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4:05 pm Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers (-3, 47 1/2) - A review of last season's results shows that the Chiefs won the AFC West with a 10-6 mark and the Chargers just missed the playoffs, going 9-7, gong 9-3 after an 0-4 start.
The Chargers bring the usual cast of characters led by QB Phillip Rivers. In KC, the big change is at quarterback, where Patrick Mahomes replaces Alex Smith, who is now in Washington. The Chiefs won both meetings last season, 24-10, and 30-13. Those are pretty big margins for divisional games and it's unlikely the Chargers have improved that much.
Coin Flip: Los Angeles
PREDICTION: Chiefs 26 Chargers 14
4:25 pm Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers (-3, 42) - Dallas went 9-7 in 2017 and missed the playoffs. The shine is well off the apple from two years ago when Dad Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott dazzled the league. Dallas was 0-4 preseason and look out of sync and lifeless.
The Panthers were 3-1 preseason and are expected to deeper in the playoffs than last season. This could be the easiest pick of the week, judging by Dallas' nonchalant attitude.
Coin Flip: Carolina
PREDICTION: Panthers 33 Cowboys 17
4:25 pm Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos (-3, 42) - Seattle is another team that may be just a little bit overrated heading into the new season. The Seahawks lost all four of their preseason games, didn't reach the playoffs last season and don't have the hungry look of a championship-caliber team.
Denver is youthful, energetic, and looking to get beyond last season's 5-11 gasser. The tell here is that the Broncos are favored. They should win, though it could be closer than anticipated.
Coin Flip: Seattle
PREDICTION: Broncos 24 Seahawks 17
4:25 pm Washington Redskins at Arizona Cardinals (even, 44) - Alex Smith finds a new home in DC, while the Cardinals handed over quarterback duties to Sam Bradford. Coming out of the 2017 season in which neither team reached the playoffs, the teams were already pretty even, but Bradford should be a big improvement over last year's hodgepodge at QB.
Washington's offense didn't really click in the preseason, and the Redskins lost three of four games, the only win coming at home against the Jets, 15-13. Arizona appears to have a plan. Washington is still hoping and praying, especially defensively.
Coin Flip: Arizona
PREDICTION: Cardinals 31 Redskins 10
8:20 pm Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers (-7 1/2, 47 1/2) - With a healthy Aaron Rodgers, the Packers may be the team to beat in the NFC, though there are plenty of solid contenders. Chicago is not one of them, even though they are improved over their 5-11 squad of last season.
The Bears simply aren't experienced enough nor talented enough to make this game at Green Bay close.
Coin Flip: Chicago
PREDICTION: Packers 41 Bears13
Monday, September 10
8:10 pm New York Jets at Detroit Lions (-6 1/2, 44 1/2) - Have to disagree with the Las Vegas oddsmakers and Mr. coin flip pick, but the Lions look like a very second-rate team. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, though good, has never turned into a superstar passer and still makes more than his fair share of mental errors. The defense allowed 30, 30 and 35 points in the last three preseason games and the Lions were inconsistent last season.
Sure, the Jets were just 5-11, but they may have found a true QB in rookie Sam Darnold. The Jets were only 1-3 in preseason, but the losses were close calls. They lost 15-13 at Washington, 22-16 against the Giants and 10-9 at Philadelphia. One has to like their chances here.
Coin Flip: Detroit
PREDICTION: Jets 24 Lions 18
10:20 pm Los Angeles Rams (-4 1/2, 49 1/2) at Oakland Raiders - The Rams won a preseason week two meeting at Oakland, 19-15, so it may be logical to take them for the win here, but the 4 1/2-point vig may be just a tad off the mark.
It's also logical to believe that Derek Carr may fare better against the Rams defense, the one that gave up 96 points in four preseason games. Besides, the Rams' offense was shut out in their final tuneup, 28-0, at New Orleans. The Raiders went 3-1 in the preseason and should win at home.
Coin Flip: Los Angeles Rams
PREDICTION: Raiders 24 Rams 20
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