Tag: expert picks

Colts vs. Jaguars: NFL experts make Week 18 picks

Here are the expert picks for the Week 18 matchup between the Colts and Jaguars.

The Indianapolis Colts (9-7) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14) will be finishing out the regular season with a Week 18 matchup at TIAA Bank Field.

It should be no surprise that the Colts are massive favorites over the Jaguars, who are competing for the No. 1 overall pick for the second year in a row.

The Colts are fighting for a playoff berth. With a win on Sunday, they are guaranteed one of the wild-card spots. With a loss, it gets a bit complicated.

Fortunately, the experts around the league aren’t privy to choosing an upset in Duval County this weekend.

Expert Pick Score (if applicable)
Nate Davis (USA TODAY) Colts 31-10
Mike Jones (USA TODAY) Colts 27-15
Jarrett Bell (USA TODAY) Colts 33-13
Mike Clay (ESPN) Colts N/A
Gregg Rosenthall (NFL Network) Colts 30-13
Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Colts 30-10
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Colts 27-10
James Johnson (Jaguars Wire) TBD TBD
Jess Root (Sportsbook Wire) Colts N/A
Cam DaSilva (Sportsbook Wire) Colts N/A
Bleacher Report Colts 31-10

It should be no surprise that the Colts are being chosen by nearly every expert. Predicting an upset of this size, while certainly possible, isn’t the most logical choice.

The Colts will be on the road looking to wrap up their season with a playoff berth and that’s exactly how the experts see this game going in Week 18.

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Who the experts are taking in Washington vs. Eagles

Who do the experts have in Washington’s Week 17 game vs. Eagles?

The Washington Football Team (6-9) hosts the Philadelphia Eagles (8-7) Sunday afternoon at FedEx Field in Week 17 NFL action. The game has plenty of playoff implications, especially for the Eagles.

However, Washington is still alive for the playoffs — albeit barely. For Washington to make the NFC playoffs for the second consecutive season, it will need a lot of help. Most importantly, Washington will need to win its final two games.

Washington and Philadelphia last played in Week 15, with the Eagles coming out on top 27-17. Washington was competitive in that game, even leading 10-0, before going into halftime tied at 10. The Eagles dominated in the second half, especially on the ground, and piled up over 500 yards of total offense.

Washington’s effort was impressive, considering the number of players out due to COVID-19, including quarterbacks Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen.

Washington’s situation entering Week 17 is better, although far from ideal. The WFT will be without Antonio Gibson, Sam Cosmi, Tress Way, Landon Collins, William Jackson III and Ereck Flowers — all of whom played in Week 15.

So, what are Washington’s chances for Sunday?

According to the experts, 90% of those who pick games are picking the Eagles, per NFL Pickwatch.

Washington is certainly accustomed to facing these types of odds, and perhaps Sunday does enough to put a dent in Philadelphia’s playoff plans.

Colts vs. Raiders: NFL experts make Week 17 picks

NFL experts make their Week 17 picks between the Colts and Raiders.

The Indianapolis Colts (9-6) and Las Vegas Raiders (8-7) are set to face off in a crucial Week 17 matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday.

The Colts find themselves with a chance to clinch a playoff berth with a win while the Raiders are fighting for the final wild-card seed in the AFC playoff picture.

Even though Indy is still in wait-and-see mode when it comes to the status of quarterback Carson Wentz, they are still strong favorites in the eyes of Vegas.

Now, it’s time to take a look at what the experts around the league think of this matchup:

Expert Pick Score (if applicable)
Nate Davis (USA TODAY) Colts 27-23
Mike Jones (USA TODAY) Raiders 24-22
Jarrett Bell (USA TODAY) Colts 29-23
Mike Clay (ESPN) Colts N/A
Gregg Rosenthall (NFL Network) Colts 23-17
Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Colts 27-20
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Colts 26-24
Marcus Mosher (Raiders Wire) TBD TBD
Jess Root (Sportsbook Wire) Colts N/A
Cam DaSilva (Sportsbook Wire) Colts N/A
Bleacher Report Colts 23-20

The Colts are favored in this game and even though Wentz is optimistically expected to clear the protocols, some of these picks might change if he doesn’t play.

Regardless, the Colts are seen as pretty strong favorites for this game. As of this writing, 84% of analysts over at Tallysight are choosing the Colts to win this game.

It should be an interesting weekend, but the Colts are expected to finish off their home regular season with a playoff-clinching win in the eyes of the experts.

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Who the experts are taking in Washington vs. Cowboys

As expected, most of the experts are picking the Cowboys in Week 16.

The Washington Football Team looks to get back on track in Week 16’s rematch vs. the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. After the Cowboys snapped Washington’s four-game winning streak two weeks ago, Washington has now lost two games in a row.

Sunday’s rematch is all about staying in the race for the NFC’s final wild-card spot for Washington. As for Dallas, it can clinch the NFC East with either a win or a Philadelphia loss.

So, both teams have a lot to play for Sunday night at AT&T Stadium.

Unfortunately for Washington, it will be without several key performers. Safety Landon Collins and running back J.D. McKissic were placed on injured reserve last week, while cornerback William Jackson III will miss the game. Washington could also be without All-Pro guard Brandon Scherff and linebacker Cole Holcomb.

The Cowboys jumped out to a 24-0 lead in the first meeting. However, Washington slowly climbed back into the game in the second half before coming up short in a 27-20 loss.

Who wins the rematch?

According to the experts, via NFL Pickwatch, 97% of the picks are for Dallas. That shouldn’t come as a surprise, as Washington has been the underdog for most of its games this season.

Washington’s performance in the first meeting and all the team has lost in recent weeks means the Cowboys are the smart choice for Week 16.

 

Panthers come up empty to Buccaneers in Week 16 expert picks

For the second straight week, the experts aren’t feeling the Panthers’ chances against a formidable opponent.

Last week, the experts showed no mercy (and no faith) in the Carolina Panthers for their matchup with the Buffalo Bills. Well, that faith, or lack thereof, was rewarded with a 31-14 thumping.

Now, we know the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to dominate these Week 16 predictions. But will they too come out with a complete sweep on Carolina?

USA TODAY: Buccaneers

Tampa Bay gets off to a good start in their search for the sweep. They pick up all seven picks from the mothership, with two experts seeing a double-digit difference.

ESPN: Buccaneers

The worldwide leader is down from 11 to nine experts for the holiday weekend. Regardless, they all go to the Bucs.

Pro Football Talk: Buccaneers

Mike Florio and Michael David Smith are on the same page with a pair of breezy forecasts, 24-10 and 27-14, for the visitors.

CBS Sports: Buccaneers

Eight more up, eight more down.

MMQB: Buccaneers

And the final five, of course, goes to the Bucs.

For the second consecutive week, the Panthers are being swept straight out of the joint by the experts. 31-for-31 in favor of the defending champs.

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Colts vs. Cardinals: NFL experts make Week 16 picks

Here are the expert picks for the Week 16 matchup between the Colts and Cardinals.

The Indianapolis Colts (8-6) are set to visit the Arizona Cardinals (10-4) at State Farm Stadium on Saturday night for a Week 16 matchup in prime time.

The Christmas Day game will mark the second time in a row the Colts will play on a Saturday as they look to continue their streak as the hottest team in the AFC playoff race. With three games remaining, the Colts are 7-2 in their last nine games and currently lead the wild-card race.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals got off to a fast 7-0 start before going 3-4 in their last seven games. They still sit atop the NFC West and have the firepower to compete with any team in the NFL.

Here’s how the experts around the league see this matchup unfolding:

Expert Pick Score (if applicable)
Nate Davis (USA TODAY) Colts 30-17
Mike Jones (USA TODAY) Colts 28-25
Jarrett Bell (USA TODAY) Colts 24-22
Mike Clay (ESPN) Cardinals N/A
Gregg Rosenthall (NFL Network) Colts 24-23
Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Colts 24-20
Dave Richard (CBS Sports) Colts N/A
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Cardinals 30-20
Jess Root (Cards Wire) Cardinals 31-28
Cam DaSilva (Sportsbook Wire) Colts N/A
Bleacher Report Cardinals 24-23

Though this game is expected to be a close one, most of the experts side with the Colts taking the road game. Over at Tallysight, 59% of the analysts chose the Colts to win the game as of this writing.

It should be a tight contest considering the offensive firepower on each side. Even without center Ryan Kelly and right guard Mark Glowinski, the Colts have the offensive makeup to control the line of scrimmage and pound the rock against a Cardinals run defense that has been lacking for the majority of the season.

On the flip side, the Colts may struggle to keep Kyler Murray contained, which is likely going to be their biggest key in Week 16.

The Colts and Cardinals are set for kickoff at 8:15 p.m. ET on NFL Network.

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Look: Drew Brees is the only NBC panelist to pick Saints over Buccaneers

Look: Drew Brees is the only NBC panelist to pick Saints over Buccaneers

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Drew Brees. The legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback went against the grain and picked his old team to knock off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Sunday night’s game — while every other member of the NBC Sports panel around him sided with Tom Brady’s Buccaneers.

Maybe he’s just being a homer. Maybe he’s getting payback after all of his future coworkers picked against him in this game last season. Maybe Brees knows something we don’t. Whatever the case, we appreciate it. Let’s see how things go when the black and gold kicks off at Raymond James Stadium.

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Colts vs. Patriots: NFL experts make Week 15

Here are the expert picks for the Week 15 matchup between the Colts and Patriots.

The Indianapolis Colts (7-6) and New England Patriots (9-4) are set for a big matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium that should have plenty of playoff implications.

The Colts find themselves as slight favorites over the Patriots but given that the latter is the top team in the AFC, many of the analysts are siding with the visiting team.

Here’s a look at who the experts around the league are picking in this matchup:

Expert Pick Score (if applicable)
Nate Davis (USA TODAY) Patriots 30-23
Mike Jones (USA TODAY) Patriots 27-25
Jarrett Bell (USA TODAY) Patriots 27-24
Mike Clay (ESPN) Patriots N/A
Gregg Rosenthall (NFL Network) Patriots 27-24
Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Colts 23-20
Dave Richard (CBS Sports) Patriots N/A
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Colts 24-20
Henry McKenna (Patriots Wire) TBD TBD
Cam DaSilva (Sportsbook Wire) Patriots N/A
Bleacher Report Patriots 24-20

Most of the experts around the league are siding with the Patriots in this one. It makes sense given that they are winners in seven straight games. Over at Tallysight, 70% of the analysts chose the Patriots to win as of this writing.

It will be a close game, especially with both teams trying to win through their ground attacks. Regardless, it will have some heavy playoff implications once this weekend is done.

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Colts vs. Texans: NFL experts make Week 13 picks

See who the experts around teh league are picking in the Week 13 matchup between the Colts and Texans.

The Indianapolis Colts (6-6) face a divisional matchup with the Houston Texans (2-9) in Week 13 at NRG Stadium before getting into their bye week.

The last time these two teams met, the Colts dominated in every phase of the game. They took the home win 31-3 and have been rolling ever since. Vegas currently has the Colts sitting as heavy 9.5-point favorites on the road so the expectation is they handle business in Week 13.

Here’s how the experts around the league are choosing this matchup:

Expert Pick Score (if applicable)
Nate Davis (USA TODAY) Colts 31-16
Mike Jones (USA TODAY) Colts 35-16
Jarrett Bell (USA TODAY) Colts 33-23
Mike Clay (ESPN) Colts N/A
Gregg Rosenthall (NFL Network) Colts 27-14
Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Colts 24-10
Dave Richard (CBS Sports) Colts N/A
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Colts 26-14
Mark Lane (Texans Wire) TBD TBD
Cam DaSilva (Sportsbook Wire) Colts N/A
Bleacher Report Colts 28-20

It’s no surprise the Colts are favored by almost every expert. This is a game they should be expected to win as the better team. Over at Tallysight, 99% of the analysts have picked the Colts to win this game—as of this writing.

The Colts have been rolling over the last two months thanks to the work of running back Jonathan Taylor, who has taken the league by storm during his historic stretch.

The Colts can’t look past this game and must take care of business on the road, which is exactly what the experts believe will happen in Week 13.

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Who the experts are taking in Washington vs. Seahawks

For once, the experts like Washington on Monday night.

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The Washington Football Team hosts the Seattle Seahawks in the latest installment of Monday Night Football.

Washington has a miserable history on Monday Night Football, but this is a different group. Washington’s last win on MNF came all the way back in 2014 when Colt McCoy led the WFT to a road win over the Cowboys.

Over the years, the Seahawks contributed to Washington’s MNF misery with a win over the WFT in 2014 at FedEx Field.

So, who wins on Monday night?

Washington entered Week 12 as a slight favorite, per Tipico Sportsbook, and the lines have remained nearly identical heading into the game. While the Seahawks have held the edge in this series over the last several years, 59% of the experts are picking Washington to win this time around, per NFL Pickwatch.

This is new territory for Washington, as the WFT has been the underdog in almost every game it has played in 2021. However, a two-game winning streak has Washington fans believing this team can make another playoff run in 2021.

Washington hopes to end its Monday night woes against a struggling Seattle team that desperately needs a win.