One play can completely alter the outcome of a game, the trajectory of a season, or the entire NFL landscape. Whether it be a missed call by the officials, a costly penalty or a major injury, one moment can have a lasting impact.
There were several of those moments in Week 2. The first came before any games had even been played, when it was announced that New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold would be out indefinitely due to mononucleosis. Yes, the third overall pick in the 2018 draft will miss at least a few games due to a sickness most commonly associated with children who kiss someone or share a drink. Apparently, mono can be much more serious in adults, especially adults who endure a lot of contact, so even though Darnold is reportedly feeling better, he still won't see the field soon, because nobody wants his spleen to burst.
With Darnold out, the Jets had to start Trevor Siemian Monday night. Then Siemian had his ankle snapped in the second quarter, meaning Luke Falk is now the number one quarterback for the New York Jets. He didn't look awful Monday night, but there's a reason he was third on the depth chart.
Believe it or not, the J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets weren't the only team to lose a starting quarterback last weekend. The Steelers lost Big Ben for the season, and although they traded for Dolphins defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick Monday, the offense, which hasn't looked good during an 0-2 start, now will be headed by backup Mason Rudolph. The Saints got hosed by the officials again, then lost Drew Brees for six weeks. New Orleans will look to Teddy Bridgewater to fill in and keep the team above water until Brees gets back.
Another team lost a starting quarterback after Week 2, but did so voluntarily. The Giants announced Tuesday that Eli Manning would be benched in favor of sixth overall pick Daniel Jones. It's great to see the Giants finally enter the acceptance phase regarding Eli after being in denial for too long. Now they must hope they made the right decision at the draft in April.
Let's cross our fingers that we won't have as many injuries (and sicknesses) in Week 3. Football is a violent sport, so unfortunately, injuries happen, but Week 2 seemed especially riddled with serious maladies to key players.
Week 3 Games
Thursday
Titans @ Jaguars
(8:20 PM, NFL)
Despite the limitless swagger of Gardner Flint Minshew II, the Jaguars are 0-2 and having confrontations on the sideline. Whether Jalen Ramsey (who has requested a trade) plays or not, I'm not sure the Jags will beat the Titans, who are looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Indy last week (and a pyrotechnic mishap). I'll take the visitors by a few points in what will likely be a stereotypical Thursday night game (meaning it will be ugly).
Spread: TEN -1.5 Over/Under: 39
Prediction: Titans 19, Jaguars 16
Sunday
Falcons @ Colts
(1:00 PM, CBS)
In the battle of birds last Sunday night, Atlanta got the best of Philadelphia. Now the Falcons will travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts, who showed last week that, no matter the quarterback, they still have Tennessee's number. If this game comes down to kicks, I can't trust (the ghost of) Adam Vinatieri. He missed two more extra points last week. I thought he would retire Monday, but he didn't. Made kicks or missed kicks, I'll go with the Matty Ice and the visiting Falcons.
Spread: IND -2 Over/Under: 47
Prediction: Falcons 28, Colts 23
Ravens @ Chiefs
(1:00 PM, CBS)
This is probably the most anticipated game of Week 3. Patty Mahomes and the Chiefs look like the league's best offense again, even without Tyreek Hill. Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson has looked very impressive for the 2-0 Ravens. But playing in Kansas City is a lot different from playing the Dolphins and Cardinals. This will be Baltimore's first real challenge. Although I think John Harbaugh's team is up for the challenge, I think the host Chiefs will give the Ravens their first loss of the season.
Spread: KC -6.5 Over/Under: 54.5
Prediction: Chiefs 35, Ravens 27
Bengals @ Bills
(1:00 PM, CBS)
Well, I guess the Bengals are still the Bengals. After a surprisingly close loss to the Seahawks in Week 1, Cincinnati got trounced by the 49ers in Week 2. This is closer to what most people expected from the Bengals entering this season. The 2-0 Bills look like the only hope to unseat the Patriots in the AFC East. Dual-threat quarterback Josh Allen and company should easily win in front of the Bills Mafia Sunday afternoon.
Spread: BUF -6 Over/Under: 44
Prediction: Bills 28, Bengals 10
Broncos @ Packers
(1:00 PM, FOX)
It looked as though the Broncos would get a last-minute win against Chicago last weekend, but, aided by a horrendous roughing the passer call, the Bears got into field goal range and made a game-winning kick as time expired. That's gotta sting for Denver. Instead of heading to Green Bay at 1-1 and feeling good, the horses ride into Lambeau at 0-2. This game won't be marred by questionable officiating, because I think Aaron Jones and the Packers will cruise to victory.
Spread: GB -7.5 Over/Under: 43
Prediction: Packers 24, Broncos 13
Lions @ Eagles
(1:00 PM, FOX)
The Eagles fell just short in Atlanta Sunday night. They'll look to bounce back at home against an undefeated Lions team that came back to beat the Chargers last week. The medical tent was Philadelphia's most productive player against the Falcons, which is not something you want. Hopefully, guys like DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery will be healthy enough to play Sunday. Even if they aren't, the more talented Eagles should beat Detroit.
Spread: PHI -6.5 Over/Under: 46.5
Prediction: Eagles 30, Lions 17
Dolphins @ Cowboys
(1:00 PM, FOX)
The Dolphins are like the the punching machine at the bar/arcade. Each week, a new team steps up and sees how hard it can beat them. The scores the Ravens (59-10) and Patriots (43-0) put up will be hard top, but the Cowboys will give it their best shot on Sunday. They're chances of putting up a high score will be helped by the departure of Minkah Fitzpatrick. I don't know what the NFL record for biggest point spread is, but Miami might break it by the end of this season.
Spread: DAL -21.5 Over/Under: 47
Prediction: Cowboys 42, Dolphins 7
Jets @ Patriots
(1:00 PM, CBS)
Speaking of large point spreads, the defending Super Bowl champs are heavily favored at home against a Jets team that lost by 20 to the Browns Monday night. Even if Adam Gase somehow discovers an immediate cure for mononucleosis (and a cure to whatever ailments Quinnen Williams and C.J. Mosley have) by the end of the week, this will result in a third straight blowout for Jamie Collins and the Patriots.
Spread: NE -22.5 Over/Under: 43.5
Prediction: Patriots 38, Jets 10
Raiders @ Vikings
(1:00 PM, FOX)
The Raiders couldn't keep up with the lethal Chiefs offense last week, while the Vikings fell behind early to Green Bay and couldn't fully recover. I expect both teams to perform better this Sunday, mostly because they're playing each other, and not a team with an elite quarterback. I think Dalvin Cook, who currently leads the NFL in rushing yards (265 through two games), will continue his hot start at home against Oakland, carrying Minnesota to victory.
Spread: MIN -8.5 Over/Under: 43.5
Prediction: Vikings 24, Raiders 17
Panthers @ Cardinals
(4:05 PM, FOX)
Something is wrong with Cam Newton (which was clear through the first two weeks), and it might result in him not playing this week. That would mean Kyle Allen starts at quarterback for the Panthers. The Cardinals aren't good, but they came back to earn a tie with the Lions and then only lost by six to the Ravens. If Cam plays, I'll go with Carolina in a close one. If Kyle Allen plays, I'll go with Kyler Murray and Arizona in a close one.
Spread: CAR -2.5 Over/Under: 46.5
Prediction: Cardinals 20, Panthers 17
Giants @ Buccaneers
(4:05 PM, FOX)
I would be remiss if I didn't reflect on the Eli Manning Era in New York, which ended Tuesday. There were some good times (like the two Super Bowls) and some bad times (like everything besides the two Super Bowls). Things won't be the same. Or maybe things will be the same, if Daniel Jones turns out to be Eli 2.0. With a rookie making his first NFL start on the road, I'll go with Jameis 1.0 and the Bucs in Tampa Sunday afternoon.
Spread: TB -6.5 Over/Under: 48
Prediction: Buccaneers 27, Giants 17
Texans @ Chargers
(4:25 PM, CBS)
After suffering a heartbreaking loss in an exciting Monday night game against New Orleans, the Texans outlasted the Jaguars in a not nearly as exciting Sunday afternoon game. Both of these teams would like to play better this week (L.A. only scored 10 points in a loss to Detroit last Sunday), and I think they will. The offensive line is still a major weak link for Houston, so Deshaun Watson might be running for his life against Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram.
Spread: LAC -3.5 Over/Under: 47.5
Prediction: Chargers 24, Texans 17
Saints @ Seahawks
(4:25 PM, CBS)
A week after losing their future Hall-of-Fame quarterback, the Saints have to travel to Seattle. It'll be a tough test for Teddy Bridgewater (and Taysom Hill, who will surely play QB at some point during the game). If Brees was healthy, this would be a marquee matchup. While Bridgewater does have starting experience, I don't think New Orleans can beat Russell Wilson, Chris Carson, Tyler Lockett, and the Seahawk defense in Seattle.
Spread: SEA -4.5 Over/Under: 45
Prediction: Seahawks 31, Saints 17
Steelers @ 49ers
(4:25 PM, CBS)
A week after losing their future Hall-of-Fame quarterback, the Steelers travel to... whoa, I just got the weirdest sense of deja vu... ... ...Anyway, this is a must-win (well, as much of a must-win as a Week 3 game can be) for Mason Rudolph and Pittsburgh. The defense should be better with the addition of Minkah Fitzpatrick, but the offense is a giant question mark. I'll take Matt Breida and the Niners in San Francisco.
Spread: SF -6.5 Over/Under: 44
Prediction: 49ers 28, Steelers 21
Rams @ Browns
(8:20 PM, NBC)
The Browns did what they were supposed to do Monday night, easily dispatching of a far-inferior Jets team. The offense still looked out-of-sync and Baker still looked shaky, but that's not surprising considering the amount of new pieces and the presence of a rookie head coach. I think Cleveland's offense will look smoother Sunday night, but the much-maligned offensive line will have trouble blocking Aaron Donald. The Browns will improve, but the Rams are just a really good team.
Spread: LAR -3 Over/Under: 49
Prediction: Rams 21, Browns 17
Monday
Bears @ Redskins
(8:15 PM, ESPN)
The Bears came out with a win last week (and a kicker who comes through in the clutch!), but there are some serious concerns with this team. The offense once again looked sluggish, and Mitch Trubisky once again looked suspect. The good news is, they get to play 0-2 Washington this week. I'm tempted to take the home underdog, but the Skins are not good, and even a Chicago team that almost lost to Joe Flacco should be able to beat them on the road.
Spread: CHI -4 Over/Under: 41.5
Prediction: Bears 24, Redskins 14
Last Week: 10-6 vs. Spread: 8-8 Over/Under: 7-9
Season: 20-11-1 vs. Spread: 13-19 Over/Under: 13-19
Week 3 Picks to Click
Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens (@ KC)
Lamar has lit up the NFL the first two weeks of this season, albeit against two of the worst teams in the league. Kansas City isn't one of the worst teams in the league, but the KC defense is still suspect. Although the Chiefs yielded just 10 points to Oakland last week, Gardner Minshew and the Jaguars scored 26 on them in Week 1. In a game that should be closer than both of those games, Jackson, whose dual-threat ability is a bonus in fantasy, is a must-start.
Todd Gurley, RB, Rams (@ CLE)
Todd Gurley has gone from arguably the best running back in fantasy to a risky play any given week. He has 20 total carries through two weeks, as injury concerns have caused L.A. to limit him a bit. Despite those limits, Gurley ran for 97 yards in Week 1 and found the end zone last week. Cleveland got torn up by Derrick Henry in Week 1, and Le'Veon Bell was basically New York's only offense against them on Monday night. Gurley might find some success Sunday night.
Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks (vs. NO)
After catching one pass against Cincinnati (that one catch resulted in a touchdown), Lockett caught 10 of 12 targets last week. New Orleans has really good defensive backs, but the Saints also have defensive backs who are not as good. Lockett will likely be targeted heavily again, and will probably catch a large percentage of them.
Vance McDonald, TE, Steelers (@ SF)
Despite losing his quarterback during the game, Vance Vance Revolution still has seven catches for 38 yards and two touchdowns last week. He is the go-to red zone target in Pittsburgh, and will likely be leaned on by young quarterback Mason Rudolph. Pittsburgh's offense might not have much success Sunday, but when it does, it might be because of this guy.
Cowboys Defense (vs. MIA)
This week in "Start the Defense That is Playing the Dolphins"... actually, it should be called "Start Everybody Who is Playing the Dolphins". You should start Dak, you should start Zeke, you should start Amari. And you should start the Dallas defense against an offense that has scored more touchdowns for other teams than they have for themselves.
Stats and info via ESPN.com, OddsShark.com, BleacherReport.com, CBSSports.com, FantasyPros.com, NFL.com, Twitter.com, YardBarker.com, and SBNation.com
Lines via OddsShark.com
Lines as of Wednesday afternoon
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