Sanders's Week 4 NFL Predictions

By

Jacob Sanders

As always, these are non-professional opinions and you may share your opinion with me as well!          Twitter: @jcs436        Email: jcs436@nau.edu

Week 3 was…..crazy to say the least. There were a lot of upsets and a lot of close upsets and after the week was over, I could only think of one thing. I. Know. Nothing. Absolutely nothing about what teams are good and what teams are bad. Meaning that my “wait till after Week 5” policy seems to be panning out so far. I’ll continue to stick to it until further notice.

So, as the guy that knows nothing, let me give you some predictions on who wins their games.

Sanders went 7-9 last week putting him to 24-23 on the season.

Chicago Bears VS Green Bay Packers

You know what’s interesting? The drastic difference between the Packers offense in the first half compared to the second half. I have watched many Packers games in my life (thanks Dad) and had to watch many Brett Favre comebacks in the second half in games. However, I don’t ever remember Favre and Co. performing so poorly and having to play catch up all game in the 2^nd half like the packers have this season. It’s interesting how Rodgers seems to take over the game in the second half to create something out of nothing which is what makes him a special player at his position. Now, there is another team in this game. It’s the Bears who always play the Packers tough and managed to snatch a win against the Steelers in O.T. However, this team ain’t the Steelers and the Bears won’t be in Soldier Field either. Call me skeptical of the Packers in the first half but not in the second half where I’m sure they’ll run away with the game.

Bears 17 Packers 34

New Orleans Saints VS Miami Dolphins

My pick in this game is more of a comment on how I feel about the Dolphins than the Saints. They might be 1-1, but if not for San Diego’s bad luck, they should be 0-2 and they played like it against the Jets last week. The worse part is Jay Cutler still looks skittish and indecisive in the pocket just like last year before he got hurt. The Panthers offense is pretty bad but 3 INTs is still nothing to sneeze at coming from the Saints defense. If they can continue to look decent, the Saints can wrap up a horrible start of an 0-2 to season to start 2-2 in the first quarter of the season.

Saints 23 Dolphins 13

Buffalo Bills VS Atlanta Falcons

Boy. The Bills came to play last week and were able to move the ball against a smothering Denver D. The key though to their win was that they capitalized on Siemian’s mistakes late in the game. Don’t think that’s gonna happen with Matt Ryan here who has continued his elite performances this season. The Bills have to slow Ryan down if they want to even attempt to keep a lead against the Falcons. That’s just the reality and no one has shown they can slow him down yet. They’re also playing in Atlanta so no home crowd for the Bills to rally behind this time.

Bills 20 Falcons 31

Pittsburgh Steelers VS Baltimore Ravens

So…uh. Yeah. Pittsburgh was beat by an 0-2 team and Baltimore was beat by a 1-1 team that was deemed to be much worse than they are. So who do you pick here? Well, it’s the Steelers VS the Ravens. You throw out whatever happened last week. Why? Because I’ve seen a Ryan Mallet led Ravens teams beat the Steelers before. That’s why. Despite awful performances, both teams always come to play each other. So let me throw some fun facts at you to tell you who I’m picking. The first is that Ben Roethlisberger hasn’t won a game in Baltimore since 2010. The second fun fact, the last time the Steelers won in Baltimore was 2012 and that was with Charlie Batch starting in place of Roethlisberger. The third fun fact is that Baltimore, even when they are a bad team, plays Pittsburgh tough when in Baltimore. Every year, I pick the Steelers-Ravens rivalry to go 1-1 simply because each team is better when at home. The Ravens are at home today. And with Roethlisberger still showing, back from last year, that he doesn’t perform as well in away games, it’s hard to argue for the Steelers in this one. However, come Week 14, you can bet I’ll be picking Pittsburgh barring a massive collapse by them. Because Roethlisberger lights it up when he is at home and is just better against Baltimore when in Heinz Field.

Pittsburgh 9 Ravens 12 (In OT)

Cincinnati Bengals VS Cleveland Browns

The most important part of this game is that we will be minus one winless team in the NFL. The worst part? Neither team is probably going to make the playoffs. The bigger issue here is for the coaches involved. If either team starts 0-4, the Browns experiment will lose most, if not all, of the optimism and praise it has been given or the Bengals fan base will be angry at the front office and question why Marvin Lewis hasn’t been fired yet. In fact, they’ve been questioning why he hasn’t retired since 2015 and replaced with their then OC. Want to know who that OC was? Hue Jackson, the current head coach of the Cleveland Browns. Uh-oh.

Bengals 20 Browns 17

UPSET OF THE WEEK!!!!

Los Angeles Rams VS Dallas Cowboys

I wonder how much trash I am going to get for this pick when I find Dallas has won the game. Well, that’s not guaranteed, at least in my opinion. Dallas’s D has surprised me. They have shown up and played well this season contrary to what I believed coming into the season. You know what else has surprised me? The lack of offensive movement on the Cowboys outside of Prescott and Witten. The funny part, is I know people said they saw this coming. Well that’s half true but most people thought Dak Prescott would get exposed and not Elliot. Actually, Prescott just took apart one of the best secondarys in football IN GLENDALE, AZ TO WIN ON MONDAY NIGHT. Now that’s Sophomore growth and putting the team on your back. However, my question here is can he keep it up every game? I’m not sure yet. What I am sure of, is that the Rams offense is for real and they can score points. Also, the Dallas offensive line isn’t exactly the monster we know it used to be and Aaron Donald still is the monster we know him to be. Jared Goff vs Dak Prescott shoot-out. Hmm. I like the sound of that.

Rams 34 Cowboys 30

Tennessee Titans VS Houston Texans

Fun fact. I have been doing this blog and these picks for 3 years now and auto-correct still has to tell me that it’s spelled Houston and not Houstan like I keep spelling it. Anyhoo, this one is a doozy. It really comes down to which QB can perform better. Usually, the team with the better secondary can control that. Without a doubt, the Texans have the better secondary. And honestly, after watching Tom Brady put up a Hall of Fame game JUST to marginally beat Houston IN FOXBOROUGH, I think the Texans are better than their 1-2 record. I love the Titans, but I the Texans just look like a better team.

Titans 24 Texans 30

Detroit Lions VS Minnesota Vikings

Okay. I can’t pick Vikings games for the life of me. But I CAN pick Lions games. If you ask me, the Lions should be 3-0. The call last Sunday was correct, but the matter of the fact is the Lions still had 8 seconds left on the clock with at least one more attempt on the one-yard line. Didn’t happen due to the 10 second run off. Yes, they could have still missed, but with the way the Falcons D was performing, you can bet Stafford would have punched it in for another “let me pull a 4^th quarter win out of my magic hat” kind of deal. As for the Vikings, they absolutely obliterated Tampa Bay last week. But how much of that was it Keenum having the game of his life? How much of it was Tampa Bay just being the over-rated team of the year? We don’t know. What I do know, is the Lions are currently at full strength and the Vikings are not with Bradford still M.I.A. Dare I pick against the Vikings again and they win, I might put a gun to my head or just quit this blog. This one’s for you Adam. I’m picking them to lose because you say they always win when I pick them to lose. Because for some reason, Detroit likes to pull BS wins at the last minute every time they win and I get the feeling they do it again.

Lions 24 Vikings 23

Carolina Panthers VS New England Patriots

Well, you have one of the worst offenses in the NFL matching up with one of the worst defenses in the NFL. That would sound boring and like a snoozer of a game if not for the fact Tom Brady is still playing some of his best football. Actually, that might still make this game a snoozer. Cam Newton still looks hurt and like he is recovering from surgery and there’s no telling how well he can play even if he has a favorable matchup. The healthy QB is the way to go hear.

Panthers 17 Patriots 27

Jacksonville Jaguars VS New York Jets

My apologies for the Jets as I assumed they would be the worst team to talk about this season. Apparently not so at the moment. However, it’s not a confidence booster when they beat the Dolphins, an opponent who looks just as weak. The Jaguars on the other hand, are riding high at 2-1 after beating the Texans and Ravens to a pulp in two of the last 3 weeks. Considering how dominant their D has been, color me optimistic about the Jaguars after they wrap up a 3-1 start.

Jaguars 23 Jets 17

San Francisco 49ers VS Arizona Cardinals

This one feels easy. Almost too easy. But, Palmer played lights out last week. The same can’t be said for his O-line. It’s often that games are won in the trenches and the Cardinals have so far proved that this season. However, the Cardinals, overall, are just a better team than the 49ers. They can right the ship to a 2-2 start on right here at home. However, if they lose to the 49ers, that’s two home games in a row and you can call me the man who quits on the Cardinals before Week 5 has started. And that’s against my policy.

49ers 20 Cardinals 28

Philadelphia Eagles VS Los Angeles Chargers

Can I just say the Chargers are going to throw away the game to a superior team like they always do? Well…yeah I can. And I might. Let me just say this though; the Chargers haven’t changed. They are still a great roster on paper with poor ability to close out a game or be in the clutch. It also doesn’t help when your QB gives the ball away 3 times. Yikes. Oh…I haven’t said anything the Eagles? No need. They are a great team who will take advantage of the Bad Luck Chargers.

Eagles 30 Chargers 24

New York Giants VS Tampa Bay Buccaneers

So….ugh. I hate this matchup. Why? Because it’s between two teams I don’t have a real read on. I feel like I should throw a dart at a piece of paper with the logos scrambled on it and pick from there. Actually, that doesn’t sound bad. But, I’m going to be lame and just say the better defense wins. Both QBs aren’t playing as well as they should thus I feel like the better defense decides the game.

Giants 24 Bucs 16

Oakland Raiders VS Denver Broncos

Broncos win it here. They may have lost to Buffalo last week but they are back at home where they just perform better. Also, the Raiders looked downright pathetic against the Redskins last week in primetime. Yes, the Raiders were on the road but guess what, they are on the road here too. They have to step up if they don’t want to fall to 2-2 and 3^rd in the division.

Raiders 17 Broncos 23

Indianapolis Colts VS Seattle Seahawks

So, there is potential for an upset here because the Seahawks just haven’t looked that good. However, I’m not sure if Brissett will be able to hand the Seattle D. The Legion of Boom might be a ghost of what it used to be, but the roster talent is still there to give Brissett some trouble. Also, Wilson is still performing well. Bad news for the Colts D.

Colts 17 Seahawks 27

Washington Redskins VS Kansas City Chiefs

Ok. Now I just feel bad. I love the Redskins after that absolute beat down of Oakland in primetime. And I would end my streak of picking them to lose because I have that much confidence in them. However, I am picking them to lose 4 times in a row because they are playing, in my opinion, the best team in the NFL currently. If the Redskins win it here, then you might see my getting super excited about the Redskins. For now though, the thought of Smith’s smart play, Hill and Hunt’s explosiveness, and the Chiefs D just being on top of their opponent, is just too much for me to not consider the Chiefs as the favorite here. Cousins will also be trying to call plays in the loudest stadium in the NFL. A recipe for disaster if you ask me. That doesn’t mean the Redskins won’t be putting up a fight though. I expect this game to be close.

Redskins 23 Chiefs 31

Sanders's Week 3 NFL Predictions

By Jacob Sanders

As always, these are non-professional opinions and you may share your opinion with me as well!          Twitter: @jcs436        Email: jcs436@nau.edu

It’s only Week 3 and there is drama surrounding a couple teams already. The Seattle O is doing diddly-squat while the defense is performing like a Super Bowl contender. That might be good enough to win 9 or 10 games but it’s not going get you anywhere in the playoffs. Another team that seems to be in flux already are the Dallas Cowboys. Instead of choosing to say Denver’s D is the reason the Boys lost, head coach Garrett decided to blame both of his young stars who are only in their second year. Seems like a weird move unless there was already behind-the-scene issues and Garrett wanted to call out his players in public.

But this has nothing to do with the picks now does it. Just some things to think about as the season progresses. On to the reason you’re here in the first place.

Sanders went 10-6 last week putting him to 17-14 on the season.

Los Angeles Rams VS San Francisco 49ers

Never thought I would say this for a while but I have enjoyed watching the Rams so far this season. They are no longer unwatchable and seem like they are competitive. It’s only been two weeks, but they have showed enough that they can beat any low tier team and be competitive with mid-tier teams. Speaking of low-tier teams, that is exactly what the 49ers are right now. They have looked lifeless in the last two weeks managing to score only 4 field goals and 0 TDs in the that span of time. Poor performances by Hoyer and the defense lead me to wonder that maybe Shanahan and Lynch won’t be able to pull off any first year magic this season.

Rams 23 49ers 3

Denver Broncos VS Buffalo Bills

The Bills are another team that looks a little lifeless. They only managed to beat the NY Jets and then proceeded to get pummeled by the Panthers the following week. McCoy, a key player to them winning games, was held to 9 yards last week. That’s how bad it was. On the other hand, the Broncos look like one of the best teams in the AFC. They have a smothering defenses on all aspects with an offense that plays great complimentary football. I said it before and I’ll say it one more time. Siemian is not elite (right now) and may never be. But he is smart and makes decisive decision with the football when he is protected and healthy. As long as Siemian can keep up his smart play, the running game keeps being viable, and the defense stays elite, the Broncos shouldn’t be losing more than just a few games this season.

Broncos 31 Bills 13

Baltimore Ravens VS Jacksonville Jaguars

Ah, yes. Our very first London game of the season. Unfortunately, I am not sure how exciting will be. The Jaguars offense is prone to turnovers with Bortles on the team and the Ravens have been prone causing turnovers this season. To be clear, the Ravens defense has as many turnovers (10) as they have allowed points in the last two games. That's incredible. It's a little lucky but it's also incredible. The real test here is how the Ravens passing game will matchup to the Jaguars secondary. If the Jaguars D can make the Ravens offense one dimensional, then they have the potential to come away with a win. If not, it might be another defensive slugfest in Baltimore's favor.

Ravens 23 Jaguars 16

New Orleans Saints VS Carolina Panthers

The Panthers defense has emerged to be one of the best in the first two weeks in the NFL. While it has been to rather weak offenses, only allowing 6 points total is an amazing feat in the NFL. What’s concerning is Newton has been inaccurate and missing open targets down the field. He needs to improve if the team wants to return to dominance but for now, he will be tested by a rather weak Saints secondary. If the Saints can’t clamp down and take advantage of a passing game that has been disappointing for the Panthers, it will look like another season where Brees and Sean Payton have to score 35+ points a game just to win. Even then, that wasn’t enough sometimes last year.

Saints 21  Panthers 27

Pittsburgh Steelers VS Chicago Bears

So the Bears got blown out by the Buccaneers. That’s about as much as you can say about their performance last week. Meanwhile, the Steelers showed dominance at home against the Vikings. With both Bell and Brown being taken out of the game for the most part, the Steelers gave us a preview of just how diverse their offensive attack can be and that they can score with or without their top weapons producing big numbers. The Vikings were without Sam Bradford, but that doesn’t mean credit can’t be given to the Steelers for adapting their offensive game plan as the game went on. This team is slowly becoming dangerous. A better word might be quietly.

Steelers 24  Bears 14

Atlanta Falcons VS Detroit Lions

Whoa baby. What a matchup right here and one I will be watching closely. It’s only Week 3, but this could be a potential look at what one of the NFC’s playoff games might look like. The Falcons beat the Packers handily although that might be due to the fact that the Packers lost more starters as the game continued. Meanwhile, the Lions had another great 4^th quarter comeback against the Cardinals and then clamped down on defense to beat the Giants at home. Both teams have wowed audiences already with their play but one has stood out more to me than the others and that’s the Lions. Let me tell you why. Matt *bleeping * Stafford. Holy moly this guy has been playing out of his mind. He has been managing the line like an elite QB. He has made down the field throws like an elite QB. And, when the pocket collapses, he gets rid of the ball quickly like an elite QB. Let me be clear, I’m not proclaiming Stafford to be elite, but he sure is on his way. And that’s why, I think he will outduel Matt Ryan in what could be our first shoot-out of the year.

Falcons 31 Lions 38

Cleveland Browns VS Indianapolis Colts

What a barnburner. Both teams are 0-2 and it’s almost impossible to pick a winner here. However, despite the Browns facing a top flight defense last week, I’m going to go with the Colts. They almost beat the Cardinals and were certainly more competitive with Jacoby Brissett at QB. Kizer, on the other hand, made too many mistakes for the Browns last week. Those need to be fixed if the Browns want to win some games this season.

Browns 13 Colts 17

Tampa Bay Buccaneers VS Minnesota Vikings

After the whooping that the Bucs gave the Bears last week, I truly believe this comes down to whether Bradford is healthy or not. Like they showed against Pittsburgh last week, the Vikings have the defense to shut down the top playmakers of an offense. However, if the offense can’t stay on the field, then the defense (like any) will get tired and lose their tight grip. With all the playmakers the Bucs have and the explosive potential, it almost seems impossible for the Vikings to win using last week’s formula.

With Bradford: Bucs 21 Vikings 24

Without Bradford: Bucs 31 Vikings 16

Houston Texans VS New England Patriots

Consider me back with picking the Patriots every time. They took advantage of a bad Saints defense yes, but the Texans were destroyed by the Jaguars and barely passed by a Bengals team that can’t seem to get a touchdown to save a life. Therefore, it seems like the Patriots have got this one. I will say though, if the Texans can manage to run the ball down the Patriot’s throat (like the Chiefs did) then this has the potential to be an upset. Not sure if Lamar Miller will put on that kind of performance though.

Texans 14 Patriots 27

Miami Dolphins VS New York Jets

I feel bad. The Jets this year might be the team that I treat the way I did the Browns last year in this column. Meaning, until they do something, I don’t have much to say about them other than they are most likely a free win. Also, yes, the Chargers do tend to throwaway games. But how about that comeback by Miami last week? Not bad. I just hope Jay Cutler doesn’t throw the ball out of bounds on his next Hail Mary…..

Dolphins 21 Jets 10

New York Giants VS Philadelphia Eagles

The Giants offense is a mess. They can’t protect the quarterback or make holes for a running game that really doesn’t exist to begin with. The defense is doing the best they can but it’s hard to win games when your offense refuses to try and score. Meanwhile, the Eagles have been leaving a good impression to start the season by beating a divisional opponent on the road and then giving the Chiefs a run for their money last week. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that the Eagles win their first home game this year. Especially against a lackluster Giants team that seems to be in free fall.

Giants 13 Eagles 27

Seattle Seahawks VS Tennessee Titans

Consider me extremely concerned about Seattle’s offense. The offensive line is broken and it doesn’t look repairable at the moment. Wilson is constantly running for his life while his running backs can’t really run when linebackers are constantly in their face. Seattle’s defense is good enough to win Seattle games on their own but the Titan’s have the running game to wear down Seattle’s defense and eventually take over the game. I anticipate this to be a low scoring affair for a while with Mariota and Co. finally turning it up late in the 3^rd quarter to take over the game.

Seahawks 10 Titans 17

Cincinnati Bengals VS Green Bay Packers

Remember when I said in the preseason that the Bengals have a ton of talent but the offenseive line would be holding them back? Yeah. Keeping this one short and sweet. Who do you trust more? A team that hasn’t scored a single touchdown this season despite having a ton of talent? Or a team that’s been doing all right despite numerous injuries? You tell me. Oh. And one of those teams has Aaron Rodgers. Should make it a little easier for you.

Bengals 13 Packers 24

Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers

This game might be closer than some will think. The Chargers will put up a fight like the Eagles did. However, the Eagles almost made a miraculous comeback in the 4^th quarter. That’s been the opposite story for the Chargers for the last 18 games now. Not sure how San Diego wins here unless they can get a lead and keep the lead. Don’t see that happening against a Chiefs team that is young on offense, speedy, precise on defense, and smart overall.

Chiefs 24 Chargers 20

Oakland Raiders vs Washington Redskins

Love the idea of an upset here by the Redskins. But I’m not sure if it’s a reality. I don’t hate the Redskins. They are my sister’s favorite team and I wish for them to win every game (except when they play my team). But this team still has to prove something to me in order to have some confidence which is why I am picking them to lose for the 3^rd week in a row. I love Kirk Cousins. Don’t love the rest of the talent around him as much outside of Reed and Crowder. Ditto on the defensive side of the ball. Overall, the Raiders just have more talent on offense and Carr has the ability to score more often with that talent. Unlucky days for Cousins.

Raiders 27 Redskins 21

Dallas Cowboys VS Arizona Cardinals

This is a tough one. Both teams have weaknesses that have been exposed early on in the season. Conventional wisdom says I should be picking the Cowboys. But I am going to go on a limb and pick an upset. I truly believe the Broncos gave the blue print for how you beat the Cowboys this season. Shut down Elliot and Bryant. Seems like a tall task until you realize that the Cardinals have Patrick Peterson and Chandler Jones who can do the job and do it well. All Prescott has left to work with is Witten. I am not forgetting Beaseley in the equation but I don’t think he is enough to get past a stingy Cardinals secondary. Oh and that Cardinals pass rush. Holy moly. Have I mentioned Chandler Jones yet? Of course I have. The man is not human. Now, all the Cardinals have to do is show they actually have an offense. C’mon Palmer, Fitz, Brown, and Nelson. Don’t blow it for me now.

Cowboys 17 Cardinals 20