NFL Week Three Predictions

With an abbreviated offseason program, injuries, naturally, were expected to happen to any and every team across the league.

Article by Dave Nguyen, AKSM Sports

PHILADELPHIA - One of the biggest takeaways after the first two weeks of the NFL 2020 season are the injuries. With an abbreviated offseason program, injuries, naturally, were expected to happen to any and every team across the league. What many did not expect were the amount of significant injures that would sideline players for either a long period of time or the entire season. Some of the season ending injuries include Giants Running back Saquan Barkley who unfortunately tore his ACL in Chicago during their loss to the Bears. Other notable ACL injuries include: Broncos young star wide receiver Courtland Sutton, 49ers defensive lineman Solomon Thomas, and former 2019 Defensive rookie of the year Nick Bosa. Some major season ending injuries include Colts star running back Marlon Mack (Achilles) and wide receiver Parris Campbell (PCL), Chargers center Mike Pouncy (Hip), and Broncos linebacker Von Miller (ankle). Furthermore, there are players with injuries that are going to miss time with an expected or an unexpected timetable including: Saints star receiver Michael Thomas (ankle), Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (ankle), 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garopalo (ankle), knee injuries to running backs Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman, and cornerback Richard Sherman (calf), Jets running back Le’Veon Bell (Hamstring), Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (Shoulder), and Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor after the team doctor punctured his lung while trying to administer a pain-killing injection to his ribs.

Week three is crucial for many teams, as 11 of them have a record of 0-2. In the history of the NFL, only six teams that have made the playoffs after starting 0-3: 1998 Buffalo Bills leftest by Doug Flutie, 1995 Detroit Lions, 1992 San Diego Chargers- the only team in history to start 0-4 and make the playoffs, the 1982 Tampa Bay Buccaneers- an odd case because the NFL expanded its playoff field (16 of 28 teams) due to the strike-shortened season, and most recently the 2018 Houston Texans, who went on a nine-game winning streak to finish 11-5 winning the AFC South after falling to the Patriots, Titans, and Giants to start the year, only to fall to Andrew Luck and the Colts in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.

With that being said, here are my Week Three predictions:

Thursday Evening

Dolphins @ Jaguars: If you’re a fan of facial hair, it will be a mustache vs beard quarterback battle between Gardner Minshew and Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Jaguars are shocking the league with Minshew’s ability to sling the football like Brett Farve in a Wrangler Jeans commercial, helping the Jags offense score 27 and 30 points in weeks one and two respectively. Prediction: Jaguars 30-17.

Sunday 1:00 PM

Bengals @ Eagles: The only matchup this week that have both teams with a record of 0-2. The Eagles have been inconsistent with sloppy play: with the offense’s second half performance against Washington and the defense allowing 37 points to the Rams. Joe Burrow is a fearless rookie, throwing for 509 yards in two weeks, but the superior Eagles defensive line will give him trouble with an inferior offensive line protecting him. Prediction: Eagles 30-24.

Bears @ Falcons: According to Elias Sports, the Falcons are the first team since 1933 to lose a game despite scoring 39 points and having no turnovers (let that stat sink in…) after falling to the Cowboys in Dallas last week. Matt Ryan has thrown for 723 yards and six touchdowns in the first two weeks of the season, and looks to pick apart the Bears defense at home. Chicago is 2-0 but have won on the skin of their teeth after Lions running back D’Andre Swift missed a sure handed basket catch in the end zone in week one, and Daniel Jones almost pulling off a last-second comeback at Soldier Field last week. Prediction: Falcons 28-21.

Rams @ Bills: One of two matchups where both teams are undefeated heading into week three. Josh Allen has loved the Bills acquisition of former Vikings receiver Stephon Diggs, as the two have connected 16 times for 239 yards and a touchdown. The former Wyoming quarterback has had his first 300 and 400 yard passing games in his career, but is facing a Rams defensive line featuring the 2020 favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year- Aaron Donald. The Rams also feature Jalen Ramsey, the fearless $105 million man who can give Allen nightmares if he’s not careful. The offensive adjustments of Sean McVay has done to his offense by adding a lot of motions pre-snap and having Jared Goff utilizing play action and rolling out of the pocket have the Rams offense looking comfortable will be a tall task for Sean McDermott’s defense. Prediction: Bills 30-27.

Washington Football Team @ Browns: After an upset win in week one against the Eagles, the Washington Football team could not handle the offensive firepower of the Cardinals in week two. On the flip side, the Browns had a tough time stopping Lamar Jackson in week one, but bounced back scoring 35 points in their Thursday night affair with the Bengals last week. With extra rest, Baker Mayfield looks to utilize the balance he has on offense with former LSU teammates Odell Beckham Jr and Jarvis Landry combining for seven receptions, 120 yards, and a touchdown, and the ground attack of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Both backs have accounted 210 yards, and three touchdowns rushing along with 24 yards and a score in the air as well. Prediction: Browns 30-14.

Titans @ Vikings: After falling to Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in a 43-34 shootout in week one, the Vikings offense was held in check against the Colts with only 11 points on the board. Kirk Cousins will have a tough time against the Titans, who are 2-0 thanks to the play of Ryan Tannehill. The former eighth overall pick of 2012 threw four touchdown passes last week in their 33-30 win over the Jaguars and is looking to build doff that performance. Derrick ‘Tractorcito’ Henry has rushed for 200 yards in the first two weeks, but has yet to find the end zone so far this season. Hopefully that will change against the Vikings. Prediction: Titans 28-20.

Raiders @ Patriots: John Gruden has the Las Vegas Raiders to a 2-0 start after neutralizing Drew Brees and the Saints on Monday Night Football in their 34-24 win last week. Week three starts a grueling part of their schedule as they travel to Foxboro to take on Cam Newton and the Patriots. Newton went toe-to-toe with Russel Wilson in Seattle last week, falling inches short at the goal-line to fall to 1-1. Josh McDaniels has shown so-far that he can utilize the former MVP’s strengths to help the Pats win games this year, as the former Auburn standout has totaled for 674 yards and five touchdowns combined through two weeks. Look for Julian Eddleman to step up after he broke out last week, hauling in eight receptions for 179 yards, averaging about 22 yards per reception. Prediction: Patriots 28-17.

49ers @ Giants: The 49ers have had 22 injury transactions since the season started, including starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and George Kittle. With questions surrounding who will be available for last season’s NFC champions will be the storylines heading into Week Three. On the other side, the Giants will have to figure out their offense without Saquan Barkley. This game has the chance to not be featured on Redzone as much on Sunday due to the unattractiveness of the matchup. Prediction: 49ers 20-17.

Texans @ Steelers: One could argue that the Texans have had the toughest first three weeks of the season: opening loss to the Chiefs, falling to Lamar Jackson and the Ravens last week, and now face a resurgent Steelers team with a healthy Ben Rothlesburger. Tough task for Deshaun Watson who lost DeAndre Hopkins in the offseason to the Cardinals. The Steelers look good after two weeks, particularly the defense who have allowed an average 18.5 points in two games. Three receivers have over 100 yards receiving and the running back tandem of Benny Snell and James Conner both have over 100 yards on the ground, giving Big Ben the keys to a balanced offensive attack. A third straight loss for the Texans would have Bill O’Brien on the hot seat. Prediction: Steelers 24-20.

Sunday 4:05 PM

Jets @ Colts: Whether it’s injuries, bad quarterback play, or allowing 49ers running back Jerrick McKinnon to gash your defense for 55 yards on 3rd and 31 from their own 11 yard line, those points can summarize the Jets 0-2 start. The Colts, on the other hand, played stellar defensively against the Vikings as they held Minnesota to three points for three quarters and picked off Kirk Cousins three times. Frank Reich has surrounded Phillip Rivers with a multitude of weapons, and Wisconsin rookie standout Jonathan Taylor recorded his first 100-yard rushing game of his career. If this game gets featured on Red Zone, it will be mostly Colts highlights. Prediction: Colts 28-10.

Panthers @ Chargers: The injury to Tyrod Taylor is absolutely terrible, which was the reason rookie first-round pick Justin Herbert was inserted into the Chiefs game last week. The Oregon standout performed well in his NFL debut, throwing for 311 yards, completing 23 of 33 passes, and had a score in the air and ground. Carrying that kind of momentum into your second NFL start can only help you. For the Panthers, an injury to Christian McCaffrey hurts the offensive production in so many ways as it forces Teddy Bridgewater and OC Joe Brady to find other ways to get into the end zone. Matt Rhule has the right attitude and vision in place for the Panthers rebuild, but wins may be hard to come by this season. Prediction: Chargers 24-17.

Sunday 4:25 PM

Bucs @ Broncos: Tom Brady earned his first win in a Bucs uniform last week against the Panthers, and looks to build more chemistry with the likes of Mike Evans, Jordan Howard, and get his buddy Rob Gronkowski more involved in the game plan. Leonard Fournette went off for 103 yards and two scores on twelve carries and there are hopes that Chris Godwin is able to suit up this Sunday at Denver. The Broncos have suffered injuries to starting QB Drew Locke for an extended period of time, running back Phillip Lindsay (toe), along with season ending injuries to receiver Courtland Sutton and defensive captain Von Miller (ankle). With all the injuries piling up, the Bucs have a great chance to roll into Mile High with a W. Prediction: Bucs 28-10.

Lions @ Cardinals: After two weeks, Kylar Murray looks like a dark horse candidate for this year’s MVP. The acquisition of De’Andre Hopkins has bolstered the Cardinals offense as the two have connected 22 times for 219 yards and a score. The Lions have an aging gun-slinger in Matt Stafford and hope to have Kenny Golliday for the first time in 2020. Yet, defensive minded head Coach Matt Patricia does not have a good enough defense to stop Arizona’s offensive firepower. Prediction: Cardinals 30-14.

Cowboys @ Seahawks: America’s Game of the Week find Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and Erin Andrews in Seattle as Russel Wilson is on an absolute tear and is in the front-runner conversation for this year’s MVP. One could argue that Russ throw the prettiest ball in the league, especially when it arcs like a rainbow toward a pot of gold. The former third round pick in 2012 has thrown for 610 yards, nine touchdowns, and is seeing the development of second year receiver DK Metcalf right before his eyes. The Cowboys have a lot of offensive firepower as well, but looked to be heading into this game 0-2 until the miraculous onside-kick conversion last week against the Falcons. Without Leighton Vander Esh (Collarbone) anchoring the defense, Dallas is going to have a tough time slowing down Wilson. Prediction: Seahawks 28-24.

Sunday Evening

Packers @ Saints: Another classic battle between two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks. The Packers come in with the number one overall offense in the league scoring 85 points through their first two games. Aaron Rodgers looks stellar after two weeks, throwing for 604 yards, six scored, and no picks. Aaron Jones was able to help out his fantasy owners last week with 168 yards and two scores on the ground, along with 68 yards and a touchdown through the air in the Packers 42-21 romp over the Lions. The Saints return home on a short week after Brees and company were held to 24 points in their loss to the Raiders on Monday Night Football. While the quarterback battle will be the main headline, the matchup that will be featured most will be between the running backs: Jones vs Alvin Kamara -who has lived up to his contract extension thus far. Prediction: Saints 38-35.

Monday Evening

Chiefs @ Ravens: The matchup that ESPN has been waiting to telecast as soon as the schedule came out: Mahomes vs Lamar. This game features two quarterbacks who have the potential to be the future of the NFL, with their ability to use their feet as another weapon in their offensive arsenal in addition to their powerful arms. This is the second game that features both teams undefeated heading into this matchup as many points will be scored. Both offenses have burners on the outside, big possession reception tight ends, but key to watch will be which running game will be more effective- Damien Willams and LSU standout Clyde Ewards-Helaire vs Mark Ingram II and Ohio State star JK Dobbins. Prediction: Ravens 37-34.