International Cup of Champions

Carolina has home-field advantage in this clash with the Rams, but that’s their only real edge in this one. The Panthers did beat LA earlier in the season, but that win came during Matthew Stafford’s worst game of the year and an uncharacteristically poor defensive showing that’s unlikely to be repeated. With massive efficiency gaps, elite offensive metrics, Davante Adams’ return and strong revenge and experience angles, this sets up as a classic positive regression spot for the Rams, where they should control the game from the start and win big.

The Bears and Packers renew the NFL’s oldest rivalry in the playoffs for just the third time ever, with Chicago riding an 11-win surge and strong home form. Green Bay limps into Soldier Field off the back of four straight losses, and could be set to struggle against a Bears team that is full of confidence right now. Chicago posted an 11-5-1 spread record during the regular season, and as slight home underdogs, hold the value in this matchup.

Carolina has home-field advantage in this clash with the Rams, but that’s their only real edge in this one. The Panthers did beat LA earlier in the season, but that win came during Matthew Stafford’s worst game of the year and an uncharacteristically poor defensive showing that’s unlikely to be repeated. With massive efficiency gaps, elite offensive metrics, Davante Adams’ return and strong revenge and experience angles, this sets up as a classic positive regression spot for the Rams, where they should control the game from the start and win big.

The Bears and Packers renew the NFL’s oldest rivalry in the playoffs for just the third time ever, with Chicago riding an 11-win surge and strong home form. Green Bay limps into Soldier Field off the back of four straight losses, and could be set to struggle against a Bears team that is full of confidence right now. Chicago posted an 11-5-1 spread record during the regular season, and as slight home underdogs, hold the value in this matchup.

Jacksonville has surged in the second half of the season under first-year head coach Liam Coen, with QB Trevor Lawrence playing ranking in the top six and the defense quietly becoming elite. However, the Jaguars’ postseason resume is still thin and that could make the difference. Buffalo counters with a massive edge in playoff experience, an elite and healthy offense led by Josh Allen, and a coaching staff that’s been through 13 postseason games together. While the Jaguars could keep it close, the Bills and Allen should have enough in their locker to pick up the road win.

The 49ers survived a rash of injuries, including quarterback Brock Purdy missing eight games, to secure a spot in the playoffs and only narrowly miss out on the NFC’s top seed. While a road date with the reigning Super Bowl champs is a tough assignment, the Niners were strong on the road (7-2) and already crushed Philadelphia 42-19 at Lincoln Financial Field last December. The Eagles were a shaky 4-4 ATS at home and have one of the weakest playoff offenses by yardage. Given Kyle Shanahan’s strong playoff track record and San Francisco’s success as an underdog, the 49ers should at least keep this one close.

The Patriots flipped the AFC East script under new coach Mike Vrabel, rebounding from a 4-13 season to go 14-3 as Drake Maye emerged as an MVP candidate, though skeptics point out that 12 of those wins came against non-playoff teams and New England oddly lost three times at home. The Chargers arrive at Gillette seeking Justin Herbert’s first playoff win after back-to-back 11–6 seasons, which included statement wins over Kansas City and Philadelphia this year. Home-field advantage could count a lot for New England in this one, and given the momentum the Patriots have been riding this season, they should be able to win and cover.

Pittsburgh’s season was saved by a missed field goal, but the Steelers still earned it, posting one of their best offensive games of the year behind Aaron Rodgers and Arthur Smith while once again proving head coach Mike Tomlin’s intangibles matter more than the metrics. Houston brings the biggest matchup edge with an elite, pressure-heavy defense and a battle-tested resume, but questions remain about whether their inconsistent offense can fully capitalize, even with CJ Stroud’s growth. With the spread sitting at a field goal in what profiles as a lower-scoring game, the Steelers look the right side to be on.

Jacksonville has surged in the second half of the season under first-year head coach Liam Coen, with QB Trevor Lawrence playing ranking in the top six and the defense quietly becoming elite. However, the Jaguars’ postseason resume is still thin and that could make the difference. Buffalo counters with a massive edge in playoff experience, an elite and healthy offense led by Josh Allen, and a coaching staff that’s been through 13 postseason games together. While the Jaguars could keep it close, the Bills and Allen should have enough in their locker to pick up the road win.

The 49ers survived a rash of injuries, including quarterback Brock Purdy missing eight games, to secure a spot in the playoffs and only narrowly miss out on the NFC’s top seed. While a road date with the reigning Super Bowl champs is a tough assignment, the Niners were strong on the road (7-2) and already crushed Philadelphia 42-19 at Lincoln Financial Field last December. The Eagles were a shaky 4-4 ATS at home and have one of the weakest playoff offenses by yardage. Given Kyle Shanahan’s strong playoff track record and San Francisco’s success as an underdog, the 49ers should at least keep this one close.

The Patriots flipped the AFC East script under new coach Mike Vrabel, rebounding from a 4-13 season to go 14-3 as Drake Maye emerged as an MVP candidate, though skeptics point out that 12 of those wins came against non-playoff teams and New England oddly lost three times at home. The Chargers arrive at Gillette seeking Justin Herbert’s first playoff win after back-to-back 11–6 seasons, which included statement wins over Kansas City and Philadelphia this year. Home-field advantage could count a lot for New England in this one, and given the momentum the Patriots have been riding this season, they should be able to win and cover.

Pittsburgh’s season was saved by a missed field goal, but the Steelers still earned it, posting one of their best offensive games of the year behind Aaron Rodgers and Arthur Smith while once again proving head coach Mike Tomlin’s intangibles matter more than the metrics. Houston brings the biggest matchup edge with an elite, pressure-heavy defense and a battle-tested resume, but questions remain about whether their inconsistent offense can fully capitalize, even with CJ Stroud’s growth. With the spread sitting at a field goal in what profiles as a lower-scoring game, the Steelers look the right side to be on.

FEBRUARY –  The Texans’ suffocating defence has been the key to their eight-game winning run and with the AFC looking the less competitive conference this season after the demise of the Kansas City Chiefs, they have the talent to go a long way. Quarterback CJ Stroud is fully fit again and can look for an elite wide receiver in Nico Collins while former first-round picks Will Anderson Jr. and Derek Stingley Jr. are just two of their many defensive stars.

JULY – Elena Rybakina looks a bet in her bid to repeat her 2022 triumph at the All England Club. The Kazakhstani has had a tough couple of years, due in the main to off-court issues, but she finished last year on a high with victory at the WTA Finals. She’s a superb grass-court player who is as good as Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek when she’s on her game.

JULY – Alex Noren enjoyed a resurgence in his career in 2025, winning twice on the DP World Tour, and 2026 could finally be the year he ends his long wait for a maiden Major. The Swede has an affinity for links golf, evidenced by his victory at the 2016 Scottish Open and his two top-10 Open finishes, he could go all the way and land the Claret Jug in 2026.

DECEMBER – Mercedes may have botched the ground-effect era, but the Silver Arrows have a strong record of responding well to rule changes, and the sweeping regulation shift coming in 2026 should bring the title back into play. Their power unit has already come under, and been cleared, of scrutiny, suggesting it is likely to be among the strongest engines on the grid, and they have the driver lineup to win the consistent points necessary to land the constructor crown.