Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are back on the winning track, so all is back to normal in the NFL. After a surprising loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the opener, Brady and his teammates pounded the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
No huge surprises in Week 2. The always proud Green Bay Packers lost at Atlanta in a rematch of last year’s NFC Championship Game, but that was not considered an upset. These Falcons are quite similar to the team that was one half away from a Super Bowl championship in February.
Atlanta meets another 2-0 team, the surprising Detroit Lions, on Sunday at Detroit’s Ford Field. It should be a good test for the young Lions, who just want a little respect, but the Falcons are favored.
Don’t overlook the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs, two of the five 2-0 teams in the AFC. Both should maintain a perfect record. The Raiders play the Redskins, while the Chiefs face the Chargers. Both games are on the road.
Of course, this is the NFL. Just when you think you understand the winners and losers, there’s a Sunday full of upsets. If you’re betting with friends, are in a pick’em league, or are just curious, the prediction experts at Bing have run the numbers and have determined the likely outcomes for each of the 16 games planned for Thursday through Monday.
Bing’s NFL predictions use team and player statistics and web activity to build a statistical model that takes into account historical data and real-time information (like injuries, suspensions, and lineup changes). Finally, social sentiment adds a unique wisdom-of-the-crowd factor to the model. Learn more about Bing Predicts.
Click here to see Bing’s predictions for the NFL week 3.
Source: dean bertoncelj / Shutterstock.com
Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers
> Bing Predicts winner: Los Angeles (60%)
> Kickoff time: 8:25 PM EDT (Thursday)
> Game spread:Â Los Angeles -3
> Matchup history:Â 49ers lead 68-64-3
Kicker Robbie Gould is the 49ers’ leading scorer — with 12 points. In fact, he’s the only 49er who has contributed a point in the first two games. No wonder the Rams (1-1) are the favorites on the road. (There’s a lot of that this week.) The 49ers are one of two teams that has not scored a touchdown in the opening two games (the Bengals are the other). No wonder they rank last in the NFL in offense, averaging just 232.5 yards per game. Rams second-year quarterback Jared Goff has 530 passing yards in two games. The 49ers are in trouble early this season. It could get worse after this Thursday night showdown.
[in-text-ad]
Source: Action Sports Photography / Shutterstock.com
Baltimore Ravens at Jacksonville Jaguars (in London)
> Bing Predicts winner:Baltimore (61%)
> Kickoff time: 9:30 AM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread:Â Baltimore -4.5
> Matchup history:Â Jaguars lead 11-9-0
Who are these Jaguars? Which Jaguars team will show up to play in Week 3? The team that looked like it had turned a corner in Week 1, or the one that was routed at home by the Titans in Week 2? Possibly the latter since the Ravens are favored on the road. Actually, it’s a road game for both teams — the first NFL game this season to be played in London. Jacksonville quarterback Blake Bortles threw two interceptions and lost a fumble in Sunday’s loss to the Titans. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has been just good enough for the Ravens’ 2-0 start. It’s the Ravens’ defense that has notched five takeaways in each of the first two games. Eight of the 10 takeaways have been interceptions. The Ravens are the first team since the 1992 Steelers to have at least four turnovers in each of their first two games of the season. It could be an ugly day for Bortles and the Jaguars. Tally-ho.
Source: dean bertoncelj / Shutterstock.com
Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills
> Bing Predicts winner: Denver (57%)
> Kickoff time: 1:00 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread:Â Denver -2
> Matchup history:Â Bills lead 20-16-1
The Broncos (2-0) dismissed the Cowboys 42-17 on Sunday without much trouble. That’s one big reason for their edge on the road in Buffalo (1-1). Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor threw for just 125 yards and was the leading rusher with only 55 yards in a loss at Carolina. Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian may not be a household name, but he’s getting the job done with six touchdowns against just two interceptions so far. The Broncos will miss rookie left tackle Garett Bolles, who is nursing a bone bruise in his left leg.
Source: Action Sports Photography / Shutterstock.com
New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers
> Bing Predicts winner: Carolina (64%)
> Kickoff time: 1:00 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread:Â Carolina -6
> Matchup history:Â Panthers lead 24-20-0
The Panthers have been just impressive enough to win their opening two games, which gives them the edge over the winless Saints. Quarterback Cam Newton is not his old self, telling the media he’s disappointed in himself. He will miss tight end Greg Olsen, who is out for six to eight weeks with a broken foot. Speaking of disappointing, the Saints are coming off losses to the Vikings and the Patriots. The Saints defense is ranked dead last in the NFL in yardage allowed per game (512.5 yards) and has given up seven touchdowns in the first two losses.
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: dean bertoncelj / Shutterstock.com
Pittsburgh Steelers at Chicago Bears
> Bing Predicts winner: Pittsburgh (74%)
> Kickoff time: 1:00 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread:Â Pittsburgh -7.5
> Matchup history:Â Bears lead 18-7-1
It’s hardly a surprise that the Steelers are the favorite, even on the road. They have issues but have started 2-0. Meanwhile, the Bears (0-2) say quarterback Mike Glennon will start again even though he threw two interceptions and lost a fumble in a loss to the Bucs. Rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky will remain on the bench. Pittsburgh running back Le’Veon Bell, who was a holdout through camp, has averaged just 2.7 yards per catch, but the coaches have his back. The Steelers defense, which has allowed just 237 yards per game, ranks third in the NFL. This doesn’t add up to a good game for the Bears.
Source: dean bertoncelj / Shutterstock.com
Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions
> Bing Predicts winner: Falcons (60%)
> Kickoff time: 1:00 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread:Â Atlanta -3.5
> Matchup history:Â Lions lead 24-12-0
Atlanta’s Matt Ryan and Detroit’s Matthew Stafford are good buddies, but they’ll put that aside on Sunday. Atlanta gets the nod even on the road against the Lions, whose 2-0 record has not earned them much respect. Ryan has completed 69% of his passes with two touchdowns and no interceptions, while Stafford has six touchdowns, one interception, and a 71% pass completion rate. The Falcons’ defense will miss linebacker Vic Beasley, who has a slightly torn hamstring. He led the NFL in sacks last season. The Lions defensive line has been its strength (five sacks in Week 2), however, the secondary has also come up huge with four interceptions in two weeks. If Detroit continues to play like this, eventually the Lions will earn that long-awaited respect. It will be tough against the Falcons, though, one of the NFL’s best. Only three teams in the NFC — Detroit, Atlanta, Carolina — are undefeated. That will likely change on Sunday.
[in-text-ad]
Source: Sopotnicki / Shutterstock.com
Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts
> Bing Predicts winner: Indianapolis (50%)
> Kickoff time: 1:00 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread:Â Cleveland -2
> Matchup history:Â Browns lead 17-16-0
Well, someone has to win the battle of the 0-2 teams. It might as well be the Colts, who will play at home. Indianapolis has a quarterback situation with Andrew Luck still out following shoulder surgery. They are expected to use second-year quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who had zero touchdowns and one interception on Sunday in his first start, an overtime loss to the Cardinals at home. Browns rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer threw three interceptions and no touchdowns in a loss to the Ravens. He’ll miss wide receiver Corey Coleman, who was placed on injured reserve with a broken hand. Not exactly the best NFL matchup of the week.
24/7 Wall St.
Source: MN National Guard / Wikimedia Commons
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings
> Bing Predicts winner: Minnesota (52%)
> Kickoff time: 1:00 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread:Â No odds
> Matchup history:Â Vikings lead 32-22-0
Although quarterback Sam Bradford is expected to miss this game with a bone bruise, the Vikings are still the favorites. Case Keenum started last week for Minnesota, but Kyle Sloter could get the nod on Sunday. Tampa Bay won its first game on Sunday against the Bears. (Their opener was postponed due to Hurricane Irma.) Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston has plenty of offensive weapons. The Bucs could be a surprise team this season. Their defense is ranked first against the run, allowing just 20 rushing yards in the 29-7 win over the Bears. They will face a challenge in Vikings rookie running back Dalvin Cook, who has averaged 95.5 yards per game in the first two weeks. He’s doing his best to make Vikings fans forget Adrian Peterson.
Source: Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock.com
Houston Texans at New England Patriots
> Bing Predicts winner: New England (82%)
> Kickoff time: 1:00 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread:Â New England -13
> Matchup history:Â Patriots lead 8-1-0
All is right in Boston, as Tom Brady got back on track with 447 passing yards and three touchdowns in the 36-20 win over the Saints on Sunday. Anyone surprised? Will the Texans be able to pressure him enough to keep him in check? Not likely, which is why the Patriots are the big favorite here. The 40-year-old Brady leads the NFL in passing, averaging 357 yards per game. The Texans defense is ranked sixth against the pass, allowing just 169 passing yards per game. Something’s got to give. Quarterback Deshaun Watson got the start in the Texans’ win over the Bengals. He only had 125 passing yards but was the leading rusher with 67 yards.
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Miami Dolphins at New York Jets
> Bing Predicts winner: Miami (78%)
> Kickoff time: 1:00 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread:Â Miami -6.5
> Matchup history:Â Jets lead 53-49-1
Hurricane Irma may have postponed the Dolphins opener, but they were ready to go with a 19-17 win over the Chargers in Week 2. Now they’re favored in Week 3. Quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Jay Ajayi (28 carries, 122 yards) led the Miami offense. It’s not like the Dolphins are all that, but they are not the Jets. The Jets are one of eight 0-2 teams. They rank 30th in offense, averaging just 242.5 yards per game, and 30th in defense, allowing 409.0 yards per game. The Jets may never win a game this season.
Source: dean bertoncelj / Shutterstock.com
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
> Bing Predicts winner: Philadelphia (64%)
> Kickoff time: 1:00 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread:Â Philadelphia -3.5
> Matchup history:Â Giants lead 85-81-2
The Giants’ 0-2 start has been a huge letdown, especially after the Lions romped over them 24-10 Monday night. They might as well get used to disappointment. The Eagles (1-1) are the home favorites in this matchup for good reason. In its first two games, Philadelphia has sacked opposing quarterbacks eight times. The Eagles possess two of the NFL’s best pass rushers in defensive end Brandon Graham and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox. That’s really bad news for Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning, who plays behind an offensive line that has allowed him to be sacked eight times and be pressured early and often. Coach Ben McAdoo called out Manning after Monday’s loss.
[in-text-ad]
Source: Mario957 / Wikimedia Commons
Seattle Seahawks at Tennessee Titans
> Bing Predicts winner: Tennessee (53%)
> Kickoff time: 4:05 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread:Â Tennessee -1
> Matchup history:Â Seahawks 10-6-0
The Titans (1-1) bounced back from an opening loss with a big 37-16 win over the Jaguars on Sunday. Tennessee quarterback Marcus Mariota and running back Derrick Henry (14 carries, 92 yards, one touchdown) sparked the offense. The Titans are favored over the Seahawks (1-1), whose lackluster rushing defense is ranked 23rd in the NFL, allowing 121.5 rushing yards per game. The problem with the Seahawks’ offense is not quarterback Russell Wilson but the porous offensive line. Wilson’s been sacked six times in two games. No wonder the offense is averaging just 10.5 points per game.
Source: Keith Homan / Shutterstock.com
Cincinnati Bengals at Green Bay Packers
> Bing Predicts winner: Green Bay (73%)
> Kickoff time: 4:25 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread:Â Green Bay -10
> Matchup history:Â Bengals lead 7-5-0
The Bengals can set a dubious record of becoming the first team to fail to score a touchdown in the first three games since the 1976 Tampa Bay Bucs — that is, if the 49ers don’t beat them to it. For Cincinnati, it won’t be any easier this week against the Packers (1-1), who are coming off a 34-23 loss to the Falcons. Green Bay’s defense gave up 364 yards, including 141 on the ground. It’s not been a dream start for the Pack, but quarterback Aaron Rodgers should have no trouble with the Bengals. Green Bay could be missing wide receiver Jordy Nelson, who is 50-50 with a quad strain. Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton is off to dreadful start with four interceptions and zero touchdowns. In his defense, he’s been sacked eight times.
Source: chiefs.com
Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers
> Bing Predicts winner: Kansas City (70%)
> Kickoff time: 4:25 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread:Â Kansas City -3
> Matchup history:Â Chiefs lead 58-55-1
The Chiefs may be the best team in the NFL. They are playing the relocated Chargers, who have lost two to start. Kansas City quarterback Alex Smith is having a career year. Yes, it’s early, but he’s in total control, averaging 309.5 passing yards per game. He’s thrown five touchdown passes and zero interceptions. The offense is getting a huge boost from rookie running back Kareem Hunt, who has 355 yards (229 rushing) in two games. The defense is formidable, even though the Chiefs lost safety Eric Berry for the rest of the season. While Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has not been awful (four touchdowns, one interception), the move from San Diego to Los Angeles has not been good for him.
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Keith Allison / Wikimedia Commons
Oakland Raiders at Washington Redskins
> Bing Predicts winner: Washington (50%)
> Kickoff time: 8:30 PM EDT (Sunday)
> Game spread:Â Oakland -3.5
> Matchup history:Â Raiders lead 8-5-0
The Raiders are one of eight 2-0 teams. Surprisingly, they’re not favored over the Redskins (1-1), whose only win was over the Rams. Oakland quarterback Derek Carr is off to a solid start (five touchdowns, no interceptions), as the Raiders have outscored opponents 71-36. Raiders running back Jalen Richard ran six times for 58 yards and caught two passes for 51 yards in the win over the Jets. The Redskins’ defense, meanwhile, has allowed 344 yards per game, 26th in the NFL. Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins is not getting much protection — he’s been sacked six times. It might explain his production of only two touchdowns and one interception. The Redskins need to take advantage of being at home.
Source: dean bertoncelj / Shutterstock.com
Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals
> Bing Predicts winner: Dallas (58%)
> Kickoff time: 8:30 PM EDT (Monday)
> Game spread:Â Dallas -3.5
> Matchup history:Â Cowboys lead 55-32-1
The Cowboys’ drama this week involves running back Ezekiel Elliott, and not because of his suspension-related issues. He managed just eight yards on nine carries on Sunday. He’s expected to play against the Cardinals, which could be the reason Dallas is favored in the battle of 1-1 teams. Serious questions linger about the quarterbacks on both teams. Second-year Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott struggled in Sunday’s loss at Denver even though he looked fine in the opening win. Veteran Carson Palmer has two touchdowns and four interceptions in the first two games. The Cardinals’ one win might be misleading since they needed overtime to beat the hapless Colts.
Sponsored: Attention Savvy Investors: Speak to 3 Financial Experts – FREE
Ever wanted an extra set of eyes on an investment you’re considering? Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply
clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help guide you through the financial decisions you’re making. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
