Ben Graham’s NFL Tips: Kansas to floor Philly

HOUSTON let me down by edging out the Bengals in a low scorer so let's hope for better luck on Sunday night.

Kansas City v Philadelphia (Sunday, 6pm)

I’m still kicking myself I didn’t go with my gut last week and pick the Eagles but it won’t be long before they’re no longer regarded as sleepers but it was the Chiefs who provided the biggest upset of week 1 with a barnstorming finish against the Patriots in foxborough.

QB Alex Smith showed the NFL he’s still in command of the offence (28 from 35 and 4 TDs) but it was rookie RB Kareem Hunt who stole the show. In an amazing debut Hunt ran for 148 yards and a TD and had 98 receiving yards from five receptions and two TDs.

Throw in WR Tyreek Hill (133 yards and a TD) and you’ve got the most explosive, highest-scoring team out of week 1.

The Verdict 

Kansas City will be full of confidence and with coach Andy Reid welcoming his old team to town they should win at home by a comfy margin.

Unibet Odds: Kansas City 1-2, Philadelphia 17-10

• Tip: Kansas City
• Line tip: Kansas City -4.5

Baltimore v Cleveland (Sunday, 6pm)

Baltimore carried on from their 4-0 pre-season form and stunned the Bengals and can now look forward to heading to Cleveland to go 2-0 in the AFC North.

Ravens QB Joe Flacco can’t be underestimated and with a stout defence and a strong running game they could be one to bounce back big in season 2017.

The Browns had their chances v Pittsburgh and if it wasn’t for a blocked punt recovered for a touchdown, Cleveland might have snuck home.

The Verdict 

Even with some signs of life at the Browns, Baltimore will be too strong and win comfortably.

Unibet Odds: Baltimore 1-3, Cleveland 27-10

• Tip: Baltimore
• Line tip: Baltimore -7.5

Tampa Bay v Chicago (Sunday, 6pm)

Hurricane Irma will have unsettled the Buccaneers as they would have spent an entire pre-season preparing for Miami and are now faced with an entire campaign without a mid-season break which could hurt them down the stretch.

With Irma moving on this game is still scheduled at Raymond James Stadium and their focus has turned to Chicago and they’ll be ready to start the year with a bang.

The Verdict 

The Bears weren’t all that bad last week versus a strong Falcons outfit and if QB Mike Glennon has another solid game they could push the Buccaneers in Tampa but I don’t think they’ll get across the line.

Unibet Odds: Tampa Bay 1-3, Chicago 12-5

• Tip: Tampa Bay
• Line tip: Tampa Bay -6.5

Pittsburgh v Minnesota (Sunday, 6pm)

The Steelers continue to manage to get the job done with QB Big Ben Roethlisberger controlling the game with the help of WR Antonio Brown (182 yards) and TE Jesse James (2 TDs) but they’ll have their work cut out against a Vikings D that quelled the influence of QB Drew Brees.

For the Vikings I really liked the look of a healthy QB Sam Bradford who turned in one of the standout performances in Week 1 (27 completions from 32 passes, 3 TDs and 0 interceptions) with another rookie RB Dalvin Cook (127 yards) starring on debut.

Bradford’s O-Line was the key in this game and will again be the key at Pittsburgh.

The Verdict 

This is a tough game to pick but I have a bit more trust in the Steelers at the moment.

Tip: Pittsburgh

New Orleans v New England (Sunday, 6pm)

I’m reluctant to read too much into the Patriots’ loss at home versus the Chiefs as I predict a return to the play-offs for them.

Tom Brady’s offence looked good for most of the night but it’s the defence that struggled, particularly in the 4th quarter, allowing 21 points.

The Saints’ offence didn’t really get moving in week 1 but expect both offences in this match-up to come out firing in what might be the highest scoring game of week 2.

New Saints RB Adrian Peterson only had the 6 carries for 18 yards, so they’ll be looking to get more out of their running game but this is where the Patriots will have the edge with a more balanced offence.

The Verdict

Patriots to avoid going 0-2 and win away from home.

• Tip: New England

Jacksonville v Tennessee (Sunday, 6pm)

The Jaguars surprised almost everyone dismantling Houston in week 1. QB Blake Bortles managed the game well but it was rookie RB Leonard Fournette with 100 yards on debut who kept Houston on the back foot but will they'll miss WR Allen Robinson for the season with an ACL.

Tennessee put up a disappointing display at home versus Oakland last week although QB Marcus Mariotalooks to have plenty of upside throwing for 256 yards and running in a TD for himself.

The Verdict 

The is a real opportunity for the Jaguars to take control of the AFC South with the Titans, Texans and Colts staring down the face of a 0-2 start.

Unibet Odds: Jacksonville evens, Tennessee 4-5

• Tip: Jacksonviille
• Line tip: Jacksonville -1.5

Indianapolis v Arizona (Sunday, 6pm)

This match-up is one of four games where the loser will start the season 0-2 and both teams have major injury concerns.

The Colts don't expect to have star QB Andrew Luck back from a shoulder problem for at least another week while the news is worse for the Cardinals who have RB David Johnson sidelined with a dislocated wrist for between eight to 12 weeks.

The Verdict 

I refuse to tip the Colts until Luck is back at the helm while it should be Arizona who’ll square the ledger with a solid outing.

Unibet Odds: Indianapolis 23-10,  Arizona 6-10

• Tip: Arizona
• Line tip: Arizona -6.5

Carolina v Buffalo (Sunday, 3pm)

The Bills didn’t have much to beat last week (sorry Jets fans) but this will prove to be a far tougher challenge for QB Tyrod Taylor and his offence.

The Panthers kept the 49ers to a solitary field goal but they too will have a tougher challenge facing a Bills balanced offence with the air and ground threat of Taylor, RB LeSean McCoy, WR Jordan Matthews and TE Charles Clay.

The Verdict 

The Panthers’ offence only scratched the surface and with QB Cam Newton and rookie RB Christian McCaffrey finding form, they should win at home.

Unibet Odds: Carolina 1-3, Buffalo 11-4

• Tip: Carolina
• Line tip: Buffalo +7.5

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