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Results:
Week 2: Coin 68-2; Rick: 7-7-2
Cumulative: Coin 12-18-2; Rick 13-17-2
Thursday, August 23
8:00 pm Philadelphia Eagles at Cleveland Browns (-4, 41 1/2) - At home last week, Cleveland lost to the Bills, 19-17, so somehow that makes them a favorite over the Super Bowl champs. Or, it could be that the Eagles seem to be defenseless, having allowed 68 points in two games, the most in the preseason, except the Bears, who have allowed 70, though they've played three games.
Let's take the bait. Cleveland is almost certain to be better than last season (0-16), and this game doesn't count.
Coin Flip: Cleveland
PREDICTION: Browns 31 Eagles 23
Friday, August 24
7:30 pm Denver Broncos at Washington Redskins (-3, 43 1/2) - The Broncos are 0-2 after losing to the Bears by a point, 24-23, last week, and are on the road, which is not one of their strong suits.
Washington (1-1), topped the Jets last week, 15-13, and that may be significant, because the Jets are improved. Alex Smith should play the first half at least and that should be good enough for a solid lead. The Redskin defense ought to be able to handle the Broncos, who are still toying with Case Keenum as their regular starting QB.
Coin Flip: Denver
PREDICTION: Redskins 24 Broncos 18
7:30 pm NY Giants at NY Jets (-2 1/2, 42) - Well, the Giants are not expected to be much better than last year's 3-13 squad, though they did mash the Lions last week, 30-17. The Jets are also 1-1, and figure to be competitive this year and maybe pick up a wild card spot.
Look for the Jets to bow up on defense, especially in the red zone, where the G-Men have had struggles.
Coin Flip: NY Jets
PREDICTION: NY Jets 21 NY Giants 12
7:30 pm New England Patriots at Carolina Panthers (even, 46) - Intriguing meeting between two probable playoff teams, pitting the Panthers' Cam Newton against the arm of Tom Brady and his corps of receivers.
New England will insist on running the ball early and often, in hopes they can wear down the Carolina defenders. They should. The Patriots have scored 63 points, fourth-highest in preseason, and they're capable of more.
Coin Flip: New England
PREDICTION: Patriots 27 Panthers 24
8:00 pm Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3, 45 1/2) - Detroit is 0-2, while the Bucs are 2-0 and that may speak volumes about where these teams are headed in 2018. Tampa Bay has been improving over the previous two seasons, whereas the Lions have continued to flounder around at the cusp of the playoffs for years with Matt Stafford at QB.
Tampa is playing its first home preseason game, and has allowed just 38 points in tw games, which is pretty good. The Lions allowed the Giants to put up 30 last week, putting into question their defensive structure.
Coin Flip: Tampa Bay
PREDICTION: Buccaneers 26 Lions 14
8:00 pm Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings (-3 1/2, 40) - Going 9-7 last year and missing the playoffs, the Seahawks are already 0-2 in preseason action, an ominous sign for a team that is just a few years removed from the Super Bowl.
If any team is the current fashionable pick, it's the Vikings, who picked up Kirk Cousins from Washington after reaching the playoffs in 2017. Cousins is on the verge of being an elite QB. He'll have to prove himself against the Seahawks, who are likely hungry for a win.
Coin Flip: Seattle
PREDICTION: Seahawks 20 Vikings 17
10:30 pm Green Bay Packers at Oakland Raiders (-7, 41) - Having piled up 82 points in two preseason wins, the Packers appear poised for another run at the Super Bowl behind Aaron Rodgers. The issue here is that Rodgers is unlikely to see more than a few plays here, if he plays at all. The Packers trust his ability so much so they don't feel he needs much of a tuneup.
Oakland will be starting most of their regulars, including QB Derek Carr and receivers Amari Cooper and Jordy Nelson. If those three play into the third quarter, which is often the method, the Raiders may well cover the outrageous line posted for this game.
Coin Flip: Green Bay
PREDICTION: Raiders 34 Packers 21
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