Kiduce Daniel
Ravens (-2.5) @ Patriots
This is a really good bounce back spot for a Baltimore team coming off a heartbreaking loss vs. Miami. Baltimore led 35-14 going into the fourth quarter before Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill combined for three touchdowns, including the game winner.
Despite the loss, this Baltimore team is really talented. To start, they have one of the better quarterbacks in the league in Lamar Jackson. Through two weeks Lamar has put up 7 total touchdowns while throwing just one interception.
Mac Jones on the other hand hasn’t been all that to start the year. After losing offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to Las Vegas, the Patriots have yet to replace him. That’s right, the Patriots are three weeks into their season and have yet to officially name someone their offensive coordinator. It doesn’t help that the Pats don’t have a true #1 receiver for Mac to throw to as Jakobi Meyers, Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne are all good complimentary receivers. It’s going to be very tough for Mac to have any success when he’s going against a secondary that consists of Marcus Peters, Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Williams.
I’m expecting the Ravens to come out angry and just beat the breaks off a Patriots team that is still trying to find their identity.
49ers (-1.5) @ Broncos
Jimmy G makes his first start of the year Sunday night when the 49ers travel to Denver. Denver hasn’t looked like the team everyone expected them to be as Russell Wilson and the offense have yet to really find a groove together.
Averaging just 16 points a game, it’s going to be very difficult for the Broncos to find their groove against a very strong 49ers defense. This defense allowing a league’s best 210 yards per game is headlined by guys like Fred Warner and Nick Bosa.
On the offensive side, I expect the 49ers to be more comfortable with Garrapollo back under center. It won’t be easy however as the Broncos defense has been strong so far, keeping them in both games. Despite an underwhelming start to the year, keep an eye out for Deebo Samuel throughout the game as I expect him and Jimmy G to restablish a connection that was so strong last year.
This game should be close but with Jimmy G back and the 49ers defense balling, I’m expecting the 49ers to come out with this one.
Falcons (-1) @ Seahawks
The last time the Seahawks played at home, they took down their old quarterback, Russell Wilson. This time they’ll be taking on Marcus Mariota. Mariota is similar to Wilson in that they are both dual threat quarterbacks, but it’s no question Wilson is the better quarterback.
Despite Mariota not being an elite quarterback, I still have confidence that he’ll be able to deliver on Sunday. Rookie Drake London has balled out so far in his first two games, along with running back Cordarrelle Patterson.
Kyle Pitts has yet to make his mark so far but against a Seattle defense allowing 257 passing yards a game, I believe this could be the game for Pitts. Atlanta is going up a Seattle defense that is without Jamal Adams, which will make things easier for Marcus Mariota. As for Seattle, Geno Smith and company haven’t really got much going. Pro bowl receiver DK Metcalf has yet to hit 100 yards on the season, which is concerning for that Seattle offense. It won’t get much easier for DK on Sunday when he’ll be lined up against either AJ Terrell or Casey Hayward.
In a game that is expected to be close, take the Falcons to win and avoid an 0-3 start.
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