Well that was fast, we are already almost a fourth of the way through the season.
Week three was fun. We saw a few upsets, three teams stayed winless and five stayed undefeated. Will those stand true for this week? This time around we will be covering a rookie quarterback (QB) looking to build off a very strong performance; an MVP (most valuable player) candidate facing off against last season’s MVP; and a matchup between two new and improved defenses.Â
Kliff Kingsbury returns to desert in high-powered offensive face-off
Similar to last week we have someone looking get back at an old team. This time around we have Commanders offensive coordinator (OC), Kliff Kingsbury returning to Arizona for the first time since being fired as the team’s head coach on January 9, 2023.
Is Jayden Daniels like that? He is coming off what some would argue was the best game ever by a rookie QB. His stat line would back that up for the most part: 21 for 23, 254 passing yards, 91.3 completion percentage, two passing touchdowns (TD), 141.7 passer rating, 39 rushing yards and one rushing TD.
I say we need to pump the breaks a little though. He is playing for an OC who knows how to protect his rookie QB well and he played against a very bad Bengals defense. That being said, he still played well and I was impressed. Him and the Commanders will need to keep this up though as the defense was not doing them any favors on Monday night, allowing 33 points. The defense picking it up will be key in this team’s long-term success.
The Cardinals struggled. Simply put, I expected more against a Lions defense that was good but has allowed several big plays in the first two games. On a bright side the defense played well against one of the best offenses in football. The Cardinals will need to pick it back up on offense or they will not be able to win a shootout with the Commanders’ high-powered offense.
All and all, I expect the Cardinals to pick it back up and bounce back at home versus the Commanders. Final Score: Commanders 18 – Cardinals 25
Ravens host undefeated Bills under the Sunday Night lights
MVP, MVP, MVP!!!! That is what I imagine Bills fans are screaming after Monday’s win at home against the Jaguars. Bills QB Josh Allen has been lighting it up recently. He had four touchdown passes versus the Jaguars in the first half. He and the rest of the offensive starters came out of the game in the third quarter with how bad the Bills were blowing out the Jaguars.
Now here comes a real challenge for this team. The offense I expected to be fine as the Ravens have had one of the worst defenses in football so far this season. It is the defense I worry about. They are playing an old foe who has had his way with them for the most part in his career, running back (RB) Derrick Henry. Henry joined the Ravens this past offseason in hopes of winning a championship.Â
So far that has not gone the way he has hoped but he and the offense are playing really well right now. Henry is coming off a very strong game of over 170 total yards and two TDs vs the Cowboys in Dallas. He and teammate Lamar Jackson, QB for the Ravens, will still have their hands full though as the Bills defense has only allowed 20 points in the last two games and forced multiple turnovers in each game.
Overall I expect a fun game where the Ravens keep it close but the MVP frontrunner wins it for the Bills. Score: Bills 35 – Ravens 29 OT
Lions debut blue helmets and black uniforms on Monday Night Football
This will be the fourth matchup between the Seahawks and Lions since 2022. The Seahawks have won all of the matchups but as usual though I do not expect an easy matchup for them. In the two most recent matchups, we were given Game of the Year candidates and one score games that came down to the wire.
The Seahawks come into this game being one of the five remaining teams undefeated. They will look to not only continue that but also their win streak against the Lions. They come in with very strong defensive play so far. Cornerbacks (CB) Tariq Woolen, Devon Witherspoon and Tre Brown all come into this game graded as some of the best in football. The part that worries me most for the Seahawks though is their offensive line (OL) that has graded out as a bottom five unit so far.
The Lions on the other hand are doing pretty well themselves. They are coming off a nice win in the desert vs the Cardinals in which their defense held them to only 16 points. They will be looking to continue that play against a good Seahawks offense. They should look to score points off turnovers well as the teams the Seahawks have played have failed to do so leading to the Seahawks three and zero start. Lions edge rusher (DE) Aidan Hutchison will be looking to feast on their bad OL after already having six and half sacks through the first three games.
As expected this will be another fun matchup between the two teams but a little less scoring than usual with the Seahawks staying undefeated. Final Score: Seahawks 27 – Lions 23
Remaining Games and Predictions:
TNF Cowboys at Giants: Giants win back to back games in major upset. Final Score: Cowboys 16 – Giants 24
Bengals at Panthers: Andy Dalton’s revenge game spoiled. Final Score: Bengals 27 – Panthers 17
Saints at Falcons: Falcons bring Saints down to .500. Final Score: Saints 20 – Falcons 22
Jaguars at Texans: Texans make Jaguars considering coaching staff changes. Final Score: Jaguars 17 – Texans 38
Broncos at Jets: Aaron Rodgers puts his name in the MVP convo. Final Score: Broncos 10 – Jets 30
Vikings at Packers: Jordan Love and Sam Darnold give us the game of the week. Final Score: Vikings 33 – Packers 27 OT
Steelers at Colts: Steelers earn first loss in ugly game. Final Score: Steelers 9 – Colts 15
Rams at Bears: Bears take advantage of banged up Rams team. Final Score: Rams 17 – Bears 26
Eagles at Buccaneers: Buccaneers barley slip by Eagles in overtime. Final Score: Eagles 20 – Buccaneers 23 OT
Patriots at 49ers: 49ers bounce back with blowout win. Final Score: Patriots 13 – 49ers 45
Chiefs at Chargers: Chiefs fall short in major upset. Final Score: Chiefs 22 – Chargers 23
Browns at Raiders: Raiders get back to .500. Final Score: Browns 14 – Raiders 24
MNF Titans at Dolphins: Titans win back to back primetime games versus Dolphins. Final Score: Titans 24 – Dolphins 13
