As we prepare for week 3 of the 2017 NFL season, Packernet has decided to put our predictive powers to the test. Each week we will give you our picks and see how we stack up.
*Special guest predictions by Tecmo Bowl*
Record through 2 week
Jon 20-9 (70%)
Ryan 19-10 (69%)
Tecmo 17-12 (59%)
Baltimore Ravens (2-0) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)
Line: Ravens by 4. Total: 39
Ryan’s Pick: Jaguars
The Ravens seem to be the better team but their 2-0 record came against the Bengals and the Browns, two of the worst teams in the NFL. The Jaguars aren’t great either but they are certainly the best defense they’ve faced.
The question for me simply comes down to whether the Jaguars offense can put up enough points. In my opinion 20 points may just do it in this game.
Bortles is a wild card but he’s played really well in London so I’m putting my money where it should never be, on Blake Bortles.
It should also be noted the Ravens entire team is on IR at the moment.
Jon’s Pick: Jaguars
I don’t think Baltimore is anything special, and for some reason, Bortles is 2-0 in London.
Tecmo Sim: Ravens 21 Jaguars 17
The Ravens scored more points but Bortles threw 0 interceptions. Who really won this game?
Cleveland Browns (0-2) at Indianapolis Colts (0-2)
Line: Browns by 1.5. Total: 41
Ryan’s Pick: Colts
Incredibly tough call but I like the Colts ability to stop Kizer more than the Browns ability to stop Brissett. Add in the fact that the Colts are at home and it’s enough for me to give them the edge.
Jon’s Pick: Browns
Talk about a toilet bowl matchup… and I don’t mean the joke about taking the Browns to the Super Bowl, this is just an awful game. I don’t have a reason for my pick, just a gut feeling.
Tecmo Sim: Browns 14 Colts 16
It’s a horrible game but someone has to win. T.Y. Hilton has a great game going for over 150 yards.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0) at Chicago Bears (0-2)
Line: Steelers by 7.5. Total: 44
Ryan’s Pick:Steelers
Even if the Steelers implode and are unable to get Bell or Brown going, I still can’t imaging the Bears winning. I’m not even sure how they score points. It’s real bad for the Bears right now who are, in my opinion, more than happy to tank the season with Glennon, load up on picks in 2018, and try again next year healthy with their new stud QB.
If that’s isn’t what they’re doing, I’m not sure why.
Jon’s Pick: Steelers
Markus Wheaton might be back this week, but that doesn’t mean Chicago suddenly got good.
Tecmo Sim: Steelers 34 Bears 30
Something about this score seems right. Seems unlikely the Bears could possibly put up 30 but their ability to keep a game close and lose it in on the last drive is what the Bears do.
Miami Dolphins (1-0) at New York Jets (0-2)
Line: Dolphins by 6. Total: 43
Ryan’s Pick: Dolphins
I’m tempted to take the Jets in an upset here but I think a narrow win is more likely. The Jets are terrible but Miami isn’t exactly a top 10 team. Their offensive line is terrible, their quarterback and wide receivers are mediocre, and their defense outside of Suh and Wake really aren’t any good.
Still, there is nobody on the Jets that I think is capable of having a big game outside of maybe Jermaine Kerse and his quarterback is Josh McCown.
Assuming Ajayi is healthy, he should be able to destroy the Jets defense, and there isn’t a single defensive back on the Jets defense able to cover Parker and Landry.
Jon’s Pick: Dolphins
The Jets look so bad so far, that they seem to be in danger of matching the 2008 Lions right now.
Tecmo Sim: Dolphins 24 Jets 21
The game is probably a little closer than most would expect but the Dolphins Jay Ajayi gashes the Jets for 125 yards.
Denver Broncos (2-0) at Buffalo Bills (1-1)
Line: Broncos by 3. Total: 40
Ryan’s Pick: Broncos
For 2 straight weeks I’ve bet against the Broncos and they’ve done nothing but come back and win. Based on their performance so far in 2017 they are making the case for being the best team in the NFL.
The Bills defense might be scary for those that are concerned Anderson and Siemian are a fluke but consider the alternative. Are the Bills really going to be able to score on the Broncos?
Jon’s Pick: Broncos
Buffalo can’t seem to get anything going offensively. Denver is better in every way.
Tecmo Sim: Broncos 14 Bills 17
Another big upset, LeSean McCoy runs for 174 yards. The Broncos offense sputters against a stingy Bills D.
Houston Texans (1-1) at New England Patriots (1-1)
Line: Patriots by 13.5. Total: 44
Ryan’s Pick: Patriots
I wish there was a way I could make this seem like a tough call but it isn’t. The Patriots are struggling against the run and the Texans defense may be enough to give Texans fans hope for a brief period of time but it certainly won’t last.
Jon’s Pick: Patriots
If Houston could score points, they might be able to win this game, but they can’t, so they won’t.
Tecmo Sim: Texans 20 Patriots 23
Gillislee goes down with an injury but not before putting up over 100 yards rushing. The Patriots pull out a close one.
New Orleans Saints (0-2) at Carolina Panthers (2-0)
Line: Panthers by 5.5. Total: 46.5
Ryan’s Pick: Saints
If the Saints were at home I would feel better about this but I’m still comfortable with the pick. So far that Saints lose to a red hot Vikings team and a furious Tom Brady coming off a loss. I’m not sure how many teams in the NFL come out of those games better than 0-2.
The Panthers on the other hand beat the 49ers and the Bills. I think most teams are 2-0 after that stretch. Granted, the Panthers allowing just 6 points through 2 games is impressive but what happens when one of the better offenses in the NFL comes to town?
The Panthers won despite only scoring 9 points last week after losing Greg Olsen in the second quarter. I’m not sure they have enough to win this game, even against a terrible Saints defense.
Jon’s Pick: Panthers
Carolina is allowing three points per game so far. I don’t care who they played, that’s incredible to allow only 6 points through two games. I think there’s a lot of room for their run game this week, too.
Tecmo Sim: Saints 23 Panthers 28
Michael Thomas gashes the Panthers for 150 yards but it’s not quite enough to bring the Saints out of the gutter.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) at Minnesota Vikings (1-1)
Line: No Line (Bradford). Total:
Ryan’s Pick: Buccaneers
If Bradford was playing this would be a pretty tough call. Unfortunately for the Vikings, he isn’t and Case Keenum is their backup. Keenum at this time is fighting the good fight for worst QB in the NFL. It’s a tough race that I don’t think he can win but his 54.1% completion percentage (worst in the NFL) should help.
Conversely, although the Vikings have a formidable defense, their corners are struggling and will have to face Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson. Best of luck fellas.
Jon’s Pick: Buccaneers
Minnesota sans Bradford is Minnesota sans a win. Tampa takes this one pretty easily, I think.
Tecmo Sim: Buccaneers 13 Vikings 31
Bradford out, Cook under 50 yards rushing, Latavious Murray the top receiver, and the Vikings win with 31 points. A $1 investment would make you a millionaire with a bet like that.
Atlanta Falcons (2-0) at Detroit Lions (2-0)
Line: Falcons by 3. Total: 51
Ryan’s Pick: Falcons
At first I was determined to pick the Lions. They look like a team on fire with a legitimate offense that was going to be real tough to beat in the NFC North.
All that may be true but the Falcons are just a better football team and there’s no real way around it. I don’t believe in the Lions run game and anything you can say about the Lions ability to throw the ball can be said more so about the Falcons.
The Falcons run, pass, and defense better than the Lions. Even on the road I take the Falcons.
Jon’s Pick: Lions
Call me crazy for picking against them every week, but I think this is the week they finally lose. Detroit can keep pace scoring, and they haven’t lost half their starting roster, like the Packers had last week.
Tecmo Sim: Falcons 28 Lions 30
Julio Jones does his best impression of Aaron Rodgers putting the team on his back going for over 200 yards receiving. In the end, Stafford’s surgical performance (91% completion percentage) is enough to put the Falcons away.
New York Giants (0-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)
Line: Eagles by 6. Total: 42.5
Ryan’s Pick: Eagles
Although I want to give respect to the Giants defense, they aren’t shutting anyone out. They gave up 19 to the Cowboys and 24 to the Lions. Not horrible but when your team is struggling to put up 10 points in a game, it matters very little how good your defense is.
Eagles have plenty of offense to outpace the Giants anemic offense. They also seem to get the better of the Giants more often than not.
Jon’s Pick: Eagles
The Giants have been totally lost during the first couple of weeks. I don’t think Beckham can hide all of their offensive problems again this year.
Tecmo Sim: Giants 17 Eagles 31
I had a hunch to play Sproles in daily fantasy this week and Tecmo having him go for 168 yards might just be the sign I needed… No I’m not kidding.
Seattle Seahawks (1-1) at Tennessee Titans (1-1)
Line: Titans by 3. Total: 42
Ryan’s Pick: Titans
Seattle was only able to put up 9 points on the Packers and followed it up by scoring 12 against the 49ers. The team should be 0-2 but the defense was able to hold the 49ers to just 9 points.
The Titans aren’t the 49ers and holding the to 9 points is beyond unlikely. They are much closer to the Packers than the 49ers but with a better defense.
Although I’m concerned with the Seahawks tendency to heat up as the season goes on, it’s only week 3. I think the poor offensive play continues on the road against the Titans.
Jon’s Pick: Titans
Seattle can’t get anything going on offense. Their defense has been okay, but Tennessee can score points in bunches in the right situation. I think they can score at least 17, and Seattle has shown little to indicate they can match that output.
Tecmo Sim: Seahawks 21 Titans 42
The Titans exploded (Murray and Davis over 100 yards) and the Seahawks imploded (Wilson 3 interceptions). Pretty much sums this up.
Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) at Los Angeles Chargers (0-2)
Line: Chiefs by 3. Total: 47.5
Ryan’s Pick: Chiefs
The Chargers only lost by a combined 5 points in 2 weeks. Their ability to win this game exists but the Chiefs have a ton of weapons and the Chargers really don’t at this point.
In order to win this game the Chargers will need to stay in front of the Chiefs and I don’t think they have the defense to make that happen.
Jon’s Pick: Chiefs
I heard only 25,000 fans showed up for their first home game… pathetic. San Diego finds ways to lose. I think this will be close, maybe the Chargers even lead for significant time, but then it draws close and they choke it away, yet again. It wasn’t Mike McCoy’s fault that the team couldn’t win games, they’re just losers
Tecmo Sim: Chiefs 7 Chargers 28
Tecmo keeps predicting a spectacular crash to earth for the Chiefs. Perhaps this is the week.
Cincinnati Bengals (0-2) at Green Bay Packers (1-1)
Line: Packers by 9. Total: 46.5
Ryan’s Pick: Packers
The Bengals have the worst offensive line in the NFL right now and Dalton is playing the worst football of his career. They have yet to score a single touchdown and are heading to Green Bay to play Aaron Rodgers at home in September. Not a recipe for success.
Oh, and the Bengals are the only NFL team Rodgers hasn’t beat.
Jon’s Pick: Packers
Until Cincinnati dumps Marv Lewis and Dalton, they’re going to continue to be a joke of a team. That has nothing to do with this week, but it’s the truth. Even banged up, Green Bay is better than Cincinnati.
Tecmo Sim: Bengals 20 Packers 28
The game wasn’t pretty. Montgomery was the top rusher and didn’t hit 40 yards, and Rodgers barely surpassed 250 yards but Jordy was an unstoppable force. Let’s all hope he’s playing Sunday.
Oakland Raiders (2-0) at Washington Redskins (1-1)
Line: Raiders by 3. Total: 54
Ryan’s Pick: Raiders
The Raiders are 1 of the top offenses in the NFL. The Redskins are having success on the ground but can’t throw the ball to save their life. When the Raiders run up the score the Redskins will be forced to abandon what they do well and turn to what they don’t.
Jon’s Pick: Raiders
Washington has looked awfully shaky through two weeks, while Oakland looks like a Super Bowl contender. This one feels obvious, almost too obvious… but I’ll take the obvious here.
Tecmo Sim: Raiders 30 Redskins 27
Crabtree again leads the team in receptions and yards. I’m not sure if he’s benefiting from Cooper drawing all the attention or if he’s just legitimately the better option but he has been on fire.
Dallas Cowboys (1-1) at Arizona Cardinals (1-1)
Line: Cowboys by 3.5. Total: 47
Ryan’s Pick: Cowboys
Their records are the same but these teams are not even close in talent level. The Cowboys loss came at the hands of an incredibly talented Broncos team. The Cardinals lone win came in overtime against the Colts. They nearly went 0-2 at the hands of the Colts. Let that sink in.
There is a part of me that is concerned about how the Cowboys young stars will respond to a loss, especially considering the way Ezekiel Elliott acted. If this was against another team I might bet on the Cowboys to lose in an upset but against the Cardinals there is just no way.
Jon’s Pick: Cowboys
Dallas got embarrassed last week, something Arizona is accustomed to feeling, so it seems. I think Dallas will play with something to prove, and look closer to the team we saw vs New York instead of Denver.
Tecmo Sim: Cowboys 21 Cardinals 17
It was close but was it really? The Cardinals are just awful in 2017.