Standings trough week 3
Jake 31-15
Sam 31-15
Johnny 26-17
All games are 1:00 p.m. ET unless noted otherwise
THURSDAY
Denver @ New York (A) 8:20 p.m.
Jake: Broncos
I know the Broncos have been losing almost all of their talented players to injury, and Brett Rypien is nothing to be excited about, but this is the 2020 Jets we are talking about. Equipped with a poor offensive line, a brutal receiving core, a low quality backfield, a questionable defense, and an incredibly inconsistent QB, the Jets look like they’re primed to be the worst team in the league. I’m going Broncos here.
Sam: Jets
My Jets may be struggling but the Broncos are their easiest opponent thus far and I think Gang Green can pull this one out. Some of New Yorks injury issues will be resolved (Crowder and Fant coming back) and that should give Darnold *Something* to work with on his way to a win.
Johnny: Broncos
SUNDAY
Los Angeles (A) @ Tampa Bay
Jake: Buccaneers:
The Bucs being without Chris Godwin is going to be a blow to their performance, but Brady has always excelled at spreading the ball around, and his first three weeks with the Bucs have proved no different. Look for the Bucs to continue to get Gronk and Evans involved in the passing game more. On the Chargers side, Herbert looked to take a big step backwards after his first start against the Chiefs, losing to an extremely beatable Panthers team. Herbert will have to do more than just dumping the ball off to Ekeler and force feeding Keenan Allen to win this game, I just don’t see it.
Sam: Buccaneers
This week we’ll see that Herbert’s big game vs the Chiefs was a fluke.
Johnny: Buccaneers
Even though Godwin is out, Brady keeps gaining chemistry with Evans and even OJ Howard last week and the run game will also outmatch the Chargers
Cleveland @ Dallas
Jake:Cowboys
Sam: Cowboys
Johnny: Browns
I see this as being a possible shootout and therefore a tossup, but I have to go with my guy Baker
Baltimore @ Washington
Jake: Ravens
Sam: Ravens
If the Football Team’s pass rush was at full strength, the Ravens would still win by a million but it’d be fun to watch them chase Lamar a little bit. With Young and Ioannidis sidelined though, we won't even have that to keep us entertained. Blowout.
Johnny: Ravens
This is probably a game you can’t even bet the moneyline
Seattle @ Miami
Jake: Seahawks
The Seahawks have been rolling through their competition, and every week that the Dolphins don’t put in Tua Tagovailoa is another week that they don’t need to be taken seriously.
Sam: Seahawks
Johnny: Seahawks
Chris Carson is a bit shaken up so this is probably a game where Pete Carrol gives him a few less snaps because Fitzpatrick already had his 1 good game for the season
Minnesota @ Houston
Jake: Texans
The Texans have had an unbelievably tough schedule over the first 3 weeks, and while I don’t think this team is on the level of the 2019 Texans, I think Deshaun Watson is going to be playing this game with a little chip on his shoulder.
Sam: Texans
Nobody expected this to be a matchup of 0-3 teams but here we are. Both teams (obviously) have disappointed so far this year but Watson has to get back on track eventually and this is the perfect week to do it.
Johnny: Texans
Finally one of my favorites will get their first W. Houston has been TESTED and will most likely come out on top over the Diggs-less Vikings
New Orleans @ Detroit
Jake: Saints
Sam: Saints
The Lions seem to burn me every week, and the Saints have burned me a few times too, but I can NOT bring myself to pick against Brees vs Stafford. I mean come on.
Johnny: Saints
Jacksonville @ Cincinnati
Jake: Jaguars
Low-end defense versus one of the worst O-lines I’ve ever seen (for the Bengals). Zac Taylor continues to be one of the least creative offensive coaches I’ve seen in the NFL despite being touted as a “young offensive mind”, and I don’t see that changing here. The pass-rush has not looked great as of early, but with the talent of young budding star Josh Allen, and newcomer K’Lavon Chaisson, this is the perfect week for it to happen. Minshew has looked solid through the first 3 weeks, and James Robinson is coming into his own as a pretty good running back as well. The Bengals defense is also not good, and the receiving core of Keelan Cole, DJ Chark and Laviska Shennault might be able to make some noise here.
Sam: Bengals
The Jaguars were a huge positive surprise for the first two weeks, but it seems last week they came back down to earth where they’ll probably stay. Burrow has improved with every game he’s played so far and this week should be no exception, vs one of the league's worst defenses.
Johnny: Bengals
Burrow tied Lucky Carson Wentz last weekend, the chemistry keeps getting stronger and stronger with him and his WR corps, and that will show against a Jacksonville team still trying to figure out who they are
Indianapolis @ Chicago
Jake: Bears:
The Bears offense looked significantly better with Nick Foles under center : outside of a strange interception that it looked like Allen Robinson initially caught for a TD last week. Allen Robinson is one of the most talented receivers in the league, and looks for the connection between Foles and him to grow in this one. The Bears defense looks to be embarking on somewhat of a comeback season, and despite the Colts offense being hot over the last two weeks, I think the Bears hold them to a tougher game here.
Sam:Colts
The Bears should take a bit of a step forward with Foles instead of Trubisky but it's important to remember that Foles still isn’t Joe Montana. The Bears still aren't better than the Colts.
Johnny: Bears
Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles is going to be the difference of the game
Arizona @ Carolina
Jake: Cardinals
Sam: Cardinals
Johnny: Cardinals
They had a tough loss against Detroit last week and it’s time for them to bounce back
New York (N) @ Los Angeles (N) 4:05 p.m.
Jake: Rams
Sam: Rams
The Rams have looked very solid this year. Whether they’ll be a true playoff contender or just a solid team is yet to be determined, but regardless they shouldn't struggle with the Giants.
Johnny: Rams
New England @ Kansas City 4:25 p.m. -- TUESDAY?
Jake: Chiefs:
Hoyer. Sorry.
Sam: Chiefs
This would have been a decisive Chiefs victory even with Cam Newton healthy, but now without him this won't be a fun one for Pats nation.
Buffalo @ Las Vegas 4:25 p.m.
Jake: Bills:
Sam: Bills
Johnny: Bills
So many Josh Allen hot takes, he isn’t going to win MVP but he looks good and that will continue this week
Philadelphia @ San Francisco 8:20 p.m.
Jake: 49ers
Nick Mullens honestly looks like a real QB under center, and while the 9ers have lost a lot of players to injury, the Eagles have been horrendous this year.
Sam: 49ers
Unlike my co-host Mr. Maffei I dont think the Eagles are THAT bad, but I definitely can't pick them vs the 49ers.
Johnny: 49ers
Lucky Carson Wentz is the Andrew Benintendi of the NFL. How am I supposed to pick #TheBirds after 3 AWFUL performances, while the QB they set free had a gorgeous comeback last week off the bench.
MONDAY
Atlanta @ Green Bay 8:15 p.m.
Jake: Packers
Rodgers in on an MVP campaign right now, and I don’t think it changes against the undisciplined Falcons.
Sam: Packers
The Falcons have blown some massive leads recently and its about time they give their fan base a break. They wont have a lead to blow in this one.
Johnny: Packers
If the Falcons go up 92-0 I would pick the Hue Jackson Browns to beat them