As we prepare for week 4 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*
New Orleans Saints (1-2) vs. Miami Dolphins (1-1)
Line: Saints by 3. Total: 51.5.
Ryan’s Pick: Saints
The Dolphins had about as bad of a game as a team could have last week. I’m not entirely sure what happened but you can bet the Saints do. The Dolphins have a fatal flaw and the Saints will exploit it.
Jon’s Pick: Saints
I think this game will be competitive, unlike last week’s matchup in London. The Saints are good when they’re playing in their dome, but not so good on the road. Something is telling me that the Dolphins will win this game in an upset, but I think it’s just my hatred for Drew Brees talking to me. I’ve looked for every reason I can find that the Saints might lose this game, but I can’t find it. I’ll take the Saints and hope I’m wrong.
Tecmo sim: Saints 21 Dolphins 26
Ted Ginn has a good game but Brees clearly has jet lag. 50% completion percentage and 3 interceptions isn’t going to win many games.
Carolina Panthers (2-1) at New England Patriots (2-1)
Line: Patriots by 9. Total: 49.5.
Ryan’s Pick: Panthers
Everything in my body tells me to pick the Patriots but that’s simply based on my instincts to never bet against the Patriots. The analytical part of me sees a great opportunity for the Panthers.
If the coaching staff is smart enough to tell Cam to sit in the pocket against this team that is struggling to get pressure, and get vertical, you are not only attacking the Patriots weak spots, you’re putting Cam back in a position that gave him more success.
Jon’s Pick: Patriots
New England should take this one easily. Carolina is just too disjointed offensively. If there’s anything we can count on being premonitory from the last two weeks, it’s the offensive performances from the Patriots, who field one of the league’s best offenses every year. Carolina should lose worse than they did last week.
Tecmo sim: Panthers 24 Patriots 17
Although one of the more unlikely scenarios, it’s certainly possible. The Patriots defense could be be the perfect defense to get the Panthers their mojo back. Conversely, the Panthers defense isn’t terrible.
Los Angeles Rams (2-1) at Dallas Cowboys (2-1)
Line: Cowboys by 6.5. Total: 49.
Ryan’s Pick: Rams
I’m not sure what’s up with the Rams. For that matter I’m not sure what’s up with the Cowboys. This is the time of year when weird things correct themselves but the Cowboys are slipping and I’m not sure the Rams aren’t for real. Gurley is looking unstoppable and if Goff is the real deal the Cowboys could be in trouble.
Jon’s Pick: Rams
Dallas looked awfully good on both sides of the ball last week, and the Rams offense looked incredible while their defense surrendered 39 points to the behemoth 49ers. While the Rams offense looked incredible last week, they were also playing one of the worst pass rushing teams in the league. Six of Dallas’s 11 sacks came against last week against a team that can’t run the ball. They were significantly less effective against Denver, who gashed them repeatedly on the ground. With Sean Lee likely out (if they’re smart, they’ll give him a week off, or he’ll end his season today), and Gurley playing at an all-pro level, I’ll take the Rams to upset the ‘Girls this week.
Tecmo sim: Rams 0 Cowboys 28
Presumably Tecmo believes the 2017 production of the Rams is entirely a fluke and the Cowboys expose them.
Detroit Lions (2-1) at Minnesota Vikings (2-1)
Line: Vikings by 2.5. Total: 42.5.
Ryan’s Pick: Lions
Very torn on this. I think the Vikings at home are a very tough team and Case Keenum looked amazing last week. Still, the Lions offense is pretty dominant and unless Case looks like Joe Montana (He can’t right?) the Lions should take this one.
Jon’s Pick: Lions
There is no way Case Keenum throws 3 TDs without turning the ball over again this week. He has had back to back 3 TD/0 INT games in the past, though. Still, I like Detroit playing in a dome. If not for an incredibly stupid rule, they probably would have beaten the Falcons last week. I think they have too much offensive firepower for the Vikings to keep pace
Tecmo sim: Lions 20 Vikings 14
Tecmo agrees with Jon’s sentiment in today’s Packernet podcast that the Case Keenum show was a fluke. 14 points rarely beats anyone in the NFL anymore.
Tennessee Titans (2-1) at Houston Texans (1-2)
Line: Titans by 2.5. Total: 44.
Ryan’s Pick: Titans
The Texans have a decent defense but they were shredded last week. On the other end, they pretty much just have a wide receiver. He’s good but I can’t see them winning this game.
Jon’s Pick: Titans
Houston looked like a decent team last week, but they’re not. The Titans will win this game, just as they’ll win the division this year.
Tecmo sim: Titans 35 Texans 14
The Texans again give up a ton of points. This time the offense didn’t feel like getting in the fight.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1) at New York Jets (1-2)
Line: Jaguars by 3. Total: 38.5.
Ryan’s Pick: Jaguars
The Jags defense if for real and last week we saw the offense dominate. The Jets had a good week but they will struggle to score points in this game.
Jon’s Pick: Jaguars
Neither team is as good as they looked last week, and that goes double for the Jets. The Jags win big on the road this week.
Tecmo sim: Jaguars 35 Jets 21
Tecmo seems to think the Jets are for real in this semi-shootout. Possibly even more odd is the fact the Jaguars put up 35 points and Bortles threw 0 interceptions.
Cincinnati Bengals (0-3) at Cleveland Browns (0-3)
Line: Bengals by 3. Total: 41.5.
Ryan’s Pick: Bengals
The Bengals looked like a different team last week and I don’t think it’s just because they went against the Packers corners. Their new offensive coordinator seems to have tapped into something and the Browns will be a good team to obliterate.
Jon’s Pick: Bengals
Another toilet bowl matchup for the Browns. I really wish the NFL would disband the team. They’re just so pointless. I really want to take Cleveland at home, but they’re so bad. So are the Bengals, and most certainly Dalton sucks, but two of the five multiple TD games he has since the beginning of last season came against the Browns. Games like these are how Marvin Lewis manages to stay employed and continue to hold the Bengals back from achieving anything above mediocrity.
Tecmo sim: Bengals 28 Browns 21
The ineptitude continues for both teams but A.J. Green is able to go for over 100 yards. That’s good enough in a game like this.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) at Baltimore Ravens (2-1)
Line: Steelers by 3. Total: 42.5.
Ryan’s Pick: Ravens
I’ll be honest, I like the Steelers a lot more. Still, I can’t get over the fact that this Steelers team really struggles on the road. Add in that Bell hasn’t been himself and this seems to be a barely average team.
I’ll take the Ravens at home in a divisional game.
Jon’s Pick: Ravens
The Steelers almost dropped a game to the Browns, and then actually dropped a game to the Bears on the road. Ben still sucks outside of Pittsburgh for some reason. For that reason alone, I’m taking the Ravens.
Tecmo sim: Ravens 20 Steelers 17
This is becoming simple. If the Steelers are at home, assume they are pretty good. If they are away, assume they can barely beat the Browns.
Buffalo Bills (2-1) at Atlanta Falcons (3-0)
Line: Falcons by 8. Total: 48.5.
Ryan’s Pick: Falcons
Falcons at home are dominant. Bills don’t have the firepower to keep up.
Jon’s Pick: Falcons
I’m finally taking Atlanta. Buffalo trapped Denver in a classic trap scenario. Matt Ryan doesn’t make stupid throws the way the Siemian made them all game long last week, which significantly limits the scoring potential for Buffalo’s offense. In the end, Atlanta’s offense is just too good for the Bills to handle.
Tecmo sim: Bills 24 Falcons 34
Devonta Freeman runs for 150+ yards in this game. Seems about right.
New York Giants (0-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1)
Line: Buccaneers by 3. Total: 45.
Ryan’s Pick: Buccaneers
This could go either way but I think the Giants will struggle to get pressure on Jameis Winston. Winston with a lot of time to throw is a recipe for disaster regardless of how good the Giants DB’s are.
Jon’s Pick: Giants
I’ll take the Giants in Tampa. I thought week 2 was too good to be true. The truth is that with Beckham back, the Giants offense isn’t dreadful any longer. Tampa should look away from throwing this week, given how well the Giants have performed against all the other passing attacks they’ve faced, and I’m not confident that their rushing attack is strong enough to carry them to a win. Ultimately, the Giants are too talented to start 0-4.
Tecmo sim: Giants 35 Buccaneers 17
The Buccs corners are struggling and the Giants passing game get in rhythm at the perfect time. Brandon Marshall is the hero in this game going for 130 yards.
Philadelphia Eagles (2-1) at Los Angeles Chargers (0-3)
Line: Chargers by 2. Total: 47.5.
Ryan’s Pick: Eagles
I don’t know what it’s going to take to get this Chargers team over the hump but the Eagles seem like an unlikely team to get started against. Considering nobody even shows up to the Chargers games, I can’t even give them a home field advantage. If anything it’s depressing for them to be there and they play worse.
Jon’s Pick: Eagles
I’m not sure what to make of either team. Carson Wentz came back to earth last week, and the Chargers extended their losing streak to 8. They can’t lose them all… or can they? I think they extend that lovely streak to 9 this week.
Tecmo sim: Eagles 24 Chargers 21
Melvin Gordon has a good game but it’s not enough to keep up with Cason Wentz and Zach Ertz.
San Francisco 49ers (0-3) at Arizona Cardinals (1-2)
Line: Cardinals by 7. Total: 44.5.
Ryan’s Pick: Cardinals
I’m not sure which Cardinals team shows up today but Fitzgerald has a great matchup and anytime he plays well this team has a chance to dominate. Also, the 49ers, so…
Jon’s Pick: 49ers
The 9ers offense won’t put up 39, but they don’t need to against Arizona. My fear is that Brian Hoyer’s inconsistency rears its ugly head this week, but I think that last week’s performance was a sign of things to come for Shannahan’s offense. The Cardinals have looked awful in every game, and I expect that to continue as they lose to the 49ers this week.
Tecmo sim: 49ers 17 Cardinals 13
Last week the Cardinals seemed to right the ship. Apparently those games will be few and far between and they struggle to put up double digit points.
Oakland Raiders (2-1) at Denver Broncos (2-1)
Line: Broncos by 3. Total: 45.5.
Ryan’s Pick: Broncos
I have yet to get the Broncos right this year and I’m extremely torn on this game. Still, I think the Broncos are a great team that has proven they can beat the best. The Bills were a different opponent and a bit of a trap game.
If the Broncos D can keep the score low, I like the Broncos ability to rack up points and win the game in a narrow margin.
Jon’s Pick: Broncos
Oakland’s defense showed its true colors last week: that was no aberration. They haven’t fared well against Denver lately, and I don’t think that’ll change this week. Besides, you know Denver’s D is going to be pissed off this week, and that’s always frightening for opposing offenses.
Tecmo sim: Raiders 38 Broncos 31
The Broncos put up an admirable fight in the midst of a shootout but a shootout is not the Broncos game. The defense wins games for this team and the defense let the Broncos down.
Indianapolis Colts (1-2) at Seattle Seahawks (1-2)
Line: Seahawks by 13. Total: 41.5.
Ryan’s Pick: Seahawks
The Colts look to be heating up with their new quarterback and the Seahawks look inept. That said the Seahawks always start slow and on paper this shouldn’t even be close.
A young QB against the Seahawks D doesn’t feel promising for the Colts.
Jon’s Pick: Seahawks
I’ll take Seattle at home because they’re at home. I don’t think they’re good, but I think they’re good enough to beat the Colts behind that crowd noise.
Tecmo sim: Colts 29 Seahawks 21
The Seahawks offense continues to sputter but it’s the defense that’s a real shocker, allowing 29 points to the Colts.
Washington Redskins (2-1) at Kansas City Chiefs (3-0)
Line: Chiefs by 7. Total: 49.
Ryan’s Pick: Chiefs
I’m not sure who is going to stop the Cheifs on their war path (see what I did there?) but I certainly don’t think it’s going to be the redskins.
Jon’s Pick: Chiefs
Washington rolls into KC on an emotional high, where the defense finally played the way we expected them to play the first two weeks. But KC played Chargers, who apparently enjoy losing because that’s all they do anymore. It’s awfully hard for opposing offenses in KC. If this game were in DC, I’d take the Skins, but at home, I feel compelled to take Kansas, although I think Washington has a legitimate chance to win.
Tecmo sim: Redskins 24 Chiefs 30
Kirk Cousins was the leading rusher, HAHA. I don’t know how realistic that prediction is but it certainly is funny.