Thursday, September 23rd - 8:20 PM ET
Carolina Panthers 2-0 @ Houston Texans 1-1
Our Thursday night matchup features the Carolina Panthers traveling to Houston to face the surprising Texans. The Panthers have been dominant defensively through two weeks. They rank 1st in yards per game (190.0), points allowed per game (10.5), passing yards allowed per game (143.5), rushing yards allowed per game (46.5), sacks (10), quarterback hits (21), defensive third down percentage (25%), with a defense that has elite young players at all three levels. Carolina has gotten more than enough from Sam Darnold and the Panthers offense. The Texans gave the Browns all they could handle last week before quarterback Tyrod Taylor went out with a hamstring injury. The Texans have played with tremendous heart so far this season, and I see them giving the Panthers trouble to start the game, but with Taylor on IR with his hamstring injury the Panthers defense should feast on Davis Mills.
Panthers 24 - Texans 13
Sunday, September 26th - 1:00 PM ET
New Orleans Saints 1-1 @ New England Patriots 1-1
I got a little too ahead of myself with the Saints last week. I thought after they embarrassed the Green Bay Packers that the demise of the Saints may have been premature. Then last week they played the Panthers and Jameis Winston looked like his Tampa Bay self, and they suffered a 26-7 loss. The Patriots are a fumble away in week one from a 2-0 start. Rookie quarterback Mac Jones has been efficient, but the Patriots have been relying on running backs Damien Harris and James White, who have taken pressure off Jones. The Patriot’s defense has been stout even without star cornerback Stephon Gilmore, and I expect them to force a few turnovers from Jameis and move to 2-1.
Saints 17 - Patriots 20
Indianapolis Colts 0-2 @ Tennessee Titans 1-1
The Colts must’ve done something to the NFL schedule makers because man, what a first three game stretch. The Seahawks, Rams, and now the Titans, and with Carson Wentz spraining both ankles, the Colts will most likely be without their starting quarterback. The Titans have been a roller coaster after getting smacked by the Cardinals week one, then getting behind last week against the Seahawks before exploding in the second half and forcing overtime and getting the win. Derrick Henry had 35 carries for 182 yards and 3 touchdowns showing why he is the best running back in the league. The Colts were my pick to win the South, but with Carson injured I feel like they’ll start 0-3.
Colts 20 - Titans 27
Atlanta Falcons 0-2 @ New York Giants 0-2
Both teams played better than I expected in week two. The Falcons were fighting with the Bucs before two pick sixes gave the Bucs the 48-25 win. New York blew a late game lead vs Washington, but Daniel Jones played one of his best games. The Falcons have played me time and time again every time I pick them, so this week we’re going with the opposite. Maybe I’m the problem with the Falcons. I expect us to see a healthy version of Saquon Barkley and another good performance from Daniel Jones.
Falcons 24 -Giants 28
Los Angeles Chargers 1-1 @ Kansas City Chiefs 1-1
The Chargers suffered a last second loss to the Cowboys while the Chiefs suffered their first September loss in the Patrick Mahomes era, blowing an 11-point lead to the Ravens on Sunday night. Herbert is carrying his success from last year into this season, and the Chargers defense, which I am concerned with before the season has played well. However, this is a different test, the Chiefs will be upset and although the Chiefs defense is a huge concern especially stopping the run, the Chargers, like the Chiefs, don’t run often and with Tyrann Matheiu coming back last week and getting two interceptions, I can see Herbert making a few mistakes. Chiefs get back on track this week.
Chargers 27 - Chiefs 28
Cincinnati Bengals 1-1 @ Pittsburgh Steelers 1-1
This game is difficult on one hand, the Bengals are better than given credit for, but last week showed they still have a long way to go. The Steelers have injuries on top of that. This offense has done nothing to ease the concerns I had for them, such as their offensive line and abysmal passing game. TJ Watt has a groin injury but is expected to play this week. Last week when Watt went out with an injury the Raiders began to have more success.as expected when a player like Watt isn’t on the field. The Bengals have the offense to upset the Steelers, in fact, last year they did upset the Steelers in Cincinnati without Joe Burrow. The Bengals will play a tough game, but I think the Steelers squeak this one out.
Bengals 21 - Steelers 24
Chicago Bears 1-1 @ Cleveland Browns 1-1
The Bears defense looked to be in its 2018 form last week forcing four turnovers. This looks to be Justin Fields first start of his career after Andy Dalton suffered a knee injury last week. Fields struggled when he came in last week, but I expect a full week of preparation to help him this week. The Browns defense has struggled, but this is the perfect week for them to right the ship. Cleveland is dealing with injuries as the status of Odell Beckham, Jr. is uncertain and Jarvis Landry is out a few weeks with an MCL injury. The good thing about the Browns is their number three and four receivers are very talented, oh, and they have the best running back tandem in football. I expect the Browns to use a heavy dose of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt and follow them to a win.
Bears 16 - Browns 28
Baltimore Ravens 1-1 @ Detroit Lions 0-2
The Ravens got a huge win last week defeating the Kansas City Chiefs. The Ravens were down 35-24 but Lamar Jackson put the team on his back and led them to a win. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens should be brimming with confidence following that win. The Lions have played hard, but that’s what one who looks at the glass half full would say. The Lions gave the Packers a handful on Monday night, but faltered in the second half losing 35-17. Detroit will have success on this Ravens defense, but it won’t be enough to keep Baltimore from winning their second straight.
Ravens 34 - Lions 24
Arizona Cardinals 2-0 @ Jacksonville Jaguars 0-2
This game has former number one overall picks going head-to-head. Kyler Murray who has looked the part of an MVP candidate looks to carry this hot start into Jacksonville. The Cardinals escaped with a 34-33-win last week over the Vikings while the Jaguars lost to the Broncos 23-13. Chandler Jones and this Cardinals defense will look to play better after struggling last week, and with Trevor Lawrence currently tied for the league lead in interceptions, I expect the defense to force some turnovers. Kyler Murray has another huge game as the Cardinals live and die by the way he plays. Cardinals move to 3-0.
Cardinals 35 - Jaguars 17
Washington Football Team 1-1 @ Buffalo Bills 1-1
The Football Team almost gave away the game against the Giants last Thursday, but luckily for them the Giants choked the game away. Buffalo won in dominant fashion 35-0 against the Dolphins. The Football Team has struggled on defense especially on third down allowing a whopping 58% conversion rate. They’ll have to fix that against a Bills offense who has struggled to get going but can explode at any moment. Scary part about Buffalo is their defense looks to be the strength of the team. They forced three turnovers last week and kept the Dolphins to zero points. I like the Football Team and think their defense will get back to its elite status, but this Bills team is dangerous, and they’ll get the win this week.
Football Team 17 - Bills 28
Sunday, September 26th - 4:05 PM ET
New York Jets 0-2 @ Denver Broncos 2-0
The Jets lost to the Patriots last week as rookie quarterback Zach Wilson threw four interceptions. It should only get better, right? Well, this week he must play another elite defense in a very hostile environment. The Denver Broncos who are 2-0, albeit beating the Giants and Jaguars, have looked very impressive on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has been a God send for the Broncos, who have struggled at the quarterback position for years now. The Broncos have major talent from top to bottom on their roster, and with this being their home opener, Broncos Country will be electric. I have the Broncos getting the win this week moving to 3-0 for the first time since 2016.
Jets 14 - Broncos 28
Miami Dolphins 1-1 @ Las Vegas Raiders 2-0
The Dolphins suffered an embarrassing 35-0 defeat at home last week versus the Bills, now they look to bounce back against Derek Carr and the Raiders. The Raiders got a 26-17 win last week in Pittsburgh and now look to start off 3-0. The Dolphins have an elite defense, but their offense holds the team back and with the Raiders off to a scorching hot start. Offensively, I don’t think the Dolphins have enough to keep up. Especially with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa dealing with a rib injury. Jacoby Brissett sounds like he’ll be the starter this week, but it doesn’t matter who starts for the Dolphins, I have the Raiders getting the win.
Dolphins 16 - Raiders 24
Sunday, September 26th - 4:25 PM ET
Seattle Seahawks 1-1 @ Minnesota Vikings 0-2
These two teams lost in very similar fashion last week, as the Seahawks lost on a Titans game winning field goal, while the Vikings missed the game winning field goal. Russell Wilson and this offense should once again have no trouble putting up points, but the Vikings got their offense going last week, and they’ll need to build off last week’s performance as the Seahawks, who allowed 150+ yards from Derrick Henry, could be susceptible to another big game from a running back as Dalvin Cook is also one of the best in the league. I expect Bobby Wagner and Jamal Adams to take onus and make sure this defense doesn’t allow that to happen again. I have the Seahawks barely getting by the Vikings.
Seahawks 35 - Vikings 31
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2-0 @ Los Angeles Rams 2-0
Without question, the game of the week, the Super Bowl Champion Bucs face the Rams, in what I think will be a preview of the NFC Championship game. The Bucs got a scare from the Falcons before shutting the door and winning 48-25. While the Rams had a tough game in Indianapolis but pulled out a 27-24 win. The Rams beat the Bucs last season in Tampa Bay 27-24, a game in which Tom Brady struggled in and I’m sure the Bucs will want to right that wrong. The Rams are my pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl because I feel no one matches up better with the Bucs than the Rams, who possess the pass rush as well as the secondary, necessary to disrupt Brady offenses. Also, last year the Rams had Jared Goff at quarterback, they now have Matthew Stafford. This is a game as a football fan I am extremely excited for. The Bucs have amazing defense to go along with their offense, but their secondary will give up big plays, and with the Bucs having injuries in the secondary, I am picking the Rams to give the Super Bowl Champs their first loss.
Bucs 28 - Rams 31
Sunday, September 26th - 8:20 PM ET
Green Bay Packers 1-1 @ San Francisco 49ers 2-0
The 49ers have given the Packers the business in recent years, most notably, a 37-20 win for the Niners in the 2020 NFC Championship. The Packers beat the Lions last week, but that win won’t shut up the critics, who have already written off Green Bay following their week one 38-3 loss to the Saints. The 49ers I have seen, called pretenders a lot through the media, but I like the 49ers. Would I prefer if rookie Trey Lance started? Sure, but Jimmy G is very capable of winning games. The 49ers defense is back to its dominant ways, but this is a true test, one that can prove whether they are contenders or pretenders. The Packers were much better on defense, but they still struggled last week against the Lions, especially in the first half. I expect the 49ers to have success with Brandon Ayuk, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle, the weapons, are there. However, Aaron Rodgers, as Stephen A. Smith would say, is a “baaaaaaaaadddddd man”. I feel like the critics have awoken that hunger in him again, and he will lead the Packers to victory this week.
Packers 27 - 49ers 23
Monday, September 27th - 8:15 PM ET
Philadelphia Eagles 1-1 @ Dallas Cowboys 1-1
Jalen Hurts and the Eagles travel to Jerry’s World to play Dak and the Cowboys. The Eagles have been much better than I anticipated, and almost pulled out a victory last week against the 49ers. Now, they get an even bigger test as this Dallas team seems like the best team they’ve had since their 13-3 record in 2016. The Cowboys defeated the Chargers last week on a game winning field goal, and now have their first home game of the season. The Cowboys offense is explosive, but it’s their defense that has impressed me with timely turnovers. A red zone interception of Justin Herbert last week prevented the Chargers from taking the lead, and Dallas even has a potential breakout star in the secondary with cornerback Trevon Diggs. The Eagles will keep this game close, but I believe Dak and company win on Monday night.
Eagles 27 - Cowboys 30
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