Ryan’s NFL Picks (2020): Week Three

How about that week two?! After barely securing a winning record in week one, I went 14-2! And as disappointed as I am in the Vikings for making me look bad, HOW ABOUT THOSE RAIDERS?

Overall Record: 23-9
Record: 14-2

Ryan’s NFL Picks (2020): Week Three

Miami Dolphins @ Jacksonville Jaguars: Jacksonville Jaguars

This one could honestly go either way for me. Jacksonville has overperformed and the Dolphins have underperformed to this point in the season, and the jury is still out on both squads. The Jaguars are just a little bad luck away from being 2-0 headed into this home game on a short week against a bad team. I fear I’ll live to regret this pick, but for the time being, I’m going with the Stache. That’s right, Minshewmania is back!

Chicago Bears @ Atlanta Falcons: Atlanta Falcons

I can’t believe I’m picking Atlanta after last week. I mean seriously, how do you blow a lead like that? It takes work to blow a lead that spectacularly. But… they did have a pretty big lead at one point, and bad teams rarely get that far. So against my better judgement, I’m giving Matt Ryan and Company the rub this week.

Los Angeles Rams @ Buffalo Bills: Los Angeles Rams

I still just can’t bring myself to believe in Josh Allen. Coach Sean McDermott? Awesome. That defense? Fantastic. But Josh? To me, Josh is what happens when you ask for a PS4 (Lamar Jackson) and get a XBOX 1. A similar concept without any of the incredible ability.

McVay seems to have fixed the Rams offense, and Aaron Donald is playing angry. I think the Rams come into Buffalo and knock some heads around.

Washington Football Team @ Cleveland Browns: Cleveland Browns

I like what Washington is doing (on the field, good god, only on the field) this year, but I like what the Browns are doing more. Kevin Stefanski and company had the worst possible week one matchup imaginable, but rebounded nicely against the Cincinnati Bengals. I think they keep that momentum going at home, and batter Dwayne Haskins to go 2-1.

Tennessee Titans @ Minnesota Vikings: Tennessee Titans

Remember how I said I wouldn’t pick the Jaguars again until they won a game? Go ahead and switch that to the Vikings. After what Kirk Cousins and the Vikes put on tape against the Colts last week, it’s hard to have any faith in them.

Las Vegas Raiders @ New England Patriots: New England Patriots

If the Raiders win this game, they’re a playoff team. That might seem extreme after only three weeks, but that would mean they had won two games in the dreaded EST, as well as games against two bonafide contenders in the Patriots and Saints.

However, I worry about the Raiders offense versus the Patriots defense. Russell Wilson was able to expose Stephon Gilmore with DK Metcalf, and I don’t think Carr and Ruggs have that kind of report yet. The Pats will focus on taking away the run and making Carr beat them.

San Francisco 49ers @ New York Giants: San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers face their biggest rival from this season, the turf at MetLife, in conseuctive games. After the turf took Solomon Thomas and Nick Bosa from them last Sunday, they have to face the other New “York” team. Fortunately for them, but unfortunately for everyone else, they won’t have to worry about Saquon Barkley, as he also suffered a devastating injury last week.

In a battle of the minds, I’m taking Kyle Shanahan over Joe “Who’s to” Judge and K-Mart Eli Manning.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Philadelphia Eagles: Philadelphia Eagles

In a battle of “who can fail to protect their quarterback more,” I’m taking the experience of the Eagles and a deep defensive line over an admittedly impressive Joe Burrow and company.

Houston Texans @ Pittsburgh Steelers: Pittsburgh Steelers

I love Deshaun Watson. In my opinion, he’s a top five quarterback in this league, and he has all the potential in the world. But I’ve also called him the Dame Lillard of the NFL. He’s incredible, but he’s not going to win a championship with the coaches and surrounding talent.

I think the Steelers get the W here, and maybe the Texans start thinking about firing Bill O’Brien.

New York Jets @ Indianapolis Colts: Indianapolis Colts

Clemson could beat the Jets. Send tweet.

Carolina Panthers @ Los Angeles Chargers: Los Angeles Chargers

Without Christian McCaffrey, the Carolina Panthers are lost. They couldn’t stop the Raiders, they couldn’t stop the Buccaneers, and they won’t be able to stop the Chargers.

Detroit Lions @ Arizona Cardinals: Arizona Cardinals

The Detroit Lions have proven they can’t play 60 minutes, and I think the Arizona Cardinals are an up-and-coming team in this league. Kyler Murray is a magician, and Kliff Kingsbury is the perfect coach for him. I think Kyler dashes through Pinhead Patricia’s defense and the Cards move to 3-0.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Denver Broncos: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Maybe if Drew Lock was healthy, this might be a conversation, after all, Brady has always struggled in Denver. But… this is Jeff Driskel we’re talking about. If Jeff Driskel beats Tom Brady, I’ll change my LinkedIn profile picture to John Elway.

Dallas Cowboys @ Seattle Seahawks: Seattle Seahawks

Repeat after me: The Seattle Seahawks are winning the NFC, and Russell Wilson is the MVP. Say it again… The Seattle Seahawks are winning the NFC, and Russell Wilson is the MVP.

Green Bay Packers @ New Orleans Saints: Green Bay Packers

I desperately want the Saints to beat the Packers. Firstly, because I can’t stand the Packers (it’s that cool Chicago blood running through my veins), but mostly so people will stop pointing to the Monday night beatdown they took from my Raiders as a failure by New Orleans instead of a success by Las Vegas.

Regrettably, they might have a point, and I think the Packers are just red hot enough to beat the Saints down. Especially if Michael Thomas isn’t back and ready to rumble yet.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Baltimore Ravens: Baltimore Ravens

Kansas City hasn’t looked unbeatable to this point in the season yet. They beat a flustered Texans team in week one and barely escaped Justin Herbert’s Chargers. Meanwhile the Ravens haven’t hesitated to crush teams. I think that in the long run, the Chiefs are the better team, but this early in the season, the Ravens are too fast, too versatile to beat.