All times Eastern
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Saturday, August 18
1:00 pm Jacksonville Jaguars at Minnesota Vikings (-4, 40) - The Vikings are looking like the real deal after ripping Denver, 42-28. Jacksonville disappointed in last week's 24-20 home loss to the Saints.
This could turn into a second half shootout between backup QBs, Trevor Seimian and Cody Kessler, who was 14-for-17 for 139 yards and one score for the Jags last week.
Coin Flip: Minnesota
PREDICTION: Jaguars 31 Vikings 28
4:00 pm Oakland Raiders at LA Rams (-2 1/2, 38 1/2) - Roughed up at Baltimore, 33-7 last week, the Rams will be happy to be back home, but the Raiders are unlikely to be an easy beat after winning their preseason home opener last week, 16-10, over Detroit. Rams threw for just 49 yards on 13 0f 28 passing against the Ravens.
Coin Flip: Oakland
PREDICTION: Raiders 24 Rams 10
7:00 pm Cincinnati Bengals at Dallas Cowboys (-3 1/2, 37 1/2) - Dallas took a 21-10 lead into the fourth quarter at San Francisco last week, but could not finish the job, allowing two fourth quarter TDs by the 49ers for a 24-21 defeat.
The Bengals racked up 447 yards of offense in their 30-27 win over the Bears, but the defense is in need of adjustments. While the Cowboys will be at home, the Bengals seem to have enough offensive chemistry to give them a good game.
Coin Flip: Cincinnati
PREDICTION: Bengals 27 Cowboys 24
8:00 pm San Francisco 49ers at Houston Texans (-1 1/2, 37 1/2) - Both teams were winners last week, the 49ers overcoming Dallas, 24-21; Houston a 17-10 winner at Kansas City thanks to two Brandon Weeden TD passes. Both teams were near the bottom of the league last season. Houston was 4-12, the 'Niners, 6-10, so there's some moving and shaking on both rosters.
Too close to give a solid thumbs up either way, look for a late score to provide the difference for the visitors.
Coin Flip: Houston
PREDICTION: 49ers 20 Texans 17
8:00 pm Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tennessee Titans (-2 1/2, 38) - Tampa took down Miami, 26-24, in week one of preseason, but that's not saying much.
Tennessee was throttled, 31-17, at Green Bay, and should look better at home against a very iffy squad from the NFC South.
Coin Flip: Tennessee
PREDICTION: Titans 17 Buccaneers 10
9:05 pm Chicago Bears at Denver Broncos (-3, 39 1/2) - Both teams were losers in the prior week, but the Broncos looked the worst for wear in their 42-28 home loss to Minnesota. For now, Case Keenum is the starter for Denver, and he will have to adjust to a new offense.
The Bears are better than last season's 5-11 record. A year under the belt for Mitchell Trubisky will certainly be a bonus.
Coin Flip: Chicago
PREDICTION: Bears 28 Broncos 14
7:00 pm Seattle Seahawks (-1 1/2, 37 1/2) at LA Chargers - Flat agains the Colts in Seattle, the Seahawks dropped a rare preseason game, 19-17, and still doesn't have its running game together.
The Chargers are still a step away from the playoffs and maybe more. Even with Phillip Rivers behind center, they still look like an 8-8 team.
Coin Flip: San Diego
PREDICTION: Seahawks 27 Chargers 21
Monday, August 20
7:00 pm Baltimore Ravens (-1, 37) at Indianapolis Colts (ESPN) - The Colts fumbled seven times against the Seahawks last week, but recovered all but one of them in a 19-17 upset. The Ravens aren't likely to be so generous on defense and any Indianapolis miscues will be converted into scores.
This being a conference game between two potential playoff teams, the result may be indicative of things yet to come.
Coin Flip: Indianapolis
PREDICTION: Ravens 24 Colts 21
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