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NFL Predictions: England Cricket's Liam Plunkett takes on Richard Graves in Week 17

England's Liam Plunkett celebrates the wicket of South African Faf du Plessis, caught behind by England's Jos Buttler for 16 during the second One-Day Inte
Image: England cricketer and Philadelphia Eagles fan Liam Plunkett give his Week 17 NFL predictions

England cricketer Liam Plunkett is the challenger taking on Sky Sports News' NFL reporter Richard Graves in Week 17 of NFL predictions...

It's a difficult ask for Plunkett, as he faces Graves fresh from a 13-3 record for the second straight week. His Week 16 win over Sky Sports Darts' John Part extends his nine-week unbeaten run.

2017 Prediction Results

Richard Graves Opponent's score Graves' season record
v Paul Merson 9-6 10-5 0-1
v Sam Quek 13-3 12-4 1-1
v Vernon Kay 10-6 6-10 2-1
v Laura Wright 9-7 10-6 2-2
v Anya Shrubsole 7-7 4-10 3-2
v Gethin Jones 4-10 7-7 3-3
v Jen Welter 11-4 12-3 3-4
v Anthony Watson 11-2 9-4 4-4
v Jim White 9-4 7-6 5-4
v Laura Woods 9-5 9-5 5-4-1
v Jade Clarke 9-5 8-6 6-4-1
v Jack Sock 12-4 11-5 7-4-1
v Rob Lee 12-4 10-6 8-4-1
v Baron Corbin 7-9 6-10 9-4-1
v Nasser Hussain 13-3 9-7 10-4-1
v John Part 13-3 10-6 11-4-1

Will he keep hold of that streak with another victory as the NFL regular season draws to a close on New Year's Eve? Or will die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan Plunkett hand him a final-week defeat?

Plunkett is out in Philadelphia to watch their game on Sunday against their NFC East divisional rival Dallas Cowboys before joining up with the England ODI squad for the series in Australia in January.

"It's always nice to watch another sport live," said Plunkett. "Especially a game of this magnitude, in front of thousands and thousands of people. In America, the crowds are amazing - the NFL is like cricket is in India.

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Highlights of the clash between the Oakland Raiders and the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16 of the NFL

"With the No 1 seed secure, I think the Eagles will play their back-ups, so that makes me worried. But, according to my Philly friends, the Cowboys don't have much heart, so I'm still backing us for the win.

"I can't wait to join up with England in the New Year. The last few years playing for England in the one-day formats have been the best of my career - I feel this team is now one of the best in the world and I'm backing us to win in Australia.

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England men, England women, T20 Blast and more... Sky Sports is the home of cricket in 2018

"I've been trying to follow the Ashes as much as possible. I sent Cooky a text to say well done on his double ton in the fourth Test, but it's been tough cricket generally for the guys out there. Hopefully we can end the tour well."

Here's a look at Plunkett's, and Graves' Week 17 picks...

New York Jets @ New England Patriots, NFL Sunday LIVE
Sky Sports Action (407), 5.30pm, Sunday

FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 26:  Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws during the second quarter of a game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Sta
Image: Tom Brady and New England look to secure the No 1 seed in the AFC with a win over the Jets

Graves: Remember back in September when the Patriots were 2-2 and their epitaph was being written? Well, since then they've gone 10-1, they've won the AFC East again and another win over the Jets will secure home-field advantage through the playoffs. Never one to rest on his laurels, Bill Belichick has moved to strengthen their push for another Lombardi Trophy by signing free agent pass rusher, James Harrison, after his release from AFC rival Pittsburgh Steelers.

Live NFL

Unsurprisingly the Jets are 17/2 outsiders to win in Foxborough, but it's fair to say head coach Tom Bowles has exceeded expectations this season in guiding them to five wins. Even so, pitting their 24th ranked defense against New England's No 1 offense is too great a challenge to overcome.

PICK: PATRIOTS

Plunkett: Never say never in a divisional game, but I just can't see the Jets, with Bryce Petty at quarterback, pulling off a win against New England this week - not with the No 1 seed on the line.

The Patriots have been there, done it before. As an Eagles fan, I want to avoid them in the Super Bowl as much as possible.

PICK: PATRIOTS

Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons, NFL Sunday LIVE
Sky Sports Action (407), 9.25pm, Sunday

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 07:  Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after Devonta Freeman #24 rushed for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints at M
Image: Will Matt Ryan fire the Falcons to a final-week win and into the playoffs?

Graves: This is undoubtedly the game of the weekend. Victory for the Panthers, combined with a Saints loss in Tampa Bay, would give them the NFC South title. If the Vikings and the Rams also both lose, then victory would also give Carolina a first-round bye.

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Meanwhile, the Falcons are now in playoff mode - win or go home. The equation isn't quite that simple, as Atlanta can still qualify despite a defeat, so long as Seattle also slip up at home against Arizona. But, they can't afford to think like that.

The Panthers edged the Week Nine meeting between these two 20-17, in a game where Falcons star receiver Julio Jones inexplicably dropped a potential game-winning TD in the endzone. And, worryingly for Atlanta, their offense appears to have stalled over the past four weeks - they have only score more than 20 points in one game - and they now face Carolina's seventh-ranked defense. The Panthers are also sharpening their claws at just the right time of year - they have won seven of their last eight games

PICK: PANTHERS

Plunkett: The Panthers have the better record, but I'm still not buying Cam Newton and Carolina as a legitimate contender just yet. Plus, I think Matt Ryan and the Falcons have been better than their stats would indicate this year.

I see Atlanta winning this one and sneaking into the playoffs.

PICK: FALCONS

Week 17 Predictions

Richard Graves Liam Plunkett
Jets @ Patriots Patriots Patriots
Redskins @ Giants Redskins Redskins
Bears @ Vikings Vikings Vikings
Packers @ Lions Lions Lions
Texans @ Colts Colts Colts
Browns @ Steelers Steelers Steelers
Cowboys @ Eagles Cowboys Eagles
Panthers @ Falcons Panthers Falcons
49ers @ Rams Rams 49ers
Raiders @ Chargers Chargers Chargers
Chiefs @ Broncos Chiefs Chiefs
Jaguars @ Titans Jaguars Titans
Saints @ Buccaneers Saints Saints
Bills @ Dolphins Bills Dolphins
Cardinals @ Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks
Bengals @ Ravens Ravens Ravens

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