All times are 1:00 p.m. ET unless otherwise noted
THURSDAY
Green Bay @ San Francisco
Jake: Packers
Sam: Packers
Johnny: Packers
The 49ers’ injury bug unfortunately ended their season
SUNDAY
Houston @ Jacksonville
Jake: Texans
Both of these teams are kind of a mess this year. They both HAD great defenses a few years ago, and now they’re in shambles. I don’t even blame Minshew for the Jaguars struggles this year cuz he hasn’t been bad by any stretch, but with two 1-6 teams I’m taking Deshaun Watson.
Sam: Texans
Johnny: Texans
New York (N) @ Washington
Jake: Football Team
Three of Daniel Jones’s four career wins have come against the Football Team. I know it’s not necessarily the greatest sounding way to back up my love for Daniel Jones, but he gets it done against the Football Team. The Football Team has genuinely sported a great defense this year though statistically. Kendall Fuller has been a lockdown corner this year, and though I’ve been critical of him in the past, I’ll continue to hold my breath while he plays well. The pass rush has also looked more like the unit I expected as players return from injury (with Sweat leading the way), and they’ve allowed the fewest passing yards in the NFL. Daniel Jones simply doesn’t have enough help to succeed—and while I will concede that he’s not doing himself any favors with turnovers—the Football Team is nonetheless equipped to beat him this year. Plus Kyle Allen has looked miles better than Dwayne Haskins.
Sam: Football Team
Daniel Jones has struggled recently. Some of this struggle can be blamed on his line, which indeed is not his fault, but his fault or not he's still taking a weak line into a matchup vs Chase Young. Not gonna end well.
Johnny: Football Team
Baltimore @ Indianapolis
Jake: Ravens
Sam: Ravens
Johnny: Ravens
Detroit @ Minnesota
Jake
Sam: Vikings
Johnny: Vikings
Chicago @ Tennessee
Jake: Titans
The Bears have started to expose themselves. I repeat. The Bears have started to expose themselves. They’ve had a decent run defense, but they’re not going to be any match for Derrick Henry and the rest of the Titans offense. They have flashed two legitimate #1 in AJ Brown and Corey Davis, and as long as Tannehill stays consistent this team will keep rolling by keeping their middling defense off the field.
Sam: Titans
The Bears started off “Strong” (winning vs mostly bad teams) but now since they've gotten to the hard part of their schedule they've lost two straight. Maybe Nick Foles isn't the savior after all huh. Two straight losses about to become three.
Johnny: Bears
Carolina @ Kansas City
Jake: Chiefs
Sam: Chiefs
Johnny: Chiefs
Seattle @ Buffalo
Jake: Seahawks
The Bills look like they’re beginning to slip. They don’t really have an identity on offense as Allen seems to continue to struggle to figure out what type of quarterback he is. He’s impressed me in terms of decision making—as he tends to limit mistakes and not force too many low-percentage throws—but he just simply is not an accurate thrower. Allen can throw the ball a mile, but too often he looks like he’d be more comfortable tucking the ball and escaping the pocket than standing tall in the pocket and delivering a strike when he needs to. Both defenses have underperformed this year compared to expectations (specifically the Bills run defense and the Seahawks pass defense), but I have to trust the triplet of Wilson, DK and Lockett here to stay hot.
Sam: Seahawks
Johnny: Seahawks
Denver @ Atlanta
Jake: Falcons
Yeah, so the Falcons made the right decision getting rid of Dan Quinn.
Sam: Falcons
The Falcons have looked like an improved team the past few weeks and that improvement should be more than enough to lift them over the Bronces (who must I remind you should have lost to the Jets)
Johnny: Broncos
Las Vegas @ Los Angeles (A)
Jake: Chargers
Herbert looks good. What can I say. It would help them to get Ekeler back soon though.
Sam: Chargers
I am dangerously close to hopping aboard the herbert train and this win might just push me over the edge
Johnny: Chargers
Miami @ Arizona
Jake: Cardinals
I’m excited to watch Tua Tagovailoa actually have to contribute to this game, but the Cardinals have been continuing to assert themselves as a real-deal team, and until proven otherwise I’m staying on that train. The win against the Seahawks before their bye was messy, and though the Dolphins are hot, I still think the Cards are the team to pick here.
Sam: Cardinals
Johnny: Cardinals
Pittsburgh @ Dallas
Jake: Steelers
Sam: Steelers
With Dak healthy this may have been a kinda sorta interesting game. The cowboys did have a legitimate high powered offense with Dak, even if their defense couldn't stop anybody. Now Ben Denucci at QB though this team is awful and the steelers may just beat em by 60
Johnny: Steelers
DUH
New Orleans @ Tampa Bay
Jake: Bucs
It’s Brady season, and Antonio Brown is in the building. The Saints made a fantastic defensive move trading a 5th round pick and LB Kiko Alonso for LB Kwon Alexander, but he’s not expected to suit up this week. Regardless this Saints offense is simply not high powered enough without Michael Thomas to keep up with Tompa Bay. The Buccaneers defense has also really come into its own this year, and Drew Brees is gonna have to do a little more than check the ball down to Alvin Kamara in this one.
Sam: Buccaneers
Since their week one win vs Tampa, the Saints have struggled when faced with good teams. That should continue this week with a road loss to the red hot Bucs. I did say pre season that they'd split didn't I?
Johnny: Buccaneers
It will be very interesting to see how AB is used tonight, all of these weapons make eachother better when they are all healthy
MONDAY
New England @ New York (A)
Jake: Patriots
C’mon now.
Sam: Patriots
This game will be closer than Pats fan will want to see and I wouldn't be shocked to see a Jets win (these Patriots are REALLY bad) but I wont pick them for shock value. Most likely another Jets loss.