Two weeks are in the books and my records stands pat at 6-6. Last week my Silver predictions finished 1-1, Gold 2-0 and Platinum 0-2. Not the best results in the two games which I felt most confident about. None the less, Indianapolis, New England and Tennessee all covered as I expected. While the Vikings, Browns and Seahawks handed me my three losses. I’m hoping things turn around this weekend and post my first week above .500. Here are the games I’m circling this weekend.
SILVER PREDICTIONS – WEEK THREE
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS VS LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (+3)
Few teams have been more unlucky that the Chargers in the last few seasons. They have lost more games by 5-points or fewer than anyone else in the league the last three seasons. You can chalk that up to poor clock management and play calling, but at some point that luck has to turn around and I think this is that weekend. Los Angeles lost week one against Denver because of a blocked field goal, (it was actually made first attempt but Denver iced the kicker) while last week a similar scenario unfolded as they lost on a last second field goal against Miami at home. They have had all week to prepare for this divisional matchup and these two rivals always play close games. This game is make or break for the Chargers season and I’m expecting them to step up to the table and earn their first win of the season.
FINAL SCORE – CHIEFS 17 – CHARGERS 20
OAKLAND RAIDERS (-3) VS WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Oakland has exploded out of the gates and look to be picking up right where they left off last season. They trampled a easy New York Jets team last week and look unstoppable on offense this season. Washington is much better than the Jets, I just don’t see an outcome where Oakland loses this game or win by less than 3. Derek Carr is proving to be the real deal, Marshawn Lynch has officially brought some swagger to the Raiders and Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper have both shown us that they are both be elite receivers. Washington has a serviceable offense themselves but it is their defense and secondary concerns me. The Philadelphia Eagles put up 30 on them in week one and the Rams were able to keep it within a touchdown last week, Oakland should run away with this one by late in the third. Barring a complete defensive meltdown or some costly turnovers by the Raiders offense, they should cruise to their 3rd straight victory on Sunday.
FINAL SCORE – RAIDERS 31 – REDSKINS 21
GOLD PREDICTIONS – WEEK THREE
HOUSTON TEXANS VS NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (-13.5)
Biggest point spread of the entire weekend and I’ll gladly take the points. New England reminded everyone last weekend why they are so feared in this league and Houston is the next victim on their list. This marks the 4th straight season these two have met, including the divisional round last season. The results, they are heavily favour New England. The Patriots are 4-0 and won 3 of 4 games by 18 or more points. They have the Texans number, it is as simple as that. The Texans proved to the world on Thursday night football in week two that their offense is once again missing in action and while DeShawn Watson might be the solution in the long term, expecting him to walk into Foxborough in only his second career start and keep this one manageable would be outrageous. Tom Brady is still elite and this offense is extremely talented even without Julian Edleman. Patriots win big and Houston falls to 0-3 on the year.
FINAL SCORE – TEXANS 10 – PATRIOTS 38
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (+5.5) VS CAROLINA PANTHERS
I’ll be taking the Saints and the points this weekend versus Carolina. New Orleans has fallen flat on their faces to start the 2017 season and there still looks like major problems on the defensive side of the ball, but this is a divisional matchup and could be the difference between coach Sean Payton keeping his job this year. Carolina has looked impressive to start the season 2-0, but they also haven’t faced an offense and quarterback like Drew Brees and the Saints. Carolina stomped San Francisco 23-3 to start the year and rounded out their 2-0 record with a 9-3 win over Buffalo last weekend. Neither of those teams are a serious post-season threat this year and both are in the bottom 15 teams in the league for offense. We’ve all seen the things Drew Brees can do in the pocket if the protection is right, and they have their backs against the wall this weekend. Carolina does have a stifling defense but Cam Newton has yet to regain his 2015 form and still doesn’t look quite right. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit to see the Saints win this game outright in this situation, so I’ll gladly take the points this weekend.
FINAL SCORE – SAINTS 24 – PANTHERS 26
PLATNIUM PREDICTIONS – WEEK THREE
ATLANTA FALCONS (-3) VS DETRIOT LIONS
This might be one of the best games all weekend. Both of these teams enter undefeated but one team is clearly better than the other, Atlanta. The Falcons haven’t had one bit of a SuperBowl hangover to start the season and mopped the floor with Green Bay last Sunday evening. As for Detroit and their fans, I don’t think they should be getting too excited just yet. Arizona and New York both look like mediocre teams this season and have zero offensive scoring threats. Atlanta is a whole other ballgame. The laundry list of offensive weapons around Matt Ryan is ridiculous and I think that the Lions defense is going to be overmatched and exposed this weekend. High scoring games never seem to favour the Lions and I think Atlanta could easily reach the 30-point plateau again this weekend.
FINAL SCORE – FALCONS 31 – LIONS 24
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS VS TENNESSE TITANS (-2.5)
I love Tennessee this weekend. Seattle is 1-1 to start the year but has looked dreadful on offense. They have scored only one touchdown in two games and have major problems on their offensive line. They are 29th in the league averaging only 4.2 yards per play this year. Tennessee has the defense to pressure Russell Wilson again this weekend and playing behind a home crowd gives them the ultimate advantage. In the last 4 meetings between these two teams the home team has gone undefeated. The Titans are set to make a leap forward this season and this is the game that will show everyone they mean business. The Legion of Boom is no walk in the park but a 3-7 against the spread record away from CenturyLink since 2016 is the second worst record in the league behind only Chicago since last year. This game should be low scoring and a game of field position to start, but Tennessee will pull away in the 3rd quarter.