Bengals over Jags (Sunday noon): The Bengals very well could be 0–1 right now instead of 1–0, but thanks to the Browns’ kicker missing a field goal and an extra point, Cincinnati snuck out a 17–16 win. I really don’t understand why the Bengals get off to these slow starts every season—it’s like they have to wait a month before deciding, “Hey, we are a good football team!” As someone who drafted Joe Burrow in fantasy, I was unimpressed with the pitiful 113 yards he threw for. They were so bad on offence that they only managed seven yards in the entire second half—something that hadn’t happened in a game since 1995. I expect a little more production at home against a Jags team that beat up on the Panthers last week.
Eagles over Chiefs (Sunday afternoon): A Super Bowl rematch from last season, the Eagles and Jalen Hurts will travel to Kansas City to take on Pat Mahomes and the Chiefs. Both teams looked rough last week in their season openers, especially on the defensive side. Everyone expected Philly to run amok over the Cowboys, but it turned out to be a back-and-forth game. If it wasn’t for CeeDee Lamb dropping multiple passes in crunch time, one could argue the Eagles might have lost. Hopefully Jalen Carter keeps his saliva in his mouth this time, because they’ll need him to help hunt down Mahomes. The Chiefs were never able to get a lead against the Chargers last week—probably because they’re running out of healthy receivers. Losing Xavier Worthy two plays into the game certainly didn’t help an already depleted group missing Rashee Rice. The reign of terror might be over for Kansas City in the AFC, and I don’t believe they’re equipped to handle the Eagles’ offence this week. It might not be a blowout like the Super Bowl, but expect the Chiefs to fall to 0–2.
Lions over Bears (Sunday noon): The more things change, the more they stay the same—isn’t that how the saying goes? The Bears looked like they had the game on cruise control in the first half against the Vikings on Monday night. Topped off by a Nahshon Wright 74-yard pick-six, new head coach Ben Johnson seemingly had things headed in the right direction. But then Caleb Williams reverted back to his 2024 version—holding onto the ball too long, missing wide-open throws, and showing zero awareness. Before you could blink, the Vikings had stormed back and secured a 27–24 win. Now coach Johnson will travel back to Detroit, where he was the offensive coordinator for the last four years. Looking equally unimpressive were the Lions, who struggled to do anything right against the Packers last week. It looks like all the creativity left the Lions’ offence once Johnson left for Chicago. Detroit has too much talent to let that happen again, and what better way to get your first victory than to beat one of your former coaches?
Last week: 2–1