-Originally published 9/26/21-
Week 3
Fresh Squeezed
1pm – Bears (1-1) @ Browns (1-1)
Andy Dolton lost his starting job in an unfortunate way, due to injury, but Justin Fields time is now. Cleveland legitimately has one of the top-5 rosters in the league but the secondary is an issue and Fields will have an opportunity to exploit them. Chicago is holding teams to 71.5 rushing yards and Cleveland is 3rd in the league at 154.5. If I had more belief in Chicago’s offensive line I would pick them for the upset.
Pick: Browns 24-21
1pm – Chargers (1-1) @ Chiefs (1-1)
The Chiefs defense, especially against the run, is the worst in league giving up 202ypg, 40 yards worse than the 3rd Chargers. LA has a more effective run game at 92.5 ypg which is unimpressive but KC’s is non-existent. Herbert will be in good shape to compete in a shootout.
Prediction: KC 38-35
1pm – Saints (1-1) @ Patriots (1-1)
We’ve seen both heads of Jameis already this season. Against the defense of the Patriots, one of the best in the league, he could have another rough week. NE is 5th giving up 297.5ypg and NO 7th at 306ypg, this will be a defensive battle.
Prediction: Patriots 17-13
4:30pm – Buccaneers (2-0) @ Rams (2-0)
Brady will be locked in to beat the Rams after meeting them in the Super Bowl a few years back. I don’t expect him to lose her. TB has been giving up too many points at 27ppg and needs to button up. LA after all the hype wouldn’t have much offense with a poor run game and Cooper Kupp is the primary receiving weapon. This should be a great matchup but the defending SB champs should be on top.
Prediction: Bucs 31-27
8:20pm – Packers (1-1) @ 49ers (2-0)
The Packers didn’t prove much last week in stomping out the awful Lions. Green Bay only has two weapons in Devante Adams and Aaron Jones on offense but that’s usually enough. The 49ers are working towards 3-0 and have a plug and play system offensively. The QB position hasn’t been an issue yet, the injuries to the RB position just continues to rotate productive backups through and injuries to receivers hasn’t hurt them yet either.
Prediction: 49ers 28-24
MNF – Eagles (1-1) @ Cowboys (1-1)
Philly might be a legitimate football team and Dallas a top-5 offense. The offensive line for the Eagles isn’t good but they can move the ball and play defense. They’ll have a chance in this game in a division no one expected.
Prediction: Cowboys 34-31
Lower Grove
1pm – Washington (1-1) @ Bills (1-1)
The defense that appeared elite against inferior competition last season hasn’t quite panned out this year and Tyler Heinkie is nothing above average. A win against Buffalo on the road would be a shocker at this point.
Prediction: Bills 34-24
1pm – Ravens (1-1) @ Lions (0-2)
Baltimore continues to piling up rushing yards and looked impressive against the Chiefs last week. Detroit is limited with Geoff but looks feisty early in the season. They loss control late against the Packers last week and that same will probably happen here as the Ravens grind away.
Prediction: Ravens 31-27
1pm – Colts (0-2) @ Titans (1-1)
The Colts have a reasonable shot to recover in the division but going on the road against the Titans is going to be a bear. Tenn has its own issues with the defense and offensive line. Carson Wentz is playing despite two sprained ankles. This really is a tossup game, but its hard to select the winless road team playing a QB that can’t stay upright.
Prediction: Titans 27-23
4pm – Dolphins (1-1) @ Raiders (2-0)
Tua is out 3 weeks with fractured ribs and Jacoby Brissett is in. The Dolphins still aren’t excellent in any category and the Raiders continue to run a top passing offense, a continuation from last season.
Prediction: Raiders 34-14
4:30pm – Seahawks (1-1) @ Vikings (0-2)
Mike Zimmer might strap a helmet on himself to prevent the Vikings from losing. Dalvin Cook is a question mark with an ankle injury. Seattle was decimated by Derrick Henry last week. Even if Cook can’t go Alexander Mattison should have a good day. Both defenses are bottom 6 in the league allowing over 420ypg each. I think the Vikings at home can win the line of scrimmage and pull an upset.
Prediction: Vikings 42-38
Rotten
TNF – Panthers (2-0) @ Texans (1-1)
Carolina’s defense looks like a real threat after drafting on that side of the ball exclusively two seasons ago. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady is only 32 and getting his opportunity to put the offense together with Sam Darnold in his first full season as OC after 2020 was disrupted. The Texans are starting rookie QB Davis Mills for Stanford. The 8th QB drafted, he only recorded 11 starters but lots of potential. This will be a rough gig for the rook.
Prediction: Carolina 24-17
1pm – Bengals (1-1) @ Steelers (1-1)
These two teams are clearly the worse in their division. Cleveland with a narrow loss to KC and Baltimore with a narrow victory over KC (despite sloppy play that could have probably locked it up for KC) have cemented themselves as two of the best teams in the league right now. Pittsburgh has receiver talent but is limited but Ben and didn’t draft or acquire a backup to try in his place. So they’re stuck with a limited offense. The Bengals gave up 5 sacks and Burrow threw 3 picks in a 17-20 loss to Chicago last week and really don’t look to have a chance on either side of the ball against a top-shelf club. Pittsburg’s defense could decimate Cincinnati and still look anemic.
Prediction: Steelers 24-14
1pm – Cardinals (2-0) @ Jaguars (0-2)
Kyler is pushing for MVP this season and the defense has a few real pieces. The Jags have a long hill to climb and the quotes coming for Urban Meyer aren’t promising.
Prediction: Cardinals 35-21
4pm – Jets (0-2) @ Broncos (2-0)
Neither Jacksonville or NY is watchable right now. Trevor Lawrence and Zac Wilson hopefully will be solid NFL QB’s but these teams are both overmatched and outgunned this week. If either keeps the game within single digits it should be considered a moral victory.
Prediction: Broncos 27-10
1pm – Falcons (0-2) @ Giants (0-2)
The Jets, Jags, Lions, and Texans were supposed to have a tough time. Whoever comes out of this game 0-3 will be in real trouble. The Giants are close to 1-1 without an offsides penalty and Daniel Jones had done a great job not turning the ball over. The Falcons are still getting accustomed to an entirely new staff. Neither team is awful but that won’t make this an amazing watch.
Prediction: Falcons 27-24
