The latter games hold some of the more interesting matches this week, but we have to start at the beginning.
Thursday night
Jacksonville Jaguars at Cincinnati Bengals : This one is really a no-brainer. The Jags slow defense makes them fragile, and rookie Trevor Lawrence still hasn't found his NFL legs yet. BENGALS, 27-13
Sunday early games
Carolina Panthers at Dallas Cowboys : This could be an exciting game! Two dynamic offenses square off. The difference? The Panthers defense. PANTHERS, 31-27
Cleveland Browns at Minnesota Vikings : The Browns get to spank their second NFC North team in a row, although Kurt Cousins and the Vikings won't make it as easy for them. BROWNS, 23-16
Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears : I think the Bears have found an opponent they can beat. Neither offense is doing well, but at the Lions don't have much of a defense, either. BEARS, 17-13
Houston Texans at Buffalo Bills : The Texans defense is definitely lacking something this year, which will give the pass-crazy Bills a real chance to score big. BILLS, 30-17
Indianapolis Colts at Miami Dolphins : With the injury to Tua, Dolphins backup QB Jacoby Brissett starts against his former team. I'm not sure that gives Miami much of an advantage, though. So much of the Colts' scheme has changed, I'm not sure he'll know what's coming. The Colts defense, on the other hand, has an idea of what to expect from Brissett. The Colts will also have some surprises in store for the Dolphins, as they change their playbook for backup Jacob Eason. It'll be a bit chaotic for both team, but I think the Colts might squeeze this one out. COLTS, 23-20
Kansas City Chiefs at Philadelphia Eagles : The Chiefs are too talented a team to let a rough start slow them down. That 1-2 record doesn't really mean anything to them, and they will come out swinging against an inconsistent Eagles team. CHIEFS, 27-20
New York Giants at New Orleans Saints : Seriously, is anyone picking the Giants in this one? SAINTS, 28-13
Tennessee Titans at New York Jets : The best thing I can say here is that I'm pretty sure the Jets won't get shut out again. Both teams are having offensive problems, so this won't be a pretty contest. TITANS, 23-10
Washington at Atlanta Falcons : Atlanta got their first win of the season against the Giants last week, and they should pick up their second against another NFC East opponent. FALCONS, 20-17
Sunday late games
Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams : This should be an exciting game! Two top teams battle for divisional superiority. Nobody has scored more than the Cardinals, while the Rams have a tough defense. Defense often prevails in these battles, so that's where I'll make my pick, but this one could really be won by either team. RAMS, 30-27
Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos : In previous years, I would definitely think that the Ravens would have the defensive edge in this game. However, this year, I think that honor goes to the Broncos. BRONCOS, 24-14
Pittsburgh Steelers at Green Bay Packers : Definitely two clubs going in different directions right now. Green Bay has sharpened their offensive line since their Week 1 debacle (hint to Bears -- see if you can't do the same) while the Steelers are steadily declining since Week 1. The outcome of this game will further cement the two teams' directions. PACK, 23-13
Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers : Seattle is a little unpredictable this season, but the 49ers are getting it together, so I'll give them the vote of confidence. 49ERS, 24-20
Sunday night
Tampa Bay Bucs at New England Patriots : Tom Brady returns to Foxborough, bringing with him some other former Patriots. Throw in the problems that the Patriots are experiencing, and Brady and company get to "one up" their former coach. BUCS, 27-16
Monday Night Football
Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers : I don't think even the strong defense of the Chargers can slow the dynamic and diverse offense of the Raiders. Plus, no team has a better historical record on Monday Night Football than the Raiders. RAIDERS, 27-23
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