Jaguars at Bengals
The Bengals have shocked the world on their way to a 2-1 record. Cincinnati's win over the Steelers was very impressive and it’s looking like all of the effort they put into improving their receiving core has paid off. The Jaguars have been very bad this year, with Trevor Lawrence constantly turning the ball over. They’ll have trouble stopping the Bengals, especially if they turn the ball over, so Cincinnati should win this one.
Expert Prediction: Bengals 31, Jaguars 17
Analytics-Based Prediction: Bengals 28, Jaguars 25
Titans at Jets
This game will likely be a decimation. The Titans have been solid this year, and they’ve looked practically unstoppable on the ground, as usual. The Jets, on the other hand, have looked horrible. Zach Wilson threw two more interceptions last week and the Jets didn’t score a point. The Titans will be able to get off to an early lead and proceed to drain the clock using Derrick Henry.
Expert Prediction: Titans 34, Jets 10
Analytics-Based Prediction: Titans 44, Jets 14
Lions at Bears
The Lions came shockingly close to a win over the Ravens, marking the third time this year that they had a chance to beat a playoff-caliber team but lost. Detroit will eventually be able to win a game against a good team, but they seem like they always choke in close outings. The Bears looked horrible last week, with only one net passing yard (yards gained minus yards lost by sacks). Justin Field was horrible in his NFL debut. Given how well the Lions have been playing and how bad the Bears have looked, Detroit has a slight edge.
Expert Prediction: Lions 28, Bears 27
Analytics-Based Prediction: Bears 24, Lions 21
Colts at Dolphins
The Dolphins were significantly better than expected last week, as they almost beat the undefeated Raiders without Tua. The Colts, on the other hand, just lost their third straight game, although they have played three playoff-caliber teams. Indianapolis is a solid team and doesn’t seem likely to continue on their losing streak for much longer. The Dolphins looked good, but without Tua, it’s hard to trust them, so the expect the Colts to win in a close one.
Expert Prediction: Colts 27, Dolphins 24
Analytics-Based Prediction: Dolphins 26, Colts 22
Browns at Vikings
The Browns are one close loss against the Chiefs away from being 2-0, while the Vikings have looked impressive thus far. Minnesota didn’t look great in week 1, but the Bengals have ended up being better than expected. The Vikings were also a missed field goal away from beating the undefeated Cardinals and followed up their performance with a win against the Seahawks without their best player. The Vikings might end up challenging the Packers for the division if they keep this up. The Browns are arguably the best team in the AFC at this point, however, so this will be a close game. Both teams will try to run the ball, but the Browns have a stronger track record, so they have a small advantage.
Expert Prediction: Browns 30, Vikings 28
Analytics-Based Prediction: Browns 34, Vikings 28
Washington at Falcons
Both Washington and the Falcons have looked bad this year, with each team being 1-2. Both team’s only win is against the Giants. Washington came into the season expected to have a strong defense, but they haven’t looked great this year. The Falcons are supposed to have a good offense, but without Julio Jones they have taken a step back. This will be a close game between two mediocre teams, so the winner will likely end up being the home team.
Expert Prediction: Falcons 21, Washington 20
Analytics-Based Prediction: Washington 18, Falcons 17
Texans at Bills
The Bills have rebounded in a big way after their week 1 loss, as they’ve one back to back blowouts against solid teams. The Texans haven’t been as bad as many expected them to be coming into the season, but they still aren’t a good team by any means. Houston won’t be able to stop Josh Allen and the Bills offense and on the other side of the ball, the Bills have a good enough defense to slow down Davis Mills and co. Expect the Bills to win with ease.
Expert Prediction: Bills 34, Texans 14
Analytics-Based Prediction: Bills 41, Texans 21
Giants at Saints
The Saints proved that week 2 was likely to be a fluke, as they were able to beat the Patriots without missing a beat. The Giants have struggled all year and this week likely won’t be any different. The Saints should be able to contain the Giants offense easily and Alvin Kamara is good enough to carry this Saints offense past a mediocre Giants defense. Expect the Saints to win this one.
Expert Prediction: Saints 27, Giants 13
Analytics-Based Prediction: Saints 33, Giants 23
Chiefs at Eagles
The Chiefs look like they might drop off this year. They’re 1-2 and a close win away from 0-3. Super Bowl hangovers are a real thing, and it looks like the Chiefs might be experiencing one. It’s still too early to completely sound the alarm on Kansas City, however. If they’re still playing this way a couple weeks from now, then we can start talking about the possibility of them not winning the division. Until then, the Chiefs should be favored in most games. The Eagles aren’t a very good team, so the Chiefs will likely get back on track this week.
Expert Prediction: Chiefs 38, Eagles 20
Analytics-Based Prediction: Chiefs 30, Eagles 17
Panthers at Cowboys
On the surface it might be shocking to see that the Panthers are 3-0, but when you look at their opponents it becomes clear that Carolina isn’t as good as their record would indicate. The Panthers beat the Jets and Texans, two of the worst teams in the league. The Saints are good, but they were having an off day against the Panthers, so the win was more reflective of how bad the Saints were playing than how well the Panthers were playing. The Cowboys have a great offense, and can keep up with any team. The Panthers won’t be able to keep up with the Cowboys, so Dallas has the advantage.
Expert Prediction: Cowboys 31, Panthers 21
Analytics-Based Prediction: Panthers 28, Cowboys 25
Seahawks at 49ers
The Seahawks and 49ers are both coming off of disappointing losses, but the Seahawks have looked especially bad this year. Seattle tends to start the season strong before dropping off later in the season, so it’s really bad for them to start 1-2. The 49ers struggled against the Packers and also barely beat the Lions and Eagles, so San Francisco might not be as good as they were expected to be coming into the season. This will be a close, divisional matchup. In games like this, the winner is usually the home team.
Expert Prediction: 49ers 28, Seahawks 26
Analytics-Based Prediction: Seahawks 31, 49ers 28
Cardinals at Rams
The Cardinals have been great this year, but the Rams have looked like Super Bowl contenders and arguably the best team in the NFC. Los Angeles has the best defense in the NFL, and with Matthew Stafford at quarterback, they have been incredible on offense. Kyler Murray and the Cardinals will have a hard time moving the ball, even though they’re one of the best offenses in the NFL. The Rams should be able to score enough to win, but this game might be closer than many expect.
Expert Prediction: Rams 30, Cardinals 27
Analytics-Based Prediction: Rams 35, Cardinals 34
Steelers at Packers
The Steelers haven’t looked good this year outside of their surprising week 1 victory over the Bills. The Packers have been just the opposite. They looked awful in week 1 and have been solid ever since. Green Bay still doesn’t look like the perennial Super Bowl contender it once was, but they're certainly a contender. The Packers will be able to move the ball decently against a tough Steelers defense, but Pittsburgh won’t be able to do much against the Packers defense. Expect Green Bay to win this one.
Expert Prediction: Packers 24, Steelers 17
Analytics-Based Prediction: Packers 29, Steelers 24
Ravens at Broncos
The Broncos are 3-0, but they haven’t played any good teams. The Giants, Jets, and Jaguars are a combined 0-9 this year; almost any team in the NFL would be undefeated if they had Denver’s schedule. The Ravens have played in 3 close games, winning two of them. At the same time, had the Chiefs not fumbled when the game was pretty much over and Justin Tucker didn’t make his miraculous 66 yard field goal, Baltimore would be 0-3. Both of these teams are overrated this year, but the Ravens are still a proven playoff-caliber team, so they have the edge.
Expert Prediction: Ravens 28, Broncos 25
Analytics-Based Prediction: Broncos 28, Ravens 26
Buccaneers at Patriots
This game is without a doubt the headline of the week. Honestly, it’s probably the headline of the year. Brady vs. Belichick in Foxborough. This game has a ton of hype, deservedly so, but the Buccaneers are a significantly better team than the Patriots. Many expect this to be a blowout, and while it probably won’t be close, it’ll be more of a game than many expect. Do you honestly think Bill Belichick would let Tom Brady come into his house and go down without a fight? He’s been preparing for this game for a while, and if anyone knows how to beat Brady, it’s Belichick. You could also say the same thing but the other way around, though; if anyone knows how to beat Belichick, it's Brady. Brady knows the Patriots defense just like Belichick knows Brady. They'll know what weaknesses to exploit, which will make this a very interesting game. At the end of the day, however, coaching can only get you so far. The Patriots have far less talent than the Buccaneers, so Tampa Bay should walk away with the win.
Expert Prediction: Buccaneers 27, Patriots 20
Analytics-Based Prediction: Buccaneers 31, Patriots 17
Raiders at Chargers
The Raiders looked worse than expected last week, as they almost lost to the Dolphins without Tua. The Chargers, on the other hand, looked great against the Chiefs last week. They somehow found a way to stop Patrick Mahomes on what looked to be a game-winning drive for the Chiefs. This will be a close divisional game between two good teams, but ultimately, the Raiders are due for a loss and the Chargers are at home, so Los Angeles has a slight edge.
Expert Prediction: Chargers 31, Raiders 30
Analytics-Based Prediction: Raiders 27, Chargers 21