With two games in the books, the 32 National Football League teams are preparing for week three.
With two games in the books, the 32 National Football League teams are preparing for week three. For some, it’s a game to continue their winning ways, for others, it's time to step up and show what they’ve got. Here are my projections for all 16 games of week three!
Thursday, Sept. 24:
(0-2) New York Giants 24, (1-1) Washington Redskins 21
This game is a classic NFC East division battle. Washington is coming off an impressive victory over the St. Louis Rams last week, giving them a lot of momentum. The Giants, however, remain winless and are looking to get rid of the goose egg in the win column. The key to this game will be the run game, as New York allowed just 56 rushing yards in week two, while Washington rushed for 182 yards.
Sunday, Sept. 27:
(2-0) Atlanta Falcons 21, (2-0) Dallas Cowboys 13
Whoever loses this game will no longer be undefeated, and I believe that Dallas will be unable to overcome injuries again this week. With stars Tony Romo and Dez Bryant sidelined this Sunday, Dallas will have to rely on unreliable Brandon Weeden to lead the offense. Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and the Atlanta offense are playing well this season and will likely stomp on the Cowboys’ defense.
(0-2) Indianapolis Colts 17, (1-1) Tennessee Titans 10
Despite beginning 0-2 for the second straight season, the Indianapolis Colts will not lose a third straight on Sunday. Although the Titans are playing better than expected to begin the season, I don’t think they can stop a frustrated Andrew Luck and his Colts offense. Tennessee’s Marcus Mariota and Bishop Sankey will play well, but not well enough to claim the win.
(1-1) Oakland Raiders 14, (1-1) Cleveland Browns 13
With Josh McCown starting Sunday rather than Johnny Manziel, I foresee problems for the Cleveland offense. I believe Isaiah Crowell will play well and may even double his season rushing touchdowns (he currently has one). Derek Carr and Amari Cooper played exceptionally well last week and I see no reason why that will stop this week. They have chemistry like few other quarterback/wide-receiver duos have in the NFL.
(2-0) Cincinnati Bengals 27, (0-2) Baltimore Ravens 17
Andy Dalton is playing like a superstar so far this season and there is frankly no way that the Baltimore defense can change that. Tyler Eifert adds another weapon to an already dangerous receiving core for the Bengals. Dalton has used him well (three of five touchdown passes are to Eifert). As for Baltimore, they’re struggling on all cylinders right now. Quarterback Joe Flacco is playing decently, but decently isn’t going to win Sunday versus Cincinnati.
(2-0) New England Patriots 44, (1-1) Jacksonville 10
Tom Brady is playing as well now as ever before and he is carrying a strong Patriots team on his back. With Rob Gronkowski in his arsenal, this New England offense will not be stopped by a sub-par defense. Who needs a rushing game when Brady throws for nearly 400 yards per game? No one.
(2-0) Carolina Panthers 28, (0-2) New Orleans Saints 13
The Saints scoring 13 points with Drew Brees is possible, but if he doesn’t play, they may not score at all. The Panthers' offense is playing well enough to beat any team below average, and the Saints are far below average at the moment.
(2-0) New York Jets 24, (0-2) Philadelphia Eagles 14
This game comes down to two key components: DeMarco Murray and the Jets' defense. If Murray can get the rushing game going on Sunday, the Eagles may have a chance to make it a good game. If the Jets' defense decides to be the best in the league, the Eagles will find themselves in a deep hole at 0-3 on the season.
(1-1) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17, (0-2) Houston Texans 7
This game is almost a toss-up. Neither team has played spectacularly or with purpose yet this season. I think Jameis Winston and Doug Martin will edge Ryan Mallett and Chris Polk (substituting for injured Arian Foster) on the offense side of things. Winston will earn his second victory of the season and will likely improve his stats against a shaky Houston defense.
(1-1) San Diego Chargers 21, (1-1) Minnesota Vikings 20
I think this one comes down to the quarterback position. Phillip Rivers will tear up the Vikings' defense and Teddy Bridgewater will struggle against the Chargers' defense. This game features two solid running backs with Adrian Peterson (Vikings) and Melvin Gordon (Chargers). Both will play well, but will make little impact on the outcome of the game.
(1-1) Pittsburgh Steelers 31, (1-1) St. Louis Rams 17
Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers will just simply be too much for the Rams to handle this week. The Rams played solidly against the Seahawks in week one, but struggled against a bad offense in Washington last week. The Steelers' defense may not even allow 17 points, but they’ve struggled at times, and Nick Foles is due for a breakout performance.
(2-0) Arizona Cardinals 27, (1-1) San Francisco 49ers 14
The Cardinals are playing great football right now but so are the 49ers — making this game very interesting. I think it will come down to the rushing game between Carlos Hyde (49ers) and Chris and David Johnson (Cardinals). I think that Hyde will tire easily this week, thus Arizona prevails.
(1-1) Buffalo Bills 31, (1-1) Miami Dolphins 10
Tyrod Taylor showed the league what he could do last week and I think we are in store for more of it Sunday. Ryan Tannehill is having a great season so far for Miami, but I think the Bills' defense will slow him this week. LeSean McCoy could have a breakout game this week against the Dolphins and that’s why they win by three touchdowns.
(0-2) Seattle Seahawks 27, (0-2) Chicago Bears 9
Who would’ve thought the Seahawks would be winless in week three of the season? Not many people and for good reason. However, Seattle played without Kam Chancellor in their first two games but will not have to this week. I think the Seahawks will come out ready Sunday afternoon and crush the Bears. I project the Bears will score three field goals, and zero touchdowns.
(2-0) Denver Broncos 28, (0-2) Detroit Lions 13
Not much to talk about with this matchup. The Lions are struggling, at best, this season and will more than likely continue to struggle come Sunday night. If Denver’s defense struggles, this could possibly become interesting, but I’d say the odds of me getting free tuition are about as high. Peyton Manning will throw all over Detroit Sunday and won’t even care about hurting feelings.
Monday, Sept. 28:
(2-0) Green Bay Packers 27, (1-1) Kansas City Chiefs 14
The Packers' offense played against the Seahawks last week mostly without Eddie Lacy, so I see no reason why that will make a difference this week. The Kansas City offense played well last week as well, if you ignore the game-losing fumble by Jamaal Charles. This game has the potential to be one of the better Monday Night Football games of the season.
@Dannyjjo
