Indianapolis Colts @ Green Bay Packers (Colts -3)
Both these teams are coming off week 1 losses, but both will feel very differently about them.
The Indianapolis Colts have much to be excited about. Their QB looks back to full health and wowed observers with not just his mobility but pure arm strength. The Colts ultimately came up short in a thrilling contest against the Texans, but they showed plenty of fight, play making ability and potential to get better.
For Green Bay it was a different story. Costly penalties and mistakes cost them against the Eagles. Errors compounded by the loss of QB Jordan Love in the dying seconds. The only consolation, ultimately his knee injury isn’t as bad as first feared but even so, they can expect to be without him for 3-6 weeks. At this point, 3rd year QB Malik Willis is set to step in. He has a 1-2 record as an NFL starter, he didn’t throw a touchdown pass in any of those games – he didn’t event total 100 yards passing in any of those games. He threw 3 interceptions and the Titan’s leaned heavily on Derrick Henry and the run game. None of this bodes well heading into Sunday’s matchup.
Jalen Hurts and the Eagles exposed holes in the Packers defense. I would expect Anthony Richardson and the Colts to do the same. Green Bay’s only hope of winning is to shorten the game, lean heavily on running back, Josh Jacobs and keep the colts offense off the field. If the Packers go behind early, this game could get out of hand quickly. Indianapolis have a talented group – a team which is flying underneath the radar right now. That may change this weekend.
PICK: Colts -3
New York Jets @ Tennessee Titans (Total Points Over 40.5)
The Jets and the titans are both reflecting on disappointing opening weekend performances but this weekend they have the opportunity to right the ship.
The Titans particularly will be wondering how they contrived to blow a double digit lead and lost in Chicago to a team with a rookie QB, making his first NFL start! Will Levis was guilty of being careless with the football and I don’t expect to see the same reckless approach in this matchup. He has a live arm and is capable of making big time throws and putting points on the board BUT, as in Chicago, this week’s opponents have a big time defense – full of talented playmakers, just itching to take that ball away.
Equally the Jets offense has playmakers everywhere you look, and they have a sure fire Hall of Fame QB in Aaron Rodgers leading them. It seems inconceivable that this won’t be an explosive, entertaining matchup – especially when you considers the playmakers on both sides of the field for two teams who understand the implications of dropping to 0-2 at the start of the season. Throw into the equation historically, Aaron Rodgers seems to come alive (in terms of results) from week 2… strap yourselves in and get ready to be entertained!
PICK: Total Points – Over 40.5
LA Rams @ Arizona Cardinals (Cardinals -1.5) NFC West
Last weekend we got an indication of what the 2024 Arizona Cardinals could be. They raced into a double-digit lead, on the road in Buffalo. They then fell victim to the Josh Allen comeback show!
That being said, QB Kyler Murray looked sharp. James Connor proved he still has a nose for the end zone and while neither rookie WR Marvin Harrison or rookie RB Trey Benson set the stat sheet alight, that could very well change this weekend.
The Rams lost a heartbreaker, on the road in Detroit. Losing in overtime, without possessing the ball. They also lost 2nd year WR Puka Nacua to injury and he won’t be available on Sunday. Ironically, many observers were high on the Rams before the season started but I think it’s these Cardinals who are primed to surprise and they have a great opportunity on home turf against their NFC West rivals this weekend.
On Sunday night, we saw Jameson Williams expose holes in the Rams secondary for Detroit. Well, Arizona’s offense certainly has the speed to do that and of course, this Rams defense no longer has its anchor – Aaron Donald is retired. No doubt that’ll both please and be a relief to Kyler Murray.
The fact that the line on this game has Arizona as marginal favourites suggests that the odds makers are waking up to these possibilities too. Matthew Stafford isn’t Josh Allen – he doesn’t have that same playmaking ability with his legs – and while Cooper Kupp may still be one of the best receivers in the NFL, the loss of Nacua is a huge blow to the Rams offense. It’s time for the Cardinals to take advantage!
PICK: Cardinals -1.5
