Hi, hello & welcome to Week 3 of the National Football League! I’m Steve Cook, and there’s little doubt that the NFL is as popular & viable as its ever been. It’s amazing to think it gets bigger & better every year, but we’re all along for the ride and having good times together.

Most years, it feels like Week 3 is when you really get a good look at what your team is. Especially this season, when we’ve seen several teams have Jeckyl/Hydesque showings in their first two games. Some teams looked great in Week 1, not so much in Week 2. A lot of teams that stumbled in Week 1 showed more of what we thought they were in Week 2. Weeks 3, 4 & 5 is when I think we start to separate the wheat from the chaff.

As for my picks, I’ve been right in the middle so far. Considering I took a few years off from picking against the spread and feel a bit rusty, I think things are going ok. We’re having fun, and that’s what counts. Especially since I live in a state where this sort of thing is frowned upon. Lawmakers here don’t like money unless it goes directly into their pockets.

So let’s get those of you in more forward-thinking parts of the world some money, shall we? As usual, odds are provided by Vegas Insider.

Thursday, September 23

Carolina (-8) vs. Houston

Baker Mayfield replaced an injured Tyrod Taylor, never looked back, and broke the rookie QB TD passing record.

Justin Herbert replaced an injured Tyrod Taylor, never looked back, and broke the rookie QB TD passing record.

Davis Mills has replaced an injured Tyrod Taylor 👀

— Jonas Clark (@jarkclonas) September 19, 2021

Who is Davis Mills? He grew up in Atlanta before going to college at Stanford, where he served as starting quarterback for two seasons. The Texans picked him in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, making him the eighth quarterback drafted. He went into action Week 2 against Cleveland, completing 8 of 18 passes for 102 yards, a touchdown & an interception. Now that Tyrod Taylor is out with a hamstring, he’ll be leading the Texans into NRG Stadium to take on the Panthers on THURSDAY NIGHT IS FOOTBALL NIGHT.

Yeah, I don’t see it going well either. The Panthers defense has looked stout the first two weeks of the season, and should be able to hold Mills and the Texans to a low number. Get ready for some serious Sam Darnold hype now that he’s got that Jet stink off of him.

Sunday, September 26

Arizona (-7) vs. Jacksonville

Kyler Murray said his TD celebration was not Baby Yoda. Saw everyone talking about it on social media.

“I’ve never seen Star Wars.”

— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) September 20, 2021

The fact Kyler Murray hasn’t seen Star Wars shouldn’t come as a surprise, as we all know that only geeks & nerds watch Star Wars. Kyler has too busy balling out on the field and talking to girls for most of his life. He doesn’t have time to watch the Star Wars movies, sequels, prequels & spinoffs like we do. Murray did a meditation pose, and people were meditating before Baby Yoda was a thing. Just saying.

More of note to this matchup: Murray & the Cardinals have been balling out. He’s in the top 5 of most passing categories. Meanwhile, Chandler Jones leads the league in sacks. The Jags haven’t done anything of usefulness yet and I don’t see that trend ending this week. The Cardinals take care of business quite easily here. The one thing making me pause is the fact that Gus Johnson will be there. Betting against a Gus game being close is dangerous, but I’ve heard him call some college clunkers.

Indianapolis vs. Tennessee (-5.5)

Quenton Nelson on Carson Wentz: "His toughness, shoot — all the times he’s gotten hit, all the times he’s gotten up? It’s on a different level. He hasn’t complained once. We need to be better up front … if we give him more time, he can play even better."

— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) September 19, 2021

Carson Wentz managed to sprain both of his ankles last week against the Rams, leaving his status for Week 3 up in the air at the time I write this. He’s not practicing, but says he feels better. My gut tells me he ends up playing, and comes close to his usual level of effectiveness but hurts another body part unaffiliated with his ankles.

In case that doesn’t happen, and we end up seeing Jacob Eason out there, play it safe and roll with the home favorite. Tennessee worried us in Week 1, but had a strong bounceback in Week 2. Moral of the story: As long as Derrick Henry can run (and run, and run), the Titans have a chance.

Baltimore (-8) vs. Detroit

.@Ravens pay tribute to Michael K. Williams with Omar's whistling before SNF 🙏pic.twitter.com/uYm9OC1gRL

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 20, 2021

Speaking of teams that worried us in Week 1 & had a strong bounceback in Week 2, here are the Ravens! Lamar Jackson put on his usual show & led the team to a comeback late in the game to stun the Chiefs. The Ravens are BACK in the conversation for best team in the AFC, and they’ll win in Detroit.

Ah, but here’s the question: Will they cover? I thought the Lions had a chance to get somewhat close against Green Bay, but that sure didn’t happen. Since they’re back in Detroit & the Ravens are coming off of one of those emotional wins, I’m going to say the Lions keep it close.

Washington vs. Buffalo (-7.5)

Stefon Diggs and Josh Allen are the BFFalo Bills leading off our friendship issue! pic.twitter.com/itedpRCfLf

— SI KIDS (@SIKids) September 16, 2021

OK, so we’re doing another team that disappointed in Week 1 & came back strong in Week 2. Sup, Bills? You ran over the Dolphins like they owed you money & did your best to reassure us that you belong in that “Best team in the AFC” conversation. (It’s a big conversation.) You looked like the team people thought you were, not the team that struggled against Pittsburgh.

As for Washington, they did manage to get a win somehow on Thursday night. It was more a Giants loss than a Washington win, but you take wins where you can get them. Especially since you’re not winning in Buffalo. Your Football Team defense is supposed to be strong, but hasn’t exactly set the world on fire yet. I don’t like the chances of it happening here, so I’m riding with the Bills & their mafia.

New Orleans vs. New England (-3)

We will give you the view from Tampa tonight on The Gameplan at 6 and Early Edition at 630. Yes, we got an early jump. pic.twitter.com/kzaoTY3Asx

— Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) September 22, 2021

The Boston media might be over-looking this game & getting ready for Tampa Bay, but you know darn well that a Bill Belichick-coached team won’t fall into that kind of a trap. All of their focus will be on a Saints team that’s looking ahead…to get back to New Orleans. I assume the Superdome is ok even though the roof was on fire the other day. Given all the stuff that building has been through over the years, a little fire is no big deal.

What will be a big deal for the Saints: Bill Belichick’s defense. Against Sean Payton’s offense. An interesting matchup for sure, but I sure would like Payton’s chances more if he still had a Hall of Fame quarterback. I’ll take the Patriots by a touchdown.

LA Chargers vs. Kansas City (-6.5)

Iowa assistant coach Jay Niemann on Sunday's Chargers vs. Chiefs game. Son Nick is a linebacker for L.A.; son Ben is a linebacker for K.C.

"We're cheering for the defense."

— Chad Leistikow (@ChadLeistikow) September 22, 2021

Well, I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news for Mr. & Mrs. Niemann. The Charger & Chief defenses have been getting carved up by running backs early this season. Also, Charger QB Justin Herbert has the second-most passing yards after seventeen starts in NFL history. It probably won’t surprise you to know that #1 is Patrick Mahomes. Gonna be a bad day for the defense in Arrowhead Stadium.

I do feel like the Chiefs are due for a bounceback after their loss to the Ravens on Sunday night. Great teams get PISSED OFF and take it out on their next competition, and that seems like the Chargers’ fate here. Chiefs by 10 or so.

Atlanta vs. NY Giants (-3)

The Falcons are making Pitts block and the Giants are having Toney play outside. These two organizations deserve nothing.

— Steven Rodriguez (@_stevenrod) September 17, 2021

Talk about two teams going absolutely nowhere. The Falcons appear to be much worse than the Giants though, so let’s go with the home team.

Chicago vs. Cleveland (-7)

February. LA. The Bears have just won their first Super Bowl in 35 years. Justin Fields admires the Lombardi & his MVP trophy. As the confetti falls, a reporter asks Matt Nagy how they did it. "First of all," he says, "I want to be clear that Andy's our starter if he's not hurt"

— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) September 22, 2021

It’s Justin Fields Time in Chicago! We knew it was only a matter of time before Andy Dalton either got hurt or proved to be too ineffective for the Bears to do much of anything. Fields came in during the second half, and while he wasn’t terribly impressive, he didn’t do anything to dampen Bears fans’ expectations for him. As you know if you read our feature on best quarterbacks of each franchise, the Bears haven’t had an elite QB in a very, very, very long time. Fans hope that Fields can end that drought.

If he can…it won’t be this week. The Browns have too much talent on defense that can just eat the kid alive. The Bears will need to ride David Montgomery in order to keep this one close, which I think they’re smart enough to do. Add some injury issues at WR for Cleveland to the mix, and the Bears can make things close.

Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh (-3)

Bengals-Steelers

Sam Wyche says, “F*** you!” to Greg Lloyd in 1989
pic.twitter.com/SdbV2hqZgY

— Steel City Star (@steelcitystar) September 20, 2021

I don’t know what some of these media types are smoking. I was watching Colin Cowherd’s show for a few minutes on Wednesday because Joy Taylor was looking nice, and he mentioned that he was picking the Bengals outright. Like, I know Cowherd’s had some pretty awful takes over the years, but he should really know better about this one. I don’t care if Ben Roethlisberger’s pec has fallen off of his body, he’s going to go out there and light it up against the Bengals. I don’t care what the Steelers injury report says, everybody affiliated with the Bengals knows its a bunch of horseshit.

So of course we’re rolling with Pittsburgh here. Three points is way too easy a cover. The Bengals have had some intermittent displays of competence in their first two games, but nothing that tells me they’re ready to roll into Heinz Field and dispatch of the mighty Steelers.

Miami vs. Las Vegas (-4)

This is awesome: @Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson made 4 field goals in Week 2 and won AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.

The bad news? He was playing against himself in fantasy and contributed to his own loss 🤣pic.twitter.com/IcSBFc9k79

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 22, 2021

It’ll be Jacoby Brissett starting for the Dolphins this week due to Tua Tagovailoa’s bruised ribs. I’m not really sure how much that matters, as the jury’s definitely still out on Tua & Miami’s offense in general isn’t exactly setting the world on fire. Brissett probably won’t add much, and the Raiders have looked very impressive their first two outings. Derek Carr’s leading the league in passing yards, and could extend that lead this week as the Raiders win big.

Miami & Las Vegas are also the two cities I’ve never been to that I really wish I had when I was still a young man. Here in 2021, this old chunk of coal can’t bear the thought.

NY Jets vs. Denver (-10.5)

Teddy Bridgewater on playing in Mile High in 2015 against the Broncos: “I remember getting sacked 7 times. It was loud. Third downs. You just had to buckle down and block out the noise”

“Hopefully we can make the Jets feel the way I felt”

— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) September 22, 2021

I’m not sure the Broncos could have asked for a better way to start this season. Three games against teams that appear to be among the worst in the league. An easy way to get to 3-0 and start feeling good about yourself. Don’t know how long it will last, but Denver fans should feel good. Definitely better than Jets fans are feeling. On the bright side, the NYC area has so many sports teams that it’s easy for them to get distracted by something else. The Yankees are in playoff position. The Knicks start play relatively soon, as do the Nets.

10.5 is a lot of points, but it’s the Jets. I have to roll with Teddy & the Broncos.

Tampa Bay (-1) vs. LA Rams

I have people who watch film for me 👀 @tombrady https://t.co/YfwVwhJRBC

— Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) September 21, 2021

I guess people got mad, so Gronk had to tell the media later on that he spends so much time watching film that his girlfriend gets upset with him. Seriously though, does anybody think that Rob Gronkowski needs to spend time watching film to do what he does? And even if he does, isn’t it better if everybody believes he doesn’t? I sure think so.

This one should be a barnburner. The Bucs have pretty much picked up where they left off, and the Rams have been as advertised with the addition of Matthew Stafford. It’s basically a pick ’em, so I’m sticking with my “don’t bet against Tom Brady” policy & taking the Bucs.

Seattle (-1.5) vs. Minnesota

10 years ago, Kirk Cousins’ Hail Mary beat Russell Wilson and the Badgers 🚀

This Sunday, they face off again…

pic.twitter.com/n6rB5PQpgy

— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 22, 2021

Expect a high-scoring game here, as Seattle’s defense isn’t exactly the Legion of Boom, and Minnesota’s defense isn’t exactly the Purple People Eaters. This will come down to which side can exploit the other side’s defense more, and I think Russell Wilson & the talented receivers of the Seahawks can do that.

Green Bay vs. San Francisco (-3.5)

Aaron Rodgers is unbothered. pic.twitter.com/gvHxBfvpjq

— 𝐽𝐸𝑁 𝑀𝐴𝐶𝐾 🧀 (@BigMack_4) September 21, 2021

It was only the Lions, but it was still an important win for the Packers. Had they somehow lost to Detroit, or even had a less impressive showing, they’d be stumbling & bumbling into San Francisco looking for answers. Now, they have a little pep in their step.

Enough pep to beat the 49ers? Not so sure about that, but I really like the Packers at +3.5. Should be a high scoring game with a lot of action, and hopefully the 49ers get some of their exciting young players involved. He says as a Brandon Aiyuk fantasy owner.

Philadelphia vs. Dallas (-4)

Of course Ben Simmons had to make Eagles-Cowboys week about him. He is a Kardashian at heart

— Anthony Gargano (@AnthonyLGargano) September 22, 2021

Seriously though, why are we spending all this time talking about Ben Simmons? ESPN giving him all this TV time like he’s LeBron or MJ or somebody that actually did something in the NBA. I know people want the NBA to be a year long thing like the NFL is, but I find year long things to be a bit of a drag. I like the idea of moving from baseball to football to basketball/hockey, with car racing & whatever else mixed in here & there, based off of what’s actually having games & whatnot. I don’t care if Ben Simmons wants to get traded, don’t care if he’s traded, don’t care where he gets traded to. We got a baseball playoff chase & the beginning of the football season going on. I don’t need this lame NBA drama right now.

Not when we got that NFC East drama going on with a couple of teams that always inspire discussion. The Cowboys have actually looked pretty good to start the season and should be hyped up for a Monday night home opener. I’m torn on what exactly the Eagles are, but I have a feeling they can keep things close here.

Week 2 Record: 9-7

Overall Record: 16-15-1