Will Your NFL Team Win In A Wild Week Three?
After a crazy Week Two of comebacks and collapses around the league, what’s in store in Week Three? Let’s pick these games!
Starting Slow: Steelers @ Browns (-4.5)
After a ridiculous turn of events, the Cleveland Browns lost to the New York Jets in what could go down as one of the worst collapses of the year. Cleveland was up 30-17 with just over a minute left and somehow allowed a 66-yard touchdown on a play that Corey Davis got loose on, even though you would think the defense would be in quarters. Subsequently, the hapless Jets recovered the ensuing onside kick and scored again to win it 31-30 to hand Cleveland its first loss of what might be a long season.
On the other hand, the Steelers don’t look very good on offense at all. While it’s nice to see Minkah Fitzpatrick play well and that defense is still a force, even without TJ Watt, it was not enough to beat the Pats in Week Two.
The Pick: Steelers +4.5
Texans @ Bears (-2.5)
Wow. What a must-watch game we have here! The Houston Texans are traveling to the Windy City for a classic matchup with DaBears! Yeah, I know you’re reading this so you can’t sense the sarcasm in my tone, but let’s just say I will not be tuning into CBS for this one.
The Pick (Bears -2.5)
Raiders (-2.5) @ Titans
Ok, a better game here. The Las Vegas Raiders have to be the best winless team in the league thus far. While they’ve lost in each of their first two contests, they’ve played well and had a chance to win both. The loss against Arizona last week reminded me of a classic Chargers meltdown, but the Chargers were wearing silver and black. The Titans have been embarrassed in back-to-back weeks on the other hand, and though this s at home, Vegas is pulling this one out. Crazy to think one of these teams will head to 0-3.
The Pick: Raiders -2.5
Some Better Games…
Chiefs (-5.5) @ Colts
See, if this was Week One of last season I’d say this has game-of-the-week potential. Jonathan Taylor, Patrick Mahomes, Michael Pittman, and Travis Kelce? What a game we have here! And the Colts’ home opener! This should be exciting, except, for the very evident fact that the Indianapolis Colts have been in two games against two lowly divisional opponents and have not come out on top in either game, somehow.
Tying against the Texans was bad but losing 24-0 to Jacksonville is laughable. The Colts need to earn my trust before I start picking them against a Super Bowl contender.
The Pick : Chiefs -5.5
Bills (-5.5) @ Dolphins
I don’t see this game the way others do. I don’t understand how ONE elite performance can catapult you into the MVP discussion and after two abysmal seasons now he’s all that and ready to win a game against the Buffalo Bills. The Buffalo Bills have outscored their first two opponents seventy-two to seventeen. Don’t disrespect the Bills in this one, taking Buffalo.
The Pick : Bills -5.5
Lions @ Vikings (-6)
The Detroit Lions are a competent football team, everybody. They are! They have one of the best offenses in the league through two weeks, actually scoring the most points at 69, which leads the Bills and Chiefs to round out the top three. Minnesota played great in Week One against Green Bay but did not fare as well in Week Two in Philly. Still, I don’t trust the Lions to win this game. However, it’ll be closer than you think.
The Pick : Lions +6
Ravens (-3) @ Patriots
What a collapse for the Ravens, as after being up 28-7 they are dismantled by Tua and the Miami offense and lose 42-38. Lamar Jackson accounted for over 400 yards, as he is looking as good as ever. Patriots are somehow 1-1, after beating a Mitch Trubisky-led Steeler offense. This is an easy pick for me.
The Pick : Ravens -3
Cincy Better Win… Bengals (-6) @ Jets
I just wrote an article on the Bengals, you should go check it out. I voiced my concerns about the offensive line, and how Ja’Marr Chase can’t make plays if Joe doesn’t have more than two seconds after the ball is snapped. This is a must-win for the reigning runner-ups. Don’t mess this up Cincy.
The Pick : Bengals -6
Eagles (-6.5) @ Commanders
The Philadelphia Eagles are 2-0 and look like the best team in the NFC. The Commanders are not 2-0 and lost to the Lions, easily. Still, this is a division game and these are usually close. Not this one though. Eagles win, and cover.
The Pick : Eagles -6.5
Saints (-2.5) @ Panthers
In both Saints games, there has been a turning point. In the first, it went New Orleans’ way, as a fumble changed the complexion of the game. In Week Two, however, the opposite happened. Mark Ingram fumbled as the score was 3-3 late in the third and Tampa took it from there, scoring seventeen unanswered en route to a 20-10 win. Carolina on the other hand is a very pedestrian team without an identity, and I can’t trust them to win this type of game. Saints by at least three.
The Pick : Saints -2.5
A Few NFC Showdowns
Jaguars @ Chargers (-7)
As there always seems to be one, this will be the game that surprises the NFL world a bit. No, no, I’m not predicting a crazy Jags upset over a Super Bowl contender, however, I am expecting this to be closer than expected. The Chargers win, of course. Jags cover.
The Pick: Jaguars +7
Rams (-3.5) @ Cardinals
The Rams don’t look good. A blowout loss in Week One to the daunted Bills and a Week Two scare to the Falcons. 28-3 became 28-25 and I was watching on the edge of my seat in the fourth quarter. A Jalen Ramsey pick closed it out, but the Rams need to be careful because this isn’t a game they can afford to lose.
The Cards were in the opposite position, down 20-3 and coming all the way back. Kyler looked unbelievable and Arizona got its first win of the season. Three and a half is not enough for me to take the Red Birds, however, this is a game the Rams must get right on.
The Pick: Rams -3.5
Falcons @ Seahawks (Even)
Well, we actually saw a lot more fight out of the Atlanta Falcons than we expected in that Week Two game in LA. I thought they’d be 0-2 heading into Week Three and they are, but somehow I’m more impressed than I thought I would be. With a little bit more luck they could be 2-0 right now. Seattle looked awesome in Week One, but that was an emotional game. They showed their true identity in Week Two in Santa Clara. Will happen again here, I’m taking Atlanta.
The Pick : Falcons
Hard To Pick
Packers @ Buccaneers EVEN
The Bucs seem to be a bit off, but I’m scared of that because they’re still 2-0 and Brady is going to figure this out. On the other hand, Green Bay looked like themselves. Somehow it just feels right to see Aaron Rodgers dominate the Bears at Lambeau right? Like if that didn’t happen each year something would feel very wrong. What a game here, very hard to pick. Out of respect for the home field, Tampa is the choice here.
The Pick : Buccaneers
49ers (-1.5) @ Broncos
Trey Lance out, Jimmy G back in! That looked like the 49ers we got to know and love over the last few seasons. Good running game, Jimmy looked great, and the defense balled out. On the other hand, Denver has not looked good in either game they have played, yet sit at 1-1. This is the game Russell Wilson gets right, and on Sunday Night Football, he takes this game and shows the world he’s still here. Broncos Country, Lets Ride!
The Pick : Broncos +1.5
Cowboys @ Giants (-1)
It’s 2022 and the New York Football Giants are favored. Not only favored but favored in a game against last year’s division winner. Yes, no Dak but this will still be a good game. Perhaps a bit low scoring, but could the G-Men actually move to 3-0 under Brian Daboll? I’m going to say no, I have Dallas in this game in a close finish.
The Pick : Cowboys +1