Woof. Double woof. It was a forgettable Week 1 – that may be my first 0-3 week in two-plus years doing this blog. To make matters worse, I wasn’t close on two of them: the Carolina Panthers and New York Jets were manhandled from start to finish. My other loser, the Tennessee Titans, were up 17-0 at the half, and we all know how that turned out.
Oh well, on to Week 2:
(As an aside, I actually like the Panthers again. But I refuse to consider them until they look like an NFL team.)
New England +3 ½ vs. Seattle
Yes, I understand the Pats are one of the three worst teams in the league, but their win in Cincinnati got my attention (and probably cost a lot of you in your survivor leagues).
They’ll have a harder time running on this revamped Seahawks defense, but Jacoby Brissett provides a steady hand leading the offense. Sounds like they’ll be turning it over to rookie Drake Maye soon — he’s already getting midweek practice snaps.
I think New England’s defense can make things tough on Seattle’s abysmal offensive line and force Geno Smith into a few mistakes. Throw in the whole ‘West Coast traveling east and playing an early game’ trend, and I give the Pats more than a fighter’s chance to start an unbelievable 2-0.
Bengals +6 at Kansas City
You’re mocking me right now, aren’t you? Go ahead, I can take it. The Cincinnati Bengals were atrocious last week, and it doesn’t help that Ja’Marr Chase is spouting about being the team to beat in the AFC. Joe Burrow is typically a slow starter in the first few weeks, so I’m hoping to buck that trend. I also hope his wrist isn’t bothering him, as he professes.
I see the Bengals playing a much more disciplined game and hanging around with the Kansas City Chiefs for 60 minutes. They seem to have their number: Burrow is 3-1 straight up against them. Tee Higgins‘ return would be helpful, but he’s listed as doubtful. Patrick Mahomes is not great against the spread as a favorite of four or more, and I think that holds this week. I fully understand I’m on an island here.
Minnesota +5 vs. San Francisco
The Purple is stepping up in class big-time this week, but they’ll be without Jordan Addison and possibly two other stars; Harrison Smith and Brian O’Neill are questionable. Meanwhile, the Niners put on perhaps the most impressive show in Week 1 as they dismantled the Jets.
But now they’re on the road on a short week and a little overvalued. The line has dropped a full point in the last couple of days as money flows in on the Minnesota Vikings, who will have a raucous crowd, a somewhat confident Sam Darnold, and the best offensive player in the stadium, Justin Jefferson. Flores will dial up a few tricks to make things tough on Brock Purdy.
The Vikings surprised the Niners at US Bank Stadium last year in a game with key players missing on both sides. Round 2 of the Kyle Shanahan vs. Brian Flores matchup will be fun to watch; I say the Vikings keep it close.
Last week: 0-3
Season: 0-3
