RECORD LAST WEEK:11-5
Thursday, September 12th, 7:15PM CT
Buffalo Bills 1-0 @ Miami Dolphins 1-0
For the last few years, Miami has tried to overcome their biggest obstacle, the Buffalo Bills. Josh Allen is 11-2 in his career against Miami and I wasn’t too impressed by the performance the Miami offense put forth last week. Buffalo will be relying on Greg Rousseau who registered three sacks in the win over the Cardinals last week to repeat that performance, or at least disrupt the timing between Tua, Tyreek, and Jaylen. Until I see Miami finally get
over the hump known as the Bills, I'll keep picking against the Fins.
Bills 27 Dolphins 24
X-Factor: Josh Allen
Confidence Level:4
Sunday, September 15th, Noon Games
Las Vegas Raiders 0-1 @ Baltimore Ravens 0-1
Both teams lost on the road last week and look to bounce back this week. The Raiders struggled to stop the run vs the Chargers and the same thing will happen this week as Derrick Henry has a big game leading to a Ravens win.
Raiders 14 Ravens 27
X-Factor Ravens Offensive Line
Confidence Level:10
Los Angeles Chargers 1-0 @ Carolina Panthers 0-1
The Chargers had a balanced effort as both sides of the ball were impressive in their 22-10 win over the Raiders last Sunday. Now they have to face a Panthers team that already looks like a lock for the Number One pick in next April’s Draft. The Panthers suffered defeat 47-10 against the Saints and I don’t expect them to look much better against a well-coached Chargers team.
Chargers 27 Panthers 10
X-Factor: J.K. Dobbins/Gus Edwards
Confidence Level: 10
New Orleans Saints 1-0 @ Dallas Cowboys 1-0
New Orleans had a dominant 47-10 win over the Panthers while the Cowboys walked into Cleveland and handled business 33-17. This is the type of game Dallas typically struggles in after having a big-time win, but this time, I expect their defense to smother the New Orleans offense and get the win.
Saints 17 Cowboys 26
X-Factor: Caelen Carson
Confidence Level:8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1-0 @ Detroit Lions 1-0
A rematch from the Divisional Round of the playoffs, the Bucs travel to Detroit after Baker Mayfield put together an elite performance in week one. Detroit got an Overtime win over the Rams. The Bucs offense will have success against this Lions secondary but in the end, I believe Detroit is just too well-balanced and will move to 2-0.
Bucs 26 Lions 31
X-Factor: Carlton Davis
Confidence Level:7
Indianapolis Colts 0-1 @ Green Bay Packers 0-1
With Jordan Love out with an MCL Sprain, the Packers turn to backup quarterback Malik Willis. The Packers lost in week 1 to the Eagles 34-29 while the Colts lost to the Texans 29-26. Indy is probably happy not to see Jordan Love as their secondary is thin. Head Coach Matt LaFleur is good enough to devise a game plan but it won’t be as the Colts get their first win of the season.
Colts 20 Packers 17
X-Factor Jonathon Taylor
Confidence Level:7
Cleveland Browns 0-1 @ Jacksonville Jaguars 0-1
Jacksonville blew a 4th-quarter lead against the Dolphins last week now they look to bounce back in their home opener against the Browns. Deshauan Watson was awful last week and until I see some improvement, the Browns are in trouble. Jacksonville gets the win and makes up for last week's shortcomings.
Browns 20 Jaguars 23
X-Factor Trevor Lawrence
Confidence Level:6
San Francisco 49ers 1-0 @ Minnesota Vikings 1-0
Both teams had dominant wins in week one so this could be a potentially good game. The Niners lost in Minnesota last season on Monday night, now potentially, without star running back Christian McCaffrey, I still don’t expect San Fran to miss a beat offensively, as backup Running Back Jordan Mason was able to put together a strong performance against the Jets rushing for 147 yards on 28 carries. The Vikings defense looked better last week but that was Daniel Jones and the Giants, this 49ers offense is a different beast.
49ers 28 Vikings 16
X-Factor Brock Purdy
Confidence Level:9
Seattle Seahawks 1-0 @ New England Patriots 1-0
The Patriots got an upset win over the Bengals last week in Cincy now they look to move to what would be a surprising 2-0 record. Seattle had struggles protecting Geno Smith last weekend in their 26-20 win over the Broncos, and in a game that should be low-scoring, I expect Seattle to squeak by the Patriots.
Seahawks 17 Patriots 16
X-Factor: Seahawks Pass Protection
Confidence Level:3
New York Jets 0-1 @ Tennessee Titans 0-1
The Jets had a disappointing debut against the 49ers, but at least Aaron Rodgers made it out of the game. Tennessee choked away a game against the Bears, or I really should say Quarterback Will Levis choked it away after putting together an insanely bad second half. The Titans defense was fantastic last week and I do expect them to have a good performance this week, but against a Jets team whose defense will be motivated to play better than last week, I'll take Aaron Rodgers and the Jets to get the win.
Jets 21 Titans 18
X-Factor: Jets run defense
Confidence Level:6
New York Giants 0-1 @ Washington Commanders 0-1
Both these teams had disappointing efforts in week one, now we get to see which one of them can bounce back. It’s really difficult to trust Daniel Jones even in a game against a rookie quarterback. I trust Jayden Daniels to make a few big plays and get the win.
Giants 20 Commanders 21
X-factor: Jayden Daniels
Confidence Level:3
Sunday, September 15th, 3PM games
Los Angeles Rams 0-1 @ Arizona Cardinals 0-1
The Rams lost in overtime to the Lions while the Cardinals suffered a close loss to the Bills. Arizona looks like a much better team than last season, and Kyler Murray being healthy has a lot to do with that. The defense, however, is another story. The Rams banged up offensive line and being without Wideout Puka Nacua will hurt but I trust Matthew Stafford to lead the Rams to victory.
Rams 27 Cardinals 21
X-Factor: Matthew Stafford
Confidence Level:5
Pittsburgh Steelers 1-0 @ Denver Broncos 0-1
Both these teams had good defensive performances but mediocre offenses. The Broncos, especially now, meet in week two and the Steelers defense should be excited to play rookie Quarterback Bo Nix. Another low-scoring affair but the Steelers get the win.
Steelers 16 Broncos 14
X-Factor: Najee Harris
Confidence Level:7
Cincinnati Bengals 0-1 @ Kansas City Chiefs 1-0
The Bengals throughout the Joe Burrow era have been notoriously bad in the first two weeks of the season, and that didn’t change when they were upset at home against the Patriots. Now they face their rival, the Kansas City Chiefs who looked great on offense and defense in their week one win. I expect Mahomes and company to move to 2-0 sending their rivals to a disappointing 0-2 start.
Bengals 21 Chiefs 30
X-Factor: Isaiah Paceco
Confidence Level:6
Sunday, September 15th, 7:20 PM CT
Chicago Bears 1-0 @ Houston Texans 1-0
Caleb Williams struggled in his first start throwing for only 94 yards, but still, thanks to the Bears defense and special teams, Chicago pulled out the win. Houston beat the Colts in a close victory and now have their home opener on Sunday night. It’ll be interesting to see if Caleb and the Bears interior offensive line can have a better game this week but even if they do, I think the Texans will be too much.
Bears 20 Texans 30
X-Factor: Tank Dell
Confidence Level:8
Monday, September 16th, 7:15PM CT
Atlanta Falcons 0-1 @ Philadelphia Eagles 1-0
The Falcons offense was abysmal in their loss to the Steelers now they look to bounce back on the road against the Eagles and their high-powered offense. Philly signed Running Back Saquon Barkley in the offseason and he had one heck of a debut totaling 132 total yards and three touchdowns in the Eagles 34-29 win over the Packers. I believe Philly gets the win at home but I do believe Atlanta plays a much better game this week.
Falcons 23 Eagles 26
X-Factor: Jalen Carter
Confidence Level:9
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