All times Eastern
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Saturday, August 25
1:00 pm Kansas City Chiefs at Chicago Bears (-2, 48) - Sure the Bears are better than last season, but the Chiefs have settled on second year Pat Mahomes out of Texas Tech where he threw almost every down.
If Mahomes lives up to his potential, the Chiefs may run away with this game. The Chiefs' defense has only given up 31 points in two games, and they're capable of putting 30 against the suspect Bears. Looks like this could become a second half shootout, but Kansas City still looks like the better team, top to bottom.
Coin Flip: Chicago
PREDICTION: Chiefs 37 Bears 20
4:00 pm Houston Texans at LA Rams (-3, 42) - At 2-0, the Texans have allowed only 23 points, second only to the Jets (15) over two games. Uncharacteristically, the Rams have given up 48 points, most of that in a week 1, 33-7 blistering at Baltimore.
Both teams have expertise on the defensive side and the offenses are still solidifying, so this well could be the lowest combined score of the week, and it should be close, with the three points given to Houston in play.
Coin Flip: LA Rams
PREDICTION: Texans 17 Rams 16
4:00 pm Tennessee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers (-4, 45 1/2) - The Titans have been pounded in back-to-back losses at Green Bay, 31-17, and last week, at home, losing, 30-14, to Tampa Bay.
Pittsburgh's poor showing at Green Bay last week in their 51-34 loss says quite a bit about Green Bay's offense and the Steelers' lack of defense. Tennessee has enough firepower to keep this close and possibly pull of the minor upset.
Coin Flip: Tennessee
PREDICTION: Titans 30 Steelers 27
4:30 pm San Francisco 49ers at Indianapolis Colts (-1, 43 1/2) - The Colts could have tied the Ravens Monday night after they scored with 0:05 left in the game, but opted for the two-point try and failed, dropping a 20-19 decision at home. The loss left them at 1-1, But Andrew Luck is likely to make amends when the 49ers come calling.
San Francisco is also 1-1, with a win over Dallas, 24-21, in week 1, and last week's loss at Houston. On the road again, the upstart 'Niners might be a little off their game.
Coin Flip: Indianapolis
PREDICTION: Colts 28 49ers 13
7:00 pm Atlanta Falcons at Jacksonville Jaguars (-3, 40) - Atlanta has scored just 14 points, losing at the Jets, 17-0, before last weekend's 28-14 defeat by the Chiefs. They go back on the road to nearby Jacksonville, where the Jags await with their 1-1 record.
Jacksonville lost to New Orleans, 24-20, before their 14-10 upset at Minnesota last week. The Jags look pretty well-rounded. They'll put the wood to the Falcons.
Coin Flip: Jacksonville
PREDICTION: Jaguars 27 Falcons 17
7:00 pm Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins (even, 41 1/2) - Odd that this game is rated even, because the Ravens have been rock solid, winning all three of their preseason starts.
Miami is 0-2, but they've been close, losing 26-24 to Tampa Bay and 27-20 at Carolina. They'll probably be close again, but still without a win.
Coin Flip: Baltimore
PREDICTION: Ravens 31 Dolphins 25
8:00 pm New Orleans Saints at LA Chargers (-2 1/2, 43 1/2)) - A first half shootout is in the cards here as New Orleans' Drew Breese matches arms with LA's Phillip Rivers. Both teams are 1-1, but the Saints have the disadvantageous travel to the West coast to with which concern themselves, while the Chargers are coming off a stunning 24-14 upset of the Seahawks.
Teams have split, 17-17, home and away wins overall in the league this preseason, so, home field isn't much of an edge, though it could prove to be here.
Coin Flip: New Orleans
PREDICTION: Chargers 29 Saints 23
Sunday, August 26
4:00 pm Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills (-1 1/2, 41 1/2)) - Surprising Cincinnati is 2-0, with a 30-27 win over the Bears and last week's 21-13 victory over the Cowboys in Dallas. They may be able to keep their win streak going at Buffalo, as the Bills will be without the service of QB AJ McCarron, one of their three QBs vying for the starting spot.
Nathan Peterman and Josh Allen have been solid in their two weeks of play, but rookie Allen gets the start. While he may fare well, the Bills have holes on offense.
Coin Flip: Cincinnati
PREDICTION: Bengals 24 Bills 17
Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys (-3, 43 1/2) - Dallas is 0-2 and last week's loss at home to the Bengals, 21-13, was frustrating. The Cowboys are better than what they've shown so far and should rely on Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott to carry the first half and the day.
The Cardinals are 2-0 with Sam Bradford behind center, and the defense has been good, allowing just 32 points. The Cowboys, however, are at home, and hungry.
Coin Flip: Arizona
PREDICTION: Cowboys 35 Cardinals 27
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