I didn’t have time to get this done by Friday so you get an extra game. Last week I went 3-2 in featured games but 10-5 overall. I’m finding my groove. That puts me at 5-5 in featured games and 17-11 overall. Let’s dive into this weekend’s games.
The “It’s not my fault” game: Chargers @ Bills 11 AM Mountain time
This game features two teams on very different trajectories so far. But it features two quarterbacks that are never to blame. No matter the outcome these two guys are just doing the best they can to lead their pitiful little teams to victory all by themselves. Never mind that both teams are praised all offseason for how talented they are. But the first sign that there are issues, the cries from the media, “can we please get this guy some help!” Anyway, this is a must win game for the Chargers who can’t afford to drop to 0-3 with the slate of games they have coming up. The Bills are always September champs. And they are off to their normal hot start. If this game isn’t at least close, the Chargers might as well hang it up for the season. I think the Bills win though.
Bills 31 Chargers 20
This Maye not be their year: Patriots @ Jaguars 11 AM Mountain time
The Patriots are yet to look great and I don’t know that they will look much better this week. The Jags have played 6 really good quarters but the second half last week was a bust. Drake Maye was Mr. Consistent last year. He’s been consistent this year too…just consistently bad. Lawrence has never been consistent and that has continued this year. These teams are pretty evenly matched. Both are good, neither are great. Their defenses will keep both sides in the game. Can Drake Maye find some rhythm and get going? Or will the Jaguars feast on his mistakes? I’ll take the Jags in a close one at home.
Jaguars 23 Patriots 20
No D in Dallas:Ravens @ Cowboys 2:25 PM Mountain
The Ravens laid an egg last week against the Saints. The offense didn’t look the same without Zay Flowers who may miss again this week. If Flowers can’t go, they should lean on the run game, something they refused to do last year for whatever reason. Derrick Henry has been a beast when they give him the ball. But just like last year’s Ravens they refuse to do so at times. Meanwhile, this year’s Cowboys look just like last years. Lots of offense and very little defense. That is good news for the Ravens offense with or without Zay Flowers. Can the Cowboys D turn things around? Will the Ravens run the ball? I don’t have high hopes for either. I guess this game is in Brazil or something so we will see how that factors in. I’ll take the team I believe in more. Ravens fly home with the win.
Ravens 34 Cowboys 30
Wait? Who’s good?: Raiders @ Saints 2:25 Mountain time
The Raiders are shockingly good somehow and are 2-0. The Saints lost once in overtime and won their other game closely but could easily be 2-0 as well. I don’t think many people thought these two game would be playing such a meaningful game here in week 3. The Saints offense looks quite good and their defense has done enough to slow down a couple of good offenses in the Ravens and Lions. But they are going to be missing their best offensive lineman which creates some mismatches against Max Crosby. The Raiders are 2-0 but their wins are against the Dolphins and Chargers who both look like some of the worst teams in the league. But they have been able to run the ball and Kirk Cousins has been solid. I just can’t envision a world where the Raiders are 3-0 so I’ll take the Saints in this one.
Saints 27 Raiders 20
No Puka, no problem?: Rams @ Broncos 6:20 PM Mountain time
The Rams played without Puka last Monday without any issue. However, they were playing the Giants and the Giants lost their quarterback in the first series of the game. The Broncos will be a much tougher test. The Rams are not particularly deep at receiver so I can only assume Patrick Surtain will follow Davante Adams around. Sean McVay will have to work harder to get the offense going in other ways. Meanwhile, the Broncos are hoping that their success in the second half from last week continues into Monday night. They haven’t played 4 good quarters on offense in quite some time. Now would be a good time to start. The Defense still looks good but not as dominant as last year so the offense needs to pick it up a little bit. Without Puka and no Myles Garrett, these teams are pretty evenly matched so I’ll roll with the home team that should have a hyped crowd show up for a Sunday Night game.
Broncos 24 Rams 20
Who needs a quarterback?: Eagles @ Bears 6:15 PM Mountain time on Monday night
The week closes out with the Eagles heading to Chicago. Last year the Bears sent a message on Black Friday by running all over the Eagles. They will need to do that again because unless something changes, they are going to roll Case Keenum out there to play quarterback. The Eagles are banged up too missing Landon Dickerson from the o-line and Barkley and Devonte Smith are both listed as questionable. The Bears put up 59 points in week 1 and just 3 in week 2. What will they do in week 3? Meanwhile the Eagles have squeaked out 2 victories against bad teams. If the Bears weren’t starting Case Keenum, I’d be more tempted to pick them. But I’ll take the home team based upon Keenum likely being in the lineup.
Eagles 24 Bears 20
Other games:
Panthers over Browns
Lions over Jets
Texans over Colts
Chiefs over Dolphins
Giants over Titans
Bengals over Steelers
Seahawks over Commanders
49ers over Cardinals
Vikings over Bucs
