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I was 10-6 on my win loss predictions with some surprising upset wins. The Chicago Bears had an impressive win over the San Francisco 49ers. The Cleveland Browns, yes I said the Browns, beat the New Orleans Saints. Here are my predictions for this week.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 17 @ Atlanta Falcons: 27
Atlanta had a demoralizing loss to the Cincinnati Bengals last week. The Falcons get an easier challenger in the form of the Buccaneers. Home field advantage and an injured Doug Martin will help the Falcons’ defense that has played poorly the last two weeks. The Buccaneers have scored more than 20 points in the last 5 meetings. That being said the Falcons should win this matchup.
San Diego Chargers: 27 @ Buffalo Bills: 24
Nothing is more impressive than knocking off the Super Bowl Champs. Just when Philip Rivers slows down, he catches back up. Impressive win last week against Seattle for the Chargers. The Bills are on a 2-0 run but that should end this week. I like the Bills at home and Rivers in away games does struggle. I still take the Chargers over the Bills in a relatively tough matchup for both teams.
Baltimore Ravens: 17 @ Cleveland Browns: 20
The Browns have given me more respect. Without their best receiver, best running back and a new coach, the Browns defeated the New Orleans Saints. This will be a tough defensive matchup. The passing game should be interesting. The Ravens are on a good role and face their third division opponent for the third week in a row. The Ravens will struggle but the game will be close. Look for the Browns to take the win.
Tennessee Titans: 13 @ Cincinnati Bengals: 28
The Titans struggled last week and the Bengals defense might just be the best in the league. The Titans look out of sync and confused on how football works. I liked the win over Kansas City, but this will be incredibly tough. The Bengals should easily out outscore the Titans and the defense should keep the Titans down.
Dallas Cowboys: 20 @ St. Louis Rams: 10
Not much I can say about this game. Tony Romo played fairly well but so far the key to the Cowboys’ success is Demarco Murray. Murray leads the league in rushing yards and with the handicapped Cowboys’ defense showing up last week, Dallas should roll past the Rams. St. Louis has struggled and even at home they should struggle.
Green Bay Packers: 31 @ Detroit Lions: 21
This rivalry usually promises to be memorable every time these two teams meet. The Packers have typically come out on time in away and home games against the Lions. The Lions should score on the Packers but not too much. The Packers air attack looks very strong and after a tough week, the Packers should come out on top.
Houston Texans: 26 @ New York Giants: 19
The Texans are 2-0 but lets be honest they are not the best team in the AFC South. The Giants look bad at home as well. I still give the Texans a win on the road in New York. It could be the other way around. The Giants could get it together if Eli Manning isn’t generous to the other teams with the ball. I take the Texans in a relatively close matchup.
Indianapolis Colts: 26 @ Jacksonville Jaguars: 17
The Colts have had some misfortune already in the first two weeks. Bad calls, bad defense, and simple turnovers have caused the Colts to fall to 0-2. Indianapolis did however play two of the best teams in the NFL in their first two games. The Jaguars should be a good win to help build confidence around the locker room. Jacksonville has struggled two weeks in a row. Both divisional opponents know how tough it is to play each other, but the Jaguars should score some points. However, the Colts will have the upper hand and take the much needed win.
Minnesota Vikings: 17 @ New Orleans Saints: 34
This is a good matchup for the Saints who need to get start getting into a groove. With the absence of Adrian Peterson, the Saints should have a better defensive game against the Vikings. Minnesota has not been a huge force and has suffered big blows. If they can not come out and play fairly, well, it will not be a good day for the Vikings. The Saints at home get the win.
Oakland Raiders: 14 @ New England Patriots: 31
The Patriots are on a downfall as a powerhouse in the NFL. Tom Brady has not played his best and there is no excuse. Monstrous tight end Rob Gronkowski, and the speedy Julian Edelman are perfect weapons to score points. Brady needs to play like he is fighting for his job and the Raiders should be another win. Not much more to say then the Patriots should win.
Washington Redskins: 24 @ Philadelphia Eagles: 30
Had I known Kirk Cousins was playing last week I would have taken the Redskins over the Jaguars. Cousins is the better QB that can give his team a tough win. The Chip Kelly offense will have a somewhat easy time if they can find some holes in the Redskins’ defense. The main issue will be the injuries to the O-line and a guy named Ryan Kerrigan. Kerrigan had 4 sacks last week that resulted in the release of right tackle Cam Bradfield. If Kerigan plays like that it will not be good for the Eagles. Desean Jackson will be looking for revenge but has not played like many expected. The Eagles should take a very close win.
San Francisco 49ers: 23 @ Arizona Cardinals: 24
The 49ers blew a healthy lead at home last week. The Cardinals typically are a better home team. If Carson Palmer can play at a higher level, the Cardinals should be able to take a win. That also means Larry Fitzgerald has got to see more catches. The 49ers’ defense is not as strong as it was but is still one of the best. The Cardinals have a strong defense as well and if Colin Kaepernick continues to turn the ball over, the defense will make him pay for it. I am taking the Cardinals in what might be an “Upset” pick to some people.
Denver Broncos: 17 @ Seattle Seahawks: 31
If you think the Broncos have a defense that can match the 49ers, Seahawks, or Panthers, than you are wrong. The Broncos can get sacks, and interceptions but if they keep giving up touchdowns it will not mean anything. The Colts in week 1 completely tore apart the Denver defense in the second half. The Chiefs found many holes in the Broncos defense even without Jamaal Charles. That being said, the Seahawks are coming off a big loss but should take care of business at home. The Seahawks should hold the Broncos down and find ways to beat them in a Super Bowl rematch.
Kansas City Chiefs: 28 @ Miami Dolphins: 14
The Chiefs are coming off an impressive performance against the Broncos and look very smooth. No Jamaal Charles, but the team is still very deadly. The same cannot be said for the Dolphins, who lost Knowshon Moreno, received a poor performance from their backup. This should be a semi-fun game to watch and Ryan Tannehill will need to pass the ball effectively to win.
Pittsburgh Steelers: 17 @ Carolina Panthers: 27
The Steelers are coming off a long week of preparation. With Lance Moore and Dri Archer struggling with injuries, Pittsburgh has found a weak point. The lack of defense and lack of offense has hurt the Steelers. The Panthers have looked solid on defense and Cam Newton is playing fairly well since returning. The Panthers’ defense should be able to stop the Steelers unless Ben Roethlisberger can take the leadership role. Carolina should take the home win.
Chicago Bears: 27 @ New York Jets: 21
The Bears were really fun to watch last week. Jay Cutler carried the team, for once, and the Bears’ defense played lights out in the second half. That being said, the Jets also played very well and nearly gave Green Bay fans a heart attack. This is a tough game to call and might be a close matchup. Look for the Bears to give up a bit of yardage in the ground game but they should be able to stop the air attack from the Jets.
Josh Gantt is a writer for Couch Rider Report.