Jack's Record: (17-14) - (9-7 last week)
Josh's Record: (16-15) - (9-7 last week)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2) at Atlanta Falcons (1-1)
Both take Falcons
Jack’s Pick: Atlanta has been a tough team to judge with two games that have been completely different. An impressive week 1 win vs New Orleans had the Falcons looking like an upper echelon team but they just got stomped by the Bengals. No matter which team shows up, the one that beat the Saints or the one that got blasted by the Bengals, the Falcons should be able to beat the Buccaneers who have been struggling.
Josh’s Pick: The Falcons have been a very elite home team under Matt Ryan’s tenure. Mix that with the disaster start for Tampa Bay this season, and I see the Falcons easily walking away with the victory.
Washington Redskins (1-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (2-0)
Both take Eagles
Jack’s Pick: The Eagles and their fans are flying high after a 30-27 comeback victory over the Colts on Monday night and the Redskins had a nice bounce back game where they slaughtered the Jaguars. The big question is if the Eagles are going to be able to put up points in the first half. Chip Kelly’s offense is #1 right now in yards and points but has only managed to score 6 points in their first halves this year. Redskin’s defense has been solid as they have only allowed 16 points in two games this season but I don’t think it will be enough to stop the Eagles. The combination of Sproles and McCoy will be too much for the Skins D to handle and the Eagles will spoil Desean Jacksons return to Philly.
Josh’s Pick: I actually am very tempted to take the Redskins, simply because Trent Richardson and Ahmad Bradshaw combined for a good outing against the Eagles run defense who is also lacking their premiere linebacker in Mychal Kendricks. However, I am sticking with the best overall team and I think the Eagles pile on for a big offensive day against a sub-par Redskins defense.
San Diego Chargers (1-1) at Buffalo Bills (2-0)
Both take Chargers
Jack’s Pick: Buffalo is definitely the most surprising team at 2-0 right now after an overtime upset over the bears and an impressive win over the Dolphins. This game is in Buffalo which gives the Bills a slight advantage but I think San Diego takes this game. They looked very impressive against Seattle last week and still have one of the best offenses in the league. I think Rivers will carve up Buffalo’s defense and grab a victory for the Chargers.
Josh’s Pick: The Chargers really impressed the NFL last week, beating the Seahawks at home. I like their momentum carrying despite the 2-0 start from the Bills. However, west coast teams always seem to struggle playing on the east coast.
Oakland Raiders (0-2) at New England (1-1)
Both take New England
Jack’s Pick: All is right in New England after they bounced back and beat the Vikings handily in Minnesota. Oakland is coming off of getting beat by 3 scores by a team that was 2-14 last year. This game isn’t tough to pick.
Josh’s Pick: This is another easy pick to make. The Patriots just had a great defensive outing against a very lack luster offense in Minnesota. I look for their strong defensive play to continue against an offense that only boasts Derek Carr and James Jones. The patriots have also won 30 straight regular season home games against AFC opponents, so I like that trend continuing as well.
Dallas Cowboys (1-1) at Saint Louis Rams (1-1)
Both take Cowboys
Jack’s Pick: The Rams are coming off of a nice comeback win over the Buccaneers and the Cowboys bounced back against the Titans. Both teams only win came against pretty bad teams but I think the Cowboys running game will get them the win in St. Louis.
Josh’s Pick: Demarco Murray has a very good track record playing against the St. Louis Rams, posting the two best games of his career in previous outings. The Cowboys showed some promise last week against the Titans, and with Austin Davis only making his second career start in NFL, the Rams are probably not going to be able to use the Cowboys biggest weakness against them (their secondary).
Houston Texans (2-0) at New York Giants (0-2)
Jack takes: Houston
Josh takes: New York
Jack’s Pick: The Giants are an absolute mess after losing to the Cardinals and Drew Stanton who hadn’t thrown a pass since 2011. Texans are very similar to that Arizona team with a great defense and talent everywhere but the QB position. I think Houston’s D will force turnovers and dominate this game.
Josh’s Pick: This pick comes with zero evidence whatsoever, just more of a gut feeling. Antrel Rolle, a safety for the New York Giants called this game a must win, and I can see the Giants beating a team that has some question marks on offense. They played good enough to beat Arizona last week but had too many ridiculous turnovers which ended up losing them the game. Barring a similar implosion, I see the Giants surprising some fans and giving the Texans their first blemish of the season.
Minnesota Vikings (1-1) at New Orleans Saints (0-2)
Both pick Saints
Jack’s Pick: Saints are coming off a shocking loss to the lowly Cleveland Browns and have to be excited to get home to the dome. They are such a different team at home and I think they will easily pick up their first win of the season.
Josh’s Pick: The Saints are one of the better home teams and football, and given the turmoil surrounding the Vikings with the Adrian Peterson fiasco, I see the Saints doing what the Patriots did to the vikes last week.
Tennessee Titans (1-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (2-0)
Both take the Bengals
Jack’s Pick: Bengals have been one of the most impressive teams so far with wins over the Ravens and Falcons. Titans looked good in week 1 but stumbled in week 2 when Jake Locker was atrocious. If Locker continues to play horrendously they are going to get killed by the Bengals. I think it would take a great performance from him to pull out the win but I’m not confident he can.
Josh’s Pick: Cincinnati just had a great home win against the Falcons, and I look for them to cruise to a comfortable win over the Titans, as home field advantage is quietly one of CIncy’s biggest advantages.
Baltimore Ravens (1-1) at Cleveland Browns (1-1)
Both take the Ravens
Jack’s Pick: Cleveland looked great in their win over the Saints but I am still confident the Ravens should get this one. Their D should be able to stop Hoyer and contain electric rookie runningback Terrence West.
Josh’s Pick: Despite the Browns impressive home victory against the Saints, I still see the Ravens roughing up their divisional rival despite being on the road. There aren’t enough constants on the Cleveland offense to have my trust to pick them.
Green Bay Packers (1-1) at Detroit Lions (1-1)
Both take the Packers
Jack’s Pick: This NFC north division battle is looking like the best game of the early afternoon with these two offensive powers facing off. The Packers haven’t looked great in the two games they’ve played but I think they will get their offense on track against the Lions. If the Packers can keep Rodgers upright he will be able to attack the Lions defense and get the win.
Josh's Pick: Both teams display potent offenses and express some level of concern on the defensive side of the ball. The Lions secondary is arguably one of the most bottom-tier units in the NFL. Mix that with Aaron Rodgers, Jordy Nelson and Randal Cobb and I see the Packers winning a tough one on the road. For the Lions to win the game they have to force a lot of pressure of Rodgers, which is definitely plausible given the talent in their front seven.
Indianapolis Colts (0-2) at Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2)
Both take the Colts
Jacks Pick: This is a battle of two winless teams but two very different teams in terms of talent. Jaguars defense has looked horrendous so far, giving up 75 points in two games. Andrew Luck should have a field day against the defense and get the win.
Josh’s Pick: One of the easier picks to make this week. Despite both teams being 0-2, the Colts have lost two close games to two good teams while the Jags have struggled mightily past the first half on opening day.
San Francisco 49ers (1-1) at Arizona Cardinals (2-0)
Both take Cardinals
Jack’s Pick: The Niners looked terrible in the second half against the Bears, especially Colin Kaepernick who continues to have turnover issues. I think this game is going to be very close but I give the slight advantage to Arizona if Carson Palmer is ready to go.
Josh’s Pick: I am taking the Cardinals this week, as they have demonstrated solid defense thus far. This isn’t so much of a confidence pick in the Cardinals, but rather a lack of confidence in the 49ers who have been miscued on offense in their first two games, especially last week against the Bears. I also like Cardinals playing at home.
Denver Broncos (2-0) at Seattle Seahawks (1-1)
Both take Seahawks
Jack’s Pick: This is obviously the game of the week as the defending champs host the team they trounced in the superbowl. I think these two teams are very evenly talented but I’m making a new rule that I’m never betting against the Seahawks on the road. I think the Seahawks take this one but I would be surprised if we saw another blowout.
Josh’s Pick: I don’t see the Seahawks dropping back to back games, especially dropping a game at home. That being said, Peyton Manning is going to play with a grudge, and you want a player of Peyton Manning’s caliber playing with a grudge against you. I think the Seattle defense shuts down Montee Ball early and makes the Denver attack one dimensional, thus controlling the pace of the game. Turnovers might end up deciding this one.
Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) at Miami Dolphins (1-1)
Both take Dolphins
Jack’s Pick: Chiefs were resilient in their week 2 loss to the Broncos and had the chance to send it into overtime with little time left. Miami got completely dominated by the Bills in Buffalo and the whole team just looked shaky. I think being at home will help the Dolphins and Tannehill will be able to do work against the Chiefs secondary.
Josh’s Pick: I bet this game has some shaky offense and could definitely see the Chiefs being victors, but the Dolphins played very well in their home opener, and if they can generate the same defensive pressure they showed against the Patriots then the Dolphins can grab a solid home win.
Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) at Carolina Panthers (2-0)
Both take Panthers
Jack’s Pick: Carolina’s defense looked dominant after holding the great Detroit offense to only 7 points. I think the story will be the same on Sunday night and the Panthers will keep the Steelers offense at bay. If Cam Newton can generate some offense I think the Carolina D will keep the Panthers unbeaten.
Josh’s Pick: Carolina is playing great team football this year. Their offense is clicking better than most have anticipated and this will be a true test for both sides of the ball. The Steelers are always a tough win are more improved than a season ago, however I like Cam and that Panther defense at home.
Chicago Bears (1-1) at NY Jets (1-1)
Jack takes: Jets
Josh takes: Bears
Jack’s Pick: Chicago looked impressive after erasing a big lead on the road against the 49ers and NY almost pulled off an upset over the Packers. I think the Jets defense is going to be able to force turnovers and shut down the Bears offensive attack.
Josh’s Pick: Chicago played great defense and displayed its ball-hawking ability last week against the Niners. Losing Charles Tillman for the season obviously hurts, but Kyle Fuller played great football in his place last week. Geno and the Jets passing attack won’t be able to compete with the versatile Bears offense, especially if the Bears play defense like they did a week ago. I could also see this game going the other way, if the defensive genius of Rex Ryan shows itself once again.
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