NFL Week 16: Ravens face old foe, Falcons seek revenge & more
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Penultimate weekend separates men from the boys
There are just two games left of the NFL regular season, and it’s do or die for teams across the land. Three divisional titles are up for grabs, as are all four Wild Card spots.
The Coral News Team take a look at the crucial plotlines of this weekend’s game, starting with the Ravens’ clash against a man who helped bring Baltimore glory..
Can Ravens outsmart their former co-ordinator in crucial clash?
Baltimore Ravens players will be greeted by a familiar face on the other sideline as they host Indianapolis Colts at M&T Bank Stadium.
Colts head coach Chuck Pagano spent three years with Baltimore from 2008-2011, as Secondary Coach and later Defensive Coordinator. The Ravens reached the playoffs in each of those seasons.
Many players from Pagano’s era are still at Baltimore, including Quarterback Joe Flacco and experienced Linebacker Terrell Suggs. The last Head-to-Head meeting also ended up with a victory for the Colts.
However, this year’s playoff-chasing Ravens are a different proposition. They’re well in the hunt for a Wild Card spot, following five victories in the last six games. And they have Running Back Alex Collins in sensational form.
As for the Colts, they’ve lost eight of the last nine. Four of those have been comprehensive defeats by more than 10 points. The BAL Ravens -10.0 handicap looks a solid bet at 8/13.
Will Falcons get revenge on Saints for 2015 heartbreak?
Last year Atlanta Falcons made it all the way to the Super Bowl, but in 2015 the team from Georgia missed out on the Wild Card playoffs in heartbreaking fashion.
The Falcons finished a single place outside the playoffs, with their fate essentially sealed by two defeats to NFC South rivals New Orleans Saints.
Ahead of the final two games of the regular season, the divisional title is still up for grabs as the Falcons travel to Louisiana on Christmas Eve.
Resurgent Atlanta have won five of their last six games, including a 20-17 home defeat of the Saints. As it stands, New Orleans and Carolina Panthers are both 10-4, with Dan Quinn’s in-form side 9-5.
The Falcons face each of those sides in their final two NFC South games. With the visitors in top form ahead of their visit to the Big Easy, Money Line: ATL Falcons looks good value at 2/1.
Rams one win away from ending 13-year wait
Having upped sticks and moved 1,820 miles across the country from St Louis, the Los Angeles Rams endured a difficult season in 2016, finishing with a 4-12 record.
Fans in Missouri had also found little to cheer in recent years, with the Rams having failed to reach the playoffs in any of their last 11 seasons before the move.
However, the long wait is on the cusp of ending…providing they hold their nerve.
If they beat Tennessee Titans on the road this weekend, they’re guaranteed to head into the playoffs as NFC West champions. The fading Titans have lost their last two games, but both by margins of five points or less.
The Coral News Team think Winning Margin: LA Rams 1-6 could prove a smart call at 13/5.
Click here for the latest NFL odds from Coral.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
