With Week 3 kicking off tonight, it is time to right the shift after a slow 15-17 record to open the season. The Battle for LA and a reunion in Detroit highlight what should be an entertaining weekend around the league.
But first, here is a check on our year to date numbers:
Week 2 Record: 8-8/Overall Record: 15-17/Best Bets Record: 2-2 (Eagles, Chargers and Texans in Week 2)
Browns (-3) vs. Jets: Tonight is the night Cleveland. Antonio Callaway catches another late touchdown, but this time, the Browns kick the extra point and shut the Jets down on a game-winning attempt. Give me the Browns 24-20.
Eagles (-6.5) vs. Colts: Carson Wentz returns! How will he look? Will he be rusty? And more importantly, who the heck is he throwing to? No Mike Wallace, potentially no Jeffrey, no Mack Hollins, yuck. But Ertz and Agholor are still there and the Eagles defense will be pissed off after being throttled by the Bucs. Wentz wins in his return, 30-17.
Panthers (-3) vs. Bengals: The loss of Joe Mixon is a big one, as the Panthers will not have to key on Gio Bernard and the Bengals rushing attack. That will pose problems for Andy Dalton, who will have his hands full with the Panthers secondary. Tyler Boyd has emerged for the Bengals, but not enough to offset the loss of Mixon. Panthers win 23-16.
Falcons (-3) vs. Saints: Fantasy bonanza time one would think as Brees and the Saints travel for the first time this year. The Falcons are the pick here simply because of the way the Saints looked in their first two weeks. No defense in their loss to Tampa Bay and no offense (outside of Mike Thomas) in week two. Give me Matty Ice in Week 3. Falcons win 30-24.
Ravens (-5) vs. Broncos: I do not like this matchup for Case Keenum in his first Broncos road start. The Ravens defense was exposed in their loss to the Bengals, while Keenum is tied for the league lead in picks. With no steady ground game, the Ravens should score enough to cover 5 points. Ravens 23-13.
Texans (-6) vs. Giants: Have you seen the Giants O-Line this year? They have not either, cause frankly, it does not exist. I expect the Texans defense to explode here and record 5-6 sacks, completely stifling the Giants offense. Texans win 24-13.
Raiders (+3) @ Dolphins: Just a hunch here. The Raiders have played well enough not to be 0-2 and the Dolphins have had played just well enough to be 2-0. I think a close game is in order, with Ryan Tannehill finally turning back into…Ryan Tannehill. Dolphins win, but do not cover, 23-21.
Packers (-3) @ Redskins: If Andrew Luck went on the road and beat the Redskins, so can the Packers…easily. The only impressive Redskins performance this season was against? The Cardinals…who have scored 6 points all season. Pack roll 30-13.
Vikings (-16.5) vs. Bills: Have you seen the Bills offense…oh, we have done this joke before. Likely no McCoy, a rookie quarterback against the Vikings defense and hey, they added the 2nd most accurate kicker in league history. Give me the Vikings in a rout, 33-6.
Chiefs (-6.5) vs. 49ers: Another potential fantasy bonanza, who is going to slow down Patrick Mahomes and that dynamic Chiefs offense? It will not be the 49ers, who gave up 27 points to the Lions last week. The Chiefs on the other hand have not stopped a nosebleed this season, so expect some points from the 49ers as well. But to me, the Chiefs do enough to win this game by double digits. Chiefs move to 3-0, 40-28.
Rams (-7) vs. Chargers: I guarantee that a team from Los Angeles is going to win AND cover this weekend. Bad joke I know. Give me the Rams. The Chiefs exposed the Chargers defense that is still without Joey Bosa and the Rams are very similarly structured. And one difference between the Chiefs and Rams? The Rams have a whose who of studs on the defensive side of the ball. Give me the Rams in the Battle of LA, 31-20.
Bears (-6) @ Cardinals: The Cardinals have scored 6 points all season. Against the Redskins and Rams, two solid defenses. The Bears have 10 sacks and 2 defensive touchdowns already this season. Mitch Trubisky does enough to win this by two touchdowns and not screw it up. Bears win 23-9.
Seahawks (-1.5) vs. Dallas: I do not trust either of these teams, even after the Cowboys took down the Giants offense. Neither team has a receiving weapon, nor a defense to write home about. Give me the Seahawks, only cause they are at home. Seahawks win 20-13.
Patriots (-7) @ Detroit: The Matt Patricia reunion game, where the Patriots will not, in no way, lose back to back games. Considering what the Jets and 49ers did to the Lions through the air, imagine what Brady will do. Add Josh Gordon to the mix, even as a decoy as he learns the playbook, and that opens it up for Gronkowski and Hogan. Pats win this one and look like the good old Pats. Patriots win 38-24.
Buccaneers (+1) vs. Steelers: Something is not right in Pittsburgh. Antonio Brown misses workout, no sign of Le’Veon Bell and they lost to the Chiefs at home, after struggling to tie the Browns. The Bucs are on fire and I trust the Fitzmagic, at least for one week. Bucs win 27-23.
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