NFL 2020 Week 3 Predictions

 

2020 NFL Week 3 Predictions

 

Jags -3 over Fins, 30-24

-The Dolphins have fought hard, but the Jags have also fought hard and have more talent. I’d like to see Tua as he is the future quarterback in Miami; I’m starting to think Gardner Minshew IS the quarterback of the future in Jacksonville.

 

Falcons -3.5 over Bears, 27-22

-The fairytale has to end for Trubisky at some point. Falcons lost a heartbreaker and really do need this to salvage their season.

 

Rams +3 over Bills, 30-23

-I’m staying on the Rams bandwagon until the wheels fall off. The wheels almost fell of the Bills bandwagon last week.

 

Browns -6.5 over WFT, 23-10

-The Browns are a fine team. WFT’s win in Week 1 is more an indictment on Philly than any note on their skill.

 

Titans -3 over Vikings, 29-16

- I know people are freaked out that Derrick Henry hasn’t gotten going…but I’d be much more concerned if Tannehill was slumping. Tannehill isn’t slumping and Minnesota looks terrible.

 

Pats -6 over Raiders, 30-23

-Pats look much better on offense than I would’ve thought, and I am chalking the Raiders/Saints result last week more up to the troubling struggles with Brees than the Raiders themselves.

 

49ers -4 over Giants, 17-6

-Even with all of the injuries in SF right now, I would’ve probably taken them over a healthy Giants team. But the Giants don’t even have Barkley now. Warning: this game may not be watchable.

 

Bengals +5.5 over Eagles, 23-26

-How is this 6 points? Look, I get the Eagles theoretically have something to play for, but the Bengals have shown way more fight. At least take the cover.

 

Texans +5 over Steelers, 21-20

-This is literally just a pick that Deshaun Watson will not go 0-3.

 

Colts -10.5 over Jets, 23-6

-For one week I will reunite with frenemy Phillip Rivers. The Jets are just that bad.

 

Chargers -7 over Panthers, 23-12

-Based on what I saw in Week 2, I just really hope it’s Herbert at QB.

 

Bucs -6.5 over Broncos, 27-13

-Broncos are so beat up.

 

Cards -6 over Lions, 34-19

-I don’t understand how this isn’t at least a touchdown. The Cards are the exciting ascendant team with a legit MVP candidate.

 

Seahawks -5 over Cowboys, 33-27

- The Cowboys win was a miracle last week and the Seahawks are an elite team. There could be some serious points in this game, though.

 

Packers +3 over Saints, 31-33

-What an awesome game between two fairly well-matched teams. Straight up, I think the Saints probably win…but in a shootout I’ll take the 3.5 points.

 

Ravens -3 over Chiefs, 34-30

-Somehow MNF is even better than SNF. The Chiefs are great, but the Ravens are rolling like no other team right now.

 

Record Last Week:

Straight Up: 12-4

By Spread: 10-6

 

Record this Year:

Straight Up: 24-8

By Spread: 21-11

 

Lifetime Record:

Straight Up: 1577-862

By Spread: 1304-1145

NFL 2020 Week 2 Predictions

 2020 NFL Week 2 Predictions

 

Bengals +6 over Browns, 24-23

-Thursday night, sloppy division game, and I wonder if Burrow is already better than Baker.

 

Bucs -8.5 over Panthers, 32-21

-No way Tom Brady is losing two games in a row to start a season versus divisional opponents.

 

Jags +9 over Titans, 24-26

-Minshew covers, baby!

 

Bears -5.5 over Giants, 20-13

-Ugh, I guess.

 

Falcons +4.5 over Cowboys, 31-30

-Something not quite right with the Cowboys. A lot of injuries in Dallas, and if Julio is fine, I’ll take the points.

 

Packers -6 over Lions, 30-19

-Aaron Rogers ANGRY. Aaron Rogers VERY ANGRY.

 

Vikings +3 over Colts, 22-21

-Phillip Rivers, you are dead to me. Signed 37% of an American Eliminator Pool picks.

 

Bills -6 over Fins, 23-20

-I want to see Tua. Just show me Tua. Also, Josh Allen…stop twirling through the air so much.

 

49ers -7 over Jets, 19-7

-Are we so sure the Jets losing Bell is a bad thing?

 

Rams pk over Eagles, 31-22

-I really like the Rams. And the Eagles look like a mess, especially on offense.

 

Steelers -7 over Broncos, 20-12

-Broncos showed spunk on Monday night…but this Steelers defense is real.

 

Cards -7 over WFT, 30-13

-Kyler Murray is for real and is your official MVP breakout candidate. Nice game by WFT last week, but I chalk that more up to the Eagles being horrid.

 

Ravens -7 over Texans, 33-22

-The Texans are going to be a great value play later in the season because everyone is going to remember them getting SHELACKED by the Chiefs and Ravens in the first two weeks.

 

Chiefs -9 over Chargers, 30-16

-Chargers can’t score with the Chiefs.

 

Seahawks -4 over Patriots, 28-23

-I love what I saw from Cam and it was very fun, but this is Russell Wilson firing on all cylinders.

 

Saints -6 over Raiders, 30-23

-Quietly, Drew Brees wasn’t very good last week. It didn’t matter then, but I’d like to see them work it out on offense.

 

Record Last Week:

Straight Up: 12-4

By Spread: 11-5

 

Record this Year:

Straight Up: 12-4

By Spread: 11-5

Record in 2019:

Straight Up: 152-93

By Spread: 128-114

Lifetime Record:

Straight Up: 1565-858

By Spread: 1294-1139

 

2020 NFL Week 1 Predictions

2020 NFL Week 1 Predictions

Seahawks -2 over Falcons, 27-24

-I have a bad feeling about the Falcons this year, they will probably score a lot of points, win 7 games, and in week 15 we’re all going to wonder why Julio only has 3 touchdowns. I think Seattle has a great run this year, and it starts in week 1.

 

Ravens -7.5 over Browns, 33-20

-The Ravens are just a much better team. The Browns will much more resemble a professional organization this year, but it won’t be enough versus the reigning MVP and one of the two kings of the AFC.

 

Bills -6.5 over Jets, 20-13

-I hear it’s important to occasionally have meetings and practices in person for professional sports teams. I wouldn’t think I would have to say this, but the Jets didn’t do this. I don’t like the Bills, like so many people do, but it’s the Jets and it’s less than a touchdown.

 

Raiders -3 over Panthers, 23-19

-Las Vegas (!) is somehow the team here with more continuity. That is my goal this year, and the lens I am using, to predict winners. Carolina has some pieces I like but returning less than 50% of its skill snaps is a lot to turn over for a team.

 

Lions -2.5 over Bears, 27-22

-I sneaky like the Lions this year, a lot of it based on how well Stafford played in the last eight games last year. Combined with the Bears still playing Trubisky, I’m taking the Lions…especially under a field goal.

 

Colts -7.5 over Jags, 22-13

-Sigh…I don’t love the Colts, but wow is this Jags team going to be bad. Am I relying on Gardner Minshew in fantasy this year? Yes I am.

 

Packers +3 over Vikings, 24-23

-I believe in the system of the Packers, the excellence of Davante Adams, and am worried about the turnover on the Vikings defense.

 

Pats -7 over Dolphins, 30-22

-Ok look everyone, I’m not picking them to win the SB, or win 13 games. But I really disbelieve a relatively healthy, and relatively skilled team, with Bill doesn’t hit double-digit wins. It’s still Miami in a rebuilding phase, and still a Patriots home game.

 

Eagles -5.5 over Washington Professional Football Franchise, 27-19

-I could talk about how the Eagles are just more talented, or that I wish the Eagles could have a fully healthy offensive skill position roster, but I don’t have time here. I could also talk about the comeback story of Alex Smith, which is an awesome story. However, I have to address that for a decade writing this column, I have refused to call Washington by its offensive name, and they have finally dropped it. However, I’ve been calling them the Washington Professional Football Franchise because I didn’t know what they were going to pick as a new name. Turns out, neither did they.

 

Chargers -3 over Bengals, 27-23

-Chargers are just more talented, and Tyrod will remind people that he is a fairly competent QB. The Bengals will be feisty this year and probably score more points than people think. The over for this game is 42, and I’d probably hit that hard.

 

Saints -3.5 over Bucs, 35-31

-Mike Evans’ injury is one hesitation, as is the lack of familiarity for the Bucs. I also like that Kamara got his deal done and the Saints are just loaded for this year.

 

Cards +7.5 over 49ers, 24-26

-First, I really hope if this game cannot be safely played, it is not. If it is, I think the Cards are going to surprise some people with a loaded offense versus a team that, while solid, probably overachieved in its SB run last year. I’ll take the points with the spread so large.

 

Rams +3 over Cowboys, 34-32

-I know I’m probably going to be in the minority here, but I like the Rams and don’t particularly like the Cowboys, so this wasn’t a very difficult pick for me. The Rams had many injuries and issues last year, and in a tough division still won 9 games. I’ll take them in a shoot-out.

 

Steelers -6 over Giants, 24-13

-I don’t love the Steelers, but the Giants might be the worst team in Football (next to the Jags).

 

Titans -3 over Broncos, 22-14

-I like Drew Lock and want to like the Broncos, but there has already been so many injuries for them. The Titans are a physical up and coming team that is probably going to cream them Monday night.

 

 

Record this Year:

Straight Up: 1-0

By Spread: 0-1

 

Record in 2019:

Straight Up: 152-93

By Spread: 128-114

 

Lifetime Record:
Straight Up: 1554-854
By Spread: 1284-1134

 

2020 NFL Season Predictions & Opening Night

 

Okay everyone. I’m not going to lie, this has been a tough year. I am not really feeling writing this column each week, and I’m not really feeling fantasy football either. I cut my leagues in half, and have little confidence what the product on the field will look like or if we will even get to finish line. However, some enjoyment is warranted, and I value how the NFL brings so many friends together to celebrate something. And that writing this makes my brain work and express and try. So, we continue forward.

 

I have little thought on the results for the league in general, other than with limited practice time and rookie reps, I will be valuing continuity. 12 years of writing this prediction column…let’s give it a whirl at least one more time.

 

 

2020 NFL Playoff Predictions and Awards

 

Division Winners

AFC East – Patriots – Death, taxes, the Patriots win the AFC East. Yes, even with Cam. I can’t pick the Bills in good faith.

AFC North – Ravens – I don’t like them a lot. But ugh at this division.

AFC South – Titans – I quietly really like their offense (and I’m not saying that only because I am relying on Tannehill in a league).  

AFC West – Chiefs – Mahomes man.

AFC Wild Cards – This is brutal. Texans solely out of respect for Watson. And Bills I guess.

AFC Championship – Chiefs over Titans

 

NFC East – Eagles – In Doug we trust to scheme out wins.  

NFC North – Packers – What can I say? I trust Aaron Rodgers. Lions are going to surprise, but the QB disparity overrules.

NFC South – Saints – A competitive division, but the Saints are still loaded with talent and have Drew Brees. Continuity of Saints over continuity of Brady always winning his division.

NFC West – Seahawks – Russell Wilson. 49ers already have so many injuries on offense.

NFC Wild Cards – Bucs and Rams. I have a feeling McVay is going to be just fine.

NFC Championship – Saints over Seahawks

 

Superbowl:  Saints over Chiefs. Brees gets one more and rides off into the sunset.

 

Awards

MVP: Patrick Mahomes

-Hard to go elsewhere right now. It’s really just a pick against health if anything.

 

OPY: Davante Adams

-I think he catches 150 passes.

 

DPY: Aaron Donald

-The defensive player in a long time.

 

ORY: Joe Burrow

-Bengals offense will surprise people. Defense will be total trash though.

 

DRY: Patrick Queen

-I like Chase Young too, but that team is going to be terrible, is imploding, and generally is unlikeable.

 

COY: Sean McVay

-Every year it should be Belichick. But it never is.

 

 

 

Opening Night:

Texans +9 over Chiefs, 26-33

-That’s just a lot of points for an opening night for a product we know nothing about. A vote for Watson keeping it close enough.

 

Record in 2019:

Straight Up: 152-93

By Spread: 128-114

 

Lifetime record:
Straight Up: 1553-854
By Spread: 1284-1133