Cover photo taken from Sporting News.
Last Week: 9-7
Season Total: 18-14
49ers 27-17 Giants 
Thursday, 8:15 PM EST, Prime Video
I’d like to think the Giants can keep it close in this game, but we all know that’s not happening.
If their offense gets off to another slow start, which is a likely outcome against San Francisco’s defense, they’ll simply be in too big of a hole to overcome. I don’t see New York being able to keep up on either side of the ball, especially on the road. Their defense would have to keep them in it, which is entirely possible. But on a short week, I think the 49ers will simply be too much across the board for the Giants to remain competitive.
Browns 20-17 Titans 
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS
In a game which figures to be a defensive slugfest, I’ll take the home team.
Despite how awful the Browns looked on Monday night, they still put together some nice drives and put up good numbers on a great Steelers defense. If Cleveland can contain a Titans offense which hasn’t played great through two games, I think they should be able to win easily. But Deshaun Watson and that offense will never make things easy.
There will be plenty of turnovers to go around in this game, and I think the Browns are ever so slightly better on both sides of the ball to take more advantage oft hat.
Falcons 23-20 Lions 
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX
This is easily my most-anticipated game of the week. It’s going to be so much fun.
These are two of the best and brightest young, burgeoning teams in the NFL, and I’d be shocked if this game wasn’t — at the very least — competitive. But more than that, I think it’s going to be a blast.
I wanted to lean towards the Lions at home, but their injury concerns are troubling. It doesn’t look like David Montgomery is going to play, and Amon-Ra St. Brown is banged up. That could mean a healthy dose of Jahmyr Gibbs, which could be extremely explosive for the offense, but I haven’t seen enough out of him in that scheme to fully believe it’s going to happen.
Detroit’s defense also remains a huge concern, and they’ll have their hands full with Bijan Robinson and that Falcons offense. Atlanta’s defense also offers plenty more to like with their elite secondary play.
Against a banged up Lions offense, I think the Falcons have what it takes on both sides of the ball to come away with a huge road win and get off to a most unlikely 3-0 start.
Packers 20-16 Saints 
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX
After the way they closed things out in Atlanta, I think the Packers will be looking to make a statement in this game. They want to prove that they’re not the team that laid down and died last week. Unfortunately for them, it’s going to be tough. The Saints boast one of the best defenses in the league — one that hasn’t given up more than 20 points in 10 consecutive games. They’re not going to make it easy for Jordan Love and the offense to operate.
My concern with New Orleans, however, is their offense. They may be 2-0, but I see virtually nothing to like on that side of the ball. Tony Jones may have proven that he can be a solid back in relief of Alvin Kamara, and Chris Olave and Michael Thomas are plenty for any secondary to handle, but they have simply underperformed. I’ll give them a bit of a pass considering the caliber of defenses they’ve played, but the Packers are certainly not a pushover on that side of the ball. They have the talent and playmakers to make things difficult for Derek Carr and company once again. And I believe that will be the difference in this game.
Dolphins 33-19 Broncos 
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS
The Broncos closed out their Week 2 game against the Commanders by giving up 32 points while scoring just six (not counting the Hail Mary). Now they go on the road to play the best, most explosive offense in football.
Need I say more?
Vikings 27-24 Chargers 
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX
This has a real chance to be the funniest game ever. Both of these teams’ seasons are essentially cooked if they don’t win this game. It’s going to be some high-level football, but you can always count on these two franchises to make it hilarious.
I really wasn’t sure which way to lean here. Both of these teams have shown plenty to like through two games and could both easily be 2-0 instead of 0-2 if the chips fell their way. Alas, they both come into this game needing wins to stay alive.
I’m taking the Vikings for a couple of reasons. For starters, they are the home team, and although I hate using that rationale, I think it matters here. The Chargers have to come out and play a 1 p.m. game for the second consecutive week, which surely isn’t easy. But on top of that, I think Minnesota probably feels better about themselves than Los Angeles does. The Chargers lost their grip on both of their games and choked away two wins while the Vikings simply didn’t have enough time to complete comeback attempts. I think they’re going to go out and slice and dice this weak LA secondary. Their own defense will certainly have its struggles, but I just get the sense that they’ll have one or two plays in them to come away with a much-needed win.
Patriots 17-13 Jets 
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS
I will almost never pick the Jets to win a game while Zach Wilson continues to start for them.
I will certainly not do it against Bill Belichick and the Patriots, who have won this matchup 22 of the last 24 times and 14 times in a row.
Bills 23-20 Commanders 
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS
Let me lead with this: I think the fact that we’re getting 6.5 points is preposterous, but I would be truly shocked if we won this game.
Yes, the vibes are at an all time high, but we have beaten two very bad football teams. Now the Bills are coming to town. It will be a raucous environment once again featuring over 175 alums, but the game itself will be a struggle.
mBoth of these defenses should dominate, and points will be a commodity. If that’s the case, you’d have to think Josh Allen and that Buffalo offense have the advantage. But I think this will play out very similarly to their opener against the Jets. Allen could throw a flurry of interceptions or be sacked time and time again, which would bode well for Washington. But I’m going to put my faith in him for once and say that he has learned from his mistakes. Those turnovers are going to happen, but I think the Bills will respond better to them than they did in Week 1, and I think that will put them over the top to give the Commanders their first loss of the season.
Yes, I would love to see Sam Howell and the offense put together another masterful performance. But they’re facing a Buffalo defense that has given up two offensive touchdowns all season. I’m trying to be realistic here.
Jaguars 30-20 Texans 
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX
Like the Packers, I think the Jaguars will be looking to make a statement on Sunday. They were horrible offensively against Kansas City, but now they face one of the worst scoring defenses in the NFL. Houston hasn’t been terrible on that side of the ball, but they’re susceptible to giving up points in bunches — which is exactly how the Jags beat the Colts in Week 1. I see a very similar game happening here.
It won’t be the prettiest thing in the world, and Jacksonville should be weary of a Texans offense that looks like it might be starting to find its stride. But they really have no excuse to lose.
Ravens 24-10 Colts 
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS
It doesn’t seem like Anthony Richardson will suit up on Sunday for the Colts. They didn’t have much of a shot to begin with. They certainly don’t have a shot now.
Seahawks 24-14 Panthers 
Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, CBS
It doesn’t seem like Bryce Young will suit up on Sunday for the Panthers. They didn’t have much of a shot to begin with. They certainly don’t have a shot now.
Chiefs 27-10 Bears 
Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX
The only intriguing part of this matchup is what the margin of victory for the Chiefs is going to be.
The Bears have quickly become the most embarrassing, dysfunctional franchise in the NFL, and they are reeling harder than I’ve ever seen a team do so.
There’s a very small chance they parlay that into a great showing in Kansas City. There’s a much bigger chance that they lay their third dud in a row and lose their 13th consecutive game.
Cowboys 30-17 Cardinals 
Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX
Like the game above, the only question here is how much Dallas will win this game by. The Cardinals have been competitive, but the Cowboys are by far the best team they will have played. Even at home, I don’t think they’ll keep this one very close. Although it will be interesting to see how the Cowboys secondary looks without Trevon Diggs. Should be something to keep an eye on.
Raiders 20-17 Steelers 
Sunday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC
If these teams’ performances last week were any indication, this might be a truly unwatchable mess. So glad we have it on Sunday Night Football!
I’m just going to pick the Raiders because they’ve shown me more to like offensively. Las Vegas’ defense is pretty awful, but we all know the Steelers won’t be able to take full advantage of that. Their offense has simply been a disaster. Granted, they have played two great defenses, but I simply don’t believe in the scheme. They’re going to need huge performances out of guys like Najee Harris, and I do not see that happening against anybody.
Eagles 26-20 Buccaneers 
Monday, 7:15 PM EST, ABC
This should be a fun Monday nighter.
The Buccaneers have looked much better on both sides of the ball than I have anticipated. Against an Eagles team that hasn’t quite looked like itself on either side of the ball this year, I think Tampa has everything it takes to keep this one close, if not pull out an upset at home. I’m just concerned that the lights might be a bit too bright for them in this spot.
The Eagles are also coming off a very long rest period having played last Thursday night. They’ve had a lot of time to regroup and hopefully improve their secondary play, but considering how good Baker and the Bucs have looked, I wouldn’t be surprised if they struggle mightily once again. But I think they’ll make enough plays up front against a below average Tampa offensive line to ensure a victory.
Bengals 26-23 Rams 
Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN
Every time I thought about this matchup as this week has gone on, I was never going to pick the Bengals, regardless of whether or not Joe Burrow suits up. But I switched my pick for a simple reason: Cincinnati needs this win infinitely more than the Rams do.
A loss in this game very much sticks a fork in the Bengals. Since 1979, six teams have made the playoffs after starting 0-3 — none since the Texans in 2018. With a beat-up Burrow, those chances feel even more slim. But they’re at home in a huge primetime spot against a team that is frisky, but they have no business losing to.
There’s also a revenge factor after losing to the Rams in Super Bowl LVI. Perhaps most importantly, Cincy has no excuse to lose in those gorgeous all-white alternates. I think they’re simply going to rise above their station and put together an inspired performance that saves their season. Then we’ll see where they go with some more tough games on tap and a very delicate injury situation under center.
All stats taken from ESPN.
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