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Results:
NFL Week 2: Coin 7-9; Rick: 8-8
Cumulative: Coin: 13-18-1; Rick: 1615-1
Thursday, September 20 -
8:20 pm New York Jets at Cleveland Browns (-3, 39) - The Browns are on the verge of a win, having tied Pittsburgh in week one and just missed against New Orleans, going down, 21-18, as their kicker missed two extra points and a game-tying field goal.
While the Jets are improving, rookie QB Sam Darnold still has plenty to learn and Cleveland's defense will likely teach him a few important lessons. The Browns' defenders have allowed just 21 points in each of their first two games, against teams with potent offensive weapons.
Coin Flip: NY Jets
PREDICTION: Browns 27 Jets 20
Sunday, September 23
1:00 pm Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings (-17, 41) - No. The Bills have no shot at beating the Vikings, about a 30% likelihood of not scoring and a 50% probability of not covering. After tying the Packers, the Vikes are ready to roll up the score on somebody, and that somebody is coming to town on Sunday.
However, the Bills are going to improve as the season progresses. They will win some games, but probably not this one. The line against Buffalo will probably never be larger than it is right here. Take the points and hope that the Bills get a few lucky bounces, a few calls go their way and the Vikings are content with a 10-12-point victory.
Coin Flip: Buffalo
PREDICTION: Vikings 30 Bills 17
1:00 pm Cincinnati Bengals at Carolina Panthers (-3, 43 1/2) - One of the better match-ups of the weekend as the Bengals sport a 2-0 record and 1-1 Carolina was upended by the Falcons, 31-24, on the road. The Panthers' defense was exposed by Atlanta and they'll have to deal with the Bengals, who have put up 68 points in two games, fourth-most in the league.
Tough call as the teams are not only from different divisions, but diverse conferences. The Bengals are probably a shade better on defense, which may turn the game in their favor.
Coin Flip: Cincinnati
PREDICTION: Bengals 23 Panthers 17
1:00 pm Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens (-5, 43) - Baltimore lost its mojo on Thursday night, when they were handled by the Bengals, 34-23, in a key divisional clash.
Denver enters the fray 2-0 after a narrow escape against the Raiders, 20-19, on a late field goal. The win was unconvincing, but Denver never gave up, rallying from a deficits of 12-0 at the half and 19-7, late in the third quarter. This one is also likely to be close until the very end, so the points are quite appropriate and worth a shot.
Coin Flip: Baltimore
PREDICTION: Broncos 24 Ravens 21
1:00 pm Green Bay Packers (-3, 46) at Washington Redskins - The Packers settled for a 29-all tie with the Vikings last week, but must be regarded as one of the better offenses in the league. Aaron Rodgers has had another week to heal up from his twisted knee suffered in week one, while the Redskins took it hard on the chin last week, losing at home to the Colts, 21-9.
If the Redskins can't muster up some offense, they may find themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard and looking up in their division.
Coin Flip: Washington
PREDICTION: Packers 33 Redskins 17
1:00 pm Indianapolis Colts at Philadelphia Eagles (-6, 47 1/2) - The Eagles held their own on the road at Tampa Bay, but were victimized by Ryan Fitzpatrick, who threw for 402 yards in the 27-21 victory.
Indy has momentum after winning at Washington last week and the travel to Philly shouldn't bother them much. They will also be emotionally-charged to play the champions from last season. Andrew Luck looks to be healthy and hungry, which spells trouble for the Eagles in a close call.
Coin Flip: Philadelphia
PREDICTION: Colts 23 Eagles 22
1:00 pm New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons (-3, 53) - Premier NFC South meeting between two likely playoff teams means no holds barred. Atlanta seemed to have corrected their red zone woes, to the detriment of the Panthers, whipping Carolina, 31-24.
The Saints have been inconsistent on offense and maybe even worse on defense, though they did hold on barely for the narrow victory at Cleveland last week, 21-18. The Saints' defense will be up against it. Last season, the teams split two games, each winning on home field. Expect more of the same.
Coin Flip: New Orleans
PREDICTION: Falcons 31 Saints 24
1:00 pm New York Giants at Houston Texans (-6, 41 1/2) - New York's offense looked pathetic against the Cowboys Sunday night. Eli Manning seldom had time to look downfield, reporting to dump off passes to backs or re-routed receivers. That's not going to work in the NFL, and especially not against the Texans, who are home and ready after their close call, 20-17, loss to the Titans.
This being the home opener for the Texans, they might just get the jump on New York via turnovers and pressure on Eli Manning. If Houston's defense plays to its strengths, this could get ugly in the second half.
Coin Flip: Houston
PREDICTION: Texans 27 Giants 16
1:00 pm Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins (-3, 44) - The Raiders fell a point short of Denver last week, losing, 20-19. That makes Jon Gruden's record as returning head coach 0-2, with a tough road test against a pretty solid Miami squad.
The Dolphins aren't flashy, but they are 2-0 and they don't make mistakes. Their defense, which has allowed 32 points over the first two games, is tough in the red zone and fourth league-wide in points allowed. Oakland has given up 53, and is 24th. Clear choice, even for Raider devotees.
Coin Flip: Miami
PREDICTION: Dolphins 24 Raiders 14
1:00 pm San Francisco 49ers at Kansas City Chiefs (-6 1/2, 56) - Favored by a bundle with the league's leading scoring offense, the Chiefs should probably win this game, though the 49ers will not go easily. San Francisco lost, 24-16, at Minnesota in their season opener, but won at home against the Lions, 30-27.
While the Chiefs have the top offense, they have a horrible defense, allowing a league-worst, whopping 1016 yards in two games and averaging 32.5 points allowed. Don't be surprised if the visitors are on top of the scoreboard when the final whistle blows.
Coin Flip: San Francisco
PREDICTION: 49ers 34 Chiefs 31
1:00 pm Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars (-6 1/2, 39 1/2) - Big game here in the AFC South, as the Jags have rolled to two straight wins. Their 31-20 defeat of New England shows they have all the tools to compete for the division and possibly, conference title.
Tennessee is 1-1 after ekeing out a 20-17 win over Houston last week, but they have to go back on the road, where the recent record isn't very bright (3-5 last season). The Titans did, however, beat Jacksonville twice during the 2017 regular season. With injured Marcus Mariota still on the bench, Blaine Gabbert will lead, and the defense is likely to keep this one close.
Coin Flip: Jacksonville
PREDICTION: Jaguars 23 Titans 20
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