Friday 1 December 2017 07:26, UK
In Week 13, Sky Sports golf presenter Rob Lee is the challenger taking on Richard Graves in NFL predictions...
It's a tough assignment, with Graves currently in the midst of a five-week unbeaten run, improving his season record to 7-4-1 after eeking out a one-game win over US tennis star Jack Sock in Week 12.
Graves' opponent this week is die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan Lee, who is hosting Sky Sports' live coverage of this weekend's Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, which featured Tiger Woods' return to golf following his latest 10-month injury layoff.
"Tiger polarises opinion," says Lee. "You either love him, or have had enough, But I think he has been away for long enough now and it would be great that, with all the attempted comebacks he's had, this one is for good.
"Hopefully his fitness holds up, then we can see if he can get his game in shape. His body keeps breaking down, so I hope this time there's some genuine healing that has gone on. It would be brilliant if he could come back and be a factor in the game again."
As for the NFL, Lee has his sights set on a first Super Bowl success for Philadelphia, with the team currently holding the best record in the league, at 10-1.
"Being an Eagles fan, I worry all the time, but the biggest difference for us this year has been the quarterback, Carson Wentz - he has just been absolutely phenomenal," adds Lee.
"I've felt that we've had most of the pieces in place for a good few seasons now, and it was just about going a little further for a sustained playoff push.
"That has happened this year. I put it down to the win over the Giants all the way back in Week Three. We needed a last-gasp kick from 60 yards to win. That saw us start the season 2-1, rather than 1-2, and we haven't looked back."
Can Lee harness that Eagles winning spirit and inflict a rare defeat on Graves? Here's a look at the pair's predictions...
Graves: After three straight wins the Falcons appear to be finding their groove - their offense has put up 34 points in back-to-back games, Atlanta are now just one game back off top spot in the NFC South, but they face arguably their stiffest test of the year this Sunday.
Minnesota's own offense has been firing on all cylinders as well of late, scoring 30 points or more in three of their last four games, but their 9-2 record is largely founded on a stellar defense. A defense which held the high octane Rams to just seven points two weeks ago and ranks fifth overall, second against the run and fifth in points allowed (17.7 per game).
PICK: VIKINGS
Lee: At 9-2 on the season, the Vikings look set for a long postseason run - I can't see them slipping up. The Falcons have been on a good recent run, but they're in a tough old NFC South division along with the Panthers and Saints, and I just can't quite see them having enough.
PICK: VIKINGS
Graves: New Orleans' eight-game win streak finally came to an end with a loss against the Rams last week but they head into this divisional clash with a chance to sweep the Panthers and claim a clear lead in the NFC South. The combination of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara out of the backfield is proving to be a real handful for defenses. Align that with veteran QB Drew Brees and this is one of the more potent offenses in the NFL.
The same can't be said for Carolina. They've been frustratingly inconsistent this season - form mirrored by the play of QB Cam Newton. That said, they are in the midst of a four-game win streak and rookie RB Christian McCaffrey is fast becoming their most potent weapon, both out of the backfield and increasingly in the passing game - he has scored three TDs in the last three games.
PICK: SAINTS
Lee: The game of the weekend! The Saints have been on a fantastic run and, though that was ended with a defeat to the Rams last week, I'm going to stick with them to get the better of Carolina at home. The Panthers have been a little too erratic for my money.
PICK: SAINTS
Graves: If the Cowboys lose at home to the Redskins on Thursday night, the Eagles will already have been confirmed as NFC East champions before a ball is even snapped in Seattle. They're currently riding a nine-game win streak, with an NFL-best 10-1 record, they have the top scoring offense in the league and have now scored 27 points or more in nine straight games.
For Seattle's famed 'Legion of Boom' defense this is a challenge in every sense, not least because it has now been confirmed two of their best defensive backs - Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman - are out for the season. QB Russell Wilson seems to be single-handedly propelling their offense but the offensive line continues to be porous and their running game - once the strength of their offense - ranks just 20th this season, averaging 102.9 yards per game.
PICK: EAGLES
Lee: It won't be warm up in Seattle on Sunday night! A tough trip for my Eagles, in front of that fervent home support and especially given the Seahawks still have so much to play for - they're only one game back in the NFC West and the Wild Card race. It's a huge night for them, but I can't not back the Eagles. I can't see a weakness in the team right now; we're just steamrolling teams.
PICK: EAGLES
Graves: An AFC North battle closes out Week 13 and it sees the division-leading Steelers, riding a six-game winning streak, head into Cincinnati. The Bengals would push themselves back into the thick of the playoff race with victory here, despite an inconsistent campaign which has resulted in a 5-6 record.
To do that, they'll have to shut down Antonio Brown. Pittsburgh's star receiver has been in sensational form of late, scoring five TDs and netting 313 receiving yards in their last two games alone! The Steelers' defense continues to improve as well - now ranked 4th overall and 6th against the run. Cincinnati's defense has also tightened up recently, giving up just 35 points across their last two contests, but they were against the Broncos and Browns - this is an altogether stiffer challenge.
PICK: STEELERS
Lee: Steelers are a lock in this one. They're 9-2, while the Bengals are 5-6. Plus, I have a bit of a soft spot for Pittsburgh after visiting there this summer. An amazing city! All of their sporting stadia are within a stone's throw of each other - it's incredible!
PICK: STEELERS
Graves: An NFC East clash in which both teams know they must win to harbour any realistic hopes of playing in the postseason.
The Cowboys' recent form has been horrific. They've lost all three games since Ezekiel Elliott began his six-game suspension, scored just two touchdowns and conceded 92 points. Dak Prescott - the 2016 Rookie of the Year - is enduring the worst spell of his NFL career. He hasn't thrown a single touchdown pass and has been picked off five times!
Washington's win over the Giants last week was their first in three games but, unlike the Cowboys, they've been competitive throughout, scoring 89 points over that period.
PICK: REDSKINS
Lee: As an Eagles fan, this is a hard one to pick, as I don't particularly like either.... but especially not the Cowboys, so I suppose I have got to go with the Redskins. They're both at 5-6 on the season, so it's a massive game for the pair of them, if they are to have any hope of still sneaking into the playoffs.
I kept thinking the Cowboys would have a run and challenge us for the division, but I've been pleasantly surprised to see the Eagles keep winning with Dallas, meanwhile, getting thumped of late.
PICK: REDSKINS
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