Thursday, September30th - 8:20 PM ET
Jacksonville Jaguars 0-3 @ Cincinnati Bengals 2-1
The previous number one overall picks Trevor Lawrence and Joe Burrow go head-to-head on Thursday night. The Jaguars had a lead late against the Cardinals before Lawrence threw a pick six and gave Arizona a 24-19 lead that they would eventually make 31-19. The Bengals defense has been a quite surprise and rookie wide receiver Ja’marr Chase has shut up all his preseason doubters. Chase is the first rookie in NFL history with three touchdowns of 30 plus yards in his first three games. I expect the Bengals to improve to 3-1 Thursday.
Jaguars 17 - Bengals 24
Sunday, October 3rd - 1:00 PM ET
Washington Football Team 1-2 @ Atlanta Falcons 1-2
The Football Team has made my 10-7 prediction for them look terrible thus far. While the offense has been fine, the defense is what I expected to be, elite. Instead, they’re allowing 30.7 points per game and are 31st in total defense. The Falcons got their first win last week against the Giants and hope to build off that momentum. I stated last week, I felt as though every time I picked the Falcons, they lost so this week we’re going to test that theory again. I believe this will be the week the Football Team defense gets it together and gets the win in ATL.
Football Team 23 - Falcons 20
Houston Texans 1-2 @ Buffalo Bills 2-1
The Texans have been much better than I thought to start the season. They’ve played with great heart. They lost last Thursday to the Carolina Panthers 24-9 and now travel to Buffalo. The Bills offense got back on track last week as Josh Allen threw five touchdowns, but it’s been their defense that has been incredible allowing 14.7 points per game and rank fourth in total defense. I expect the Bills to keep their dominant play going this week.
Texans 14 - Bills 31
Detroit Lions 0-3 @ Chicago Bears 1-2
An NFC North showdown the Lions travel to the Windy City to face the Bears. The Lions lost in Lions fashion last week as Ravens kicker, Justin Tucker, kicked an NFL record 66 yard field goal to win the game. The Bears essentially fed rookie quarterback, Justin Fields, to the wolves last week against the Browns. Fields was sacked nine times last week and only completed 6 of 20 passes. The Lions seem like a team on the rise even though they’re 0-3. They’ve fought hard, meanwhile, the Bears look like a disaster.
Lions 20 - Bears 16
Carolina Panthers 3-0 @ Dallas Cowboys 2-1
I’m excited to see the Panthers defense in their first real big test playing the Cowboys offense. The Panthers are without rookie cornerback Jaycee Horn, who broke his foot, and Christian McCaffrey, who has a hamstring injury. The Cowboys have looked the best they’ve looked since 2016, and with breakout stars on defense, such as Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs, the Cowboys defense has looked much better than last season. Ezekiel Elliot and Tony Pollard have provided a nice 1-2 punch in the backfield to take pressure off Dak. I believe this Cowboys offense finds way to put up points on the number one ranked defense and move their record to 3-1.
Panthers 24 - Cowboys 31
Indianapolis Colts 0-3 @ Miami Dolphins 1-2
The Colts and Dolphins had playoff expectations coming into the season however, both have been struggling to start the season. The Colts lost last week to the Titans while the Dolphins lost in overtime to the Raiders. The Colts are in a must win and the Dolphins have Jacoby Brissett as the starter, and he played a good game last week. These two teams are very similar in the fact that they lack explosive playmakers on offense while their defense overcompensates. When it comes to that area, I have just a little more faith in the Dolphins defense than the Colts, and I have my AFC South pick falling to 0-4.
Colts 24 - Dolphins 27
Cleveland Browns 2-1 @ Minnesota Vikings 1-2
The Browns had a dominant game last week against the Bears, and now they look to defeat a very explosive Vikings team. The Vikings are a few field goals away from being undefeated, and with a big win last week over the Seahawks, I am finally seeing the dangerous team I knew the Vikings could be. The Vikings will need Dalvin Cook back for this game, as he missed last week with an ankle injury. The Browns, to me, are a Super Bowl contender, but they can’t have slip ups on the road. I believe the Browns win this week and show they are serious contenders.
Browns 35 - Vikings 31
New York Giants 0-3 @ New Orleans Saints 2-1
The troubled Giants face the Saints, and while Daniel Jones has looked much better, the team is still dysfunctional. Meanwhile, the Saints have struggled on offense, but have been elite on defense. They forced four turnovers last week against the Patriots. While I believe the Saints will eventually need more from their 31st ranked offense, this week they’ll just need a decent performance, and they should win.
Giants 13 - Saints 23
Tennessee Titans 2-1 @ New York Jets 0-3
The Titans, ever since the second half of week two against the Seahawks, have been much better on both sides of the ball. Derrick Henry is leading all running backs in yards with 353 yards. The Jets have been a mess, as they normally are. New York was shut out last week against the Broncos and although I have hope for Zach Wilson, I feel like the team is failing him tremendously. The Titans should have no problem winning this week.
Titans 28 - Jets 17
Kansas City Chiefs 1-2 @ Philadelphia Eagles 1-2
The Kansas City Chiefs have been a roller coaster so far, they could be 0-3 just as easy as they could be 3-0. Blowing a lead vs the Ravens, and a slow start that led to them playing catch up most of the game against the Chargers have Kansas City at 1-2. People shouldn’t hit the panic button just yet because of two losses but something does seem to be off. The offense needs a third option, and the defense needs to show more fight. The Eagles were blown out on Monday night by the Cowboys and look to bounce back. It’ll be hard for the Eagles to bounce back against a Chiefs team who is now awake and upset.
Chiefs 35 - Eagles 20
Sunday, October 3rd - 4:05 PM ET
Arizona Cardinals 3-0 @ Los Angeles Rams 3-0
Two of the five best teams we’ve seen so far this season, Kyler Murray and the Cardinals face NFC west Rival Matthew Stafford and the Rams. The Cardinals defeated the Jaguars 31-19 while the Rams defeated the Buccaneers 34-24, in a game that wasn’t even that close. Murray and Stafford are probably the two MVP favorites throughout the first three weeks. The Cardinals are at a disadvantage on defense and in coaching, but they have enough firepower to keep up with the Rams. In what is probably the game of the week, I have the Rams showing their Super Bowl prowess once again, and getting another big win over another good team.
Cardinals 30 - Rams 34
Seattle Seahawks 1-2 @ San Francisco 49ers 2-1
Both teams are coming off losses and looking to bounce back in this NFC West showdown. The Seahawks lost 30-17 to the Vikings while the 49ers lost in heart breaking fashion, to Aaron Rodgers and the Packers 30-28. The Seahawks, like the Chiefs, shouldn’t be panicking yet, but a loss this week would send them even further back in what seems to be the best division in football. The 49ers defense will have to do a much better job than they did vs Aaron Rodgers if they wish to win this game. Rodgers was 23 for 33 with 261 yards and two touchdowns last week, and got the Packers into field goal range with relative ease, in a little under 35 seconds, for the game winning kick. I believe Wilson and the Seahawks know how important this is, and will win in a very close game.
Seahawks 27 - 49ers 24
Sunday, October 3rd - 4:25 PM CT
Pittsburgh Steelers 1-2 @ Green Bay Packers 2-1
These two teams had opposite starts to the season. Pittsburgh defeated the Bills in Buffalo while the Packers were slaughtered by the Saints. Since then, the Steelers have dropped two straight, and have injuries piling up. Green Bay has won two straight, and seem to be getting things together. I expect TJ Watt back this week, but I don’t think the Steelers have the fire power to keep up with the Packers. Pittsburgh has been abysmal on offense, and I expect more of the same this week in Green Bay.
Steelers 14 - Packers 27
Baltimore Ravens 2-1 @ Denver Broncos 3-0
The Ravens escaped last week in Detroit with kicker Justin Tucker, hitting a record 66-yard field goal. The Broncos shut out the Jets, and while the Broncos are 3-0 the record of their combined opponents is 0-9. I personally believe the Broncos start isn’t just because of schedule, but it is a factor. The Broncos are actually very talented on both sides and although they’ve dealt with injuries, they have amazing depth. The Ravens have been building momentum, but they almost slipped up in Detroit. The Broncos are supremely more talented and better equipped to stop the Ravens. I think the Broncos prove this week they are just as good as their record shows, and will upset the Ravens this week.
Ravens 23 - Broncos 26
Sunday, October 3rd - 8:20 PM ET
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2-1 @ New England Patriots 1-2
Here we are, the game everyone has been waiting for, Tom Brady returns to New England. The Bucs suffered their first loss of the season to the Rams last week 34-24, now they will be angry and looking to get back on track. The Patriots lost to the Saints as Mac Jones threw four interceptions in a 28-13 loss to the Saints. I expect this game will be close to start, but the Bucs will be way too much for the Patriots, as Brady will get the better of his former coach, Bill Belichick.
Buccaneers 34 - Patriots 20
Monday, October 4th - 8:15 PM ET
Las Vegas Raiders 3-0 @ Los Angeles Chargers 2-1
An AFC West rivalry is renewed as the undefeated Raiders take on the surging Chargers. The Raiders are off to a surprising 3-0 start, while the Chargers have been very impressive and are coming off a huge win last week versus the Chiefs in Kansas City. Derek Carr and Justin Herbert will be a light show. One of my favorite coaches already is rookie head coach, Brandon Staley. He has the Chargers defense looking better than ever, while the offense continues to follow behind the lead of budding superstar, Justin Herbert. I have picked against these two teams enough to know, this year that they do the opposite of what I have said. Hopefully, I get this one right. Herbert and the Chargers get another big AFC West win.
Raiders 27 - Chargers 30
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