Jason Bell gives us the inside take on the latest news across the National Football League, with NFL betting and predictions for the biggest matchups this week...
Lions offense are roaring
I said last week that the Seattle Seahawks would face their first real test against the Detroit Lions and their quarterback Jared Goff, which proved to be right!
The Lions’ offense was amazing on Monday and I’m more than happy with my prediction from the start of the season when I said they would make it to the Super Bowl this year.
He went 18-from-18 with his passing, throwing for 292 yards and two touchdowns; it doesn’t get much better than that!
I’ve really enjoyed watching them so far this year, they’re able to run the ball, stop the run and go over the top which is the perfect mix of exactly what you need to be successful in the NFL.
Kelce must step up as concerns build for Chiefs
It may sound weird to say this about the side who have won the last two Super Bowls and are a perfect 4-0 this season, but I’m not completely sold on the Kansas City Chiefs just yet.
They have won all four of their games by narrow margins and are yet to really blow any team away, and the injury that Rashee Rice has picked up, which looks to be a serious one, is another cause for concern for Andy Reid.
Obviously having Patrick Mahomes as your quarterback means you’re always going to be a threat, but he still needs options and it seemed as though Rice was becoming the main man in terms of receiving the ball, but now he’s out.
That means the responsibility falls to Travis Kelce who has seen nowhere near as much of the action so far this season, However, he is simply “that guy” and there’s every chance he’ll step up when needed.
Being 4-0 is all good, but there’s still a couple of things the Chiefs need to figure out if they want that three-peat.
NFL London: Players love it, coaches hate it
NFL London is back and I am so excited for it this year, as I am every year!
Having been based in the UK for a few years now, I know just how much of a buzz it creates over here and I know this year won’t be any different.
It is great for the NFL as far as growing the game is concerned, and it helps to grow the global presence of the league.
MatchCombo - Breece Hall to score a touchdown, Aaron Rodgers to throw for 230+ passing yards, Garrett Wilson to receive for 60+ yards & Breece Hall to rush 55+ yards
All players want to be global superstars and getting the opportunity to showcase their skills in London is one of the biggest opportunities to put their names on the map outside of North America.
I know how great of a feeling it is for players to walk out onto the field in these London games and I love to see it, but I know for a fact that the coaches don’t like it.
Coaches don’t like moving around, even if a game is just around the corner they’ll complain about it!
It is all about growing the NFL and the appetite for it in the UK is growing. It is a uniquely American sport, but it’s a game for everybody, and it’s great to see it continuing to grow around the world.
Texans the ones to watch stateside
My main game to watch on US soil this week sees the Buffalo Bills take to the road to face the Houston Texans. The Bills will be so hungry to win this one after their loss last week and I think they can pose a real threat.
The battle between the two quarterbacks – CJ Stroud and Josh Allen – is going to be amazing to watch and I think the result will depend on which one of those two wins the battle.
There’s no doubt that the Bills are one of the best outfits in the league and many will probably be picking them to win this one, but my heart lies with the Texans.
I think they’re going to defend their home patch with everything they’ve got and CJ Stroud is going to light it up. I might be picking with my heart over my head, but I’m siding with Houston here.
Prediction: Houston Texans to win
Rodgers could light up London
Of course my second game to watch this week has to be the London game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium between the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Jets.
The Jets’ hopes of winning this game lie with their main man Aaron Rodgers, but he is just the type of guy who loves to rise to this kind of occasion and put on a show on the international stage.
All eyes will be on him and I wouldn’t be surprised if he seriously turned it on.
However, the Vikings have surprised me – and I think every football fan – with just how good they’ve been this season. Their offense has been outstanding and that’s why they’ve put up some huge scorelines this season.
I think the Vikings can keep their perfect start to the season going, but they’ll have to watch out for Aaron Rodgers who won’t let this occasion pass him up.
Prediction: Minnesota Vikings to win
