Happy Sunday, everyone. I apologize for all the mix-ups in my college football coverage lately. It’ll be better and more organized, I promise. There are lots of great games today. I’m glad to be watching RedZone again for seven hours of commercial-free football. There are injuries and weather forecasts to factor in for these games. Here are my picks for today’s and Monday’s games:
New England Patriots (0-1) (-3) at Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0)
The Steelers earned a huge win over the Bengals during Week 1, but will have star linebacker, T.J. Watt, out for the time being with a pec injury. Despite suffering back spasms during Week 1, Patriots quarterback Mac Jones is expected to play in today’s rivalry matchup. It’s the first game in the rivalry without Tom Brady or Ben Roethlisberger, marking a new era. New England has won 12 of the last 16 games (including playoffs) since the beginning of the Bill Belichick era in 2000. The Patriots have not started 0-2 since 2001, which makes me hope that streak stays alive as they face a hungry Pittsburgh team. I’ll take the Patriots, but I’m not confident. The Patriots need to show they are improving.
Tune into Patriots at Steelers at 1 PM ET on CBS.
New York Jets (0-1) at Cleveland Browns (1-0) (-6.5)
The Jets have not fared well in September. They haven’t won in the month of September since Sam Darnold’s NFL debut in 2018. I was a freshman in high school then! With Zach Wilson remaining out, at least until Week 4, Joe Flacco will be under center today. The Browns have too much star power on the ground and on the edge for me to bet against them.
Tune into Jets at Browns at 1 PM ET on CBS.
Washington Commanders (1-0) at Detroit Lions (0-1)
It’s an even spread, which means no favorite in this game. However, I like the Lions in this matchup. D’Andre Swift will prove he’s the real deal, as well as wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. The Commanders have a commanding lead in the series against Detroit: 31-15. Ford Field was full of energy last week and I expect nothing less today in the Motor City. If Carson Wentz can repeat what he did last week, I am scared for the Lions. However, I don’t think that will happen. Expect a high-scoring game between these two NFC teams.
Tune into Commanders at Lions at 1 PM ET on FOX.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) (-3) at New Orleans Saints (1-0)
The Bucs are a better team, but their kryptonite has been the Saints, especially in the regular season. I don’t typically bet against Tom Brady, but the trend lately for the Buccaneers has resulted in the Saints beating them. Saints quarterback Jameis Winston suffered a knee injury after a tackle by linebacker Devin White last time he was on the field against Tampa Bay. I think he will seek revenge and get an incredible win over the Bucs.
Tune into Buccaneers over Saints at 1 PM ET on FOX.
Carolina Panthers (0-1) (-1) at New York Giants (1-0)
I was impressed to witness a huge upset when the Giants took down the Titans last week. However, I don’t think they will have their first 2-0 start since 2016. The Panthers’ offense is strong, led by running back Christian McCaffrey. Carolina has won three of the past four games between the two teams. Expect a battle of two incredible running backs in McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley. I’ll take the Panthers, as there is less trust in the Giants for me.
Tune into Panthers at Giants at 1 PM ET on FOX.
Indianapolis Colts (0-0-1) (-3) at Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1)
Jacksonville has a seven-game win streak when hosting the Colts, including a 2016 game in London. However, I think all streaks have to come to an end. The Colts will try to feed Jonathan Taylor against the Jaguars’ young front seven with potential. The Colts have too many weapons on both sides of the line of scrimmage for me to bet against them.
Tune into Colts at Jaguars at 1 PM ET on CBS.
Miami Dolphins (1-0) at Baltimore Ravens (1-0) (-3.5)
Under head coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens are 14-1 in their home openers. The Dolphins looked great in their season-opening win over their rival, the Patriots. Tyreek Hill is a cheat code, but I don’t think even his help will be enough against the Ravens. Lamar Jackson is a tougher challenge than Mac Jones, and their defense is much better than New England’s. Despite the Dolphins defeating Baltimore in prime time last year, I think the Ravens will get revenge today.
Tune into Dolphins at Ravens at 1 PM ET on CBS.
Atlanta Falcons (0-1) at Los Angeles Rams (0-1) (-10)
The Rams suffered a loss last week to the Bills as they begin their road to defend their Super Bowl championship. The Falcons are not as much of a challenge as the Bills. There’s too much firepower for the Rams, whether it’s Cooper Kupp or Aaron Donald. With the game at home, I’ll take the Rams with confidence.
Tune into Falcons at Rams at 4:05 PM ET on FOX.
Seattle Seahawks (1-0) at San Francisco 49ers (0-1) (-9)
The 49ers lost because of the awful field conditions last week in the Chicago rain. I still have faith, but Trey Lance needs to stop going viral for the wrong reasons. He should be focusing on football, not blowing his money off by going out at night. The Seahawks looked impressive, but as wide receiver Tyler Lockett pointed out while mic’d up, the Broncos’ offense was easy to read because Russell Wilson was using the same signals. With that being said, the game is in Santa Clara, which favors the 49ers. I’ll take San Francisco.
Tune into Seahawks at 49ers at 4:05 PM ET on FOX.
Cincinnati Bengals (0-1) (-7) at Dallas Cowboys (0-1)
The Cowboys will try to avoid an 0-2 start as they host the defending AFC Champions. Dak Prescott is out for the time being, being replaced by Cooper Rush. That alone makes me pick the Bengals with confidence, who need a win after an overtime loss last week to their rival.
Tune into Bengals at Cowboys at 4:25 PM ET on CBS.
Houston Texans (0-0-1) at Denver Broncos (0-1) (-10)
The Broncos will look to put their bad decisions last week behind them when they open their home schedule against the Texans. Houston looked great despite ending in a tie. Tight end O.J. Howard caught a pair of touchdowns, while defensive lineman Jerry Hughes was a major impact in Week 1’s game. I think Nathaniel Hackett will prove that Week 1 was a fluke, and get a win at home.
Tune into Texans at Broncos at 4:25 PM ET on CBS.
Arizona Cardinals (0-1) at Las Vegas Raiders (0-1) (-5.5)
The Raiders will look to overcome their Week 1 loss as they host Kyler Murray’s Cardinals. I do want to see the Raiders include wide receiver Hunter Renfrow more in Week 2, even though Davante Adams is clearly the top receiver. I think there’s too much for the Cardinals to handle on defense. I’ll take the Raiders in a close game, by a field goal.
Tune into Cardinals at Raiders at 4:25 PM ET on CBS.
Chicago Bears (1-0) at Green Bay Packers (0-1) (-10)
The Bears are still the worst team in the NFL, in my opinion. Aaron Rodgers still owns the Bears, and I think the Packers will get a bounce-back win in a game where they must win. I am still worried about who will be Rodgers’s top target this season. With a rivalry game at Lambeau Field, give me Green Bay by 14.
Tune into Bears at Packers at 8:20 PM ET on NBC.
Tennessee Titans (0-1) at Buffalo Bills (1-0) (-10)
The Bills look like serious Super Bowl contenders, and Josh Allen is the front-runner for MVP so far. With the game in Orchard Park, I can’t see the Titans getting anyone going not named Derrick Henry on offense. The Bills win by a touchdown.
Tune into Titans at Bills on Monday at 7:15 PM ET on ESPN/ESPN2.
Minnesota Vikings (1-0) at Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) (-2.5)
The Vikings look real good as they dominated in a win over the Green Bay Packers. I think everyone is underrating the Vikings, which is why I have them beating the Eagles on Monday night.
Tune into Vikings at Eagles on Monday at 8:30 PM ET on ABC/ESPN+.
Calhoun's Corner 