Going 19-9 over the past two weeks has raised my season record to 88-58-1 (.602). This week’s 14-game schedule hopefully includes the last of the COVID-rescheduled games. Here’s how I think things will shape up.
NOTE: All games will be played on Sunday afternoon unless otherwise noted.
Seattle 34, Arizona 30 (Thursday night): The Cardinals got pretty darned lucky last week with their game-winning, last-second touchdown at home against Buffalo. Meanwhile, Seattle’s defense still isn’t very good. So, where does that leave us in this game? ‘Hawks are at home. Reducing/eliminating turnovers is the key to Seattle’s prospects.
Baltimore 30, Tennessee 20: Go figure? That’s the question these days in Nashville. After a 5-0 start, the Titans have lost three of the last four games. To make things even dicier, on Sunday, the Titans begin a season-ending stretch of five road games in seven weeks. While the Titans are difficult to peg, the Ravens’ state is straightforward. They are mad and against-the-wall–mad from Sunday’s loss at New England and last year’s playoff loss to these Titans, and against-the-wall in terms of the 2020 playoffs. It’s a must-win for the home-standing Ravens.
Cleveland 20, Philadelphia 17: The sun doesn’t shine on the Eagles. Literally. During day-games this year, Philadelphia is 0-5-1. And, unfortunately, this Sunday is a day game. Much as I feel the Browns will eventually revert to old ways, I don’t see that happening against a team from the sorry NFC East.
Pittsburgh 26, Jacksonville 16: 9-0 for the first time in their illustrious history, the Steelers will go on the road to play a Jaguars team that showed grit and heart against the Packers last week. Neither will be enough against the Steelers. 10-0 looms.
Cincinnati 27, Washington 13: These two have played some entertaining games in the past, most recently in London’s tie game. This time, the Bengals know what they have at quarterback in rookie sensation Joe Burrow, while the Capital Gang continues to flounder. Still, to win, the Bengals will have to improve on third down (0-for-13 v. Pittsburgh last week).
New England 23, Houston 10: Bill O’Brien casts a shadow in this game–once a NE assistant and Houston’s head man. While that’s an interesting sidelight in this game, the storyline is clear: New England may have saved its season with last Sunday’s win against the Ravens. But that won’t be true if the Patriots stumble against the Texans.
New Orleans 40, Atlanta 16: While I think this game is one of the NFL’s most underrated archrivalries, the spotlight this year shines only on the Saints. Once a listing ship (struggling on offense, but still winning), New Orleans now has to perform without Drew Brees (broken ribs, collapsed lung). The sounds challenging, but Jameis Winston played well in relief, and I think he’ll deliver on Sunday. Saints win big.
Carolina 24, Detroit 17: The Panthers are on a five-game losing streak with a Groundhog’s Day-like performance–hanging week after week with better clubs but losing in the end. What Carolina needs is a win. Detroit will oblige.
Minnesota 27, Dallas 10: These two teams have had look-alike seasons–early-season woes dug big holes. But, now, Minnesota has righted itself — thanks to the legs of the electrifying Dalvin Cook. After starting 1-5, the Vikings have won three straight (all v. the NFC North, with two W’s coming on the road). Another W seems likely this week.
Los Angeles Chargers 30, New York Jets 6: This is a 2020 COVID-reflected match-up. The Chargers were supposed to be at Denver, but a COVID-related schedule shuffle has them at home against the Jets. Despite Justin Herbert’s fine QB play, the Chargers have found ways to lose most of the time. That can’t possibly happen against NYJ? Can it?
Green Bay 33, Indianapolis 17: Moved from the early window to a late-afternoon kickoff, this will be a fun quarterback battle between savvy vets Aaron Rodgers and Philip Rivers. Packers win.
Miami 27, Denver 19: Shuffle, shuffle. The Dolphins were supposed to be on their bye week, and the Broncos were scheduled to play the Chargers. So what’s up in this unanticipated game? Well, Miami is on a five-game winning streak, and new Dolphins’ quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is undefeated in his three starts. Meanwhile, the Broncos’ Drew Lock is the league’s least-accurate passer. Those stats tell us who’ll win.
Kansas City 36, Las Vegas 20 (Sunday night): The Chiefs are coming off its bye to face the only team that has beaten them this year. The record shows that the Raiders play much better away from home, but the record also shows that Vegas has won its last three games, getting five takeaways in last week’s win over Denver. This interesting game could be closer than some pundits expect.
Tampa Bay 43, Los Angeles Rams 40 (Monday night): Perhaps the week’s best matchup will take place on MNF in what could end up being one of those 80+-point games that we’ll talk about for years (ala Rams-Chiefs). I give a slight edge to the home team.
