We are ‘Even Steven’ after an 8-8 start to our year. After seeing the teams on the field in the regular season, we have a bit more clarity. It is time to bring home with you a big week!
WEEK TWO
NEW YORK GIANTS at WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (-3.5) (O/U 40.5)
The Giants/WFT game should be an ugly affair. Nothing brings in the prime-time audience like a Daniel Jones vs. Taylor Heinicke match. The strengths of these two teams are clearly on the defensive side of the ball. Expect a slugfest and take the points.
PREDICTION: Giants 20 WFT 17
CINCINNATI BENGALS at CHICAGO BEARS (-2.5) (O/U 45)
The Bengals/Bears game is a case of ‘is this team as good as they looked?’ in the case of the Bengals, versus ‘is this team as bad as they looked?’ in the case of the Bears. I’m going to take the Bears here in this spot. The Rams’ defense is on a different level from the Bengals. The more desperate team gets a victory.
PREDICTION: Bears 23 Bengals 20
BUFFALO BILLS (-3.5) at MIAMI DOLPHINS (O/U 47.5)
The Dolphins were lucky to escape last week with a victory. The Patriots shot themselves in the foot with multiple fumbles a week ago. I’m not expecting the backbreaking turnovers this week from the Bills. Josh Allen and the Buffalo offense heats up.
PREDICTION: Bills 31 Dolphins 21
HOUSTON TEXANS at CLEVELAND BROWNS (-12.5) (O/U 47.5)
The Houston Texans surprisingly romped the Jaguars last week. The Browns defense is not the dumpster fire that the Jaguars defense is. I expect the Browns will be firing on all cylinders following a close defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs.
PREDICTION: Browns 34 Texans 20
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (-3) at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (O/U 50.5)
The Philadelphia Eagles surprised many last week playing as well as they did, eventually pulling away from the Falcons. The 49ers are already battling injuries to Raheem Mostert and Jason Verrett that will cost them the season. The 49ers traveling to the East Coast for a 1 PM start time perhaps they come out sluggish. The Eagles could pull off another upset.
PREDICTION: Eagles 24 49ers 20
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS at PITTSBURGH STEELERS (-5.5) (O/U 47)
The Raiders came out and played lights out in the upset of the Ravens on Monday Night Football. The Raiders/Steelers is another game where a West Coast team travels to the East Coast for a 1 PM start time. This weekend feels like a ‘hangover’ game for the Raiders. I expect the Steelers passing game to take advantage.
PREDICTION: Steelers 31 Raiders 24
LOS ANGELES RAMS (-3.5) at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (O/U 48)
The Rams looked like a team locked in from the opening snap. The Colts looked like a team searching for an identity. I expect the better team to jump out early in this one and does not look back. I will take the Rams going away.
PREDICTION: Rams 34 Colts 17
DENVER BRONCOS (-6) at JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (O/U 45)
The Jaguars’ offense struggled to move the ball against the Houston Texans. The Denver Broncos defense is substantially more difficult. Teddy Bridgewater looked fantastic in getting the ball to a variety of weapons. I struggle to see how this game is competitive.
PREDICTION: Broncos 27 Jaguars 16
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (-3.5) at CAROLINA PANTHERS (O/U 44.5)
The Saints whooping the Packers in week one was the surprise of the week. The Saints’ run defense looked as stout as ever. These two NFC South rivals know each other very well. I’ll take the points in a game that could go either way.
PREDICTION: Saints 27 Panthers 24
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (-6) at NEW YORK JETS (O/U 41.5)
The Jets may be on the right track, but they remain in a rebuild mode. The Patriots will be a desperate team this week. The Pats can’t fall too far behind in the AFC East race.
PREDICTION: Patriots 24 Jets 16
ATLANTA FALCONS at TAMPA BAY BUCS (-12.5) (O/U 52)
The Atlanta Falcons looked out of sorts at times last week. Now they get a date with the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Bucs. Tom Brady and the Bucs take care of business here, but I will take the points.
PREDICTION: Buccaneers 31 Falcons 24
MINNESOTA VIKINGS at ARIZONA CARDINALS (-3.5) (O/U 50.5)
A week ago, the Vikings came out on the wrong side of an overtime loss against Cincinnati. The Cardinals did whatever they wanted to on offense against a miserable Titans defense. The Vikings come out swinging when their backs are against the wall. Expect a shootout in this one. I will take the Vikings getting points.
PREDICTION: Vikings 34 Cardinals 31
TENNESSEE TITANS at SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (-5.5) (O/U 54)
I previously mentioned the miserable Titans defense. Now they draw the Seattle Seahawks. Russell Wilson will be going through target practice on Sunday. I expect a ton of points. The Seahawks pull away late.
PREDICTION: Seahawks 34 Titans 27
DALLAS COWBOYS at LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (-3.5) (O/U 55)
I like this Chargers team. Los Angeles can win games in several different ways. Dallas defense will continue to place them in shootouts. I believe the Chargers have a far superior defense. The Chargers are a complete team.
PREDICTION: Chargers 31 Cowboys 27
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (-3.5) at BALTIMORE RAVENS (O/U 55.5)
The Kansas City Chiefs took the best shot from the Browns and rallied to victory. The Baltimore Ravens seemed in a funk all night long against the Raiders. The Ravens are built to give the Chiefs fits. I don’t know if the Ravens have the horses in the backfield at this juncture.
PREDICTION: Chiefs 30 Ravens 20
DETROIT LIONS at GREEN BAY PACKERS (-11) (O/U 48)
The Lions almost pulled off the impossible by chasing down the 49ers last week. The Packers came out flat and stayed that way all afternoon against the Saints. There is no way that Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense is stymied that way at home on Monday Night Football. R-E-L-A-X…give me the Pack.
PREDICTION: Packers 30 Lions 13
I like beer. I like football. Sometimes, both at the same time.
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