Week two featured several marquee matchups and upset wins, leading to a lackluster 7-9 record from me. Entering a week three slate of games that features a plethora of divisional matchups means there is much more fun to have. Let’s start with a Thursday night matchup featuring one of the biggest rivalries in the NFL.
Thursday, September 22nd (8:15 PM):
Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) @ Cleveland Browns (1-1)
Both of these teams got big wins in week one before dropping their week two contest in disappointing fashion. The Steelers managed to hold the Patriots offense to 17 points without superstar pass rusher T.J. Watt, while the Browns blew a big lead late to Joe Flacco and the New York Jets. The Browns’ secondary has struggled early in the season but should be able to handle business against Mitch Trubisky. Nick Chubb and the ground game carry Cleveland to victory at home.
Prediction: Browns win 30-24
Sunday, September 25th (1:00 PM):
New Orleans Saints (1-1) @ Carolina Panthers (0-2)
New Orleans played a great three quarters defensively in week two, holding Tom Brady and the Buccaneers to three points before things broke open in the fourth. Carolina has struggled offensively despite the return to form from Christian McCaffrey. While Jameis Winston reverted to 2019 form against the Buccaneers, the talent from the Saints defense mixed with Matt Rhule’s coaching struggles should lead to a win for New Orleans.
Prediction: Saints win 24-13
Houston Texans (0-1-1) @ Chicago Bears (1-1)
This game showcases two teams in the middle of rebuilds who have struggled early on. Both offenses failed to make anything happen in their week two losses, scoring 19 combined points. Both Davis Mills and Justin Fields have struggled to perform to begin their second year due to the lack of talent around them. The Bears’ defense is the best unit on either side of the field and should decide this game.
Prediction: Bears win 17-7
Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) @ Indianapolis Colts (0-1-1)
The Chiefs have been masterful to start their season, while the Colts have struggled against two below-average teams. There isn’t much to say about this one. Kansas City goes into Lucas Oil stadium and wins with ease.
Prediction: Chiefs win 37-14 (Lock of the Week)
Buffalo Bills (2-0) @ Miami Dolphins (2-0)
After last week’s stunning performance against Baltimore, all eyes are on Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins going forward. This week, they face their toughest test up to this point with Josh Allen and the Super Bowl favorite Buffalo Bills. Expect fireworks early and often in a game featuring the NFL’s three leading receivers through week two. Buffalo wins in their closest contest so far.
Prediction: Bills win 37-30
Detroit Lions (1-1) @ Minnesota Vikings (1-1)
Detroit took care of business against Washington despite missing two pro bowl offensive linemen. Minnesota, once again, suffered the primetime Kirk Cousins curse in a 24-7 beatdown at the hands of the Eagles. Minnesota is better than they played Monday night, but Detroit is a difficult matchup for them due to their physicality all over the field. The Lions steal a pivotal division matchup on the road in the upset.
Prediction: Lions win 27-20 (Upset of the Week)
Baltimore Ravens (1-1) @ New England Patriots (1-1)
Every week, Lamar Jackson’s price tag goes up. He’s looked excellent through two games in the air and on the ground, leading a Ravens offense that is sixth in total points going into week three. The Patriots’ defense played well against Mitch Trubisky, but expecting Mac Jones and the offense to keep pace with Lamar is a tall order.
Prediction: Ravens win 28-17
Cincinnati Bengals (0-2) @ New York Jets (1-1)
After losing in the Super Bowl, the Bengals have started 2022 flat on their face with losses to the Mitch Trubisky-led Steelers and Cooper Rush-led Cowboys. They now face their second straight backup quarterback in Joe Flacco, who knows the team well from his time with the Ravens. The Jets young squad fought hard in their comeback win against the Browns, but Joe Burrow and Cincinnati right the ship this week.
Prediction: Bengals win 24-10
Las Vegas Raiders (0-2) @ Tennessee Titans (0-2)
The Raiders blew their week two matchup by allowing the Cardinals to tie the game with no time left in regulation before seeing them return a fumble for the walk-off touchdown. The Titans never got it going after leaving the locker room in a 41-7 throttling at the hands of the Bills Monday night. Both teams have been disappointing, but Derek Carr has looked significantly better than Ryan Tannehill.
Prediction: Raiders win 20-14
Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) @ Washington Commanders (1-1)
An offseason full of spending has paid off for the Eagles through two weeks, as they look like one of the top teams in the NFL. They travel this week to take on the rival Commanders, who struggled defensively in their loss to Detroit. Philadelphia’s offense is too explosive for Washington to keep up with as they improve to 3-0 on the season.
Prediction: Eagles win 34-20
Sunday, September 25th (4:05 PM)
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) @ Los Angeles Chargers (1-1)
Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars are riding high after blowing out the rival Colts at home in week two. They follow up that performance with a trip to Los Angeles against Justin Herbert and the Chargers. The Chargers lost a close game to the Chiefs in week two and saw Justin Herbert hobbled with an injury late in that contest. Herbert is expected to play and should find success against the Jaguars’ secondary. Jacksonville is playing well, but Los Angeles should leave the stadium with a win on Sunday.
Prediction: Chargers win 27-17
Sunday, September 25th (4:25 PM):
Los Angeles Rams (1-1) @ Arizona Cardinals (1-1)
These two NFC West teams are coming off intense wins in week two. Los Angeles beat the Falcons 31-27 in a game where they held a 28-3 lead in the 3rd quarter. The Cardinals stormed back from a 23-7 4th quarter deficit to steal an overtime win from the Raiders. Arizona is a difficult team to figure out, but their secondary will struggle to handle Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson.
Prediction: Rams win 34-31
Atlanta Falcons (0-2) @ Seattle Seahawks (1-1)
Atlanta has been close in both early contests but failed to turn their efforts into wins. Seattle won in week one against their former quarterback but fell flat on their faces against San Francisco in week two. In this contest between two of the NFL’s worst teams, the Falcons get their first win in a low-scoring defensive battle.
Prediction: Falcons win 17-16
Green Bay Packers (1-1) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)
Aaron Rodgers is out to a slow start in 2022 with 429 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception through two games. In week three, he will take on a defense in Tampa Bay that has been outstanding against Dak Prescott and Jameis Winston. Even with Mike Evans missing the game due to a suspension from his fight with Marshon Lattimore, Tom Brady will be able to do enough to win on a dominant defensive performance.
Prediction: Buccaneers win 20-17
Sunday, September 25th (8:20 PM):
San Francisco 49ers (1-1) @ Denver Broncos (1-1)
San Francisco is back to Jimmy Garappolo under center after Trey Lance suffered an ankle injury against the Seahawks. His first start of the season will be against a familiar foe, traveling to Mile High to take on Russell Wilson and the Broncos. Denver has looked disorganized against the Seahawks and Texans, with questions being asked about new head coach Nathaniel Hackett already. Now they have to play against Kyle Shanahan, a recipe for disaster.
Prediction: 49ers win 30-20
Monday, September 26th (8:15 PM):
Dallas Cowboys (1-1) @ New York Giants (2-0)
The Dallas Cowboys stunned the defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals in week two on the back of a dominant defensive performance. They will travel to take on the hated New York Giants in week three, who sit at a shocking 2-0 on the season. Saquon Barkley should find success on the ground, but Daniel Jones will struggle with the Dallas pass rush leading to game-changing mistakes. Cooper Rush does just enough on offense to grab the win.
Prediction: Cowboys win 24-14