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Week 2 was weak sauce for the picks towards the unfold. It was the basic wild, unpredictable slate of video games with mid-game accidents and unbelievable finishes wreaking havoc on the outcomes. Turnovers, penalties and inconsistent home-field benefits even with followers again even have served to make issues tougher.
There’s just one strategy to rebound from one dangerous week: Rise up on that horse and choose our favourite ponies once more. Week 3 gives extra 16 probabilities to get video games proper, so it is time to concentrate on the positives and never take into consideration the alternate options.
With out additional ado and overthinking, listed below are this week’s Sporting Information predictions for how each upcoming matchup will play out, from this Thursday night time to subsequent Monday night time:
(Recreation odds courtesy of FanDuel)
NFL POWER RANKINGS:
49ers, Cowboys, Broncos climb; Steelers, Seahawks, Saints slide into Week 3
NFL picks towards the unfold for Week 3
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Recreation of the Week: Buccaneers (-1.5, 55.5 o/u) at Rams
Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
May this sport be a NFC championship sport preview? Ought to the Rams win the NFC West, then the reply could be very a lot sure. Final November, Tom Brady struggled towards the Rams protection at dwelling in a 27-24 loss. He is much more locked into his loaded weapons lower than a yr later, with convention title and Tremendous Bowl 55 ring in hand since.
Matthew Stafford had a fantastic first sport and a fairly good second one to make sure his new staff would begin 2-0. However it is a completely different sort of measuring stick towards an lively protection that may shut down the run and are available after him. He additionally should out-duel Brady with out the identical sort of depth at receiver and tight finish. Brady will keep in mind how the Rams acquired the perfect of him final yr and will not let it occur once more. Stafford’s long-time profile means he would not assist his staff win video games like this.
Decide: Buccaneers win 30-27 and canopy the unfold.
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Recreation of Midweek: Panthers (-7, 43.5 o/u) at Texans
Thursday 8:20 p.m. ET, NFL Community
The Panthers have gotten loads from their aggressive younger protection, fueled by a boosted move rush. That is the large motive why they’re 2-0, on prime of Christian McCaffrey facilitating Sam Darnold as a runner and receiver to open up the remainder of the offense. They give the impression of being well-coached and put-together in Yr 2 of Matt Rhule and Joe Brady.
Darnold and the D are overachieving, however that may proceed in Houston with a very good probability of dealing with one other staff with QB probability and a second rookie (Davis Mills) in three video games. McCaffrey has an enormous night time to open Week and the Texans are restricted with their rockets to drag the upset towards a red-hot NFC foe.
Decide: Panthers win 26-16 and canopy the unfold.
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Rivalry of the Week: Eagles at Cowboys (-3.5, 50.5 o/u)
Monday 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN2
The Eagles seemed dominant towards the Falcons after which could not rating on the 49ers. Jalen Hurts has performed effectively, however their offense has been in any other case inconsistent with protection being the early energy. The Cowboys have proven loads of numerous offense with Dak Prescott in two video games and their protection is making up for large points with well-timed takeaways and stops. Prescott and Hurts will duel effectively, with Dallas getting the important thing final possession at dwelling. The Cowboys will likely be place to run effectively once more and their expertise edge at receiver over the Eagles pays off in a well-recognized NFC East marquee shootout.
Decide: Cowboys win 31-28 however fail to cowl the unfold.
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Lock of the Week: Broncos (-10.5, 41.5 o/u) over Jets
Sunday 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
The Broncos’ protection has thrown down the way in which Vic Fangio needs towards the lowly Giants and Jaguars. Right here again at dwelling for the primary time this season, Denver will take down one other overmatched offense in a loud dwelling setting. Denver isn’t removed from Utah, the place Zach Wilson hails and performed his school ball at BYU. That will not assist a lot with Von Miller within the neighborhood towards a weakened offensive line.
The Jets additionally will face a Broncos’ secondary that performed a lot better in Week 2 resulting in extra errors from Wilson. Teddy Bridgewater will preserve taking part in effectively to take advantage of a weak move protection with tons of assist from operating backs Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams. The Jags have proved to be messy to belief to be aggressive below City Meyer within the brief time period.
Decide: Broncos win 30-14 and canopy the unfold.
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Upset of the Week: Packers over 49ers (-3.5, 48.5 o/u)
Sunday 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
The 49ers have owned the Packers in latest conferences, whether or not it has been Colin Kaepernick operating all around the protection or the 2019 model dispatching Aaron Rodgers twice. However final November, the injury-riddled 49ers allowed the Packers to show the tables in prime time in San Francisco. The 49ers are struggling to maintain operating backs wholesome and their passing sport has extra limitations than anticipated round Jimmy Garoppolo. Their defensive again seven additionally might be picked aside by Rodgers with respectable safety.
The 49ers will attempt to get sufficient huge move performs to allow them to run to win, however the Packers must be impressed to compensate for the Week 1 street debacle towards the Saints. Rodgers has one other glad return to the Bay Space, whereas Garoppolo struggles to fnish the comeback towards a tricky move protection.
Decide: Packers win 27-24.
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Colts at Titans (-4.5, 50.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Colts could also be with out Carson Wentz and want to show to Jacob Eason at quarterback. At this level, it would not really feel like a lot of a downgrade or curveball to a run-heavy sport plan. The Colts’ protection additionally has been wilting greater than anticipated, giving huge move performs and never being as sturdy towards the run. The Titans ought to like that mixture as they’ll arrange play-action for Ryan Tannehill effectively to play off a scorching Derrick Henry. However Indianapolis will likely be determined to keep away from 0-3 and put up a decent combat by digging deeper of their passing sport.
Decide: Titans win 24-20 however fail to cowl the unfold.
MORE: Who are NFL’s contenders, pretenders after Week 2?
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Falcons at Giants (-3, 48.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Giants are in search of their first win and can get it whereas denying the Falcons an opportunity at theirs. It is a get-well sport for all the Giants’ offense to return out and take strain off Daniel Jones to hold the staff as a passer and runner. The Falcons’ move safety is in shambles and Matt Ryan is being pressured into dangerous errors. This additionally looks like a chance for the actual Saquon Barkley to indicate up within the dashing assault, coming off long-week relaxation.
Decide: Giants win 30-24 and canopy the unfold.
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Chargers at Chiefs (-7, 54.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Chargers held off Washington however could not end off Dallas. Right here comes Patrick Mahomes and Kansas Metropolis in order that they want Justin Herbert to shake off some turnovers woes and be able to duel. The Chargers’ receiving versatility at wideout, tight finish and the backfield due to Austin Ekeler will drive the Chiefs’ defensive backs and linebackers batty. L.A. has been performed good bend-but-don’t-break protection for Brandon Staley and can keep within the sport there vs. Patrick Mahomes. However within the hand, stopping each Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce in key moments will likely be robust.
Decide: Chiefs win 28-24 however fail to cowl the unfold.
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Bengals at Steelers (-4.5, 45.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
These 1-1 NFC North rivals every had shock wins in Week 1 over Minnesota and Buffalo, respectively. Week 2 got here with loads of regrets because the Bengals made too many offensive errors with Joe Burrow in Chicago and the Steelers could not generate constant passing with Ben Roehtlisberger vs. Las Vegas. It is unsure what number of key bodes will likely be lacking for the Steelers’ protection, however there is no doubt the offensive line is the largest concern. Burrow can have some Derek Carr-like success on the Steelers, however Roehtlisberger ought to have the opportunity to lean extra on rookie operating again Najee Harris right here. It is a shut sport determined by a Heinz Subject objective by Chris Boswell.
Decide: Steelers win 23-20 however fail to cowl the unfold.
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Bears at Browns (-7.5, 46.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Bears’ protection confirmed its prime type forcing turnovers towards the Bengals at dwelling. That state of affairs will likely be exhausting to repeat on the street because the Browns ought to push them round within the operating sport to open up extra comfy, environment friendly passing from Baker Mayfield. He’s more likely to duel with Justin Fields, the Ohio State product who will give this sport somewhat additional native aptitude. Fields will face a tricky move rush whereas trailing within the second half and may solely do a lot operating to get the Bears within the sport.
Decide: Browns win 27-14 and canopy the unfold.
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Ravens (-7.5, 49.5 o/u) at Lions
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Lamar Jackson has seemed easy together with his operating and passing when the blocking is there. The complementary conventional operating sport is rolling and the protection continues to be stopping the run regardless of its depletion and duct-taping vs. the move. Jackson, his backs, huge receiver Marquise Brown and tight finish Mark Andrews can all do no matter they need on this matchup to remain effectively forward of Jared Goff. Search for a return to bringing strain and befuddling Goff.
Decide: Ravens win 38-23 and canopy the unfold.
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Saints at Patriots (-3, 43.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Patriots are proving they’re a drive operating the ball behind a stout line and their two most dependable backs, Damien Harris and James White. Mac Jones has been set as much as be comfy with low-risk, high-efficiency passing with the concentrate on ball safety. The Saints try to deal with Jameis Winston the identical manner and win round him with the operating of Alvin Kamara main the way in which. New England’s sport plan will likely be to zone in on Kamara and take their probabilities with the Saints’ in any other case restricted ability gamers.
Decide: Patriots win 17-13 and canopy the unfold.
MORE: Grading the NFL’s rookie QBs in Week 2
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Cardinals (-7.5, 52 o/u) at Jaguars
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
Kyler Murray, No. 1 general choose from 2019, takes on Trevor Lawrence, this yr’s No. 1 general choose. Murray hasn’t been disappointing in Yr 3 with final season’s shoulder difficulty behind him. He ran and handed to huge issues all around the area towards the Titans on the street and Vikings at dwelling. He simply needs to be cautious about making huge errors that offset huge performs. There is not any good sense that the Jaguars will cease Murray or any of the speedy playmakers round him. Additionally they must be apprehensive concerning the offensive line crumbling big-time once more. Till as soon as can determine what City Meyer is doing, keep away from trusting his staff.
Decide: Cardinals win 34-17 and canopy the unfold.
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Washington Soccer Staff at Payments (-8.5, 46.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
WFT will put together Taylor Heinicke higher for his second begin of the season, however it is a robust place to play on the street towards a Payments’ protection that appears extra full and harmful. Josh Allen might want to fear about Chase Younger and Washington’s protection taking part in so much higher than Week 2 TNF. Josh Allen wants a get-well sport; this simply is probably not it because the Payments are higher suited to maintain up the run-heavy strategy vs. WFT. The Payments put all of it collectively and remind everybody they’re nonetheless robust AFC title contenders.
Decide: Payments win 27-17 and canopy the unfold.
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Dolphins at Raiders (-4.5, 45.5 o/u)
Sunday 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
The Raiders have red-hot Derek Carr driving throughout everybody, making good use of top-flight inside-outside field-stretching weapons Darren Waller and Henry Ruggs III. However their operating sport and protection have to be higher complementary items for any shot at holding on to a wild-card spot. This was a pleasant Saturday night time duel within the desert with Carr battling Tua Tagovailoa and Ryan Fitzpatrick late final season. Carr has the large edge over Tagovailoa or Jacoby Brissett right here. Additionally search for additional juice within the Raiders dashing assault, with former Dolphin Kenyan Drake getting after it as the important thing short-to-intermediate receiver in a “revenge” sport.
Decide: Raiders win 23-13 and canopy the unfold.
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Seahawks (-1.5, 55.5 o/u) at Vikings
Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
The Seahawks and Vikings have been on different sides of field-goal drama in Week 2, however a make and a miss make them every in search of a rebound victory in Week 3. Russell Wilson shouldn’t have any issues roasting Minnesota’s secondary together with his wideouts and Kirk Cousins must be sport to maintain up in his staff’s dwelling opener. Dalvin Cook dinner being a query mark hurts, as a result of any much less pop might make the distinction. it is merely simpler to belief a red-hot Wilson anyplace vs. Cousins at dwelling. This looks like one other wild one-possession contest for each groups, perhaps coming all the way down to a second additional time sport for every.
Decide: Seahawks win 34-31 and canopy the unfold
Vinnie Iyer’s 2021 picks:
- Week 2 file towards the unfold: 5-11
- Week 2 file straight up: 10-6
- Season ATS: 13-19
- Season straight up: 19-13
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