IN LAST WEEK’S edition of Pick Six, Kilkenny hurling star Jackie Tyrell was let down by his beloved Cowboys as he fell just one short of correctly calling six games from six. The less said about TheScore.ie‘s performance, the better.
This week, it’s the turn of Leinster and Ireland flanker Shane Jennings who, as well as having three Heineken Cups to his name, is also a huge NFL fan, even if he has switched allegiances.
“I was initially a Tampa Bay fan around the time they won the Super Bowl under Jon Gruden but over the years I watched a lot of America’s Game and NFL Films and I started to really like the Steelers so that’s who I support now.”
Here’s who the flanker went for this week:
New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers
Drew Brees and the Saints have yet to earn a road win this year. Bill Haber / AP/Press Association Images
Bill Haber / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images
Shane Jennings: I would 100% think the Saints will win this. For me, Carolina are too hit and miss and I don’t think Cam Newton is as good he thinks he is. The difference in this game will be that Brees can control the game more, even on the road.
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TheScore.ie: This might be rich coming from a Raiders fan but nobody deserves to get out of the NFC South this year. It’s a horrible division and the fact that the Bucs have only won one game and, yet, are only two games back speaks volumes. The Saints have lost four from four on the road this season and I think the Panthers will make that five tonight.
Arizona Cardinals @ Dallas Cowboys
Shane Jennings: I think this is a real hard one to call and I’ve picked Arizona over the last few weeks and they’ve done quite well for me whereas I’ve backed Dallas in the past and they’ve broken my heart. Despite that, I think the Cowboys will bounce back this week with the win.
TheScore.ie: Dallas losing to Washington last week just when people started taking them seriously as a Super Bowl team might just be the most Cowboys thing to ever happen. Arizona have been the real surprise team for me this season – especially with their quarterback troubles – but a win here against a Cowboys team that has already lost twice at home lays down a massive marker for the rest of the season. Cardinals for me.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Houston Texans
Shane Jennings: Again, this is a real hard one to call but I’d like to think the Texans will do it. I’m on the fence really. I know Philly are two or three point favourites on the spread and probably need the win to stay in the playoff hunt but I’m sticking with Houston.
TheScore.ie: As much as this game will be billed as the Eagles up-tempo/no-huddle offence versus the sheer destructive power of JJ Watt and possibly Jadevon Clowney, for me the biggest battle is Nick Foles versus Nick Foles. Four interceptions in their last two games is not what you expect from someone who was only picked off twice last year. Texans for the win.
Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots
Not a bad pair of quarterbacks. AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Shane Jennings: I love New England, they’re probably my second team but I think Denver will do the business. I don’t think New England have been up against much in their run of four wins and the Broncos are just stronger across the board.
TheScore.ie: This is, of course, going to billed a the battle of Brady and Manning with a debate about who is the greatest quarterback – for me it’s Brady hands down – but that Denver defence is the reason I think they could go all the way this year. With that in mind, I think the Broncos will come out on top in this one.
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Shane Jennings: Well I have to pick the Steelers but there are a lot of things going in their favour. They’re at home, they’ll want to avenge the loss earlier in the season and they’ll use both those things as motivation to get the win.
TheScore.ie: To be honest, the only reason that Pittsburgh won’t win this game is that Ben Roethlisberger’s arm is still sore from throwing more than 520 yards and six touchdowns last week. The Ravens have impressed at times this season but it’s the Steelers for me too.
Indinapolis Colts @ New York Giants
Shane Jennings: I’m going to go with the Colts even though I haven’t see a lot of them this season. I really like Andrew Luck and the excitement he brings when he has the ball in his hand.
TheScore.ie: So many experts were giving out about Andrew Luck in the wake of their defeat to the Steelers last week but he can’t play defence. The Giants have looked okay in patches this season but this is a nice game for the Colts to bounce back in.
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Jackie Tyrell 5-1
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Pick Six: Shane Jennings v TheScore.ie – NFL week 9
IN LAST WEEK’S edition of Pick Six, Kilkenny hurling star Jackie Tyrell was let down by his beloved Cowboys as he fell just one short of correctly calling six games from six. The less said about TheScore.ie‘s performance, the better.
This week, it’s the turn of Leinster and Ireland flanker Shane Jennings who, as well as having three Heineken Cups to his name, is also a huge NFL fan, even if he has switched allegiances.
“I was initially a Tampa Bay fan around the time they won the Super Bowl under Jon Gruden but over the years I watched a lot of America’s Game and NFL Films and I started to really like the Steelers so that’s who I support now.”
Here’s who the flanker went for this week:
New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers
Shane Jennings: I would 100% think the Saints will win this. For me, Carolina are too hit and miss and I don’t think Cam Newton is as good he thinks he is. The difference in this game will be that Brees can control the game more, even on the road.
TheScore.ie: This might be rich coming from a Raiders fan but nobody deserves to get out of the NFC South this year. It’s a horrible division and the fact that the Bucs have only won one game and, yet, are only two games back speaks volumes. The Saints have lost four from four on the road this season and I think the Panthers will make that five tonight.
Arizona Cardinals @ Dallas Cowboys
Shane Jennings: I think this is a real hard one to call and I’ve picked Arizona over the last few weeks and they’ve done quite well for me whereas I’ve backed Dallas in the past and they’ve broken my heart. Despite that, I think the Cowboys will bounce back this week with the win.
TheScore.ie: Dallas losing to Washington last week just when people started taking them seriously as a Super Bowl team might just be the most Cowboys thing to ever happen. Arizona have been the real surprise team for me this season – especially with their quarterback troubles – but a win here against a Cowboys team that has already lost twice at home lays down a massive marker for the rest of the season. Cardinals for me.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Houston Texans
Shane Jennings: Again, this is a real hard one to call but I’d like to think the Texans will do it. I’m on the fence really. I know Philly are two or three point favourites on the spread and probably need the win to stay in the playoff hunt but I’m sticking with Houston.
TheScore.ie: As much as this game will be billed as the Eagles up-tempo/no-huddle offence versus the sheer destructive power of JJ Watt and possibly Jadevon Clowney, for me the biggest battle is Nick Foles versus Nick Foles. Four interceptions in their last two games is not what you expect from someone who was only picked off twice last year. Texans for the win.
Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots
Shane Jennings: I love New England, they’re probably my second team but I think Denver will do the business. I don’t think New England have been up against much in their run of four wins and the Broncos are just stronger across the board.
TheScore.ie: This is, of course, going to billed a the battle of Brady and Manning with a debate about who is the greatest quarterback – for me it’s Brady hands down – but that Denver defence is the reason I think they could go all the way this year. With that in mind, I think the Broncos will come out on top in this one.
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Shane Jennings: Well I have to pick the Steelers but there are a lot of things going in their favour. They’re at home, they’ll want to avenge the loss earlier in the season and they’ll use both those things as motivation to get the win.
TheScore.ie: To be honest, the only reason that Pittsburgh won’t win this game is that Ben Roethlisberger’s arm is still sore from throwing more than 520 yards and six touchdowns last week. The Ravens have impressed at times this season but it’s the Steelers for me too.
Indinapolis Colts @ New York Giants
Shane Jennings: I’m going to go with the Colts even though I haven’t see a lot of them this season. I really like Andrew Luck and the excitement he brings when he has the ball in his hand.
TheScore.ie: So many experts were giving out about Andrew Luck in the wake of their defeat to the Steelers last week but he can’t play defence. The Giants have looked okay in patches this season but this is a nice game for the Colts to bounce back in.
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