NFL Picks: Dolphins at Buffalo a big game, plus Lions roar

October 2, 2023

Around the AFC

Somebody, anybody? The Broncos are winless. The Chargers and Raiders enter Week 4 each at 1-2 and set to face each other. They account for three of the NFL’s five worst defenses so far. Is anybody going to even pretend to challenge Kansas City this year? Justin Herbert’s playing great under OC Kellen Moore (third in passing yards, second in quarterback rating so far) but the Chargers have losses to Miami and Tennessee on the books already. The Raiders? Well … probably not.

Promising start. Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud is already turning heads. He’s fifth in the NFL in passing yards through three games (908), 10th in quarterback rating and has thrown 121 passes without an interception. The rookie struggles are likely coming at some point, but the former Ohio State standout has hopes running high in Houston.

What coulda been. It should have been Patrick Mahomes against Aaron Rodgers. Instead it’s the starting-to-hit-their-stride Chiefs against a Jets team that looks more and more likely to succumb to disarray. Zach Wilson’s bad. Rodgers is on Pat McAfee’s podcast saying the New York offense needs “to grow up.” And it might be only a matter of time before newly signed former Bronco Trevor Siemian is the starting quarterback.

Around the NFC

NFC East showdown. Tough stretch for Washington, which follows a 37-3 trouncing by Buffalo with a road trip to unbeaten Philadelphia. The Eagles have picked up right where they left off last year, starting 3-0 and rolling along offensively behind Jalen Hurts and a dominant offensive line. Oh, and rookie defensive tackle Jalen Carter? He already looks like a game-wrecker, too. They look primed to be right back in the Super Bowl conversation again this year.

Roar restored. The Lions are good. Really good. Detroit’s pass-rush dominated against Jordan Love and the Packers Thursday night at Lambeau. Dan Campbell’s team was never really threatened. They made the first statement as the team to beat in the NFC North and now get a mini bye week at 3-1. That defense, coordinated by Aaron Glenn, a rugged offensive line and a rookie class that already looks splendid all combine to make Detroit a really fun watch — and probably a tough out all year.

No regression for JJ. The regression to the mean is on in Minnesota. Last year, the Vikings lived a charmed existence in one-score games. This year? Three one-score games, three losses. One Viking not regressing: Justin Jefferson. The guy has 27 catches for 458 yards and is like clockwork: 150 yards in Week 1, 159 in Week 2, 149 in Week 3. He’s on a 17-game pace of 153 catches and 2,595 yards. Jefferson could fall off that torrid rate by 600 yards and still surpass Calvin Johnson’s single-season receiving yards mark.

Game of the Week

Miami at Buffalo

In a scheduling quirk, the Bills play the Broncos’ previous-week opponent for the third straight week. Buffalo dominated Las Vegas in Week 2 and the Commanders in Week 3, but this is a different story. Two of the most powerful offenses in the NFL square off in what has AFC postseason rematch written all over it. Buffalo is a 2.5-point home favorite, but it’s hard to pick against Mike McDaniel’s team after seeing 10 touchdowns in person a week ago.

Dolphins 31, Bills 30

Lock of the Week

Arizona at San Francisco

This should be no contest. The Niners haven’t lost a regular-season game since before the trade deadline last year. The Cardinals have shown a bit of life in the early going, but Josh Dobbs and company are not equipped to win this game. Should have rolled with Kansas City last week and Jacksonville let the LOTW down big time. Not happening this time around. San Francisco (a massive 14.5-point favorite) can make an argument for having the best offense and the best defense in the NFL.

49ers 34, Cardinals 13

Upset of the Week

Baltimore at Cleveland

Three AFC North teams are off to 2-1 starts and now two of them face off on the Lake Erie shoreline. It would be fun to see this game later in the year in terrible weather, but it should be a good one nonetheless. Nick Chubb’s injury is a brutal one for the Browns, and the bet here is Lamar Jackson and company come to town as 3-point underdogs but head home 3-1.

Ravens 23, Browns 21

Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.

Trending Nationally

Dianne Feinstein, longest-serving female US senator in history, dies at 90
Former Red Sox Tim Wakefield, wife both battling cancer; couple asks for privacy after Curt Schilling leaks sad news
40,000 drivers caught on camera cutting illegally in and out of Colorado highway express lanes
Tropical Storms Rina, Philippe may interact, causing uncertainty in strength, path
Immunocompromised people advised to avoid drinking Baltimore water after parasite detected

Source: Read Full Article

NFL Picks: Dolphins at Buffalo a big game, plus Lions roar

Around the AFC

Around the NFC

Game of the Week

Miami at Buffalo

Dolphins 31, Bills 30

Lock of the Week

Arizona at San Francisco

49ers 34, Cardinals 13

Upset of the Week

Baltimore at Cleveland

Ravens 23, Browns 21

Share this:

Most Popular

40,000 drivers caught on camera cutting illegally in and out of Colorado highway express lanes

Parent sues Denver school board member Auon’tai Anderson in test of Colorado’s new social media law

Construction starts on $125M, 81-acre technology park in Broomfield

Discovery of Suzanne Morphew’s body raises new legal questions in 3-year-old case

Lauren Boebert escorted out of “Beetlejuice” musical in Denver after “causing a disturbance”

Suzanne Morphew’s remains found in Saguache County

Popular Chicago restaurant Portillo’s eyeing a Colorado expansion

Gov. Jared Polis orders plan to keep Colorado’s national parks open in a federal shutdown

Kiszla: Jamal Murray, strawberry Starburst and why the Nuggets don’t care if the Bucks traded for Damian Lillard

Driver accused of hitting two parole officers in Colorado Springs is captured

Trending Nationally