Los Angeles Rams (1-1) @ San Francisco 49ers (0-2)
The Rams will take to northern California where they will face the 49ers on Thursday night. The quarterbacks are weak with second year Ram, Jared Goff, facing off against the tossed around Brian Hoyer. The draw to this game is that both teams have decent running backs with Todd Gurley in the Ram’s backfield and Carlos Hyde. I think this will be a low scoring game (and possibly a boring one) that the Rams ultimately win.
Prediction: Rams 17-10
Baltimore Ravens (2-0) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)
The Ravens and Jaguars take over London, for the leagues first international game of the season. The Ravens defense has racked up eight interceptions and three forced fumbles in the first two weeks. And lucky for them they are facing Jacksonville and the turn-over savvy Blake Bortles. This game almost seems unfair, especially since it is considered a home game for the Jaguars, despite playing an ocean away from their regular stadium.
Prediction: Ravens 35-13
Atlanta Falcons (2-0) @ Detroit Lions (2-0)
Both teams are currently undefeated, but after 4 pm on Sunday, only one will be boasting a perfect record. The Lions are coming off of an impressive beating of the Giants, while the Falcons come to town with a win against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. The Lions defense will show that they are better than people anticipated they would be, but I can’t bet against Matt Ryan and Julio Jones.
Prediction: Falcons 27-17
Denver Broncos (2-0) @ Buffalo Bills (1-1)
Surprisingly, the Bills have only given up a single touchdown this season. But, unfortunately for them, that streak will likely end with the Denver Broncos rolling into town. Trevor Siemian is playing like a seasoned veteran rather than a guy that was fighting for the starting role just a few weeks ago. Denver’s defense will have the ability to shutdown the modest Bills offense and come away with the win.
Prediction: Broncos 28-10
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0) @ Chicago Bears (0-2)
I’m not even going to try and come up with a way that the Bears will beat the Steelers. The Steelers have the 3 B’s: Ben, Bell, Brown. Bears fans, at least you still have the Cubs?
Prediction: Steelers 45-13
Cleveland Browns (0-2) @ Indianapolis Colts (0-2)
What a strange world we live in when the Browns are favored to win a game. DeShone Kizer will face a dull Colts defense. Jabrill Peppers and the rest of the Browns defense will try to maintain Jacoby Brissett (who was just acquired two weeks ago from the Patriots). It will be a low scoring fair, but the Browns will leave Indy with just as many wins as they had last year.
Prediction: Browns 14-3
Miami Dolphins (1-0) @ New York Jets (0-2)
I can’t think of a team that is in worse shape than the New York Jets. The team dumped nearly all of its veterans in the offseason and have looked to quarterback Josh McCown to lead their offense. The Dolphins only have one game under therir belt, which was a shaky win against the Chargers. But the Dolphins will improve to 2-0 against their division rivals.
Prediction: Dolphins 35-10
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) @ Minnesota Vikings (1-1)
Tampa Bay started off hot last week against the Chicago Bears and will hope to keep that momentum going this week as they head to Minnesota. Minnesota was beaten brutally by the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday. With Sam Bradford questionable to play, it hurts the Vikings chances, but their defense is stout and manage to pull off the close win.
Prediction: Vikings 17-14
Houston Texans (1-1) @ New England Patriots (1-1)
The last time these teams faced was in the divisional round of the 2016 playoffs. But there are a few key differences. JJ Watt will be playing this time. Brock Osweiler isn’t under center. Julian Edelman is hurt, and Gronk is (possibly) on the field. JJ Watt and Tom Brady on the field at the same time is a game worth watching. But in the end, I think the home team comes away with a hard fought win.
Prediction: Patriots 28-21
New Orleans Saints (0-2) @ Carolina Panthers (2-0)
It’s hard to believe that with a legendary quarterback such as Drew Brees, the Saints have started 0-3 the last two seasons. And with an upcoming trip to face the Carolina Panthers, they will likely face a third 0-3 start in a row.
Prediction: Panthers 34-21
New York Giants (0-2) @ Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)
The Giants are off to a horrendous 0-2 start, and I honestly don’t see it getting any better. Eli Manning doesn’t have enough time to throw the ball, or find a way to get Brandon Marshall involved in the game to take some pressure off of Odell Beckham Jr. The Eagles are relying on sophomore, Carson Wentz, who has a loaded receiving core with the likes of Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith. The Eagles will push the Giants into an 0-3 hole, with little chance at winning the NFC East.
Prediction: Eagles 21-17
Seattle Seahawks (1-1) @ Tennessee Titans (1-1)
This game will be a lot closer than people might think. The Seahawks offense hasn’t performed consistently, mostly because Russell Wilson is always under attack. Marcus Mariota is looking to face the Legend of Boom, who hasn’t been as dominant as years past. The Titans are tied for the top of the AFC South but will take the loss at home to the Seattle Seahawks.
Prediction: Seahawks 24-21
Cincinnati Bengals (0-2) @ Green Bay Packers (1-1)
The Bengals are atrocious. Their offense is run by the mediocre Andy Dalton and their defense doesn’t stand a chance against Aaron Rodgers and Co. at home. Luckily for the Packers, the offense of the Bengals might be just as bad as their defense.
Prediction: Packers 35-7
Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) @ Los Angeles Chargers (0-2)
We all knew that the Chiefs would be good, and we all expected the Chargers to be lousy. But the Chargers have held on until the very end against a hot Denver team and a decent Dolphins team. Special teams kills the Chargers, but is Kansas City’s best asset. Divisional games will typically stay close in score, but expect the Chiefs to steal the win.
Prediction: Chiefs 31-27
Oakland Raiders (2-0) @ Washington Redskins (1-1)
Sunday Night Football will broadcast the match up between the Oakland Raiders and the Washington Redskins. The Redskins escaped LA with a close win against the Rams and will play a currently undefeated team in the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders are arguably the best team in the AFC, and have an MVP candidate in Derek Carr. I like the Raiders chances of beating Washington at home.
Prediction: Raiders 35-21
Dallas Cowboys (1-1) @ Arizona Cardinals (1-1)
Monday Night Football in the dessert! The Cowboys, after being absolutely crushed by the Denver Broncos, will face another tough test as they face the Cardinals in Arizona. Dallas’ defense has struggled thus far this season, but lucky for them they won’t have to face the explosive David Johnson. The Cardinals have an incredible secondary with Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu. Their defense is good, but I see the Cowboys pulling away with the close victory to finish out week 3 of the NFL season.
Prediction: Cowboys 24-21