NFL 2023 Week 2 Prequel
Thursday, September 7, 2023, 8pm
Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles (-7) — The Vikings had no excuses for losing at home to a Tampa Bay team that was supposed to be reeling. The Eagles were on the verge of blowing out New England but nearly blew the game. The spread is high, but after Minnesota’s anemic performance last week, it’s hard to trust them against the defending NFC Champions. Eagles cover
Sunday, September 17, 1pm
- Green Bay Packers (-1 1/2) at Atlanta Falcons — Neither of these teams were supposed to be good, but they won in impressive fashion against fairly inferior talent. If Jordan Love truly can play, the Packers will be better than expected. After his impressive opening week road win, Love gets the benefit of the doubt. Packers cover
- Las Vegas Raiders at Buffalo Bills (-9 1/2) — The Raiders are supposed to be a dumpster fire, but they somehow eked out a win on the road over a Denver team dumber than they are. Those kinds of mistakes won’t cut it against an angry Bills team coming off a terrible Monday Night Football road loss. The Bills are the far superior team. This game could be over by halftime. Bills cover
- Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals (-3 1/2) — The Ravens efficiently took care of business at home but lost running back JK Dobbins for the season. The Bengals shockingly ran into a buzzsaw in Cleveland. This is the week the Bengals right the ship, but it won’t be a cakewalk. This could be a grind it out game. Bengals win but fail to cover
- Seattle Seahawks at Detroit Lions (-6) — The Seahawks looked surprisingly awful in a humiliating home loss to the Rams. The Lions shocked much of the football world by going into Kansas City and beating the defending champs. For the first time in 30 years. the Lions have sky high expectations. Those expectations are deserved, but the spread is high for a team in danger of a letdown after an emotional win. Lions win but fail to cover
- Indianapolis Colts (-1 1/2) at Houston Texans Anthony Richardson & CJ Stroud meet for the first time in a battle of teams expected to share a cellar. Given that the Colts put up a fight against a good Jacksonville team while Houston was defeated relatively easily. The Colts show more promise. Colts cover
- Kansas City Chiefs (-3) at Jacksonville Jaguars — This could be a dandy. The Chiefs suffered a stunning home loss in the season opener. This week they get Chris Jones back to fortify the defense. Now they need receivers to catch Patrick Mahomes’s passes. Doug Pederson has turned Trevor Lawrence into what everyone thought he was as the top pick two years ago. It’s very difficult to see the Chiefs going 0-2, but the Jaguars have a serious defense. Doug Pederson and Walrus Andy Reid know each other inside out. Upset special, Jaguars win outright
- Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3) — Both teams were expected to be terrible, yet somehow the bears still fell below expectations. The Buccaneers got a surprising road win at Minnesota. Against the inept Bears, give them another chance. Buccaneers cover
- Los Angeles Chargers (-3) at Tennessee Titans — Both teams lost last week, but in different ways. The Chargers went down in a thrilling shootout to Miami. The Titans still have not gotten back to the physical from of Mike Vrabel from last year before injuries depleted the team. Justin Herbert is a stud, but the Titans defense still knows how to knock people around. Ryan Tannehill still has questions swirling around him. If the Titans can pound the rock, they will win. Upset special, Titans win outright
4pm
- New York Giants (-5 1/2) at Arizona Cardinals — The Giants were humiliated 40-0 at home in Dallas. Somehow they are favored this week on the road. The spread is based on the idea that the Cardinals are wretched, but they put up a fight against Washington. The Giants could rebound, but the spread is way too high given last week’s debacle. Giants win but fail to cover
- San Francisco 49ers (-8 1/2) at Los Angeles Rams — The 49ers just seem to own the Rams in recent years. The 49ers looked like a legitimate Super Bowl contender in going on the road and throttling Pittsburgh. Yet the Rams did the same in going on the road to Seattle. The 49ers are the better team, but the spread is too high against a Rams team that overachieves for Sean McVay. 49ers win but fail to cover
- New York Jets at Dallas Cowboys (-9 1/2) — The Cowboys looked like a Super Bowl team in going on the road and obliterating the Giants 40-0. The Jets showed guts and heart in overcoming an injury to Aaron Rodgers and a 13-3 deficit to win in overtime against Buffalo. Yet with Rodgers done for the year, so are the Jets. Zach Wilson will not go into Dallas and get a win. Cowboys cover
- Washington Commanders at Denver Broncos (-3 1/2) — The Broncos suffered a shocking home loss to the Raiders in a game both teams tried to lose. The Commanders came back in the fourth quarter and won their game against Arizona. Expecting the Broncos to lose at home two straight weeks with the talent on their roster is unlikely. Sean Payton knows offense and Ron Rivera knows defense. The Broncos have more talent. Broncos win but fail to cover
8pm
- Miami Dolphins (-2 1/2) at New England Patriots — It would be stunning to see the Patriots fall to 0-2 with both losses at home, but the Dolphins with a healthy Tua Tagovailoa are scary. Belichick’s defense put up a fight against Philadelphia, but the weather is not cold enough to give New England an advantage. Miami is the better team. Dolphins cover
Monday, September 18, 7pm
New Orleans Saints (-3 1/2) at Carolina Panthers — Derek Carr won a squeaker in his home debut while the Panthers were unimpressive in Bryce Young’s first game, a loss. The Saints have talent on offense and Dennis Allen runs a solid defense. The Panthers will improve, but not any time soon. Saints cover
8pm
Cleveland Browns (-2 1/2) at Pittsburgh Steelers — Both of these teams surprised also week. The Steelers got throttled at home, albeit against a great San Francisco team. The Browns at home beat the tar out of the Bengals. This is the week sanity is restored. No, the Browns are not as good as their first game. No, the Steelers are not as awful as their first game. It’s difficult to see the Steelers starting 0-2 with both losses at home. The Browns are due for a letdown after their big win. Upset special, Steelers win outright