Jazz: Does it count as a victory if I didn’t fall behind as quickly in week 2? I managed to slightly improve my record to 3-4, bringing my season total to 5-8, but still not quite as good as Ed did. The good news was that the Jets managed to go 2-0 with a dominant victory over the Colts, and the Cowboys came through for me over the hapless Eagles. Still, I have some ground to make up so tonight’s Super Moon needs to bring me some luck. I may have to sacrifice a goat or something.
Ed: I came back down to a more realistic 4-3 last week in my picks, which brings me to 10-3 for the season … and I still haven’t seen more than a quarter of a game in either week. My project will probably keep me sidelined today, too, so who knows — maybe I’ll rack up a goose egg. On one side of the ledger or the other.
Jazz: This week the Jets are back at home and welcoming the winless Eagles. (1:00 pm, FOX) Our new coach announced that we’re sticking with Fitzpatrick as long as he continues his winning ways even if Geno gets his jaw healed up. The Eagles haven’t been able to run the ball against anyone yet and the Green Machine’s run defense is among the best in the league so far. I’m calling for the Jets to go 3-0 against the birds, 22-17. The Steelers visit the Rams (1:00 pm, CBS) and Pittsburgh has Le’Veon Bell back now. The Rams run defense is nearly as bad as the Eagles, so I’ll take Ed’s team again to win 29-24. The Vikings are hosting the Chargers (1:00 pm, CBS) and I never know what to think about them, but they looked really good against the Lions. The Vegas line is nearly a tossup, but I’ll go with Minnesota in a close one 24-21.
Ed: The Steelers righted the ship in a big way at home last week, pounding the 49ers. The Rams are not exactly a pushover — they have the same record as Pittsburgh — but with Bell returning and Williams on the sideline to spell him, expect another big day for the Steelers, 33-17. The Jets have looked impressive, and the Eagles look … awful. I’ll go with Jazz on this and pick the Jets, 24-21. I’ll go with the Vikings at home again, even though I think the Chargers may play them very tough. Minnesota 27-23.
Jazz: It’s so early in the season that a lot of the other matches are random picks at this point. Here’s four more.
- Ravens at Bengals (1:00 pm, CBS) – Baltimore is the nemesis of Ed’s Steelers and they’re a three point favorite today against the Bungles. I’m not going to buck the conventional wisdom here, so I’ll go with the Ravens 28-20.
- Dolphins at Bills (4:25 pm, CBS) – I found this game interesting because the AFC East has two undefeated teams and then these two who are both batting .500. The winner will stay in the hunt and the loser will be off to a rough start. They match up well, but I’ve got to go with the home field advantage and take Miami 30-24.
- Lions at Broncos (8:30 pm, NBC) – Denver is a 3 point favorite but they are visiting Detroit and the Lions have a very tough front line. I think they’re due so I’ll take Detroit in an upset 24-20.
- Packers at Chiefs (Monday, 8:30 pm, ESPN) – This rematch of Superbowl 1 should be good. The Chiefs are solid but they can’t keep having five turnovers a game like they did last week. I’ll take the Packers at home 27-21.
Ed:
- Ravens at Bengals (1:00 pm, CBS) – I am physically unable to pick the Ravens ever, even when a win would help the Steelers. They don’t look like the same team from even a year ago. When a Baltimore defense can’t hold a win with 33 points from the offense against Oakland, don’t expect them to hold up well against the Bengals. I’d be happy to be wrong, but Cincinnati 37, Baltimore 27. (And hello to the folks at Price Hill Chili.)
- Dolphins at Bills (4:25 pm, CBS) – Should be a good game, but Miami’s offense looks pretty weak, and Buffalo’s offense will probably make the difference. 28-20 Bills.
- Lions at Broncos (8:30 pm, NBC) – Similarly, the Broncos offense is probably going to be too much for the Lions, and their defense is 7th in the league so far in points against. Denver 33-24 over the Lions.
- Packers at Chiefs (Monday, 8:30 pm, ESPN) – The Packers are making it work, and oddly more on the ground than in the air. They have the 9th-best rushing offense, but 5th best for points scored in the league. Their defense is tied for 9th best as well. The Chiefs fall behind in all these metrics (although not by much), plus they’re going to play at Lambeau. I’ll give the exact same pick as Jazz — 27-21, Pack.