Weekend NFL

Iain Fletcher thought the NE Patriots would win and that Tom Brady would be a big scorer for them – so he will be happy with NE’s 48 – 27 result against the Cowboys at the weekend.

OK, some good and some bad last week – the Chargers destroying Denver at Denver was a bit of a surprise – not the win necessary but the massive scale of it. Washington did win comfortably though.

For week 6 now we have a potential Superbowl match-up – New England Patriots @ Dallas Cowboys, Sky Sports, 9pm. This is the big TV match of the weekend so let’s study it first.

Form

NE – Played 5 won 5 – enough said. They score points – 182 so far and defend well – only 65 conceded. That is the stats of a serious side.

However the later matches that have seen them score 34 points, 34 points and 38 points were against the Cleveland Browns, Bengals and the Bills. Not a single class side among them and the one thing about this week is the Dallas Cowboys have some class.

Dallas – Also played 5 won 5. 176 for 96 against, and a good organisation. They stuttered last week against the Bills winning by a single point but three games ago they defeated Chicago – a mean defensive outfit so this side is the real deal.

Match-ups to watch for. Running of Julius Jones and Marion Barber for Dallas. Accuracy of Romo in the air. Terrell Owens receiving? However, if Dallas and Ware do not sack Tom Brady NE will score heavily.

At 4/9 NE are too short to start although I do believe they will win. I would rather wait for a better price though, indeed possibly start with a trading lay but as ever it is for quick turnaround.

Tennessee Titans @ Tampa Bay, 6 pm

3 -1 plays 3-2. Both capable of good and both just as easily capable of shocking. This game rests on whether the Bucs can pressure the strong Titans running game (look for Llendale White and Chris Brown) and therefore make Vince Young have to throw under pressure to make first downs. If not the Titans should grind forward.

Now before last week against the Colts the Bucs looked good in stopping the run. So they need to get that form back and quickly. Titans are the stronger side for me and worth backing straight at 13/10.