NFL 2018 Week 2 results and Week 3 picks

Some things we have learned from the first two weeks of the season:

1. Patrick Mahomes looks like the real deal, and Sam Darnold looks like a rookie
2. The Cardinals offense is as dry as the Arizona desert
3. The Bills defense is on vacation, and the Lions defense seems to rooming with them
4. Tampa Bay is a serious offensive threat
5. Cincy is off to a hot start
6. The Browns are definitely an improved team
7. Young kickers are struggling
8. With the stiffest defense and a powerful offense, the Rams are the favorites for the Super Bowl right now

Let's look at the Top Ten:
1. LA Rams (2-0) : Proof that a strong defense helps an offense
2. Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) : Best team in the AFC North
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-0) : Another stiff defense
4. Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) : How many records will Mahomes break this season?
5. Miami Dolphins (2-0) : Their defense gave Sam Darnold fits.  We'll need a couple more weeks to see if that was typical of the defense, or typical of Darnold
6. Tampa Bay Bucs (2-0) : Who needs Jameis Winston?  Keep Fitzpatrick under center even after his suspension is up
7. Baltimore Ravens (1-1)
8. New York Jets (1-1)
9. Denver Broncos (2-0) : Third consecutive 2-0 start
10. Minnesota Vikings (1-0-1) : Kirk Cousins seems to be the spark they need

Week 3 picks:
Thursday night
New York Jets at Cleveland Browns:  How improved are the Browns?  Would you believe I favor them in this game?  Yes, they haven't won a game yet, but they tied the Steelers and would have beaten the Saints if not for a spotty young placekicker.  Now that the Browns know they cannot rely on the kicking game, they'll be even more aggressive on offense, and that's something the Jets have trouble defending.  BROWNS, 20-17

Sunday early games
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings:  The Bills defense is non-existent, so this should be a stellar day for Kirk Cousins and the Vikings.  Josh Allen is showing much more promise than Nathan Peterman, but he still needs some work.  VIKINGS, 41-13

Cincinnati Bengals at Carolina Panthers:  The Bengals are clicking.  They have some excellent synergism on this team, at least until someone gets injured.  The Panthers are still dealing with some personalities and position changes.  BENGALS, 24-20

Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens:  Whoa, this game could get interesting!  The Ravens offense has been competent, while the Broncos have been inconsistent, but showing flashes of brilliance.  The Broncos defense has improved, but the Ravens D remains tough.  I'll favor the home team, but this one could really go either way.  RAVENS, 26-24

Green Bay Packers at Washington Redskins:  Ok, so Aaron Rodgers has shown that playing on the knee injury against the Bears might have been worthwhile.  He has been able to turn two games that should have been losses into a 1-0-1 record.  Now, however, that injury is starting to nag at him.  It already slowed his mobility last week, and I think that'll get worse this week.  That should give the Redskins defense a chance to cause some mayhem, enough to win the game.  REDSKINS, 23-17

Indianapolis Colts at Philadelphia Eagles:  Philly hasn't quite looked like a defending Super Bowl Champion, but they should against the Colts, who don't quite have things worked out yet.  EAGLES, 21-17

New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons:  The Saints powerful offense has sputtered a bit recently, and their defense is out to lunch.  That gives Matt Ryan and company plenty of chances to excel.  FALCONS, 30-24

New York Giants at Houston Texans: Neither team has looked stellar in the past two weeks, but at least the Texans have some decent defensive players to fall back on.  The Giants have Saquon Barkley and Odell Beckham, but the Texans will find ways to limit their contributions.  TEXANS, 23-10

Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins:  Jon Gruden is discovering that it is much more complicated coaching in today's NFL than it was before.  He doesn't seem to adjust quickly enough, and cannot find the right scheme for this players to excel.  The Dolphins, in the meantime, have found some consistency, and that is leading to confidence.  DOLPHINS, 24-17

San Francisco 49ers at Kansas City Chiefs:  Another chance for Patrick Mahomes to shine!  The 49ers defense isn't quite as sharp as it has been, so the Chiefs get a great chance to score.  The Chiefs defense isn't great, so Jimmy Garopollo will have a good game, but not as good as Mahomes.  CHIEFS, 37-27

Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars:  The Jags have a bit of an offense to go with their stiff defense.  The Titans offense is good, but not consistent enough to count on.  JAGS, 23-17

Sunday late games
Chicago Bears at Arizona Cardinals:  The Bears won't even great contributions by Khalil Mack in order to beat the sagging Cardinals, but they'll get ones anyway.  BEARS, 23-10

Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks:  Boy, this game is a tough one to call.  Neither team is living up to potential.  The Seahawks tend to play better at home, but the Cowboys are starting to gel.  How quickly will be the question.  I'll pick the Cowboys, mainly because the Seahawks love to make me wrong.  COWBOYS, 24-20

Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Rams:  The Battle for LA won't be close.  Both teams have great defense, and Philip Rivers has the Chargers offense rolling well, the Rams are just too solid a team.  RAMS, 27-17

Sunday night
New England Patriots at Detroit Lions:  The Lions are looking a bit clawless, especially on defense.  The Patriots should have a great opportunity to bounce back from last week.  PATS, 27-13

Monday Night Football
Pittsburgh Steelers at Tampa Bay Bucs:  The Steelers tend to play well on Monday Night Football, but this year's batch seems to missing some sparks.  On the other hand, the Bucs are raiding everyone's turf, and tearing it up.  BUCS, 30-16