NFL Week 3: Picks and Questions

Last week, Lauren and Scott nailed the Rams over the Eagles, but foolishly chose Kirby Cousins over Pee River. The Falcons might’ve blown a historic lead, but that’s why we don’t pick games on the money-line.

Interestingly, I am 6-0 in the 1 p.m. games through two weeks, but 0-3-1 during all other time slots. Naturally, I decided to pick three games outside of the early afternoon slot. Smart.

As always, we’re using the Vegas Consensus lines.

Last week/Season

• Lauren: 3-2
• Scott: 2-3
• Nolan: 3-2

Season

• Lauren: 5-5
• Scott: 3-7
• Nolan: 6-3-1

Lauren’s Picks

Tennessee -2.5 at Minnesota 

Ryan Tannehill > Kirk Cousins. That’s all that needs to be said here.

Cincinnati +5.5 at Philadelphia 

Joe Burrow has to win at some point. Why not after a long week prepping for this winless Eagles’ squad? The Heisman snags his first victory of many victories at Philadelphia — or at least he’ll come close to it ;).   

L.A. Rams +2 at Buffalo 

I’m a big fan of what the Rams have been dishing out. Even with its second consecutive away game and against a Bills team that has looked really good, I think Jalen Ramsey will take away the passing game while Aaron Donald will rattle Josh Allen. Give me the Rams all day here. 

L.A. Chargers -6.5 vs. Carolina

It’ll be hard to pick Carolina against anybody without Christian McCaffrey. Heck, the Panthers couldn’t even come back within one score of the Buccaneers after the versatile running back went down last week. I think Chargers rookie signal caller Justin Herbert will build off his almost upset of Kansas City and garner his first win for the Bolts.  

Seattle -5 vs. Dallas 

Russell Wilson is so underrated, Dallas should be 0-2, and there is no way the Cowboys go to Seattle and beat the Seahawks. Yeah, Seattle’s defense is banged up, but Dallas is in the same boat with key missing pieces. Wilson will continue his MVP campaign and the Cowboys will keep disappointing as “America’s team.”

Scott’s Picks

Tennessee -2.5 at Minnesota 

Minnesota cannot possibly be as bad as they have looked so far this season, but I sure hope they continue to struggle this week for obvious reasons. I worry that the Titans suspect defense could spark the Vikings offense, but I also have full faith in the Titans offense to do enough to win again this week. I wish AJ Brown was healthy and playing, but the offense didn’t skip a beat last week. 

Indianapolis -11.5 vs. N.Y. Jets

This hurts my soul to pick the Colts, especially with this big of a spread. However, this Jets team is an absolute abomination and Adam Gase should be ashamed. The Jets are so poorly coached that a win (or cover) would be tall task even at full strength, but they are anything but full strength this week. In my mind, you couldn’t make this spread high enough. I could see a last-minute touchdown costing me this pick, but I’m going to bank on the Colts rolling to at least a two-TD victory (yuck, that is gross to say.) 

Pittsburgh -4 vs. Houston 

So it turns out that trading your best offensive weapon and maybe the best receiver in the NFL is not smart. I get it, the Texans have played the most difficult schedule so far this season, but you can’t ignore that they haven’t been particularly competitive in those games. It doesn’t get any easier this week. Big Ben is settling back into a rhythm and James Connor looked like his 2019 version last week. As always, Deshaun Watson terrifies me, but it is apparent that the Texans don’t have the horses to keep up with elite offense. Seems like a certain wide receiver could have helped that. 

Tampa Bay -5.5 at Denver

The new-look Bucs seemed to find their stride last weekend. Meanwhile, Jeff Driskel is preparing to start for the Broncos. This is as much of a pick against Driskel as it is a pick in favor of the Bucs. I’m banking on one or two big mistakes from Driskel to be the difference, and the Bucs using those mistakes to pull out at least a touchdown victory.  

Green Bay +3 at New Orleans 

It makes me nervous to pick against the Saints in NOLA, but Brees looked like a neutered version of the QB we have known for the better part of the last two decades in week two. This offense was obviously going to miss Thomas, but I don’t think we knew quite how much they would miss him. The Packers and Aaron Rodgers, meanwhile, continue to roll. At this point, the Packers seem like the only real threat to the Seahawks in the NFC, so I’ll take the points and run. 

Nolan’s Picks

Pittsburgh -3.5 vs. Houston

I’m tempted to take the 49ers or Titans as slight road favorites, but those games feel like traps so I’m staying away. Instead, I’ll take Pittsburgh and the bonus 2.5 points since the opening line. Picking against Deshaun Watson is terrifying, but so is the Steelers pass rush. TJ Watt and co. have generated pressure on over 45% of opponent dropbacks and no QB likes to hold onto the ball more than Watson. Oh, and who is covering Dionte Johnson and JuJu Smith-Schuster (let alone Chase Claypool and James Washington)?

Atlanta -2.5 vs. Chicago

This is a classic 0-2 versus a 2-0 skewed line. The Falcons have played two of the three or so best teams in the NFC — 0-2 is perfectly reasonable. Add in the facts that they should have beaten Dallas while the Bears barely peeked out wins against the Giants and Lions. I don’t care that Julio Jones — all that means is more fantasy points for Calvin Ridley and Hayden Hurst.

Tampa Bay -5.5 at Denver

I do have concerns about the Bucs traveling out West and into the altitude of Denver. However, those are mostly nullified by the Broncos injury report. They’ll be without Drew Lock for this one, as well as Courtland Sutton, Von Miller and more. Jeff Driskel won’t be afraid to take some shots to Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler, but Tom Brady should have no problem winning by a TD, especially with Chris Godwin back in the fold.

Green Bay +3 at New Orleans

Both the Packers and Saints will likely be without their top wide receivers Davante Adams and Michael Thomas, respectively. That means Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees will have to carry the load offensively. Let’s just say I have a lot more faith in Rodgers ability than Brees from what we’ve seen so far this season. Plus, the once demoralizing Superdome effect, as Scott said about Brees’ arm, has been neutered. Give me the Packers and I don’t think I’ll even need the points.

Kansas City +3.5 at Baltimore

The Ravens and Chiefs are perfect adversaries in that no team is better playing with a lead than Baltimore, but no team is better playing from behind than Kansas City. I think the Chiefs come out with a sense of urgency and force the Ravens to throw a bit more. I have no doubts that Lamar Jackson is capable of keeping up (or even out-dueling) Patrick Mahomes, but I have a hard time believing the Chiefs get run out of the building. This may be the only chance I have to pick Mahomes with points, so you better believe that’s what I’m gonna do.

Answering Week 2’s Questions

Who bounces back better: Phillip Rivers or the Minnesota defense?

Phillip Rivers didn’t do much, but he didn’t need to against the Vikings defense and he sure as hell played better than Kirk Cousins.

Who has more bullets in the chamber: Matt Ryan or Dak Prescott?

The Falcons special teams stole some ammunition from Matt Ryan, but Dak Prescott unleashed holy hell on the Atlanta defense.

Which surprise Week 1 winner keeps it going: Washington or Arizona?

The Cardinals absolutely smashed Washington. Jokes on me for believing in Dwayne Haskins.

The Niners can’t actually lose to the Jets, can they?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Will Carson Wentz check down before Aaron Donald kills him?

I need to start asking better questions because once again we got a resounding answer. Wentz has played as bad as any quarterback not named Kirk Cousins this year.

Five Questions for Week 3

Can the Eagles right the ship?

The Bengals defense was the cure for Baker Mayfield and the Browns offense last week. As I just noted, Carson Wentz could use an antidote himself. If the Eagles can’t get going offensively this week, smash the panic button in Philly.

Which 2-0 quarterback keeps it up?

The undefeated Rams and Jared Goff travel to Buffalo to face the undefeated Bills and Josh Allen. What a sentence. Allen faces his first true test of the year in Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Donald, likewise for Goff against Tre’Davious White. This should be a fun one.

How do the 49ers make up for injuries?

San Francisco will be without Jimmy Garoppolo, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, Nick Bosa, Richard Sherman, Raheim Mostert and Tevin Coleman this week. Luckily, they face arguably the second-worst team in the NFL (and New Jersey) in the Giants this week. The Nick Mullens hive is looking forward to his return to the starting lineup, as am I.

Can Tom Brady get the Bucs offense humming?

Brady’s number through two weeks have not been impressive, but his receivers rank amongst the top the league in drops. He’ll have a healthy Chris Godwin and Mike Evans at his disposal for the first time this week against an injury-raveged Broncos squad. No more excuses for the Bucs offense.

Who fully unleashes their offense: Pete Carroll or Mike McCarthy?

Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup versus Russell Wilson, Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf. The first team to 40 points might win this one. McCarthy has been aggressive on fourth downs in Dallas and Carroll is allegedly letting Russ cook. I’m curious if those guys continue those trends or revert back to their conservative ways. Honestly, this question is just a cop out to talk about this game. I just want to watch it.