FAVORITE TEAMS

Unusual 2-0 starts by Washington, Atlanta, and Tampa Bay and unusual 0-2 starts by Cincinnati, the Chargers, and Minnesota. As for teams that stood out as potentially the best in the NFL: Dallas and San Francisco. I could include Miami as an offensively formidable team. However, there’s still 15 games to go and it’s anyone’s game to win. Remember, a 17-game and 7-team playoff season is a mystery and even the lesser teams will still be in playoff contention until sometime after Thanksgiving. This weekend should have plenty of toss-up matchups, especially the Steelers vs. Raiders. If anyone has any ideas for who has more leverage, I would love to know. Otherwise, have a great weekend and good luck to your teams.

5) CHARGERS AT VIKINGS

10AM PT/1PM ET [CBS]

Both teams collide with an unusual 0-2 start. Los Angeles and Minnesota both could’ve had a vice-versa record if it weren’t for their unusual shortcomings. The Chargers failed to capitalize on their two winning opportunities while the Vikings were punished by two weeks of turnovers despite being a solid group. It’s very difficult to choose, but I’m giving Los Angeles one more opportunity as a pick because Minnesota struggles in the turnover category with a -6 ratio (last in the league).

MY PICK: CHARGERS

4) STEELERS AT RAIDERS

5:20PM PT/8:20PM ET [NBC ON SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL]

This Sunday Night matchup is probably the oddest to watch. Both teams lost badly and won ugly in the first two weeks. It’s hard to determine if this will be a great game to cap off a Sunday. Nonetheless, the spotlight’s on TJ Watt and the defense and Jimmy G. and the offense. The Raiders can light up the score better than Pitts’ offense, but Pittsburgh’s defense (under TJ Watt’s presence and leadership) will wreck opponents’ hopes and games. It’s weird to have this as a Top 5 matchup, but the names are historic and it’s very unclear who comes away at 2-1 and both can tie for all I know. The Raiders are 11-5 at home against the Steelers all-time, but this is Pittsburgh’s first time playing in Vegas. What will we expect from the Steelers offense and defense? Inconsistency and injuries…It’s difficult, but I’m picking based on history.

MY PICK: RAIDERS

3) GIANTS AT 49ERS

5:15PM PT/8:15PM ET [PRIME VIDEO ON THURSDAY]

The Giants pull off a massive comeback win against Zona while the 49ers take care of business with a little luck and preventing themselves from turning the ball over on two occasions. The 49ers/Giants rivalry is subtle and low key but brings entertainment with a mix of blue and red inside one giant bowl. However, there’s an issue from New York’s offense with Saquon Barkley out with an ankle injury. A lot will be put on by Daniel Jones to carry the offense like a few other quarterbacks across the league with injured starting running backs. If Jones can crack through San Fran’s defense with his arm and legs, the Giants could threaten for an upset. Otherwise, San Fran’s still holding strong with the majority of their roster, but the secondary could be a glaring issue.

MY PICK: 49ERS

2) EAGLES AT BUCCANEERS

4:15PM PT/7:15PM ET [MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL]

Baker Mayfield’s back on the spotlight against the NFC Champ Eagles. Tampa Bay is 2-0 and looks solid on offense with every player healthy while their defense may have returned to form. The Eagles were shaky in their first two games, and Jason Kelce doesn’t deny it either. The offense looks a bit off, but their defense is playing well and making a difference in the turnover battle. However, that side is a bit injury-riddled in the back areas and the team must be wary of that situation. The Bucs kept it clean in the turnover department and must be aware of what the Eagles defense is capable of when they aim towards the ball. I want to believe this is low scoring with two good defenses, but there’s likely plenty of points on the board. It’s hard to believe, but I’m giving the edge to Tampa with homefield advantage and the receivers working Philly’s limited secondary while Tampa’s defense works the trenches against Jalen Hurts and the backfield.

MY PICK: BUCCANEERS

1) RAMS AT BENGALS

5:15PM PT/8:15PM ET [ESPN/ESPN2 ON MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL]

The Rams and Bengals meet for the third time since 2019 and the Rams run into Joe Burrow (if available) for the second time during his career. The Rams look like themselves with a few new faces with a healthy Matthew Stafford and Aaron Donald. They put Seattle down with ease and battled San Fran to the very end (with a sus field goal made to end the game in a loss…). Cincinnati didn’t look good in their first two games, but they have the tendency to start slow before surging later on. To be fair, they played with a less than 100% Joe Burrow against a solid Browns defense and an improved (but still injury-prone) Ravens squad. It’s hard to determine if Burrow will be available Monday night. I would’ve suggested resting him the first few weeks, but I’m not a coach. Anyway, this is a Super Bowl rematch, but it’s not looking great for Cincy even with Burrow on the field dealing with a calf injury. He’s facing Aaron Donald and a revamped defense with a confident offense led by Matthew Stafford.

MY PICK: RAMS

OTHER GAMES

COLTS AT RAVENS

TITANS AT BROWNS

PATRIOTS AT JETS

FALCONS AT LIONS

SAINTS AT PACKERS

BRONCOS AT DOLPHINS

BILLS AT COMMANDERS

TEXANS AT JAGUARS

PANTHERS AT SEAHAWKS

BEARS AT CHIEFS

COWBOYS AT CARDINALS