Week One, Predicting the Future

It’s still over 3 months until the regular season starts and I can’t wait so I thought I’d have a go at predicting the outcomes, with commentary, of the week 1 games. Keep your eye out for some amazing comebacks, rookie heroics and, as always, a heart-breaking Dolphins loss.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 06TH

FALCONS AT EAGLES (PREDICTION: 35-14)

What a game to start the season, the Superbowl champs playing host to one of their closest NFC rivals. The Falcons start 2018 with renewed hope but the Eagles look improved even compared to the team that won it all last year. The Eagles have suffered with some injuries in pre-season with Jay Ajayi and Michael Bennett among those likely to miss multiple weeks. Nick Foles, Superbowl MVP, starts again in the continued absence of Carson Wentz. The 1st quarter sees both teams making good offensive yards with the Falcons first to score on a 2-yard Devonte Freeman run. The 2nd quarter lights up with 28 points as the teams trade touchdowns. Firstly, the Eagles score when Foles finds Zach Ertz from 7 yards out. The Falcons reply with a 31-yard pass from Matt Ryan to Mohamed Sanu. The Eagles tie the game with a 13-yard, Wendall Smallwood, scamper which is closely followed by the Falcons taking the lead with another Freeman run.

21-14 to the Falcons at halftime soon becomes 28-14 when Ryan connects with Sanu again from 28 yards out. The Eagles offense then splutters as Foles fails to connect with Nelson Agholor and then is forced to throw the ball away whilst under pressure from Vic Beasley. When the Eagles next get the ball back, Foles is intercepted by Brian Poole. The Falcons then extend their lead, to 35-14, when Freeman gets a receiving TD to add to his 2 rushing TD.

Another interception thwarts the Eagles next drive and the Falcons go in to running-down-the-clock mode. Late in the 4th quarter, Foles is intercepted for the 3rd time to cap a miserable game that must feel a million miles away from the highs of the Superbowl win. Matt Ryan finishes with 3 touchdowns and 350 yards through the air.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 09TH

BILLS AT RAVENS (Prediction: 9-20)

Fresh from a playoff berth in 2017, the Bills travel to the Ravens for what could be a match-up of rookie Quarterbacks. Instead, we see McCarron vs Flacco. McCarron struggles early as the Ravens defense dominates. Flacco, on the other hand, looks poised and he connects with Michael Crabtree for a 7-yard TD to make the score 7-0. The Bills defense keeps Alex Collins quiet but Flacco is able to pick off short passes to keep drives alive. Early in the 2nd quarter, Flacco delivers a 14-yard strike to new Tight End, Hayden Hurst, and the score is 14-0. McCarron looks edgy behind a porous O-line but keeps a drive moving by scrambling for 22 yards and the Bills kick a field goal to go in to the half 14-3 down.

The Ravens, and Justin Tucker, kick a 52-yard field goal early in the 3rd to restore their two TD advantage. The Bills employ a heavy dose of LeSean McCoy in an attempt to get the offense moving but this plays into the Ravens’ hands and they force two straight 3-and-outs. Alex Collins is now motoring and the Bills defense is tiring, Collins breaks a 34-yard run to set up Tucker and another 3 points. McCarron, in desperation to get the offense moving, gets picked off by Jimmy Smith. On the ensuing drive, Lamar Jackson comes in for a play,lines up at Running Back, but doesn’t touch the ball.

In to the 4th quarter and the Bills defense is running on empty. They somehow manage to stop the Ravens on a 4th down and then McCarron connects with Travaris Cadet and Kelvin Benjamin on back-to-back 20-yard plays to move in to Ravens territory. Benjamin catches another to take the Bills to the Ravens 1-yard line and McCoy runs the next play in for a score. The extra point is missed, 20-9. Bills on-side kick but the Ravens recover and run down the clock.

JAGUARS AT GIANTS (PREDICTION: 14-9)

The Jacksonville Jaguars are heavy favourites as they visit the Giants in week 1. New York will be looking to rebound, after a disastrous 2017, with a talented roster and a new coach. The Giants score first with a 35-yard field goal but the Jags hit back quickly after some aggressive play calling sees Blake Bortles fire a 25-yard strike to Dede Westbrook. The Giants are struggling offensively but, defensively, they are looking to take Leonard Fournette out of the game and the Jags can’t move the chains. Both teams fail to score again until the Giants drive down to the Jags 17-yard line and kick a field goal, as time expires, to make it 7-6 at half-time.

The Giants start the second half well and again shut Bortles, and the Jags offense, down. Eli Apple intercepts Bortles and, the next time Jacksonville gets the ball, 2 sacks on Bortles make them punt. The Giants are having some success running the ball with rookie Saquon Barkley gaining some tough yards. Neither team score in the 3rd quarter.

Landon Collins intercepts Bortles midway through the 4th quarter and the Giants kick another field goal to take a 9-7 lead. With 5 minutes left, the Giants defense just needs to stop the Jags again and they could be looking at a surprise win. Fournette picks up some decent yardage on 1st down and then Corey Grant takes a screen pass 8 yards for another 1st. The Giants D is all over Bortles but he escapes and slings the ball to Keelan Cole to take the Jags to the Giants 33-yard line. At the two minute warning, Fournette gets the ball again and barrels to the Giants 5-yard line. On 1st down, Bortles tucks the ball under his arm and dives for the endzone for a score. The Giants don’t have time to respond, Jags take it 14-9.

BUCCANEERS AT SAINTS (PREDICTION: 27-41)

The Buccs travel to New Orleans to face Drew Brees, and the Saints, in an NFC South showdown. The Buccs were disappointing in 2017 but the Saints exceeded expectations to make the playoffs. The Saints are without starting Running Back, Mark Ingram, who misses out through suspension.

Both teams score early touchdowns with Alvin Kamara running in, from 3 yards, for the Saints and Jameis Winston hits Tight End, Cameron Brate, from 8 yards, to tie the game. 3 field goals follow with the Saints hitting 2 and the Buccs replying, with 1 of their own, to leave the score 10-13. The Saints then go pass happy and score two quick touchdowns. Firstly, Brees hits Michael Thomas for a 23 yard TD and then Brees finds Kamara for a 10-yard score. Both offenses are on top and the Buccs strike back when Winston connects with Mike Evans for a 24-yard score to take us to the half at 20-27.

The second half starts with both teams moving the ball in similar fashion. The Buccs strike first, to tie the score at 27, when Winston hits Evans again for a score. It doesn’t take long for the Saints to get moving again and Brees finds rookie Tre’quan Smith for an 11-yard TD. The Saints defense finally steps up to stop Tampa Bay on the next drive when Sheldon Rankins intercepts a tipped pass. The Saints then make the turnover pay with Brees striking again, this time to Cameron

Meredith from 6 yards. Winston gets intercepted again late on and the Saints hold on for the win.

TEXANS AT PATRIOTS (Prediction: 20-31)

The Texans roll in to Foxboro’ with Deshaun Watson back under center and hope that 2018 will be a better season than last. The Pats, as always, will be no pushovers and they get off to a quick start with Tom Brady connecting with Julian Edelman (x2) and Rob Gronowski on the opening drive. The Texans pass rush is all over Brady and forces 3 consecutive incompletions to set up a 51-yard FG which is slotted through by Gostkowski. After consecutive punts, one for each team, Watson gets to work and finds top target, DeAndre Hopkins, for a 25-yard pick-up. The drive ends with a FG as the Pats limit Watson’s ability to run from the pocket. 3-3, going in to the 2nd quarter, Brady gets sacked and the Pats punt again. Watson, on the next drive, finds some running room and scrambles for 13 yards followed by a 36-yard connection, on a broken play, to Lamar Miller out of the backfield. Miller then pounds the ball in to the endzone, from 4 yards, to give the Texans a 10-3 lead. With over 2 minutes on the clock, and 3 timeouts remaining, Brady then gets to work finding Gronkowski twice for big gains. At 3rd and 5, with 1:01 remaining, Brady gets pressured and checks down to rookie, Sony Michel, who then scampers 27 yards, for a TD, to tie the game at the half 10-10.

The Pats come out rolling in the 3rd quarter. On the Texans first drive, Watson is intercepted by veteran corner, Jason McCourty, who returns the ball to the Texans 3. On the next play, Brady connects with Edelman for a TD on a quick out. The Texans next drive is a 3-and-out and Brady then drives the Pats downfield to connect with Chris Hogan for a 23 yard score. The Texans pass rush is being thwarted by Brady getting the ball out more quickly to his receivers.

In to the final quarter and the Texans can’t get their offense moving. They have to settle for a 48-yard field goal to make the score 24-13. The Pats now establish the run game, to take time off the clock, with Rex Burkhead picking up nice gains of 11, 7,16 yards. From the 11-yard line, Brady throws to James White who catches and dives in to the endzone for another TD. Late on, Watson drives the Texans downfield and hits Hopkins, on a fade, for a 13-yard TD but it’s too little, too late.

49ERS AT VIKINGS (PREDICTION: 3-20)

A really interesting NFC match-up to start the season. The 49ers, with Jimmy Garoppolo at QB, ended last season on a hot winning streak and there is much optimism in San Francisco. Minnesota, however, have added some extra pieces to an already impressive roster. Kirk Cousins starts his first game for the Vikes. Cousins starts well and builds an instant rapport with Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen. The Vikes take two trips to the redzone, in the first quarter, but only come away with 3 points. The 49ers struggle to get the offense moving and have minus rushing yards through the 1st quarter. The 2nd quarter starts really badly for the 49ers as Garoppolo is intercepted and Andrew Sendejo returns it for a touchdown. The 49ers just can’t get moving and the Vikings defense dominates. Cousins finds Diggs for a 45-yard connection and then Dalvin Cook runs in from 7 yards to cap the drive. 0-17 at half-time.

The Vikings dominate in the early phases of the 3rd quarter with Cook establishing the run game. The offense mixes runs and passes to drive on the 49ers at will. Again though, they take 2 redzone trips and return with only 3 points after Cook loses a fumble whilst diving for the endzone. Garoppolo can only pick up passes of under 10 yards and the offense is being shut down.

In the 4th quarter, the 49ers only make 2 visits in to the Vikings half and are only able to hit a 51-yard field goal late on. The Vikings manage the game beautifully and Cousins looks in control of the offense to secure the win.

TITANS AT DOLPHINS (PREDICTION: 24-23)

A decent AFC match-up with the Titans looking for revenge after losing to the Fins in 2017. The Titans went on to the playoffs but Miami fell well short. The Dolphins welcome back Ryan Tannehill and hope that he can kick start a routinely disappointing offense. The Titans will want to make the playoffs again and challenge the Jags in the AFC South. Tennessee start well with Derrick Henry gaining good yards on the ground and Marcus Mariota finding Delanie Walker, in the endzone, for a 6-yard score. The Fins, however, respond well and cap an 81-yard drive with a 3-yard run from Kenyan Drake. Tannehill looks ok and the O-line gives him time to find his receivers. In the 2nd quarter, Miami drive again and Tannehill finds Albert Wilson, on a screen, who then takes it in from 9 yards out. The Titans then respond with a field goal following more productive running from Henry and a 19-yard catch from Dion Lewis. Miami can’t get anything going on their next drive but the Titans get the go-ahead score when Lewis breaks a 13 yard run by bouncing out of a tackle and diving in to the endzone. 17-14 to Tennessee at the half.

Miami retake the lead, in the 3rd quarter, with Jakeem Grant taking a punt return 69 yards for the score. And, on their next possession, Miami drives down well to increase their lead through a Jason Sanders field goal. Sanders then misses a 37-yard field goal and the Titans look to strike. Mariota runs for 11 yards and then finds Corey Davis for back-to-back 16-yard catches. The Dolphins defense looks tired as Mariota then hits back-up tight end, Jonnu Smith, for the game tying TD. The extra point is good and the Titans lead 24-23 with 8 minutes left in the game.

Tannehill gets to work and finds Danny Amendola for a 22-yard connection. Mike Gesicki drops a very catchable pass and the Phins are forced to try another FG, this time from 40 yards. Sanders steps up and shanks it wide, the rookie Kicker looks shot of all confidence. With 4 mintues left, the Titans hand the ball off to Henry and he punishes the Fins defense with some bruising running up the gut. The Titans punt with 37 seconds left on the clock but Tannehill then throws 4 consecutive incompletions to finish the game.

BENGALS AT COLTS (PREDICTION: 19-7)

Two unfancied teams face-off with the Bengals travelling to Indianapolis to play the Colts. The Colts start the season, again, without their franchise QB as Andrew Luck is still not ready to play. Predictably, the 1st quarter is a cagey one and both teams fail to score. The Bengals, however, establish a nice looking running game behind an improved O-line. 2nd quarter and the Colts finally get moving only for the drive to be halted with Jacoby Brissett firing an interception. A heavy dose of the running game, and Joe Mixon, gets the Bengals in to field goal range and they take a 3-0 lead. Brissett is sacked twice on the Colts next drive and they go 3-and-out.

The Bengals try and expand the offense and AJ Green gets his first catch of the year to keep the drive alive but the Bengals have to, again, settle for a field goal. Brissett’s troubles continue as another interception halts the Colts next drive. Andy Dalton connects with 3 different receivers to move the Bengals in to field goal position again and they take a 9-0 half time lead.

The 2nd half sees more of the same as the Bengals, with their lead, take a conservative approach and heavily feature the run. Mixon has a 22-yard run which takes him over 100 for the day. Dalton looks sharp as he again connects with Green and the Bengals move in to the redzone. Dalton then hits Tyler Eifert for a TD to increase the Bengals dominance. Brissett, and the Colts, continue to struggle. At this point, they have less than 100 yards total offense. The running game is a non-factor and TY Hilton is being double teamed.

The Bengals hit another field goal, midway through the 4th, to extend their lead to 19-0. On their next possession, after another punt from the Colts, Dalton takes a shot downfield and is intercepted by Quincy Wilson who takes it all the way back for a pick-six. The Colts then only get the ball back with 9 seconds on the clock and Brissett hurls it up for an incompletion, game over.

STEELERS AT BROWNS (PREDICTION: 7-10)

Much hope in Ohio that the Browns can turn around their fortunes following an aggressive offseason in which they’ve added quality players to their roster. The Steelers will feel they still hold the upper-hand in this contest and are favourites to retain the AFC North crown. The Browns, after a fierce battle in training camp, start rookie, Baker Mayfield at QB. The Steelers start slow, Le’Veon Bell has 3 rushes for only 8 yards and the Steelers punt. The Browns are able to get 2 first downs on their first possession but then also punt. Mayfield looks composed and also runs for 15 yards on his first venture out of the pocket. The Steelers punt again after Ben Roethlisberger fails to connect with a wide-open Antonio Brown on 3rd down and the Browns get good field position after a great punt return from Jabrill Peppers. A sack and another broken play later and the Browns face 3rd and 24 at the Steelers 38. Mayfield looks to run but checks down to Duke Johnson. Johnson takes it to the house and the Browns fans start to believe. On the next play from scrimmage, Roethlisberger finally finds Brown and the receiver goes 75 yards for a TD. Undetered by this, Mayfield drives the Browns downfield and Zane Gonzalez kicks a field goal, as the half runs out, to make it 10-7.

The 2nd half starts with both defensives dominating. Bell has no impact as he’s held without a run over 4 yards through 3 quarters, the Browns are targeting him and it’s working. Both teams are struggling to pick up first downs and, apart from a 30-yard grab by Antonio Brown, the 3rd quarter passes without incident.

The Steelers start the 4th with a decent drive, Bell finally runs for a first down but they are thwarted by an offensive pass interference call, on Brown, which brings back a 45-yard reception. Carlos Hyde is running well and the Browns get 2 first downs to drive in to Steelers territory. Mayfield is then sacked and fumbles for the Steelers to recover. With six minutes on the clock, it looks set for Big Ben to march the Steelers down the field for the go-ahead score but these Browns are made of stronger stuff and the Steelers are faced with a 4th and 2 at the 50. Roethlisberger hands the ball to Bell and he’s hit behind the line of scrimmage, a surge forward doesn’t get him the desired yards and the Browns have the ball back. Two 3-yard runs by Carlos Hyde, either side of a 6-yard scamper by Duke Johnson, give the Browns a first down with the clock down to 2 minutes and the Steelers out of time outs. On the next play, and under pressure, Mayfield escapes and hurtles down the field for a 32-yard gain. It’s the stuff of legends, this is truly what he can bring to an offense and an organisation. The Browns run down the clock and they are victorious.

CHIEFS AT CHARGERS (PREDICTION: 24-34)

What a game to start the season in the AFC West. The Chargers will be looking to overcome the Chiefs to win the division this year and they get the chance to beat their rivals on opening day. The Chiefs are hoping that Pat Mahomes becomes the franchise QB they expect him to be. Both teams start well and score touchdowns on their opening drives. The Chiefs take the lead with Mahomes running in from 5 yards but then the Chargers replied with a 5-yard TD run, of their own, from Melvin Gordon. Both offenses look sharp and establish the run early. The Chiefs are unable to score on their next possession as the Chargers pass rush, led by Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, hurries Mahomes in to some errant throws. The Chargers get back to work on offense and score another TD when Phillip Rivers connects with Keenan Allen, over the middle, for a 10-yard score. The teams then exchange field goals before the Chiefs produce a 99-yard drive to draw level with a 1 yard run by Kareem Hunt. 17-17 at the half.

The Chargers come out, after half time, hobbled by an injury to Melvin Gordon but they score the first points of the 2nd half with a 23-yard field goal from Caleb Sturgis. Mahomes then gets strip-sacked by Bosa and the Chargers get the ball back on the KC 32-yard line. 3 plays later, Rivers delivers a strike to Mike Williams to put them up by 10. The Chiefs defense seems unable to stop the Chargers offense even in the absence of Gordon.

From nothing, Kareem Hunt then breaks a 77-yard run to bring the Chiefs back within 3 as we head to the 4th. Rookie, Justin Jackson, looks good in place of Gordon and the Chargers are driving again. Jackson has runs of 22, 8, 14 and 7 to take the Chargers in to the redzone. The Chiefs are powerless and Austin Ekeler runs for another TD and the victory goes to LA.

SEAHAWKS AT BRONCOS (PREDICTION: 17-22)

Both teams will be looking to improve, in 2018, after missing out on the playoffs in 2017. Both teams boast good defenses but will the offenses improve enough, this year, to be competitive. Predictably, the first quarter is a cagey affair with the teams only managing field goals. The second quarter starts well for Denver as new QB, Case Keenum, gets the ball moving downfield with connections to Demaryius Thomas and Jordan Taylor. Another field goal follows for Denver to take a 6-3 lead. Russell Wilson struggles to find his receivers but rookie Running Back, Rashaad Penny, looks a threat and his 21-yard run sets the Hawks up in Denver’s half. Wilson finds Doug Baldwin and then Penny runs in from 2 yards out for the first touchdown of the game. 10-6, to Seattle, at half-time.

The second half sees a big improvement from Denver’s offense as they drive 89 yards to score the go-ahead touchdown when Keenum hits Taylor. Bobby Wagner exits the game for Seattle and his loss is felt with Denver establishing a running game behind Devontae Booker and Royce Freeman. Denver add a field goal to see out the 3rd quarter and take a 16-10 lead.

Some typical Russell Wilson magic keeps a Seattle drive alive when he connects with Amara Darboh and then he finds Baldwin, again, for a 12-yard TD to retake the lead. The Seahawks’ defense then steps up and limits the Broncos to just 3 yards, on their next drive, but the Hawks offense can’t take advantage as they punt the ball back to Denver. Keenum drives the Broncos to the Seattle 24 and well within field goal range. On the next play, Devontae Booker takes the ball all the way to the endzone and the Broncos lead again although they do miss the extra point. Seattle, with only 43 seconds on the clock, manage to get in to Denver territory but they don’t have time to take another play and Denver hold on for the win.

COWBOYS AT PANTHERS (PREDICTION: 23-31)

Two decent NFC teams face-off in Charlotte with both looking to improve on last year’s efforts. Offensively, Dallas are stacked with stars although they go into the season without Dez Bryant who was released earlier in the year.

The Panthers come out of the blocks flying with Cam Newton driving the team down to the Dallas 8 from where he runs in the opening score. Dallas go for a run-heavy approach early and Ezekiel Elliott caps a productive drive with a 5-yard run, 7-7. Carolina score again early in the 2nd quarter when Newton flings a 32-yard pass to Devin Funchess, the extra point is missed. Dallas reply when Dak Prescott connects with rookie, Michael Gallup, for a 7 yard touchdown. Carolina kick a 33-yard field goal to cap the first half, 16-14 to the Panthers.

In the second half, Dallas take their opening drive into Carolina territory and kick a 40-yard field goal which gives them the lead. A Newton interception, and a 23-yard catch by Cole Beasley later, and the Cowboys are in position to kick a 48-yard field goal which Dan Bailey misses. Newton then confidently attacks the Cowboys secondary and completes 6 straight passes to retake the lead. Funchess, again, is the beneficiary of Newton’s precise passing, the panthers make the 2 point conversion to make the score 24-17. The Cowboys kick field goals on their next 2 possessions to make the score 24-23. Facing a 3rd and 10, Cam Newton runs for 18 yards and, on the next play hits rookie, DJ Moore, for the winning score.

REDSKINS AT CARDINALS (PREDICTION: 28-13)

This game may not present the most mouth-watering match-up of week 1 but a win, for either team, would be a massive boost for their season. The Redskins welcome new Quarterback, Alex Smith, fresh from a career year with the Chiefs. The Cardinals start rookie, Josh Rosen, who beat out veteran, Sam Bradford, in training camp. Rosen starts like the veteran QB, hitting his first 3 passes to take the Cardinals into Redskins territory. The Cards finish the drive with a 45-yard field goal to take the lead. Smith looks comfortable for the Skins but they fail to get the run game going and punt on their first 3 drives. The Cardinals add a 2nd field goal as we move into the 2nd quarter. The Redskins appear to give up on the running game as Smith takes to the air to hit 3 straight first downs. On the 4th play of the drive, Smith goes long to Josh Doctson for the go ahead score. The Redskins defense is now starting to pressure Rosen but David Johnson gains good yards on the ground and he takes a quick screen for 15 yards. A 3rd field goal looks imminent but it’s missed.

The Skins, buoyed by their strong end to the 1st half, now have the upper-hand. Smith leads them down the field to take a 14-6 lead with a 35-yard pass to Paul Richardson. Rosen is now struggling and the Cards offense cannot stay on the field. Washington extends it’s lead as Running Back, Chris Thompson, breaks a tackle and scores from 21 yards out.

The 4th quarter brings some hope for Arizona as David Johnson looks dangerous. 2 long Johnson runs set up Rosen to hit his 1st career touchdown when he finds Tight End, Ricky Seals-Jones, from 3 yards out. A tired Cardinals defense is now unable to stop the Washington run game and Thompson, Derrius Guice and Rob Kelley all run for a chunk of yards. Alex Smith caps the drive himself with a 2-yard touchdown run to make the final score 28-13.

BEARS AT PACKERS (Prediction: 17-38)

The Bears versus the Packers is always one to look forward to and we’re treated to it early in the season. The Bears showed promise in 2017 and, with good acquisitions in free agency and the draft, they’ll feel the can challenge in the NFC North. Green Bay just missed out on the playoffs last year but will put that down to superstar QB, Aaron Rodgers, missing a large chunk of the season.

The Bears get the ball first but 2 runs gain 0 yards and then an incompletion forces a punt. Allen Robinson, Chicago’s top receiver, is sidelined week 1 with a hamstring injury so the Bears passing game looks a little short of impact players. Green Bay, on the other hand, take just 7 plays to get in to the endzone, for the first points of the game, when Aaron Rodgers connects with a diving Davante Adams from 18 yards out. The Packers are the next to score on a 39-yard field goal to make the score 10-0. Chicago QB, Mitch Trubisky, then settles into the game and manufactures a 85-yard drive, to bring the Bears within 3 points, when Jordan Howard powers in from inches out. To finish off the first half scoring, Chicago intercept Rodgers and Eddie Jackson returns it for a TD.

Chicago open the second half with a good drive which gives them a field goal and a surprise 17-10 lead. Green Bay then spring in to life and Rodgers goes pass-happy on a 5 play drive which ends with a connection to new Tight End, Jimmy Graham, and a tied game. On Green Bay’s next possession, Rodgers finds an open Adams for a 58-yard gain and then Aaron Jones runs in, from 4 yards, to give them the lead. The Bears efforts to move the ball stall as Trubisky is heavily pressured by an improved Packers pass rush. Green Bay get the ball again and score another TD with Rodgers firing a perfect pass to Ty Montgomery for 6 yards out. In an effort to get down the field quickly, Trubisky gets intercepted. The Packers score their 5th and final touchdown when Rodgers finds Graham again to ice the game 38-17.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH

JETS AT LIONS (PREDICTION: 21-20)

The first of two Monday night games sees the Jets travel over to Detroit to face the Lions. Both teams aren’t expected to make the playoffs this year. All eyes are on rookie QB, Sam Darnold, for the Jets after the team have decided to start him ahead of veterans, Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater. The Lions are a good team but in a tough division, Matt Stafford will need to be at his best if they are to challenge the Packers and Vikings in the NFC North.

The Lions go run-heavy early to highlight their improved backfield. Both LaGarette Blount and rookie, Kerryon Johnson, punish a weak looking Jets defense. Blount eventually goes in, for the first score, on a 1-yard run. Darnold looks composed but the Jets stall on 3rd & 1 when Isaiah Crowell is stuffed behind the line of scrimmage. Defense dominates for the remainder of the first quarter but Darnold continues to look sharp. The Jets get good field position after a 39-yard punt return and Darnold then hits fellow rookie, Chris Herndon, to tie the game. Stafford is unable to move the ball as the clock runs out on the first half, 7-7.

Darnold gets sacked for the first time on the Jets first series of the second half and the Jets punt. Detroit then, through more good running, drive well in to Jets territory and kick a 31-yard field goal to retake the lead. Darnold follows his first sack with his first interception and the Lions score again when Stafford hits Theo Riddick from 3 yards out. It goes from bad to worse for Darnold as he’s sacked again, fumbles and sees the Lions recover. Detroit kick another FG to take a 20-7 lead in to the 4th quarter.

From nowhere, Darnold picks up the pace and hits 3 consecutive completions to drive the ball to the Lions 8-yard line. From there, Darnold connects with Terrelle Pryor to bring the Jets within 6 points. On the Lions next possession, Stafford goes deep and gets intercepted by Marcus Maye who returns the ball to the Lions 1-yard line. Darnold tries to sneak in to score but is hit hard and fumbles again but, this time, the ball is picked up by Crowell, in the endzone, for a touchdown. The extra point is good and the Jets complete an amazing comeback win.

RAMS AT RAIDERS (PREDICTION: 26-16)

A battle of the old Los Angeles teams with the unfancied Raiders, coached by the returning Jon Gruden, hosting the much- fancied Rams. The Rams defense will look to be as dominant as it should/could be whilst the Raiders will hope their defense can improve dramatically from 2017. On offense, the Raiders will hope that both Derek Carr, and Amari Cooper, can bounce back from a down year, last year.

The Rams start off hot with touchdowns on their first 2 possessions. The Raiders focus on Todd Gurley opens up the passing game for Jared Goff and he finds Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods for the scores. Both offensively and defensively, the Raiders struggle. Carr has 6 incompletions before eventually connecting with a receiver but, again, the Raiders punt and it’s time for the Rams to unleash Gurley who has a 9-yard run followed by a 42-yard dash. Rather than hand the ball again to Gurley, Goff tries to force a throw in to Tight End, Gerald Everett, and he’s intercepted at the one yard line by Rashaan Melvin. 2 plays later, the Raiders try to run the ball out of their own endzone and Marshawn Lynch is swallowed up, by a swarming Rams defense, for a safety. On the Rams next possession, a heavy dose of Gurley sees them to the Raiders 18-yard line from where Jared Goff hits Cooper Kupp for another score. At the half, the Rams are up 23-0.

The Raiders start the 2nd half well, Carr finally gets the offense moving but they still had to punt on their first possession. The Raiders defense then stalled the Rams and made them punt. Carr then hits Cooper and Ryan Switzer for good gains and Lynch has runs of 8 and 6 yards. At 4th and 2, at the Rams 24, the Raiders decide to go for it and Carr, again, hits Cooper for a first down. Lynch then rumbles to the 2-yard line and, on the next play, takes the ball into the endzone. The Raiders go back to the run on the 2-point conversation and the score becomes 23-8. The Rams, now playing more conservatively, cannot keep their offense rolling. The Raiders finish the 3RD quarter with a 33-yard Carr pass to Martavis Bryant and, on the first play of the 4th quarter, Carr bootlegs for a touchdown. Again, the Raiders convert the 2-point conversion and, suddenly, the score is 23-16.

The Rams then up the tempo offensively and the Raiders defense, again, looks fallible. The Rams drive 70 yards down the field and take 7 minutes off the clock in the process. Greg Zuerlein kicks a 26-yard field goal to give the Rams a 10-point lead. The Raiders are unable to stage a comeback and the game is the Rams.