Thursday Night Football: Dolphins @ Bills, 7:15 PM (Prime)

The Bills are massive favorites at home against a Dolphins team that looks like it would rather be doing anything than playing football. With the Chiefs crumbling before us, and with their win over the Ravens in Week One, Buffalo has the clear inside track to cruise to the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Unlike in previous years, they seem adept at avoiding letdowns or trap games, which should make this game pretty open and shut.

The only thing that gives you pause is that Miami still has some explosiveness on offense, and they can put up points when they feel like it. The problem, however, is that it’s usually only when they’re motivated. And with Mike McDaniel as their coach, they are unlikely to be motivated going into this game.

Prediction: 30-20 Buffalo

Sunday Noon Window

Packers @ Browns (FOX)

The Packers being only a 7.5-point favorite is a little surprising considering how dominant Green Bay has looked and how pedestrian Cleveland has looked. To say the Micah Parsons trade has worked so far for the Pack would be a massive understatement. They drew two of last year’s top-scoring offenses in Weeks One and Two and held them both under 20 points. Jordan Love, meanwhile, has guided the offense to steady production, and the result so far is a 2-0 start.

The Browns shouldn’t offer much of a challenge here, as their offense won’t be able to match the Packers’ production, and their defense has a well-known track record of disappearing against high-end opponents.

Prediction: 28-13 Packers

Colts @ Titans (CBS)

Every year there seems to be at least one team that defies preseason expectations and gets off to a great start. This year that team appears to be the Indianapolis Colts, who behind some quality quarterbacking from Daniel Jones have moved to 2-0. With them being in the pedestrian AFC South, they have a chance to make the playoffs if they can mop up against divisional rivals.

The Titans will most likely be picking in the top five of the draft again, with this season being all about incremental improvement. Cam Ward had a relatively clean game against the Rams throwing the ball, but he took a pounding behind center, absorbing five sacks and coughing it up once.

If the Colts want to be taken seriously, they have to handle their business against lower-rung teams like the Titans.

Prediction: 24-20 Colts

Bengals @ Vikings (CBS)

This was supposed to be a matchup of two exciting offenses led by two young quarterbacks. In the span of a week, however, it’s now a game featuring two backups, as both teams look to tread water with their starters out long-term.

The main selling point will be Carson Wentz getting an opportunity to play for his boyhood team in Minnesota, but I’m intrigued by how the Bengals look. Despite losing Joe Burrow early against Jacksonville, Jake Browning came in and produced three touchdowns in a 31-27 win. The caveat: he also turned it over three times.

The key for Minnesota is ball security and takeaways on defense. If they can capitalize on Browning’s mistakes while keeping their own to a minimum, they have a chance.

Prediction: 23-21 Vikings

Steelers @ Patriots (CBS)

Welp, it appears the Aaron Rodgers revenge tour is over after just one game. In Pittsburgh’s loss to the Seahawks he looked like he has the past few seasons—mediocre—as he barely tossed for over 200 yards and was intercepted twice.

Now they head to Foxborough to face a Patriots team riding high after dismantling the Dolphins. New England was considered by many to be a dark horse playoff team this year, but most of that hype died after a disappointing Week One showing. If they pick up a win against the Steelers—who always seem to be in the playoff mix—it’ll be a crucial tiebreaker to have when things tighten up late in the season.

Prediction: 24-21 Patriots

Rams @ Eagles (FOX)

The good news is the Eagles are 2-0. The bad news is they’ve looked relatively unremarkable doing it, against two equally unremarkable teams in the Cowboys and Chiefs. Philadelphia putting up only 20 points on Kansas City says more about their own offense than it does about the Chiefs’ defense. The Eagles have flat-out refused to throw the ball early this year, and it’s starting to irk top receiver A.J. Brown.

The Rams seem to be the very good team no one is talking about, but they’re capable of beating the Eagles if they can keep Saquon Barkley from running wild. Philly merely out-talented Kansas City to win last week, but talent alone won’t get them by here.

Prediction: 23-20 Rams

Jets @ Buccaneers (FOX)

Baker Mayfield has quickly ascended into top-five quarterback discussions. All he’s done in Tampa Bay is put up impressive stats and win. After leading a late comeback against the Texans, he’s further cemented his place in the upper tier.

The once-mighty Jets defense was torched for a second straight week, giving up 30+ in back-to-back games. Justin Fields will be out, so journeyman Tyrod Taylor steps in against a tough Tampa Bay defense.

Since Tom Brady retired, the Bucs have never gotten proper respect. But this team could contend for the NFC’s top seed if they stay healthy.

Prediction: 27-14 Buccaneers

Raiders @ Commanders (FOX)

Losing to the Chargers wasn’t a surprise for the Raiders—L.A. is the best team in the AFC West. What was surprising was the complete lack of juice on the Raiders’ sideline. They looked disinterested after halftime and never threatened the Chargers.

The Commanders, meanwhile, are coming off a disappointing showing against Green Bay where the final score didn’t reflect just how lopsided the game truly was. Washington’s keys here: prevent explosive plays on defense and find a way to crack what’s been a stout Vegas run defense.

Prediction: 24-17 Commanders

Falcons @ Panthers (FOX)

The Falcons are going to be fascinating to follow. Yes, they let one slip away against Tampa, but they bounced back by rolling Minnesota and holding that explosive offense to just six points. Michael Penix Jr. has been steady so far in Year Two, and this is the type of game you want to see him dominate.

I had high hopes for Carolina after a strong finish last year, but through two weeks they’ve been outscored by 20+ points, with the defense still a liability. This game could make or break their season: a win keeps them afloat, but a loss could send them spiraling.

Prediction: 27-20 Falcons

Texans @ Jaguars (CBS)

A lot has been made of Houston’s 0-2 start. Yes, the offense has been dreadful, but the defense is good enough to keep them in games. C.J. Stroud has taken a step back since his rookie year, searching for the magic that turned the Texans into a playoff team.

The Jaguars will be kicking themselves for letting that Bengals game get away after Burrow’s injury. Trevor Lawrence, much like Stroud, entered the league with promise. But outside of his first playoff run, he’s been underwhelming. Fans are left wondering if he’ll ever take that next step.

Expect a low-scoring, defense-heavy slugfest.

Prediction: 16-13 Texans

Sunday Afternoon Window

Broncos @ Chargers (CBS)

This is a must-win game for the Chargers. I know it’s only Week Three, but when you get the rare chance to go 3-0 in divisional play, with two of those wins on the road, you have to capitalize.

The Broncos should’ve beaten Indy but let them hang around for a game-winning kick. For a team expected to contend for the AFC title, that’s not the impression you want to leave. Still, it feels more like a case of playing “good enough to win but sloppy enough to lose” than a true panic button game.

Prediction: 21-20 Broncos

Saints @ Seahawks (CBS)

The Saints have shown some moxie and will probably snag a win at some point. But their ceiling is about 24 points offensively, meaning defense and special teams have to do the heavy lifting.

Seattle picked up its first win with an impressive showing against Pittsburgh. It could’ve been even bigger had Sam Darnold avoided a pair of interceptions. If he doesn’t clean that up, it’ll keep Seattle from truly breaking out.

Turnovers give me pause, but the Saints just don’t have the firepower to keep up.

Prediction: 26-17 Seahawks

Cowboys @ Bears (FOX)

The Bears hype train is completely off the rails after being pummeled 52-21 by Detroit. Despite some coaching upgrades, their roster is still thin. The defense is bad, and Caleb Williams has yet to prove he’s more than a stat-padding QB.

The Cowboys and Giants engaged in one of the most unexpected shootouts in league history, combining for 800+ passing yards in a 40-37 Dallas win. The Cowboys should have little trouble moving the ball here, but they need to shore up the defense to avoid giving away games they should win.

Prediction: 27-25 Cowboys

Cardinals @ 49ers (FOX)

Both teams are 2-0, both unspectacular. Each has uninspiring one-score wins, including shared wins over the Saints. The 49ers will be without Brock Purdy, but Mac Jones looked capable, tossing three touchdowns last week. Still, San Francisco giving up three passing scores to Spencer Rattler raises defensive concerns.

The Cardinals showed flashes last year before collapsing. If they’re for real, this is the type of game they need to win: a divisional rival, on the road, without their starting QB.

Prediction: 24-20 Cardinals

Sunday Night Football: Chiefs @ Giants (NBC, 7:20 PM)

The Giants should feel as good as you can after a loss, because no one thought this offense could produce like it did against Dallas. While their defense allowed 40, they should still be stout most weeks. If the offense keeps rolling, maybe Russell Wilson holds the job past the bye.

Now here’s a wild stat: Patrick Mahomes is on pace for over 1,000 rushing yards and 17 rushing TDs. That’s how bad the Chiefs’ run game is. Their WR room is the worst in football, Kelce has looked old, the defense can’t get stops, and the O-line reshuffle has been a disaster.

A lot of people will pick the Chiefs to finally win here. Not me. Watching them this year, they’ve been overmatched in every quarter. The Giants, on the other hand, have looked competitive throughout. At some point, Kansas City has to prove it can win.

Prediction: 28-20 Giants

Monday Night Football: Lions @ Ravens (ESPN/ABC, 7:15 PM)

This should be a shootout. The Ravens are one fourth-quarter collapse away from being considered the league’s best team. Their offense dropped 42 on Cleveland last week, but Baltimore remains a front-running squad. When it’s good, they look unstoppable. When it’s tight, they fold.

The Lions, meanwhile, looked electric against Chicago, scoring 52 behind a balanced Jared Goff attack. The question is always the defense—can it hold up against the league’s best? This could be a statement game for Detroit if they pull it off.

Prediction: 35-33 Lions

Overall Record: 24-8 (Last Week: 13-3)