Its week 3 of the NFL season and officially panic time for some. Only 12% of teams make the postseason after an 0-2 start which potentially means trouble for teams like the Seahawks, Ravens, Colts, and Eagles. Let’s take a look at my predictions for this week.
2-0 Atlanta Falcons at 2-0 Dallas Cowboys (ATL -1)
No Dez Bryant, No Randy Gregory, and now no Tony Romo spells disaster for Dallas. With Atlanta firing on all cylinders most people would take Atlanta but I have faith in Dallas. While Brandon Weeden is a dumpster fire in his own right I think he will do enough to win the game. Dallas will likely rely heavily on the run game with Joseph Randle and Darren McFadden. Dallas’ running game tore through Seattle’s defense a year ago, a unit coached by now Falcons head coach Dan Quinn. The one X factor in this game is Julio Jones who can basically win this game outright. Can Brandon Carr slow him down? Maybe, but that match up is surely the key to the game for Dallas.
Cowboys win 24-20
2-0 Cincinnati Bengals at 0-2 Baltimore Ravens (BAL -2.5)
This is the perfect example of how smart Vegas odds makers are. The 2-0 Bengals should be favorites over the 0-2 Ravens right? Wrong, the stats prove Baltimore will win this game. The Ravens are a staggering 45-11 at home under head coach John Harbaugh. The Raven defense also has Dalton’s number picking him off 14 times, the most by any other team. While the absence of speedy receiver Breshad Perriman remains a concern it’s safe to say Baltimore will get back on track as they have never gone 0-3 in franchise history.
Ravens win 31-21
0-2 New Orleans Saints at 2-0 Carolina Panthers (CAR -9.5)
This line skyrocketed from 3 to 9.5 in a matter of minutes following the report that Drew Brees would miss this game. The team then went in another shocking move name Luke McCown the starter over rookie Garrett Grayson. The point spread seems like a lot to over come which makes me lean towards New Orleans but this could easily be a blowout. Carolina did start 2-0 last season but would then go 1-8-1 over the next 10 games which is a bit concerning. While star linebacker Luke Keuchly is out it is tough to go against Carolina with Drew Brees’ injury.
Panthers win 27-19
1-1 Oakland Raiders at 1-1 Cleveland Browns (CLE -3.5)
The Browns went in a shocking direction when they kept Josh McCown as their starting quarterback even though back up Johnny Manziel lead the team to victory last week. With Manziel on the bench I predict the Raiders will take this game on the road. Derek Carr and the offense grooved 37 points on the Ravens last week as I expect the Carr – Amari Cooper connection to only get better.
Raiders win 24-10
1-1 Tampa Bay Bucs at 0-2 Houston Texans (HOU -6.5)
Famous Jameis the crab leg smuggler got his first win in New Orleans looking good in the win over the Saints. This week he gets an even tougher task playing the Houston Texans and their stout defense. I am picking the Texans in this one as it seems to many people have hopped on the Winston train. He just seems to thrive better when the doubt is near right? The Texans won’t start 0-3 as I even picked them to reach to postseason this year.
Texans win 31-14
0-2 Indianapolis Colts at 1-1 Tennessee Titans (IND -3)
Andrew Luck is a turnover machine, he is flat out over rated if this sounds like you please refrain because you’re dumb……. The Colts started 0-2 last year and will almost certainly bounce back to an over rated Titans team. Andrew Luck frankly has little help but it won’t matter as the Colts have gone 69-26 all time against divisional opponents. Be smart, swallow the points and take Indy.
Colts win 38-10
1-1 San Diego Chargers at 1-1 Minnesota Vikings (MIN -2.5)
I am truly stumped when it comes to this game. The Vikings passing game has look anemic while San Diego’s defense has looked like paper mache thus far. Adrian Peterson looks terrible in week one then transforms superman week two. Philip Rivers has the league’s highest passer rating at 107.4 yet has 4 turnovers already. This game is truly a toss up but i’m taking the Chargers to bounce back as Minnesota is still riding a high from demolishing Detroit last week.
Chargers win 31-28 Overtime
0-2 Philadelphia Eagles at 2-0 New York Jets (NYJ -2)
The New York Jets have never beaten the Philadelphia Eagles…….EVER! (0-9 lifetime record). Will that change this Sunday? Yes, the Jets are simply a bad match up for this Eagles team. The Eagles horrific offensive line is no match for Mohammed Wilkerson and company. Rookie 1st round pick Leonard Williams has also been an animal making Jets fans wonder whether they are even missing suspended Sheldon Richardson. The Eagles receivers are also highly unproven. Even though I am a big fan of Jordan Mathews I do not like his chances on Revis Island today. Until the Eagles figure out DeMarco Murray is not a sideline to sideline runner I don’t like their chances to fix the running game either.
Jets win 24-20
1-1 Jacksonville Jaguars at 2-0 New England Patriots (NE -13.5)
Is there really any analysis needed for this game? Does anyone like Jacksonville’s chances to pull out a win today? I know I don’t and as long as Tom Brady has that eye of the tiger thing going I don’t like anyone’s chance to beat him.
Patriots win 38-9
1-1 Pittsburgh Steelers at 1-1 St. Louis Rams (PITT -1)
All of the sudden the Edward Jones dome is a scary place to play. Furthermore I never liked teams chances from winning blowout games in the previous week. (We saw what happened to San Francisco this year). The Steelers will be boasted by the return of Le’Veon Bell but the Rams will also see Todd Gurley in uniform for the first time which could sort of add a motivational element to St. Louis. If Gurley breaks off 1 run for 20 yards could it result in a steam roll effect where the St. Louis crowd loses it? Yes, plus won’t it be just flat out entertaining to watch the battle of 1-2 teams on Thursday night this week Ravens at Steelers, I known you’re excited already.
Rams win 31-28
1-1 San Francisco 49ers at 2-0 Arizona Cardinals (ARI -6.5)
Arizona is just flat out good and Bruce Arians may be the brightest offensive mind in the league. Carson Palmer is also 15-2 in his last 17 starts which tells you how much he means to this team. Running back Chris Johnson has also brought a sparks as he looks like he is back. 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula also has that sort of meatball, lame duck coach effect when watching their games. Without “El Guapo” Carlos Hyde being 100 percent healthy I don’t like their chances to win.
Cardinals win 34-17
1-1 Buffalo Bills at 1-1 Miami Dolphins (MIA -2.5)
I think Buffalo is the better team but I am taking the phins to split the series and take this game at home. You better believe the Dolphins are flat out mad after losing to Jacksonville last week. While I think the Dolphins are vastly over rated and could easily be 0-2 I think they take this game ruffling Tyrod Taylor’s feathers in their first ever meeting.
Dolphins win 16-13
0-2 Chicago Bears at 0-2 Seattle Seahawks (SEA -14.5)
That line is outrageous and while Seattle will win that’s just frankly to many points regardless of how bad the Bears are. Remember Jay Cutler is out which could actually be a good thing. Alshon Jeffery being out likely makes matters worse but Seattle might let up some points in garbage time to keep it 14 or less.
Seahawks win 32-18
2-0 Denver Broncos at 0-2 Detroit Lions (DEN -3)
The Lions have looked flat out terrible as no one can be surprised with Jim Caldwell’s coaching style. While Denver is 2-0 they may have actually looked worse over the last two weeks and without Demarcus Ware and Vonn Miller they would be at best 1-1. The Lions are really good in home openers but Ill take Manning as he thrived in the dome for most of his career with the Colts.
Broncos win 24-20
