All times Eastern
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Saturday, August 17
4:00 pm Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts (-3, 43) - The Colts were shocked at Buffalo, 24-16, last week, and field goals won't get it done against the up-and-coming Browns, who blasted Washington, 30-10, in week one.
The Browns have lightning in a bottle this season and will be weaponizing the preseason with many promising, hungry players. Looking for another Cleveland Brown-out.
Coin Flip: Indianapolis
Prediction: Browns 34 Colts 10
7:00 pm New England Patriots at Tennessee Titans (even, 40) - The Titans showed some grit and determination in their 27-10 win at Philly last week, shutting out the Eagles in the second half and that kind of defensive effort has a way of extending through practice and into subsequent games.
While the Patriots already looked primed and ready, whacking Detroit, 31-3, this is a different, better team they're facing this week and Tennessee may be out to prove something to themselves and their fans.
Coin Flip: Tennessee
Prediction: Titans 24 Patriots 19
7:30 pm Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers (even, 46 1/2) - Though the Steelers managed a 30-28 win over Tampa Bay in week one and they are home again, their defense left much to be desired, allowing 390 yards passing.
The KC coaching staff has to be drooling in anticipation, seeing some of the Steeler defense, and will surely make the most of it. After wiping out Cincinnati, 38-17, last week, the Chiefs have the look of a Super Bowl-bound squad.
Coin Flip: Pittsburgh
Prediction: Chiefs 31 Steelers 21
8:00 pm Detroit Lions at Houston Texans (-4 1/2, 42 1/2) - The Lions may really be a bad team. Their 31-3 loss at home to the Patriots is one indicator, but we'll know for sure in this meeting at Houston.
The Texans nearly upended the Packers in week 1, scoring 16 unanswered fourth quarter points in a 28-26 loss, as Joe Webb III played the entire game at quarterback, throwing for 286 yards, one TD and two picks. Webb will see plenty of action, but expect DeShaun Watson to make an early appearance as well.
Coin Flip: Houston
Prediction: Texans 24 Lions 9
10:00 pm (Honolulu, Hawaii) Dallas Cowboys (-2, 43) vs. Los Angeles Rams - The Cowboys' 17-9 loss at San Francisco underscores their ability to convert third downs and will likely cause trouble against one of the better defenses in the league.
The Rams managed only a field goal in their 14-3 loss to the Raiders last week, so they too may be experiencing some offensive reticence. Which team fixes their offensive problems first should prevail. It's probably going to be the Rams.
Coin Flip: Dallas
Prediction: Rams 20 Cowboys 13
Sunday, August 18
4:00 pm New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Chargers (-3, 44) - New Orleans looked like they always do at the start of preseason in their 34-25 loss to Minnesota last week, with some good offensive display and hardly any defense.
That's not likely to change much here, and the Chargers are seeking improvement off their 17-13 loss at Arizona. Being at home should help and getting Phillip Rivers some reps adds to the appeal.
Coin Flip: New Orleans
Prediction: Chargers 31 Saints 24
8:00 pm Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings (-4, 41 1/2) - The Vikings have Teddy Bridgewater back and that's a positive, as is their opening week win at New Orleans, 34-25. Their defense will need to tighten up against the Seahawks, a team seemingly in a good way following their 22-14 win over Denver.
Seattle on the road, getting a generous spread, looks like a winner.
Coin Flip: Seattle
Prediction: Seahawks 23 Vikings 21
Monday, August 19
8:00 pm San Francisco 49ers at Denver Broncos (-2 1.2, 41 1/2) - After beating Atlanta in the Hall of Fame game, the Broncos came back to earth in their 22-14 loss at Seattle last week and will find the going equally rough against the 49ers.
San Francisco took care of Dallas last week, 17-9, and will build upon that.
Coin Flip: Denver
Prediction: 49ers 30 Broncos 17
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