Last week was a bit of improvement on my projection record, as I finished 8-6 with my choices. I am hoping to get that number even higher this week, as I have a few bold takes to make. Let’s get these predictions started! (On a side note, the Thursday Night game ended with the Patriots defeating the Colts, 38 to 24.)
Sunday:
Broncos at Jets – Broncos win 13-7
This is a matchup between two teams that have seen better years before. The Jets, since losing to the Dolphins in week two, have failed to win a single game and QB Sam Darnold has not impressed. He will have an extremely tough matchup against a respectable Denver defense that is looking to will their team back into winning form, after a heartbreaking loss to the Chiefs last week.
Packers at Lions – Lions win 24-17
Here comes one of my bold predictions. The Lions just suffered a tough loss through a game-winning field goal kicked by the Dallas Cowboys, but I think they will be ready to compete here. Sure, they are going against one of the NFL’s very best, in QB Aaron Rodgers, that is more than capable of tearing their at times questionable defense apart, but I feel like things will change on Sunday. I sense that QB Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions will show out for the home crowd and bounce back from what has been a poor overall start to the season. Lions pull out a close one.
Giants at Panthers – Panthers win 20-13
The Panthers are coming off of the BYE and are taking on a Giants team that still has things to sort out. As I mentioned last week, strong playoff contending teams that are playing New York will be looking to take advantage of these internal issues and should win almost every time. Even though I am picking Carolina to win, the Giants will be sure to put some points on the board, as I anticipate them playing their hardest compared to their previous games, in an effort to save their season.
Titans at Bills – Titans win 28-10
The Titans are coming off a huge win over the Super Bowl champion, Philadelphia Eagles. Their confidence as a team is sky high and I expect them to continue this momentum heading into Buffalo, and beat the Bills pretty convincingly. Bills QB Josh Allen is in for a rough afternoon.
Falcons at Steelers – Falcons win 34-31
I think this will arguably be the closest game of the week, between two teams coming off of bitter losses. These two having started the season far from expectation and are desperate to save their year, to contend for the playoffs. The Falcons offensive powerhouse will be too much for the poor Steelers defense to contain and vise versa, as both these teams will be scoring plenty this game. I still believe that Pittsburgh will lose a very close one.
Ravens at Browns – Browns win 20-16
Here is another surprise pick to many. I think the Cleveland Browns will defeat the red hot Baltimore Ravens at home. Despite the loss, Browns QB Baker Mayfield showed encouraging signs of being a good quarterback not only now, but for many years. I believe the Ravens will come into Cleveland underestimating the usually horrendous Browns, especially after their impressive win in Pittsburgh last Sunday night, and lose. This will be a close one between two division rivals and it will be a must-watch.
Dolphins at Bengals – Bengals win 31-24
I sense this will be a high-scoring game between these two teams. The Dolphins playing after the embarrassing loss to the Patriots last week, will be looking to bounce back to their winning ways. This Cincinnati team though, is definitely the stronger of the two sides and has been playing out of their minds as of late. Sunday afternoon will not be fun for my Dolphins, and they will lose once again.
Jaguars at Chiefs – Jaguars win 23-13
I know I was wrong in picking against the Chiefs last week, but I feel as if it’s a safer game to pick against them. In what I believe is the most anticipated game of the week, the dominant Jacksonville defense will be looking to bring Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes back to Earth and shut down this incredible Kansas City offense. This defense is legit and will undoubtedly be the strongest Mahomes has gone against in his young career thus far. In addition, the horrible Chiefs defense will have a hard time going against a solid Blake Bortles and Jaguars offense. The Jags will have a statement win.
Raiders at Chargers – Chargers win 34-27
The Chargers are the safe pick to make as they are definitely the strongest of the two teams in this game. I could see the Raiders coming into L.A. and making it an interesting game, as they have good momentum after getting their first win of the year last week. This game will be high-scoring between two great offenses, but the better of the two teams should win.
Vikings at Eagles – Vikings win 28-20
The Vikings are done with the underperforming. They have lost two games they could have, and some will argue should have won. Minnesota should walk into Philadelphia and defeat the Eagles, that look like a shell of what they were last season. I believe this is the statement game that puts the Vikings back on the map of Super Bowl contenders.
Rams at Seahawks – Rams win 33-7
This will be a massacre. I do not care if this game is being played in Seattle, the Seahawks aren’t even in the same league as these L.A. Rams. Reasons why this will be so one sided include: Seattle’s offensive line being the worst in the league and they are going against the best front seven in the NFL, Seattle’s offense has had a hard time scoring points against mediocre teams, they are now playing the NFL’s best, and the now-injured Seahawks defense is going up against arguably the NFL’s strongest offense, the list goes on. I anticipate this not being pretty for Seahawks fans and their team alike.
Cardinals at 49ers – 49ers win 17-13
This will be a snooze fest, between two mediocre teams. The 49ers have the stronger offense between the two sides and the Cardinals defense hasn’t really been playing up to par as of late, so the now C.J. Beathard-led ‘Niners should win.
Cowboys at Texans – Texans win 21-10
If last week wasn’t an indicator that the Texans should be back to playing up to their expectations, this should be the week that convinces us all. They are at home against a very fringe Dallas Cowboys team, that teeters between a respectable playoff contending side and a mediocre football team. QB Deshaun Watson should be back to playing the way he was last year, or at least to a degree of that, and will beat these Cowboys.
Monday:
Redskins at Saints – Saints win 21-17
I will not dispute that despite some people giving the Saints the clear edge, this will be a close game. The Redskins have played solid football thus far and will continue to play well in this game. New Orleans though, is back to their Super Bowl contending form and will have the home field cheering their way. Saints will pull out a close one.