Top Three Games of the Week
Washington (0-2) at NY Giants (2-0) (-4.5) 12:00 pm FOX – Josh Norman versus Odell Beckham Jr. DING DING. We shall see if these two get into it like last season. My guess is the NFL would like to avoid such a thing this season. This is as close to a must-win in week 3 for Washington as it can be. Giants defense looks legit and that could mean bad things for Kirk Cousins. While all the attention is on Beckham, Sterling Shepherd comes through with a big game propelling the G-Men. NYG 38-17
Denver (2-0) at Cincinnati (1-1) (-3.5) 12:00 pm CBS – This could be the most telling game of the weekend. Cincinnati’s run defense is very bad which isn’t good with a run-first team coming to town. Chris Harris did alright versus A.J. Green last season which takes away the primary target for Andy Dalton. Not to mention, Cincy’s run game doesn’t exist these days. Trevor Sieman will get challenged by this defense, but I think he’s able to navigate through it. Broncos push it to 3-0 post-Peyton. DEN 21-16
Minnesota (2-0) at Carolina (1-1) (-7) 12:00 pm FOX – Oh boy do I love Carolina in this game. Sam Bradford will continue to get humbled with the mean Carolina pass rush. No running attack means it will be all Bradford which I have some concerns about with the Panthers defense. Although Carolina’s running game is Cam Newton, I still like what the Panthers bring to the table on offense. Greg Olsen should have a big day as Green Bay had some success with the tight end. Panthers in a rout. CAR 35-14
Rest of Em
Detroit (1-1) at Green Bay (1-1) (-7.5) 12:00 pm FOX – Check out the preview
Arizona (1-1) (-4) at Buffalo (0-2) 12:00 pm FOX – IT’S A TRAP. We all should love Arizona. The public will pile in on the Cardinals due to Buffalo’s terrible start. But they had 10 days off to prepare for this one with a new offensive look. I could see this one being tied in the fourth and we have no idea why. I like the Cardinals as Buffalo hasn’t been able to stop a nosebleed, but I would tread very lightly with this one. ARIZ 23-20
Oakland (1-1) at Tennessee (1-1) (-1.5) 12:00 pm CBS – Can the real Raiders defense please set up? Through two games, they’ve gotten gashed, but they face a little less of an offense with the Titans. Marcus Mariotta could have a big game versus the worst passing defense in the league, and Titans aren’t as bad as years past especially on defense yet Raiders know how to score. Jack Del Rio ends up outsmarting Mike Mularky several times in this one, and that’s the difference as Raiders find a way for another road win. OAK 24-21
Cleveland (0-2) at Miami (0-2) (-9.5) 12:00 pm CBS – I understand Cody Kessler is the quarterback, but do you really trust Miami with 9.5 points in any situations? I don’t. Isiah Crowell needs to be the workhorse versus Miami’s putrid run defense. He should get 30 carries in this game. Ryan Tannehill does love lighting up lesser opponents so don’t be surprised if Jarvis Landry and DeVante Parker have big games. I like the Phins in a weirdly high scoring affair. MIA 34-26
Baltimore (2-0) (-1) at Jacksonville (0-2) 12:00 pm CBS – Poor Jags. We thought they might be good this season. This is a must-win. This is also a big game for Blake Bortles and the haters. He knows everyone is calling him ‘Garbage time Blake’ and that’s a concern. Ravens rank first against the pass through two games. Joe Flacco looks like a new man especially with Dennis Pitta back. Ravens let Jaguars hang around yet they pull this one out late. BALT 28-23
Los Angeles (1-1) at Tampa Bay (1-1) (-5.5) 3:05 pm FOX – Can Los Angeles break through with a touchdown? I’m not sure. Tampa’s run defense is legit meaning another slow day for Todd Gurley. This means Case Keenum will be relied on, and that can’t be good. Rams defense will poise a challenge for Jameis Winston who has been a mixed bag so far. This one could be a Charles Sims game with some out of the backfield players plus some big runs. He’s a shifty back that could be an issue. I like Tampa, but it’s close again with not much scoring. TB 17-13
San Francisco (1-1) at Seattle (1-1) (-9.5) 3:05 pm FOX – Are we sure San Fran isn’t secretly decent? They showed a bit of a pass rush versus Los Angeles so maybe they get to Russell Wilson more often. Much like we talked about with Green Bay, I think this is a ‘show-me’ game, and everyone wants to make a point of “It’s okay, it was just two bad games.” Seahawks take care of business as Gabbert struggles with the always tough Seattle D. SEA 28-7
NY Jets (1-1) at Kansas City (1-1) (-3) 3:25 pm CBS – This might be one of the toughest games on the board. Jets look pretty damn good, but there might not be Brandon Marshall or Eric Decker in this one. Chiefs defense hasn’t looked great without a pass rush at all meaning if Fitz has his guys, he might just sit back and roll through. Not to mention, Kansas City ranks near the bottom in rushing defense. It’s hard to pick against the Chiefs at home, but I like Jets here even with their injuries. Forte has a huge day on the ground. NYJ 23-20
San Diego (1-1) at Indianapolis (0-2) (-3) 3:25 pm CBS – All of the points in this one. Indy needs a win badly, but San Diego is no slouch even with their injuries. Phil Rivers in a controlled environment sounds like a field day for him. Tyrell Williams and Travis Benjamin should both have massive days. I could see Andrew Luck having some trouble in this one with Jason Verrett matching up well with T.Y. Hilton, and Luck needing a new two with Donte Moncrief out. I can’t trust Frank Gore to carry the water. I like the Chargers in a tight one. SD 31-28
Pittsburgh (2-0) (-3.5) at Philadelphia (2-0) 3:25 pm CBS – I’ve been burned by Philly for the last two weeks, and it might happen again. Carson Wentz faces his toughest test yet. I get he might be the real deal, but it’s time for some humble pie. Pittsburgh’s pass rush gets to him multiple times and forces him into some bad throws. Not sold yet on the Eagles defense which means Antonio Brown will have another big game in a rousing victory. PITT 30-17
Chicago (0-2) at Dallas (1-1) (-7.5) 7:30 pm NBC – IT’S HOYER! IT’S PRESCOTT! IT’S SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL ON NBC! Woof. Not going to make this one hard… Dallas’ offensive line versus a beat-up Bears front seems unfair and could mean a big day for Zeke. I do remember how Hoyer got hot and Bears have some weapons. That being said, Cowboys win big with no theatrics on Sunday night. DAL 27-10
MNF: Atlanta (1-1) at New Orleans (0-2) (-3) 7:30 pm ESPN – They’re celebrating the Katrina game where Steve Gleason blocked the punt giving New Orleans the victory post-Katrina. Expect an emotional game. Matt Ryan might be good again, and I’m not sure how to process it. He’s had some big numbers over the last two weeks, and that’s not changing. New Orleans needs this game in many ways. Are they going to finally establish their home field? Mark Ingram is the story in this one. He has a huge game and leads the way for the Saints who get a much needed win. NO 38-31