UK gridiron fans have a lot to look forward to in Week 10. We’ve got our third International Series game of the season and we’re being spoiled as America’s team tackles London’s adopted side. All eyes this week have been on Tony Romo and it looks like he’s going to play. That’s exciting news for the neutral because, having missed out on seeing Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush last time out, we want to see the NFL’s best players on the Wembley turf.
If Romo plays it’ll be difficult to predict anything other than a Cowboys win. But, if Brandon Weeden starts it can be a different story altogether. The back-up QB looked poor in practice, consistently missing passes. He struggles to read the field and can’t spot the open receivers because he’s too locked in on a single target. Fantasy owners should expect big points from running backs DeMarco Murray and Denard Robinson.
The big battle in the NFC is between the two .500 teams at the Superdome. The Saints and 49ers are both 4&4 and San Francisco travel two thirds of the country off the back of a disappointing loss at home to the Rams. The 9ers were a fumble away from victory last week, but their division is so tight that a loss in New Orleans would most likely end their season.
Apart from their humiliating defeat to Denver the 49ers’ losses have been marginal and the Saints haven’t been too hot. Don’t forget that San Francisco should have won in the Dome last year, but a poor refereeing decision cost them. Revenge is sweet so expect Colin Kaepernick to clock up a few fantasy points on Sunday. Frank Gore is convinced that his team will make the play-offs. Will he carry them there? Also, Jim harbaugh has never lost three games on the bounce with this team.
The in-form Dolphins travel to Detroit to face a Lions team coming off their bye week. Stafford and co will be buoyant after their last-gasp victory at Wembley last time out. Ryan Tannehill has been on fire in Miami’s three-game winning streak, but he struggles in domes. This will be an interesting contest with Detroit getting some key men back onto their offense.
Jamaal Charles has been in excellent form recently. He’s one of fantasy football’s biggest hitters. This weekend he faces stiff opposition in one of the league’s best defences. Rain’s expected in Buffalo so it’ll be interesting to see how rookie Sammy Watkins copes with the conditions.
Can Ben Roethlisberger make it a hat-trick of 6 TD games? He faces the perfect opposition for it in the Jets. The Steelers will be desperate for the win to stay in the hunt in the AFC North. The Browns sit pretty at the summit after their win in Cincinnati on Thursday night. Also, expect nothing less than a Ravens victory at home to the struggling Titans.
If you’ve got Peyton Manning, Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas and Wes Welker in your fantasy team then you will be expecting big points this weekend. The Broncos face the 0&8 Oakland Raiders.
The Rams will be looking to make it a hat-trick of divisional scalps against the Cardinals. The struggling Giants have a daunting trip to Seattle, whilst one of the oldest rivalries in football continues at Lambeau. The 3&5 Bears will have to stop Aaron Rodgers and the 5&3 Packers if they want to maintain any hopes of making the post season.
The week ends with another NFC match-up. Monday Night Football comes from Lincoln Financial Field as Geno Smith makes his first start for the Eagles at home to a struggling Cam Newton and his 3-5-1 Panthers.
There are some tasty match-ups this week and we’ll have a clear indication of who will be in contention for the play-offs come Tuesday morning.
5th Down UK 