Potential playoff contenders are emerging, and other teams are looking at misfortune as the injuries start to add up. Before we look at Week 3, let's take a look at how Week 2 played out. Congratulations to Candy Matthews of Gansevoort, while she didn't beat me, she equaled my 13-3 record.
Want to beat me in Week 3? Make sure you download the Q101.7 app and participate along with me!
RICK'S PICKS - WEEK 2: 13-3
OVERALL RECORD: 26-6
Missed Games:
Seattle Seahawks at Pittsburgh Steelers: I was expecting another strong effort from the Steelers off the heels of their Week 1 win over the New York Jets, but they faltered like their special teams did when they allowed Seattle to fall on top of a ball in the end zone for a touchdown with the new kickoff rules in effect.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Cincinnati Bengals: This is where unexpected injuries change the predicted path of a game, as Joe Burrow's turf toe took him out early and now he's going to be out for three weeks. Yet, Trevor Lawrence's turnovers came but to haunt the Jags.
Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings: This was a complete whiff. I was expecting Minnesota to ride the momentum with J.J. McCarthy, but instead he regressed back to how he played the first three quarters against Chicago. Now he's out for Week 3.
WEEK 3
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills, Thursday, 8:15pm on Amazon Prime
Miami is a team with dysfunction, but they also are a team that has genuine talent. But Buffalo has had Tua's number for the last few years, including two cases where the Miami quarterback has been injured. Speaking of injury, Josh Allen may have a nose injury, but he'll use the gap between the Thursday game and the Week 4 game to heal. James Cook has showed in the first two games that he's worth the money. The main question is going to be which receiver(s) will show up best on the stat sheet for the Bills?
RICK'S PICK: Buffalo
Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers, Sunday, 1:00pm
Even if Carolina has the best yardage by a rookie receiver, Bryce Young has been iffy to start the season with his turnovers. Michael Penix Jr. didn't look spectacular against Minnesota in Week 2, but given J.J. McCarthy's issues, he didn't have to. While this could be a closer game, Carolina's turnover woes will be their undoing.
RICK'S PICK: Atlanta
Green Bay Packers at Cleveland Browns, Sunday, 1:00PM
There are going to be teams who will stop Green Bay. I don't see Cleveland being one of those teams. Jordan Love and the Packers are rolling.
RICK'S PICK: Green Bay
Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, 1:00PM
Houston, we have a serious problem. The Texans' 14 points per game is a league low, and the offense is ranked among the lowest teams in yardage. It's not much better for the defense, who struggle to get turnovers. Jacksonville failed to take advantage of losing Joe Burrow to the turf toe injury, and really need to curb Trevor Lawrence's interceptions. But with runners like Etienne, maybe the Jags succeed here.
RICK'S PICK: Jacksonville
Cincinnati Bengals at Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, 1:00PM
Welcome to the backup quarterback bowl! Carson Wentz gets the nod for the Minnesota Vikings, who have looked lost for 7 of 8 quarters that J.J. McCarthy has led under center. McCarthy's out with a high ankle sprain, hence Wentz's start. But McCarthy isn't the only player missing time for the Vikings. Aaron Jones Sr. is heading to the IR with a hamstring injury, and will be out until October 23rd at the earliest. Jake Browning will get the nod for Cincinnati after Joe Burrow left with a turf toe injury during Week 2. Browning was shaky, throwing 3 picks against Jacksonville, but hopefully will get more comfortable when he has a week to prepare for a start rather than being thrown to the huddle in the 2nd Quarter without time to prepare.
RICK'S PICK: Minnesota
Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots, Sunday, 1:00PM, CBS 6
I was not expecting the Steelers loss to the Seattle Seahawks. That makes me 0-2 on picking the Steelers game this season, so let's make it 3 in a row now. Drake Maye had a solid game against the Miami Dolphins so maybe the Patriots are getting their bearings on straight, but they also came close to folding to a dysfunctional Dolphins team.
RICK'S PICK: Pittsburgh
Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, 1:00PM
You got to believe the refs will be eyeing the tush push carefully to make sure false start penalties are better called after the outcry with the Kansas City game in Week 2. Philadelphia may not feel like the best team in the NFC, but they are pretty close because of playmakers like A.J. Brown and Saquon Barkley, in addition to Jalen Hurts. Matthew Stafford will have his hands full for the Rams.
RICK'S PICK: Philadelphia
New York Jets at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, 1:00PM, FOX 23
No Justin Fields for the Jets. Means we'll see Tyrod Taylor taking the snaps for the Jets as they head to western Florida. Tampa Bay has had two rather uncomfortable wins, the last being the Monday Night thriller against Houston where they scored with 9 seconds left to win 20-19. Beating Atlanta by a field goal in Week 1 was tense, as well. While the Week 1 against Pittsburgh was close, that Week 2 was not close by far as the Bills quickly dismantled the Jets defense. I'm not confident in the Jets defense right now, even with Sauce Gardner.
RICK'S PICK: Tampa Bay
Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans, Sunday, 1:00PM
Daniel Jones is 2-0, who would have believed this timeline going into the season? The Colts are wearing lucky horseshoes after getting that win against Denver last week, and maybe a little thankful that the referees called the levitating penalty on the first field goal attempt. After the second kick was good thanks in part due to the 15 yard penalty, Daniel Jones is now 2-0 in the league. A lot of this is on the back, figuratively and literally, Jonathan Taylor. He's been running circles around the defense in Weeks 1 and 2 and is poised towards having another good week here in Week 3. While the young quarterback for Tennessee is growing, he's not there yet.
RICK'S PICK: Indianapolis
Las Vegas Raiders at Washington Commanders, Sunday, 1:00PM
This is a tough one, especially with Jayden Daniels missing action. This game will require a daily watch on the injury report before posting a pick.
RICK'S PICK: Depends on Jayden Daniel's status.
Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday 4:05PM
Are the Chargers for real? They definitely are a better team this season than they were last year. The problem is, Bo Nix has going through a few pains of late. 3 picks in the first two weeks and now having to face a good Chargers defense means Nix will definitely need to care for the football better. While the reason Denver is 1-1 is not because of Nix, but the special teams defense that caused the levitating penalty against Indianapolis, Nix will need to be able to keep up with Justin Herbert and the Chargers.
I just don't see it happening.
RICK'S PICK: Los Angeles Chargers
New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks, Sunday 4:05PM
Now let's be serious with regards to the Saints. The New Orleans Saints have been playing stronger than was expected at the start, but yet they still possess an 0-2 record. Some of it their doing, like a tight end dropping a touchdown on their way down. Seattle gaining the win over Pittsburgh was thanks to taking advantage of Pittsburgh miscues, but Sam Darnold needs to correct the mistakes.
This game should provide some confidence for the Seattle QB.
RICK'S PICK: Seattle
Dallas Cowboys at Chicago Bears, Sunday 4:25PM, FOX 23
Dallas gets prime slot because they are Dallas... this isn't even the best game in the 4pm slate.
The Cowboys got lucky. Russell Wilson was looking good for the Giants, until one mistake in a position where the Giants stood to win or tie that overtime thriller, allowing the Cowboys to win on the field goal try. While that wouldn't have convinced me to pick the Cowboys in most circumstances... they are playing the Chicago Bears.
The same Chicago Bears who may have looked fantastic through the first 3 quarters defensively against Minnesota, but they should of been leading by more. And then we saw that in action against Minnesota, and then worse when a very angry Detroit team came in and shell shocked the Bears. Caleb Williams isn't looking terrific yet, and Chicago fans are at the end of their rope.
RICK'S PICK: Dallas
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49'ers, Sunday 4:25PM
THIS is the game that deserves more attention. Even if Brock Purdy doesn't suit up for San Francisco - he's questionable - the 49'ers have Christian McCaffrey and he is still one of the more exciting running backs in the NFL. They have defensive weapons. It'll be fun to see those weapons try to stop Kyler Murray and company for the Arizona Cardinals.
Overall this game may come down to Purdy's health report, so this one may need to wait for more injury reports.
RICK'S PICK: Depends on the status of Brock Purdy
Kansas City Chiefs at New York Giants, Sunday 8:20PM, NBC Channel 13
The Chiefs are 0-2. While many talking heads are using this as a massive talking point, I'm not. The Chiefs have a top-heavy schedule and once they get through their Sunday Night game against the Buffalo Bills later in the season, the schedule softens up substantially.
Xavier Worthy could be back in the Chiefs line up, and even if he's not, the question of who is getting the ball from Mahomes won't matter as much here./ The New York Giants are coming off a loss where they shot themselves in the foot due to Wilson's pop out pass that was intercepted to set up the Cowboys win.
RICK'S PICK: Kansas City
Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens, Monday 8:15PM, ESPN
Write up and pick coming Monday.
== COME BACK LATER FOR MORE WEEK 3 PICKS ==
Think you can do better than me? Get your picks on the Q101.7 app for your chance to be eligible to win great prizes!
