Panthers at Texans

The Panthers have looked great this year after beating the Saints with ease. The Texans have been better than expected, but with Tyrod Taylor out, they’re not in the position to do well. Davis Mills is a rookie who didn’t look very good last week. The Panthers have looked very strong on defense, so Mills will have his work cut out. Add in the fact that it’s a short week and he has limited time to prepare, and it looks like the Panthers will win this game easily.

Expert Prediction: Panthers 28, Texans 13

Analytics-Based Prediction: Panthers 31, Texans 13

Chargers at Chiefs

The Chiefs tend to struggle in divisional games, so this one might be closer than many people expect. Kansas City is coming off a loss and will look to rebound in this game. The Chiefs haven’t been as good as expected so far this year, though. In addition to losing last week, the Chiefs almost lost to the Browns in week one. The Chargers, on the other hand, have been decent, which was the expectation coming into the year. Ultimately, even though the Chiefs have started off slow, Patrick Mahomes rarely loses twice in a row, so Kansas City has an edge.

Expert Prediction: Chiefs 34, Chargers 31

Analytics-Based Prediction: Chiefs 35, Chargers 28

Cardinals at Jaguars

The Cardinals took a big step back after an incredibly impressive week 1, but they still came away with the win. The Jaguars have looked atrocious this year. Trevor Lawrence has not been good; he’s constantly turning the ball over and putting Jacksonville in the position to lose. Granted, he doesn't have much talent around him. The Cardinals will get a ton of pressure on Lawrence, which will cause him to make mistakes. The Jaguars defense won’t be able to stop a red-hot Kyler Murray, so Arizona gets the win.

Expert Prediction: Cardinals 35, Jaguars 21

Analytics-Based Prediction: Cardinals 41, Jaguars 17

Bears at Browns

With Andy Dalton out, Justin Fields is taking over as the Bears’ starting quarterback. Fields didn’t look great last week, but he was good on the ground. The Browns lost Jarvis Landry to injury, but Odell Beckham Jr. looks like he should be ready to play this week. Cleveland will rely on the run against a team that just shut down Joe Mixon, which will make it relatively hard to move the ball. The Browns’ front seven is significantly better than the Bears’ offensive line, however, so Justin Fields will have practically no protection. That should be the difference in this game.

Expert Prediction: Browns 28, Bears 20

Analytics-Based Prediction: Bears 25, Browns 24

Washington at Bills

The Bills rebounded in a big way last week by annihilating the Dolphins, but Tua got hurt in that game, which gave the Bills a clear path to victory. That doesn’t change the fact that Buffalo was able to put up insane numbers on the Dolphins’ top-end defense, particularly on the ground. Washington has been underwhelming thus far, but Taylor Heinicke looked great against the Giants. He’ll probably struggle against a high-end Bills defense, though. Add in the fact that Buffalo is playing very well on offense, and the Bills have the advantage.

Expert Prediction: Bills 34, Washington 24

Analytics-Based Prediction: Bills 30, Washington 28

Colts at Titans

The Titans looked like they were back to form last week against the Seahawks. They ran the ball effectively and boasted a top-tier offense. Julio Jones looked like his old self, gaining 100 yards in one half. The Colts looked great as well, as they almost beat the Rams. Carson Wentz’s injury is going to be important to the outcome of this game, but either way, the Colts are going to have trouble stopping the run, so the Titans have an advantage.

Expert Prediction: Titans 30, Colts 24

Analytics-Based Prediction: Colts 31, Titans 30

Saints at Patriots

The Patriots looked great last week, albeit against the Jets. Mac Jones continued to play well; he isn’t going to put up elite numbers as a rookie, but Jones has managed the first two games very well. The Patriots have struggled to stop the run, but that’s the only thing the Saints are good at. New England will load the box to stop Alvin Kamara and force Jameis Winston to beat this elite secondary. On the other side of the ball, the Patriots will methodically move the ball down the field. They might struggle in the red zone, but they should still be able to win because this defense outmatches the Saints offense.

Expert Prediction: Patriots 27, Saints 17

Analytics-Based Prediction: Patriots 24, Saints 20

Falcons at Giants

The Falcons looked good until choking the game away against the Buccaneers, but that seemed to be more reflective of the fact that it was a tough divisional matchup than it is of the Falcons being good. The Giants also played pretty well, but they choked at the end of the game. Both teams are generally bad and won’t make the playoffs, which makes this game up for grabs. In situations like this, the home team gets the advantage.

Expert Prediction: Giants 24, Falcons 21

Analytics-Based Prediction: Falcons 38, Giants 34

Bengals at Steelers

The Steelers took a step back after beating the Bills, but they still put up a fight against one of only two undefeated teams in the AFC. The Bengals lost their second close game because Joe Burrow was careless with the ball. Cincinnati couldn’t run the ball nearly as well as they did in week one. If Joe Burrow struggled against the Bears, he’s in for a rough day against the Steelers, so Pittsburgh should get the win.

Expert Prediction: Steelers 27, Bengals 14

Analytics-Based Prediction: Steelers 24, Bengals 21

Ravens at Lions

The Ravens were able to get a shocking win against the Chiefs. Baltimore looks like it might be able to overcome all of the injuries that have hit the team. The Lions looked strong for a second against the Packers, but they eventually fell apart. The Ravens will look to build on their performance last week and there seems to be nothing in their way, as the Lions aren’t a good team by any means.

Expert Prediction: Ravens 35, Lions 18

Analytics-Based Prediction: Ravens 44, Lions 24

Jets at Broncos

The Broncos are one of two undefeated teams in the AFC, but they haven’t played anybody good yet. The Giants and the Jaguars aren’t necessarily teams that scare the AFC’s best. Luckily for Denver, they have another easy matchup this week. The Jets looked awful against the Patriots. Zach Wilson couldn’t keep the ball safe, and as a result, the Patriots won with ease. This game should be a little bit closer, but Denver still has the advantage.

Expert Prediction: Broncos 24, Jets 10

Analytics-Based Prediction: Broncos 27, Jets 14

Dolphins at Raiders

The Raiders have looked great this year. They’re undefeated, and they’ve played two playoff-caliber teams. The Dolphins looked to be another tough matchup for the Raiders, but Tua is going to miss this game. We all saw how bad the Dolphins are with Jacoby Brissett under center, and we should expect more of the same this week. The Raiders should walk all over the Dolphins en route to 3-0.

Expert Prediction: Raiders 30, Dolphins 10

Analytics-Based Prediction: Raiders 38, Dolphins 14

Buccaneers at Rams

The Buccaneers have started the year 2-0, but they haven’t looked dominant. That’s to be expected, as Tom Brady always tends to start the season slow. Brady doesn’t usually play incredibly well until week four. The thing is, Brady himself has been great. He’s having arguably the best season of his career so far. The Buccaneers’ struggles have been primarily on defense. That’s a problem, but not one that can’t be fixed. In the meantime, the Rams should be able to win this game because they’re an elite team and the Buccaneers will take time to return to form.

Expert Prediction: Rams 35, Buccaneers 28

Analytics-Based Prediction: Buccaneers 30, Rams 24

Seahawks at Vikings

The Vikings looked a lot better last week and would’ve beaten the Cardinals had it not been for a missed field goal. After two close losses, Minnesota is going to be hungry for a win. Dalvin Cook looked dominant on the ground against the Cardinals and the Seahawks run defense was awful last week (albeit against Derrick Henry). Cook is likely to miss this week, but Alexander Mattison is a solid running back who has proved that he can produce when Cook doesn't play. The Vikings should be able to move the ball well. The Seahawks will be good on offense, as this Vikings defense hasn’t been great. Ultimately, the Vikings are at home and desperate for a win, so they get the upset.

Expert Prediction: Vikings 35, Seahawks 34

Analytics-Based Prediction: Seahawks 35, Vikings 24

Packers at 49ers

The Packers were far better last week than they were in week 1, but they still didn’t look incredible. The Lions were scratching at the door for a very large portion of that game before the Packers pulled away. Green Bay just doesn’t look like the same team as last year. The 49ers struggled as well. They came away with a win, but it was a one-score game against a mediocre Eagles team. Add in that San Francisco also lost to the Lions, and they don’t look like an elite team. This game will be close, but the Packers don’t want to start the year 1-2, so they have a slight advantage.

Expert Prediction: Packers 28, 49ers 27

Analytics-Based Prediction: 49ers 30, Packers 27

Eagles at Cowboys

The Eagles and the Cowboys have both been better than expected this year. Dallas almost beat the Buccaneers and followed that up with a win over the Chargers. The Eagles killed the Falcons and almost beat the 49ers. Both teams look great on the ground, with the Eagles boasting Jalen Hurts and the Cowboys using the duo of Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. Dallas is also great through the air and has been better than expected on defense, however. Add in the fact that they’re at home, and they should be able to win this game.

Expert Prediction: Cowboys 37, Eagles 31

Analytics-Based Prediction: Cowboys 34, Eagles 32