Sanders's Week 3 NFL Predictions

Week 3 Predictions

The injuries are piling up again like they do every year. This week the victims of the injury bug were Adrian Peterson, Doug Martin, Jimmy G, Danny Woodhead……

*4 years later* and that’s all of them. Jokes aside, Week 3 begins today and I can’t wait to watch tonight as I had a test and multiple quizzes this week so I really don’t have any homework! Yay college! Anyway, off we go to prediction land.

Sanders was 11-5 with his predictions last week bringing him to a 23-9 start to the season through two weeks.

Houston Texans vs New England Patriots

 I said two weeks ago that it was against my religion to pick against a Bellichick coached team. Well I picked against them and guess what? Cardinals lost. Now, the Patriots are working with a  3^rd string QB (Jacoby Brissett) that will face a J.J. Watt lead defense. While everyone thinks this spells trouble, I think Brissett’s mobility might be enough to save him from getting slaughtered. However, I think this is a Lagarette Blount game when it comes to the offense. As for the opposite sides of the ball, I think this is what will decide the game; Texans offense vs Patriots defense. Both are formidable but it’s still weird to think that the Patriost D collapsed in the second half of last week after only allowing 3 points during the first half. I don’t think it’s a worrying trend but it’s something to monitor. Also, this is Osweiler’s first real competition of the season (sorry Chiefs and Bears fans). Even if the Texans lose, Osweiler needs to show he can compete against tougher teams.

Key Matchup: Brock Osweiler vs Patriots Secondary

I really, really, REALLY think the Texans will win. But I’m not picking against the Patriots again until they show a weakness outside of QB depth.

Texans 17 Patriots 20

Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills

Soooo. The Bills fired their OC. And their offense is banged up. They also don’t convert on 3^rd down very often. On the other side of this game? Arizona Cardinals. I don’t even have to say anything else. As long as the Cards D does their job and the offensive line protects Palmer, this game is a no-brainer, no matter how much Rex Ryan’s job is on the line.

Key Matchup: Cards Pass Rush vs Bills O line

Cardinals 30 Bills 17

Minnesota Vikings vs Carolina Panthers

Probably one of the tougher matchups to call. A friend of mine and my uncle have already written off the Vikings as playoff contender with Bridgewater and Peterson gone but can you really do that with such a good defense? I don’t think so. The Vikings D isn’t on the Broncos level yet but let’s remember that the Broncos beat Carolina with both Peyton Manning (the worst starting QB last year) and Siemian this year, a guy who hasn’t wowed anyone yet. However, with Kelvin Benjamin looking unstoppable in the last two games, I feel like the Panthers have the edge here.

Vikings 16  Panthers 20

Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati Bengals

Another great matchup that would be super hard to look at as both defense can matchup to each other’s offenses. However, here is one interesting fact that might turn the tide for you. The Bengals has allowed the most rushing yards in the NFL. Think about that. What is supposed to be dominant defense and key to winning games, has allowed the most rushing yards through 2 weeks. HEELLLOOOO CJ ANDERSON. The dude goes off for more than 80 yards purely off of running. I’m not even counting passing downs.

Key Matchup: Denver run game vs Bengals front seven D

Broncos 24  Bengals17

Detroit Lions vs Green Bay Packers

The Packers have lost Clay Matthews for this week. Tough news after a tough loss to the Vikings? Know what else is tough? Rodgers’s job because receivers STILL can’t seem to get open on initial reads even after Nelson has come back. Luckily the Packers offensive line has good protection. To me, the Packers need to force feed Eddie Lacy the ball if they want to win. Keep the Lions honest. Also, I think Matt Stafford will have a big game proving week 1 wasn’t a fluke. I was going top pick the Lions initially, but I just can’t see the Packers staring down 1-2 early on in the season simply because this team is too talented to look at 1-2 in the face.

Key Matchup: GB Wide Receivers vs Lions Secondary

Lions 19  Packers 23

Baltimore Ravens vs Jacksonville Jaguars

I STILL see people picking weaker teams to beat the Ravens. Yes I know the Jaguars offense has been lighting it up, but their defense has been very poor and Mike Wallace and Dennis Pitta are giving Flacco every opportunity he can to make plays against opposing defenses. Also, excluding the first quarter of the Browns game in week 2, the Ravens defense has played lights out shut down defense through 2 weeks. Even so, the Jaguars offense is dynamic enough to put up some points. This is  how the matchup looks. Eventually, I will pick the Ravens to lose. Not today.

Key Matchup: Ravens Secondary vs Jaguars receivers

Ravens 28  Jaguars 24

Cleveland Browns vs Miami Dolphins

So the Browns are going to see if they picked their QB of the future or not as they are starting Cody Kessler. The key to this game is whether the Dolphins D of week 1 shows up, or the Dolphins D of week 2 shows up. Considering how Seattle’s offense has been awful, I don’t think week 1’s defensive effort was due to them being all that good. I can see this going either way. The Browns have proven they have some playmakers on offense and I wouldn’t be too surprised if they won. But come on, this is the Browns we are talking about. Who am I kidding, Dolphins win.

Key Matchup: Cody Kessler vs Dolphins secondary

Browns 13  Dolphins 17

Washington Redskins vs NY Giants

The Redskins are desperate for a win. The Giants are rolling. But who wins here? Toss of the dice if you ask me. The Giants are the superior team with a great offense and an improved defense while Cousins has regressed and the Redskins defense is doing all that much. The Redskins have a very good chance of winning based upon the fact their season faces an 0-3 start if they don’t win and will play their hearts out. But I’m giving it to the superior team.

Key Matchup: Redskins Run game vs Giants run defense

Redskins 21  Giants 30

Oakland Raiders vs Tennessee Titans

The Raiders have given up 1000 yards on defense through 2 games. 1000 YARDS PEOPLE! The Raiders offense has to lead the day if they hope to win. However, the Titans offense can be just as good and I think Mariota makes a statement here showing he can keep up in high scoring affairs and leads his team to a W for the Titans.

Key Matchup: Marcus Mariota and Co. vs Raiders Secondary

Raiders 28 Titans 35 

UPSET OF THE WEEK:

San Francisco 49ers vs Seattle Seahawks

So I decided to add a new segment. Every week, I will pick an upset of the week (only if I really think their will be an upset). And this is the game. Chip Kelly has managed to take a talentless offense and make them viable in games. Hell, they were down 10-31 against the Panthers and next thing I knew the game 24-31. Yes, the 9ers lost but they scored points against a great defense. I can’t say that Seattle can even manage to score 14 points. Their defense has been amazing but their offense has been terrible with an offensive line that can’t protect Wilson to save their lives. Chip Kelly will prove why he is the best offensive mind in football right now by beating a top 3 defense with an offense that is still searching for a playmaker to step up.

Key Matchup: 49ers offense vs Seahawks defense

49ers 17 Seahawks 10

Los Angeles Rams vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

So was last week a fluke or were the Bucs just that bad? I’m pretty sure it was a fluke. The Bucs are a trendy team. They are either very good or very bad but more often than not, they look good. However, they face another tough defense in the Rams and this game will probably be low scoring because the Rams offense can’t score either.

Key Matchup: Rams pass rush vs Buccaneers O-line

Rams 13  Buccaneers 20

San Diego Chargers vs Indianapolis Colts

I will make this short and sweet. Andrew Luck is amazing. The rest of the Colts are not because they’re all injured. Philip Rivers is amazing. The rest of the Chargers are fine. Not great, but fine. So, naturally, Chargers > Colts. This will be a great shooutout between Rivers and Luck.

Key Matchup: Philips Rivers vs Andrew Luck

Chargers 34  Colts 31

New York Jets vs Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs are 1-1 but should they be? Their offense looks rather bland and doesn’t look like the offense we saw last year. Meanwhile the Jets are 1-1 as well but they gave a tough out to the Bengals before losing and set fire to the Bills in primetime. I think the signing of Matt Forte and keeping Fitzpatrick will continue to pay off for the Jets. This offense is not only fun to watch, but very good

Key Matchup: Jets D-Line vs Chiefs O-line

Jets 27  Chiefs 16

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Philadelphia Eagles

Wentz has looked great…..against the two worst defense in the League. However, not many rookies show the poise he has even against bad defenses. However, I think the Steelers are going to rumble in and give Wentz the traditional “Welcome to the NFL” wake-up call. The Eagles can compete but the Steelers are just the better team with Roethlisberger and Brown leading the way.

Key Matchup: Eagles secondary vs Roethlisberger and Brown

Steelers 24  Eagles 17

Chicago Bears vs Dallas Cowboys

The Bears just look flat out awful and Cutler has regressed already without the tutelage of Adam Gase who is now the head coach of Miami. How much longer does Cutler last in Chicago? Probably not even past this year. That’s beside the point as he isn’t even playing this week. Meanwhile, the Cowboys are still getting in games with their QB of the future. Dak Prescott has looked just as good as Carson Wentz except he has played better defense. Prescott can solidify himself as the future of Dallas with a dominant performance in primetime against a weak Bears defense.

Key Matchup: Dallas TE’s and slot receivers vs Bears linebackers

Bears 13  Cowboys 28

Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints

The Saints defense showed up last week against a really good Giants defense. However, this game should prove whether or not that was a fluke as the Falcons have the playmakers to test the Saints D. As for this game though, Drew Brees always lights it up and home and will probably set the Falcons defense on fire.

Key Matchup: Drew Brees vs Falcons secondary

Falcons 21  Saints 30