro Bowman has strengthened their ranks after signing a one-year deal, but that in itself may not be enough to stop the Chiefs.
PICK: CHIEFS
Welter: I really liked Oakland early on in the season - I thought they were going to be real contenders, but they've struggled over the last couple of weeks. By contrast, Kansas City went from flying under the radar to being on fire and were looking super strong up until this last week.
This is a game that could go either way. With Derek Carr now back, you can't count out the Raiders, but I'm backing the Chiefs to rebound well and re-emerge as the team they have been so far this season.
PICK: CHIEFS
Week Seven continues as the Los Angeles Rams take on the Arizona Cardinals at Twickenham, live on Sky Sports Action (407) from 5.15pm on Sunday.
Follow the 2017-18 NFL season with us on Sky Sports and through our website skysports.com/NFL also our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkySportsNFL
