GAME OF THE WEEK – Atlanta Falcons (2-0) at Detroit Lions (2-0), ATL by 3 – It’s only been two weeks, so I don’t want to get into hyperbolics yet, but this is looking like potentially the best Lions team we’ve seen in the last 20 years. Really balanced team right now that could very well win its first division title since the early 90s. They get a tough matchup this week at home against the Falcons. The Falcons don’t play quite as well on the road, but considering they’re playing on artificial turf instead of grass this week, their offense shouldn’t be slowed down too much. I’m looking forward to seeing how the Lions stack up with the Falcons, but right now Atlanta looks to be the clear class of the NFC, so it’s hard to pick against them. Falcons 27, Lions 23
THURSDAY NIGHT – Los Angeles Rams (1-1) at San Francisco 49ers (0-2), LAR by 2.5 – The 49ers are straight ass, and even though I tend to pick the home teams on Thursday games, it’ll be tough for me to pick them even once this season. Rams 20, 49ers 9
Baltimore Ravens (2-0) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) in London, BAL by 4 – The Ravens have come out of the gate surprisingly hot, and a 3-0 start could bode really well for their playoff hopes. I don’t see the Jaguars being able to hold up to them. Ravens 24, Jaguars 14
Cleveland Browns (0-2) at Indianapolis Colts (0-2), CLE by 1 – The Cleveland Browns are 1-20 in their last 21 road games, and they are favored on the road this week. That should tell you a thing or two about just how bad the Colts are without Andrew Luck. Browns 20, Colts 13
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0) at Chicago Bears (0-2), PIT by 7.5 – The Bears are looking just about as bad as they were expected to be this season. The Steelers, meanwhile, recovered nicely from a disturbing week one performance against Cleveland to throttle the Vikings this week. They should handle Chicago just fine. Steelers 27, Bears 13
Miami Dolphins (1-0) at New York Jets (0-2), MIA by 6 – Always pick against the Jets. Always. Dolphins 27, Jets 10
Denver Broncos (2-0) at Buffalo Bills (1-1), DEN by 3 – We knew the Broncos’ defense was going to be outstanding. But good lord, if Trevor Siemian and CJ Anderson continue to play like they are throughout the season, we could very well be looking at the AFC’s Super Bowl representative. Broncos 23, Bills 10
Houston Texans (1-1) at New England Patriots (1-1), NE by 13 – Yeah, the Patriots are going to be just fine. Patriots 37, Texans 13
New Orleans Saints (0-2) at Carolina Panthers (2-0), CAR by 6 – Losing Greg Olsen will hurt for the Panthers, but the fact is they’re still playing at home against a Saints team that is incapable of winning outside the Superdome… or at all. They’ll be fine this week. Panthers 27, Saints 17
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) at Minnesota Vikings (1-1), BETS OFF – Not sure what the reasoning is for bets being off for this one – likely waiting on word of Sam Bradford? In any case, I think the Bucs are just the better team. Bucs 24, Vikings 19
New York Giants (0-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (1-1), PHI by 5.5 – Man, I know it’s a divisional game, so records and anything else that would normally make sense goes out the window. But the Giants are looking absolutely dreadful—I don’t think anyone saw this coming. They were a favorite to challenge for the NFC East title, now they’re looking like they’ll be lucky to stay out of the basement. The Eagles are playing better football right now, to be sure. Eagles 20, Giants 13
Seattle Seahawks (1-1) at Tennessee Titans (1-1), TEN by 2.5 – Hard to believe we’ve reached a point where the Titans are favored over the Seahawks, even when playing at home, but here we are. The Seahawks have scored one touchdown through two weeks and have played thoroughly uninspired football. The Titans, meanwhile, have been impressive in their first couple outings, smashing the Jaguars and sticking with the potent Raiders. I like them playing at home this week. The Seahawks’ defense will make it tough, but the Titans have really grown. Titans 17, Seahawks 13
Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) at LA Chargers (0-2), KC by 3 – The Chiefs have been so good in their first couple weeks that I don’t have any problem picking them in a road divisional game. It helps that the Chargers have absolutely zero homefield advantage. I mean, they let off fireworks when they missed the game winning field goal
Chiefs 27, Chargers 13Cincinnati Bengals (0-2) at Green Bay Packers (1-1), GB by 9 – What better way to lick the wounds after an ass kicking in Atlanta than to play a team that hasn’t scored a touchdown yet? Back to business for the Packers this week. Packers 33, Bengals 13
Oakland Raiders (2-0) at Washington (1-1), OAK by 3 – Washington is capable of hanging with the Raiders, to be sure, but for a full game? I doubt it. It’ll be close into the second half, but the Raiders will pull away. Raiders 24, Redskins 21
Dallas Cowboys (1-1) at Arizona Cardinals (1-1), DAL by 3 – Dallas won’t have the same difficulties running the ball this week as they did against Denver, which means they should be able to grind out the win. Cowboys 20, Cardinals 13
Boy, I didn’t pick ANY upsets. Seems like a really straightforward week… which means there will probably be a whole lot of tomfoolery.
