"The Stack" 9-23-16
With Carolina descending into protest and chaos this week, hopefully the Panthers can provide a little bit of a distraction and a chance to unify on Sunday when they take on the Vikings.
Lauren Petracca-USA TODAY Sports
It’s another Football Friday and week 3 in the NFL is underway. I don’t know about you, but I feel like a damn fool today for doubting that the New England Patriots could beat the Houston Texans starting Jacoby Brissett at quarterback. They drummed the Texans 27-0. Pretty embarrassing performance by the Texans. 0-1 to start out the week. Let’s find out what other games we’ll get wrong in “the stack” for today, Friday, September 23rd:
Arizona Cardinals @ Buffalo Bills 1 PM ET FOX
The Bills’ backs are against the wall. Early kickoff for a west coast team. Be aware of the upset here, but the Cardinals are the more talented team.
Prediction: Cardinals 27 Bills 20
Minnesota Vikings @ Carolina Panthers 1 PM ET FOX
What’s going on in Charlotte right now is way more important than this game. As a city tries to heal from the police shooting that took place earlier this week, hopefully the Panthers can help in that healing process. Against a Vikings team that has a lot of people who need healing right now (Adrian Peterson, Matt Kalil, Sharrif Floyd), expect the Panthers to come away with a win in this one.
Prediction: Panthers 24 Vikings 17
Denver Broncos @ Cincinnati Bengals 1 PM ET CBS
The Broncos defense has been very good so far this year, but we’ll see if they can be as dominant on the road without DeMarcus Ware. A.J. Green bounces back to have over 100 yards and the Bengals get a win.
Prediction: Bengals 24 Broncos 16
Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers 1 PM ET FOX
The Lions ended their long losing streak at Lambeau Field last year and then proceeded to lose on a Hail Mary at home last year. The Packers offense may not be what they once were, but in their home opener, they won’t need a Hail Mary to win. Jordy Nelson scores again and Aaron Rodgers silences his doubters (I am not one of them).
Prediction: Packers 27 Lions 17
Baltimore Ravens @ Jacksonville Jaguars 1 PM ET CBS
Let’s go Jacksonville. This could be your last straw this year to make a statement that you can win the AFC South after last week’s dreadful performance in San Diego. I don’t think the Ravens are as good as their 2-0 record and I think the Jaguars are better than their 0-2 record, but they haven’t shown it this season. Sunday they will though.
Prediction: Jaguars 27 Ravens 22
Cleveland Browns @ Miami Dolphins 1 PM ET CBS
There should be no bigger lock this week than the Dolphins over the Browns. Browns are starting their third string rookie quarterback (Cody Kessler) and do not have Corey Coleman (broken hand). If the Dolphins can’t win this one they have no hope for the rest of this season.
Prediction: Dolphins 27 Browns 6
Washington @ New York Giants 1 PM ET FOX
The Giants have not looked stellar so far in their first two wins, but they have a chance to put Washington on the ropes after only three weeks. Of course all eyes will be on Odell Beckham Jr. and Josh Norman. What a fascinating battle. Who will lose their cool first? My money is on Norman since Beckham Jr.’s team will be up most of the game in this one.
Prediction: Giants 27 Washington 17
Oakland Raiders @ Tennessee Titans 1 PM ET CBS
Last year’s game between these two teams ended in controversy with the Raiders winning. This year’s game won’t be ending in controversy. Raiders are the better team. They will need their defense to step up in this one and stop the “Smash Mouth” offense of the Titans. It won’t be easy, but the Raiders find a way to win to start 2-0 on the road on early kickoffs.
Prediction: Raiders 27 Titans 17
San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks 4:05 PM ET FOX
Will Seattle’s offense finally wake up? They have to take advantage of playing a team like the 49ers at home. 15 points in two games is unacceptable. One touchdown in 22 drives is unacceptable. Seahawks wake up and win big.
Prediction: 49ers 31 49ers 10
Los Angeles Rams @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4:05 PM ET FOX
The Rams are still looking for their first touchdown of the season and head coach Jeff Fisher was having some fun with his team this week. The Buccaneers were humbled last week in their 40-7 blowout loss to the Cardinals. They come back with focus this week and Jameis Winston has a bounce back game to lead the Bucs to victory.
Prediction: Bucs 23 Rams 9
San Diego Chargers @ Indianapolis Colts 4:25 PM ET CBS
There should be points a plenty in this one. Philip Rivers has to be licking his chops going against the injury-ravaged secondary of the Colts which means that Andrew Luck knows he is going to have to match Rivers tit for tat. The Colts will be playing with a little more desperation though looking for their first win of the season. I think they find a way to get it.
Prediction: Colts 30 Chargers 27
New York Jets @ Kansas City Chiefs 4:25 PM ET CBS
If Brandon Marshall doesn’t play for the Jets that is going to make things very difficult for their offense. They still have Matt Forte though. I understand the Chiefs do a good job of avoiding turnovers, but they don’t score a lot. Will Jamaal Charles play in this one? We’ll see how the Jets do against him and on the deep ball with Darrelle Revis. Jets are more talented and will find a way to win in this one.
Prediction: Jets 24 Chiefs 20
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Philadelphia Eagles 4:25 PM ET CBS
Eagles rookie quarterback Carson Wentz has received plenty of praise through two weeks and right fully so leading the Eagles to a 2-0 record. He hasn’t played against a team like Pittsburgh yet and after going against the Steelers with that offense and defense, Wentz will learn that he has a lot to learn.
Prediction: Steelers 31 Eagles 10
Chicago Bears @ Dallas Cowboys 8:30 PM ET NBC
No Jay Cutler for the Bears? I don’t care how bad the Cowboys defense is. They aren’t going to lose to a team that looked a tad inept at home against Philadelphia on Monday night. The rookies lead the Cowboys to victory.
Prediction: Cowboys 27 Bears 10
Coming up Monday: Week 3 NFL reaction plus MNF preview
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