Kansas City Chiefs @ Baltimore Ravens -3.5 (3:00PM EST on CBS)

Our first matchup on championship Sunday will be in Baltimore where Lamar Jackson and the Ravens will take on Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Kansas City is once again in position to head to the Super Bowl thanks to a thrilling win in Buffalo last weekend. You can’t count out Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs despite what many are calling a down year in Kansas City. He is already one of the greats and has shown time and again he thrives in big games.

Meanwhile, in Baltimore there is a lot to like with this Ravens team. The stout Ravens defense once again shut down a high-powered offense last week against the Texans. For the first time this year quarterback C.J. Stroud looked like a rookie as he struggled to dissect the Ravens defense. DC Mike Macdonald has done this numerous times this year and it’s a reason he is being looked at as a head coach. Mahomes though will be the ultimate test for this Ravens defense and they will need to be flawless with their game plan.

This game has the makings of a classic AFC battle. The current line is -3.5 which is right where I expected giving a slight edge to the Ravens at home. I see this game coming down to the wire with a late Justin Tucker field goal securing the win for Baltimore.

Game Pick: Ravens 20 – Chiefs 17

Detroit Lions @ San Francisco 49ers -7 (6:30 PM EST on FOX)

Over on the NFC side, the underdog Lions will look to shock the 49ers who are poised for another Super Bowl appearance. San Francisco looked rusty last week against the Packers, particularly Brock Purdy. Purdy missed open receivers and was lucky to not have a pick-six early in the game. The hope for San Francisco will be that Purdy bounces back and they will need him on top of his game to beat Detroit.

The x-factor in this matchup is clearly Deebo Samuel who is nursing a shoulder injury. Samuel has been limited in practice this week and his status for Sunday is still uncertain. The 49ers offense struggled without Samuel on the field as he is a big piece of their game plan. If Samuel can’t go you can expect this game to go right down to the wire.

For Detroit, it’s much more simple. They really have nothing to lose as they weren’t expected to be here. Jared Goff and the Lions were able to hold off the Bucs last weekend thanks to the winning formula that they have used all year. Play turnover-free football and get the ball quickly to their playmakers. The Lions will once again need to be flawless on offense vs. the dominant 49ers defense to have a chance.

To me, this game comes down to the health of Samuel. San Francisco is just 8-9 without Samuel since he was drafted in 2019. If Samuel sits this out there will be a lot of nervous 49ers fans come the 4th quarter.

Game Pick: 49ers 28 – Lions 24

The post Conference Championship Round Picks appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Cleveland Browns @ Houston Texans +2.5 (Saturday 4:30 PM EST on NBC)

Our first matchup of the weekend features two teams that many of us didn’t think would be here. The Browns have shuffled through 5 starting quarterbacks this season yet managed to finish an impressive 11-6. That is in large part due to their dominating defense which finished #1 in total team defense allowing just 270.2 yards per game.

The Texans meanwhile are playing with house money and are led by their star rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. Stroud continues his strong rookie campaign where threw for 4000+ yards, 23 touchdowns and just 5 interceptions. The lack of turnovers was the most glaring stat as Stroud plays with the poise of a seasoned vet.

This game will come down to the wire and will be low-scoring. Expect Stroud to do just enough to pull off the upset at home and continue the Texans surprising season.

Game Pick: Texans 21 – Browns 14

Miami Dolphins @ Kansas City Chiefs -4.5 (Saturday 8:00 PM EST on Peacock)

Next up on Saturday night, we have a banged-up Dolphins team taking on the Chiefs in chilly Arrowhead. The weather will absolutely play a part in this matchup as temperatures as expected to be in the single digits come kickoff. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are somewhat flying under the radar but you can’t count out Andy Reid and Mahomes in the playoffs.

Miami has been struggling lately as they come in losers of 2 straight. The Dolphins offense has come back down to earth a bit and is hoping star receiver Jaylen Waddle can return as he has been missed.

It’s hard to see the Dolphins coming out victorious in this one. Miami hasn’t been a good cold-weather team as Tua Tagovailoa has struggled in these types of games. Mahomes and the Chiefs move on setting up an intriguing Divisional round matchup.

Game Pick: Chiefs 24- Dolphins 16

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Buffalo Bills -10 (Sunday 1:00 PM EST on CBS/Paramount+)

Our first Sunday game features the red-hot Bills vs. the Steelers. The Bills wrapped up the AFC East title last week in Miami and are starting to look dangerous. This will also be a cold weather game with temperatures expected to be in the low 20s.

Pittsburgh is a heavy underdog in this matchup and rightfully so. They will be without their defensive star T.J. Watt who went down last week with a knee injury. Quarterback Mason Rudolph is set to start and he will have his hands full with this Buffalo defense.

This is a tough matchup for Mike Tomlin and the Steelers. They certainly weren’t expected to be here but just don’t have enough firepower to hang with the Bills. Look for a late backdoor cover for the Steelers in this one.

Game Pick: Bills 27 – Steelers 20

Green Bay Packers @ Dallas Cowboys -7.5 (Sunday 4:30 PM EST on FOX)

The first NFC matchup of the weekend will be in Dallas where the NFC East champions take on the surprising Packers. Dallas has been dominant at home where they posted a perfect 8-0 record. Most of those games haven’t been close with the exception of the Lions game that featured the controversial 2-point conversion.

Jordan Love and the Packers will be playing with nothing to lose as they were expected to have a down year in Love’s first year under center. It has been anything but that and Love has shown he can be the quarterback of the future in Green Bay.

The playoff atmosphere is different and with the lights on I think the Cowboys come out flat. They will eventually find their groove but expect the Packers to hang around until the end.

Game Pick: Cowboys 31 – Packers 24

Los Angeles Rams @ Detroit Lions -3 (Sunday 8:00 PM EST on NBC)

In the Sunday nightcap, we have the Matthew Stafford Bowl in Detroit. To me, this is the best game of the weekend with so many storylines to explore. Along with Stafford coming back to Detroit you also have Jared Goff looking for revenge against the team that gave up on him.

You have to be impressed with what Dan Campbell did for the Lions this season. Not only did they capture their first-ever NFC North title but they have turned this once lowly franchise into one of the best teams in the league. The Lions also feature one of the most coveted head coaching candidates in Ben Johnson. Johnson is the next great offensive mind and it looks like this is the year he becomes a head coach.

The Rams come into Detroit with confidence as they are winners of 4 straight. They are led by impressive rookie Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams who both look to be late-round steals. While I do think the Rams will hang around for most of the game Detroit will be too much at home in this one.

Game Pick: Lions 28 – Rams 21

Philadelphia Eagles @ Tampa Bay Bucs +3 (Monday 8:15 PM EST on ABC/ESPN)

Finally, we end Wild Card weekend with a Monday night showdown in Tampa Bay. The Eagles, who were once favorites to win the NFC come in losing 5 of their last 6 games. They have key injuries on both sides of the ball but their defense has let this team down all year.

The Bucs are another one of the surprising teams to make the playoffs. It was supposed to be a rebuilding year in Tampa but they were able to sneak into the playoffs thanks to the lowly NFC South. They now get a home playoff game and will look to avenge a week 3 loss against the Eagles.

This game comes down to who is the healthier team and right now that’s Tampa Bay. A.J. Brown has a knee injury and is not practicing while quarterback Jalen Hurts has a sprained middle finger on his throwing hand. Philadelphia is reeling and this game will put an end to a season that had so much promise.

Game Pick: Bucs 24 – Eagles 14

The post Wild Card Weekend Picks appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

So far there have been 3 head coaches fired in-season (Frank Reich, Josh McDaniels and Brandon Stanley). You can expect about 4-5 more coaches who will be fired after the season. Let’s take a look at 5 potential NFL head coaches who will get plenty of interest to fill these vacancies.

Jim Harbaugh (Michigan HC)

The last thing on Jim Harbaugh’s mind right now is the NFL. The Michigan Wolverines are coming off a thrilling overtime victory over the Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl. All the focus will now be on the Washington Huskies who Michigan will play Monday night for the National Championship. This however won’t stop the rumors of Harbaugh bolting to the NFL after the season is over.

For the most part, Harbaugh has done little to squash the NFL rumors when asked. He sticks to his script of one game at a time and doesn’t offer much insight into what could happen next. It’s smart for him to do this as his team seeks its first championship since 1997. If the Wolverines finish the job expect the rumors to intensify as Harbaugh can go out on top.

Harbaugh recently added fuel to the fire when he hired agent Don Yee. Yee is a well-known agent who has worked with Sean Payton and former Wolverine Tom Brady. There is also the sign-stealing scandal that could draw more penalties for the Michigan football program this offseason. If Harbaugh is indeed interested in the NFL you can expect every team with a vacancy to be interested.

Mike Macdonald (Ravens DC)

Speaking of Michigan. Former Wolverines DC Mike Macdonald is quickly becoming a hot name on the coaching scene. Macdonald has built a defensive juggernaut in Baltimore and the 36-year-old will have plenty of suitors this offseason.

The Ravens defense currently ranks 1st in the NFL in points allowed holding opponents to just 16.4 points per game. They are also coming over impressive defensive performances against two high-powered offenses. Baltimore held both the 49ers and Dolphins to just 19 points both coming in blowouts. The Ravens also lead the NFL in sacks with a league-high 54.

There is no doubt the Ravens are loaded with defensive talent but Macdonald has tailored opponent game plans to perfection. Ultimately it will come down to how GMs perceive hiring defensive coaches in today’s NFL. The track record isn’t great but if Macdonald brings in the right OC he could be successful for many years.

Bobby Slowik (Texans OC)

Slowik is another name that many will be interested in this offseason. The Texans offensive coordinator has done wonders for rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud in his first year in Houston. Slowik comes from San Francisco where he worked as passing game coordinator for Kyle Shanahan. He runs a similar west coast style offense that the 49ers run with some variations.

Slowik also spent 3 years working as an analyst at PFF which is intriguing, to say the least. PFF is the go-to for NFL player grades and analytics. It’s something that we don’t see often for an NFL coach but learning the numbers game has many benefits.

If you’re looking for a possible destination for Slowik look no further than Washington. Slowik spent his first three years coaching in Washington as a defensive assistant under Mike Shanahan. The Commanders also recently hired Eugene Shen to oversee their analytics department. Slowik’s unique background will likely be intriguing for Shen and owner Josh Harris who is big on analytics.

Ben Johnson (Lions OC)

Ben Johnson is no doubt the name to watch for the upcoming coaching cycle. The Lions OC was close to becoming a head coach last offseason but decided to stay in Detroit. Johnson is a big reason the Lions were able to capture their first-ever NFC North title. He will be able to pick and choose where he wants to go next if he decides to make the jump.

The Lions are currently third in the NFL in yards per game at 395.7 and are averaging 26.9 points per game. Johnson has also helped resurrect the career of Jared Goff as the former #1 pick has excelled in this offense. It is believed by many that Johnson will decide to take the next step this offseason and he won’t be cheap. Whether or not he is head coaching material remains to be seen but in today’s NFL it’s all about offense and Johnson is an offensive guru.

Wild Card – Brian Griese (49ers Quarterbacks Coach)

Finally, there is Brian Griese. Griese is a bit of a wild card as a coaching candidate but deserves a closer look. He is currently the quarterbacks coach for San Francisco and has been there since 2022. You can’t deny the role Griese has had in Brock Purdy‘s success. Purdy was Mr. Irrelovant in the 2022 draft and is now in contention for the MVP.

Before he came to the 49ers, Griese was working at ESPN as an analyst. It was considered an odd move at the time but Kyle Shanahan has a history with Griese going back to their time in Tampa. It was an out-of-the-box move that has paid off for Shanahan and the 49ers.

Taking a chance on Griese will be risky with his lack of coaching experience but it could offer big returns. Just look at what Mike McDaniel has done in Miami. This move was also criticized at the time but now he is considered one of the league’s best.

The post 5 Potential NFL Head Coaching Candidates in 2024 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Quarterbacks

Start ‘Em

Jared Goff (vs. Chi) – Jared Goff’s numbers haven’t been gaudy this season but he has been consistent at the quarterback position. Goff ranks 12th in total fantasy points for quarterbacks which includes his BYE week. He had an impressive showing in the week 10 win vs. the Chargers where he had 333 yards and 2 touchdowns. Up next Goff will face the Bears at home and this is setup for Goff to have his best performance of the season. I can see Goff throwing for 3 touchdowns in this one as the Lions cruise.

Sit ‘Em

Baker Mayfield (@ SF) – Mayfield has been solid for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this year. It is somewhat surprising as many including myself, thought he would be benched by this point of the season. With that said you will need to sit Mayfield this week as he is set to face the 49ers on the road. San Francisco bounced back last week in a 34-3 throttling at Jacksonville. More importantly, the defense looked like its old self constantly pressuring Trevor Lawrence. Mayfield will be under that same pressure all game long and the Bucs offense is in for a rough afternoon.

Running Backs

Start ‘Em

Ty Chandler (@ Den) – Chandler was a priority on the waiver wire this week for a reason. Fellow running back Alexander Mattison is likely to miss this matchup which paves the way for Chandler. He will get to face the Broncos defense which is allowing the most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. Fire up Chandler this week as he is in line for a big game.

Sit ‘Em

Joe Mixon (@ Bal) – Mixon and the Bengals are set to face an angry Ravens team on Thursday night. The Ravens had a surprising collapse against the Browns last week and will be looking to bounce back vs. their division rival. The last time they met Mixon was held in check vs. this Ravens defense. I expect more of the same tonight for Mixon and the Bengals ground game.

Wide Receivers

Start ‘Em

DeVonta Smith (@ KC) – The Super Bowl rematch is the game of the week and it should be another high-scoring affair. Kansas City will no doubt prioritize locking down A.J. Brown which will give more opportunities for Smith in the passing game. Keep in mind the Eagles also likely be without tight end Dallas Goedert who is dealing with a forearm injury. This means more of a target share for Smith who has a touchdown in back-to-back games.

Sit ‘Em

Amari Cooper (vs. Pit) – Amari Cooper is in for a frustrating game vs. the Steelers. Cooper has had a nice season thus far and is in the top 12 in receiving yards with 715. Unfortunately for him and the Browns offense, Deshaun Watson is set to miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. The loss of Watson will no doubt hurt the Browns passing attack as they will rely more than ever on their stellar defense.

Tight Ends

Start ‘Em

Cole Kmet (@ Det) – Cole Kmet owners will be happy to see starting quarterback Justin Fields back in action for the Bears this week. Backup quarterback Tyson Bagent filled in admirably for Chicago but this offense is more dynamic with Fields at the helm. Kmet should find success in the passing game as the Bears are likely to be playing from behind on the road vs. the Lions.

Sit ‘Em

Tyler Conklin (@ Buf) – Conklin had his best game of the season last week in the loss vs. the Raiders. He had 70 yards on 7 receptions including a 27-yard catch and run. Don’t expect that to continue this week when the Jets head to Buffalo. Conklin was held to just 2 yards on 1 reception when these teams met in week 1. The Bills are in desperate need of a win and they will get it this week.

Start of the Week

James Conner (@ Hou) – Conner had no issues taking on the full-time role for the Cardinals last week. In his return from the IR, Conner had 73 rushing yards on 16 carries. Conner certainly looked like his old self and I expect even better numbers this week vs. the Texans. This one has the makings of a shootout and you could see last week the impact of Kyler Murray returning had for the Cardinals. Lock in Conner this week as a must-start as he is set for a big day.

The post 2023-24 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 11 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

NFL Week 2 Game Recap: Seattle Seahawks 37, Detroit Lions 31

The Seattle Seahawks won 37-31 in walk-off fashion on the road in Detroit as Geno Smith found Tyler Lockett, who reached out for the pylon. Smith led Seattle to a turnover-free victory, going 32-for-41 with 328 yards and two touchdowns. Both passing touchdowns were to Lockett, who racked up eight catches for 59 yards. Seattle also found success on the ground, rushing for 82 yards and two touchdowns.

Seahawks receiver D.K. Metcalf left the game in the first quarter with a rib injury, and headed to to the locker room. He returned shortly after, finishing the game with six receptions for 75 yards, as Geno Smith spread the targets around all game. Turnovers proved to be the downfall for Detroit. The Lions fumbled the ball away twice in a row, one to end the first half and another to begin the second half. Jared Goff then threw a pick-six to Seattle cornerback Tre Brown, who ran it back 40 yards to the house. Late in the fourth quarter, Goff led the Lions down the field for a game-tying field goal, forcing overtime with a score of 31-31. However it was not enough for the Lions, who fall to 1-1 after the loss. Meanwhile, Seattle also moves to 1-1 with the victory.

NFL Week 2 Game Recap: Buffalo Bills 38, Las Vegas Raiders 10

Josh Allen led the Buffalo Bills to a stress-free victory at home, going 31-for-37 with 274 yards and three touchdowns. Both the Bills and the Las Vegas Raiders move to 1-1 on the season.

The ball seemed to be in the hands of the Bills all game, as the Buffalo defense forced three turnovers. Linebackers Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard both intercepted Jimmy Garoppolo, and Taylor Rapp recovered a Zamir White fumble. Josh Allen spread the touches throughout the offense, finding Gabe Davis, Khalil Shakir, and Dawson Knox for touchdowns. The run game was unstoppable for the Bills, led by James Cook who ran for 123 yards, as Damien Harris and Latavius Murray ran in a touchdown each. Allen had no turnovers and looked comfortable in a bounce-back victory.

NFL Week 2 Game Recap: Baltimore Ravens 27, Cincinnati Bengals 24

Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens went on the road to Cincinnati and avoided a Bengals second half comeback, winning the game 27-24. The Ravens move to 2-0 on the year, as the Bengals fall to 0-2.

Jackson completed 24 passes on 33 attempts for 237 yards and two touchdowns. He added 54 yards on the ground, as the Ravens ran for 178 yards as a team, including a Gus Edwards touchdown. Safety Geno Stone intercepted Joe Burrow to begin the second half, and the Ravens turned it into a touchdown on the next drive.

Burrow and the Bengals made a late push in the second half, with a final drive consisting of 16 plays for 80 yards and a touchdown, making the score 27-24. The Cincinnati offense struggled, rushing for just 66 total yards as Burrow went 27-for-41 with 222 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

NFL Week 2 Game Recap: Kansas City Chiefs 17, Jacksonville Jaguars 9

In a low scoring affair, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars by a score of 17-9. Both teams move to 1-1 on the season.

The first five possessions resulted in punts, before Jacksonville finally took a 3-0 lead on a field goal. The Chiefs fumbled the ball away on the following possession, before Patrick Mahomes was picked off by Jaguars safety Andre Cisco. Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars offense struggled to move the ball all day, as the third year quarterback went 22-for-41 for 216 yards and no touchdowns. The ground game was no better, producing just 74 yards as the Jaguars failed to find the endzone. Kicker Brandon McManus was the lone scorer for Jacksonville, going 3-for-3. Mahomes finished the game 29-for-41 with 305 yards and two touchdowns, finding Travis Kelce on one of them.

NFL Week 2 Game Recap: Tennessee Titans 27, Los Angeles Chargers 24

The Tennessee Titans beat the Los Angeles Chargers 27-24 in an overtime thriller, as Nick Folk kicked the game-winning 41 yard field goal. The Titans move to 1-1 on the season, as the Chargers fall to 0-2.

Los Angeles got out to an early 11-0 lead after a Keenan Allen touchdown and a converted two-point conversion. Ryan Tannehill came back with a 70-yard pass to Treylon Burks, as Derrick Henry finished the drive with a touchdown, making the score 11-7. Both teams went back and forth all game, with impressive outings from both quarterbacks. Justin Herbert found Keenan Allen and Mike Williams consistently, with both receivers finishing the game with 8 receptions and a combined 194 yards. Allen brought in two touchdown passes, as the Chargers marched down the field for a field goal to send the game to overtime with a score of 24-24. The Chargers won the coin toss and got the ball first in overtime, but went three and out and punted the ball back to the Titans offense. Tannehill led them down the field for an 8 play, 37 yard drive to give Nick Folk a 41 yard field goal for the win, which he put down the middle.

NFL Week 2 Game Recap: Atlanta Falcons 25, Green Bay Packers 24

The Atlanta Falcons squeaked by the Green Bay Packers by a score of 25-24, including an electric fourth quarter comeback by the Falcons. Green Bay falls to 1-1 on the season as Atlanta goes to 2-0.

The Packers got out to a 24-12 lead in the third quarter after Jordan Love found Jayden Reed in the endzone for his second touchdown of the game. Desmond Ridder and the Falcons ground-and-pound offense put together an eight play, 75 yard drive for a touchdown of their own, as Ridder ran it in himself to make the score 24-19. The Falcons defense forced a punt and drove down the field for a field goal, cutting the deficit to 24-22. After forcing yet another punt, Atlanta went 12 plays for 66 yards, setting up a 25 yard field goal for Younghoe Koo. The made field goal put the Falcons ahead 25-24, ultimately winning them the game. Jordan Love finished the game 14-for-25 with 151 yards and three touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the Falcons.

NFL Week 2 Game Recap: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27, Chicago Bears 17

Baker Mayfield shined, leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 27-17 victory over the Chicago Bears. The Buccaneers move to 2-0 on the season, as the Bears fall to 0-2.

Although the Bears scored on their first possession, it was all Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers for the rest of the afternoon. Mayfield found Mike Evans wide open on a deep pass that Evans took 70 yards downfield, inside the 10 yard line. The big play setup for a Rachaad White touchdown run, giving the Buccaneers a 10-7 lead. Mayfield connected with Evans again in the third quarter for a 32 yard touchdown, making the score 20-10.

The Buccaneers defense gave Justin Fields fits all game, sacking him six times. In the fourth quarter, Fields connected with Chase Claypool for a 20 yard touchdown, making the score 20-17. The bears got the ball back after forcing a punt, beginning the drive on their own seven yard line. After a couple penalties, Justin Fields dropped back and had his pass tipped and intercepted by Shaquil Barrett, who brought it just a few steps into the endzone, giving the Buccaneers a convincing 27-17 victory at home.

NFL Week 2 Game Recap: Indianapolis Colts 31, Houston Texans 20

The Indianapolis Colts stole a game on the road in a divisional matchup as they beat the Houston Texans 31-20. The Colts move to 1-1 on the season as the Texans fall to 0-2.

Anthony Richardson ran it in for a touchdown on the Colts’ first two drives of the game, making it 14-0. On the second touchdown, he took a shot causing his head to bounce off the turf, forcing the fourth overall draft pick to be evaluated for a concussion. The rookie quarterback was ruled out for the rest of the game, leaving the Colts with backup quarterback Gardner Minshew. Minshew took over and went 19-of-23 for 171 yards and a touchdown, maintaining the lead. The new acquisition at running back Zack Moss contributed 18 carries for 88 yards and a touchdown, as the Texans couldn’t stop the Indianapolis offense.

Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud had an impressive outing in the loss, going 30-for-47 with 384 yards and two touchdowns. Stroud connected with Nico Collins and fellow rookie Tank Dell seven times each, for a combined 218 yards. Each of the receivers brought in a touchdown, as the Colts bounced back from their week one home loss.

NFL Week 2 Recap: New York Giants 31, Arizona Cardinals 28

The New York Giants rallied for a 21 point comeback on the road against the Arizona Cardinals, the third comeback that size in Giants history. With a 20-0 lead at halftime, and a 28-7 lead in the third quarter, Arizona allowed 24 unanswered points to fall to 0-2 on the season. Meanwhile, the Giants move to 1-1 on the season following the rollercoaster of a week two game.

The Giants went scoreless for the first six quarters of the season, the first time since 1934. Cardinals quarterback Joshua Dobbs showed his athleticism all first half, using his legs to gain yards along with scrambling out of the pocket to make throws on the run. On Arizona’s third possession, Dobbs dropped back to pass and found an opening up the middle, taking it 23 yards for a touchdown, trucking a giants defender just before falling into the endzone. The play gave Arizona an early 14-0 lead, which would quickly grow before the half ended. 

Daniel Jones and the Giants offense came storming back in the third quarter, with help from Saquon Barkley, who scored both a receiving and rushing touchdown before leaving the field with an ankle injury towards the end of the game. The injury took away from the stunning comeback, as the Giants await the information on his ankle.

NFL Week 2 Game Recap: San Francisco 49ers 30, Los Angeles Rams 23

The San Francisco 49ers went on the road to SoFi Stadium, pulling away with a 30-23 win over the Los Angeles Rams. San Francisco elevates to 2-0 on the season as Los Angeles falls to 1-1 following the divisional matchup.

Two interceptions thrown by Matt Stafford proved to be the difference Sunday afternoon. With just under five minutes remaining in the game and the Rams trailing 27-20, Stafford looked across the middle for Van Jefferson but was picked off by Deommodore Lenoir.

Christian McCaffrey was in mid-season form, rushing for 116 yards on 20 carries to go with a touchdown. Brock Purdy missed some throws on big plays throughout the game, but was sufficient, going 17-for-25 for 206 yards, along with a rushing touchdown of his own. All three of the 49ers touchdowns came on the ground and the Rams defense had no answer. 

With Cooper Kupp sidelined, Puka Nacua was the focus once again for the Rams offense. He racked up 15 receptions for 147 yards, making him the first player in NFL history to record at least 10 receptions and 100 receiving yards in his first two games of his career. Meanwhile running back Kyren Williams got 20 total touches with both a receiving and rushing touchdown, proving why he should replace Cam Akers in the backfield.

NFL Week 2 Recap: Washington Commanders 35, Denver Broncos 33

The Washington Commanders completed the thriller comeback on the Denver Broncos, holding off a late game hail mary to win by a score of 35-33. Denver completed a hail mary as time expired, but couldn’t convert the two point conversion to force overtime. The Commanders move to 2-0 on the season as the Broncos fall to 0-2.

The Broncos jumped out to a 21-3 lead early into the first half, including a Marvin Mims Jr. one-play, 60 yard touchdown pass from Russel Wilson. The Commanders cut the lead to 21-14 before halftime, and continued into the second half as the defense immediately forced a punt. The offense took over and scored a touchdown on its first drive as Sam Howell found Terry McLaurin in the middle of the endzone for a 30 yard touchdown, tying the game 21-21.

Denver eventually got the ball back with a chance to tie the game. After moving the ball to midfield, Russel Wilson and company had one last chance to force overtime. The deep hail mary pass was tipped around before being brought in by Brandon Johnson for his second touchdown of the game, making the score 35-33. The two point conversion, a pass intended for Courtland Sutton was incomplete as the Broncos looked for a pass-interference call but didn’t get it.

Sam Howell finished the game with an impressive 27 completions on 39 attempts for 299 yards and two touchdown passes. Running back Brian Robinson Jr. also ran in for a pair of touchdowns himself.

NFL Week 2 Game Recap: Dallas Cowboys 30, New York Jets 10

The Dallas Cowboys beat the New York Jets handedly by a score of 30-10 as the Cowboys defense dominated for the second week in a row. Dallas moves to 2-0 on the season as the Jets fall to 1-1.

Micah Parsons and the Cowboys defense looked unstoppable in week two, intercepting Jets quarterback Zach Wilson three times. Parsons recorded two sacks and four hits on Wilson, as Jayron Kearse, Malik Hooker, and Trevon Diggs each intercepted a pass.

Ceedee Lamb showed he didn’t need the help of Brandin Cooks, who missed the game due to a sprained knee. Lamb recorded 11 catches for 143 yards, with big plays setting up for multiple scores for Dallas. Kicker Brandon Aubrey went five-for-five on field goals, as Dak Prescott found tight ends Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker for a touchdown each. 

The lone touchdown for the Jets came from star receiver Garret Wilson, who caught a pass across the middle and took it 68 yards to the house, marking his longest touchdown of his career thus far. Other than that, there wasn’t much going for Zach Wilson and the Jets offense, who recorded 215 total yards. Parsons along with the rest of the ruthless Dallas front four pressured Wilson all game, showing why they are one of the best defenses in the NFL.

NFL Week 2 Game Recap: Miami Dolphins 24, New England Patriots 17

The Miami Dolphins held off a late comeback by the New England Patriots, winning the game 24-17 as a lateral to Cole Strange came up short on fourth down. 

Tua Tagovailoa took what the defense gave him for most of the night, finding Jaylen Waddle five times for 86 yards. The Dolphins had plenty of success on the ground as well, as Raheem Mostert took 18 carries for 121 yards and two touchdowns.

Rookie Cornerback Christian Gonzalez kept Tyreek Hill in check for the most part, holding the star receiver to four receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown, with the touchdown coming on a play where Gonzalez was not covering Hill.

Mac Jones finished the game 31-for-42 with 231 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The interception came at the end of the third quarter after the Patriots drove down the field into the redzone. Xavien Howard picked off the pass intended for DeVante Parker on the sideline at the Miami three yard line, putting an end to New Englands’ drive and keeping the score at 17-3.

The Patriots cut the lead down in the fourth quarter following a Mac Jones scramble for 18 yards, the longest run of the night for New England. Jones found Hunter Henry on the run for a six yard touchdown pass, making the score 17-10.

On the next Miami possession, Tagovailoa threw it deep down the left side of the field to Tyreek Hill as the pass was intercepted by Christian Gonzalez. The rookie first round pick made a leaping catch over Hill, giving the Patriots the ball back.

The Dolphins forced a three and out, getting the ball back on the New England 43 yard line. On the first play of the drive, Raheem Mostert took a handoff up the middle 43 yards untouched to the endzone, extending the lead to 24-10.

Mac Jones led the Patriots to a 9 play 75 yard drive ending with a Rhamondre Stevenson touchdown run to cut the lead down to 24-17.

The Dolphins took the ball and drove it into Patriots territory, before the snap was fumbled on third and one. Tua recovered the fumble, but the mistake forced Miami to kick a 55 yard field goal. With concern for Brenden Schooler, who blocked the previous field goal, Jason Sanders missed the field goal, giving the Patriots an opportunity to tie or win the game.

After finding Kendrick Bourne for a pair of completions, Mac Jones was sacked by Bradley Chubb for a loss of 8 yards. New England was faced with a fourth and four, where Mac Jones completed a pass to Mike Gesicki short of the first down line. Gesicki threw a lateral to offensive lineman Cole Strange, who was stopped short of the marker, ending the comeback for the Patriots.

The win brings the Dolphins to 2-0 on the season, as the Patriots fall to 0-2.

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Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1 PM EST on CBS)

The best game of the NFL week 2 schedule is when the Chiefs go on the road to take on the Jaguars. It was a disappointing opening game for Kansas City as they struggled against the Detroit Lions at home.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes put up rather pedestrian numbers in week 1 but he was without Travis Kelce. Kelce and stud defensive tackle Chris Jones are set to return for the Chiefs in this one. Jones will be needed to help stop the rushing attack of Jacksonville led by Travis Etienne Jr. and rookie Tank Bigsby. Etienne and Bigsby each found the end zone in week 1 against the Colts.

On the outside, Calvin Ridley made a splash in his debut for the Jaguars. Ridley did not look rusty after his 1 year suspension as he hauled in 8 receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown. Ridley will be a challenge for the Chiefs secondary all game long.

Baltimore Ravens (+3) @ Cincinnati Bengals (1 PM EST on CBS)

Cincinnati would very much like to burn the tape of their week 1 performance against the rival Browns. Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense could never find a rhythm as he was held to under 100 yards passing. It was the first time in his career that Burrow was held under the 100-yard passing mark. Burrow will look to get back on track versus the rival Ravens at home.

Meanwhile, the Ravens are coming off a dominating performance against the Houston Texans. Baltimore may have found its next star in rookie Zay Flowers. Flowers looked electric in his debut as he had 87 yards from scrimmage in week 1 including 9 receptions. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens will be without J.K. Dobbins who is now out for the season. Expect another classic AFC North battle in this one.

Seattle Seahawks (+4.5) @ Detroit Lions (1 PM EST on FOX)

Jared Goff and the Lions looked like an NFC contender in their week 1 win at Kansas City. Their defense which struggled all last season looked completely different in the opener. If they can get this type of performance consistently from their defense the Lions will be a threat come playoff time.

Seattle on the other hand looked lackluster as they were beat at home in week 1 by the Rams. Geno Smith who was the Comeback Player of the Year in 2022 struggled with a Rams defense that lacks playmakers. It was troubling to see for a Seahawks team that was set to take the next step this year. Look for this one to be another high-scoring affair. The Seahawks won 48-45 when the two teams met last season.

San Francisco 49ers (-7.5) @ Los Angeles Rams (4:05 PM EST on FOX)

Before the season started this looked to be an easy win for the 49ers. Now they may have more of a battle on their hands when they visit LA. This game will be a classic example of whether week 1 was a fluke or not. If the Rams keep it close many will start to give them respect. The problem is they will be dealing with the elite 49ers defense who will put pressure on Matthew Stafford all day long.

Rams rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua was the story of week 1 as he seemingly came out of nowhere. The Rams will need a repeat performance from Nacua who hauled in 10 receptions for 119 yards in his debut.

Washington Commanders (+3.5) @ Denver Broncos (4:25 PM EST on CBS)

Washington is looking to start 2-0 when they travel to the Mile High City on Sunday afternoon. The Commanders looked a bit shaky in their week 1 win against the Cardinals. Washington’s defense was dominant but the offense struggled at times. Quarterback Sam Howell had two costly turnovers but showed poised in leading Washington to a come-from-behind victory. Howell will need to be mistake-free on the road in Denver for Washington to have a chance.

The Broncos will be getting one of their best weapons back in Jerry Jeudy on Sunday. This is exactly what Russell Wilson and this offense needed as they look to bounce back from their week 1 loss. Wilson did have 2 touchdowns in the opener but the offense lacked explosiveness. They will need big plays to be able to beat the stingy Washington defense.

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Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals will struggle this year: OVERREACTION. We know the Bengals will be there in the AFC championship game. With Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase they will be hard to beat, and this team has big game experience.

Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys are legit after a definitive victory against the Giants: LEGIT. Did anybody see that Cowboys D? Dak Prescott didn’t play the greatest, but that was ok. He’ll get better along with that feisty Cowboys D.

Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs will struggle after losing Eric Bieniemy: OVERREACTION. Yes Bieniemy was a very good offensive coordinator. But they Chiefs still have Mahomes, Kelce, Chris Jones and other key players. They will battle to play in the AFC championship game.

Green Bay Packers: The Packers won’t skip a beat with Aaron Rodgers gone. OVERREACTION. Jordan Love played a great game and they won, but don’t expect that the rest of the season. They will struggle and probably finish around .500.

Detroit Lions: The Lions are a serious contender in the NFC. LEGIT. When you have Dan Campbell at the helm and a stingy D with Aidan Hutchinson, your in good shape. Jared Goff looked poised leading the offense, and expect to see the same throughout the whole season.

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The Good

The 2022 NFL Draft featured two stud Defensive Ends, Travon Walker and Aidan Hutchinson. It was widely known that the Jacksonville Jaguars were going to take Walker with the 1st pick. With that meant Hutchinson would be on the board for Detroit and it was a perfect match. The Lions were in need of a elite pass rusher for their defense and drafting the local kid was a no brainier. Hutchinson exceeded all expectations in his rookie season and finished 2nd for the Defensive Rookie of the Year. Now, Hutchinson will look to take the next step by being the leader of the Lions defense.

When Jared Goff left the Los Angeles Rams many thought his good days were beyond him. Turns out that is not the case as Goff has revived his career in Detroit. Goff has thrived in OC Ben Johnson’s system and in 2022 was one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the NFL. Big things are now expected from Goff in his third year with Detroit. I expect Goff to thrive again for the Lions and continue to impress in 2023.

The Bad

Last year, the Detroit Lions defense finished at the bottom of the league in most categories. For as good as the offense was the defense was pretty poor. They had a hard time stopping anybody and it put extra pressure on the Lions offense. Have the Lions done enough to address this weakness? In short no.

The Lions were able to acquire C.J. Gardner-Johnson who impressed with the Eagles but they lost CB Jeff Okudah. Emmanuel Mosley was supposed to help fill the void left by Okudah but he is currently injured with no timetable on a return. Fellow cornerback Cameron Sutton has shown flashes but will need to be more consistent for the Lions. I fear we could be talking about a below-average defense again next year for the Lions.

The Prediction

In my eyes, this is the year the Detroit Lions finally breakthrough and win the NFC North. The defense will still have its struggles but the offense will be even better than last year. Rookie Jahmyr Gibbs will make his mark in the backfield and Amon-Ra St. Brown will continue to ascend. Keep an eye on Dan Campbell AP Coach of the Year.

2023 Record: 11-6 (1st in the Division)

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Stats Don’t Lie

If you decided to take a chance and draft Jared Goff last season you were rewarded. Goff finished with 290.3 fantasy points and averaged 17.1 FP per game. He had an impressive 29 passing touchdowns and only 7 interceptions. This propelled Goff to finish 1st in touchdown/interception ratio at (4.14) in 2022. Goff was also only sacked 23 times last season which was just behind Tom Brady (22) for the least amount of sacks in 17 games played. What that shows is Goff is making quicker decisions in the pocket and throwing the ball away if needed.

When you look closer at Jared Goff’s 2022 advanced quarterback statistics it’s hard to not be impressed. For example, he was tied for 4th in passing attempts that traveled 50+ yards. Goff was not afraid to move the ball down the field and as we pointed out was smart about when to take shots in the pocket. Also, factor in that Goff had the 5th most drops by his receivers at 34. Even with the emergence of Amon-Ra St. Brown, the Lions receiving core was middle of the pack at best.

Jared Goff’s Fantasy Outlook for 2023

Now the big question is, can Goff build on an impressive 2022? The Detroit Lions were able to retain offensive coordinator Ben Johnson this past offseason. Johnson was a hot commodity on the market and rightfully so as the Lions finished 3rd in total yards (6,460). Goff should thrive again in Johnson’s system in 2023.

Detroit also made headlines this offseason when they traded running back D’Andre Swift to the Eagles. Alabama rookie Jahmyr Gibbs takes his place and will be an asset to Goff in the passing game. The Lions also brought back receiver Marvin Jones Jr. in free agency. Jones will help bolster this receiving core and take some of the pressure off St. Brown.

As it stands now Jared Goff has an ADP of #96 overall. To me, this is great value if you can draft Goff in this range. In our recently updated fantasy football rankings, I have Goff as QB9 and trending upward. If the Lions offense can take another step forward, I could see Goff finishing as high as QB6. He won’t quite crack the top 5 but will be awfully close and at this ADP that would be a huge steal.

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Chicago Bears: How Big Is The Jump Of Justin Fields This Season?

The Chicago Bears killed the offseason. Fresh off a regular season where Justin Fields looked electric, the future seemed bright for the Bears. They traded the top overall pick for multiple picks and D.J. Moore. They signed big names on defense such as Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards. Their offense was reloaded with the signings of D’Onta Foreman and Robert Tonyan. All these transactions positively impacted the offense and defense. Giving Fields all these weapons will make the Bears look much improved and will be a stepping stone for the future.

Detroit Lions: Are The Lions The Best Team In The Division?

After all the jokes and miserable seasons, the Detroit Lions may be the best team in the NFC North. The Bears and the Packers still have their young QBs so a rough road is expected. The Vikings are dealing away key players left and right. That leaves the Lions. They ended the season winning eight of their last ten games. Jared Goff is probably the most competent QB in the division and HC Dan Campbell is making them believe. They improved their team by signing David Montgomery and C.J. Gardner-Johnson and drafted a strong group that can make an impact. Now might be the time Lions fans. The 2023 season could be a special one.

Green Bay Packers: Will Jordan Love Be The Future Of The Packers?

The Aaron Rodgers era is over and the Packers move on to their next QB. It was amazing luck that they went from a Hall of Fame QB to another Hall of Fame QB. Now, all eyes are on Jordan Love. He signed a one-year extension worth up to $22.5 M. The Packers did add some help by drafting three offensive weapons with their first four picks of the draft. He’ll still have Aaron Jones and Christian Watson to aid him. If Aaron and the Packers felt he was ready, they wouldn’t have traded away Rodgers. Love hopes to show the promise scouts saw him when he was drafted.

Minnesota Vikings: Is A Rebuild On The Way?

The Minnesota Vikings were disappointed with the way they finished their season. A sad loss in the Wild Card round to the Giants may have shown that Minnesota’s regular season may have been just a fluke. Now, there are a lot of questions, especially with the recent moves of the front office. They released Adam Thielen, Eric Kendricks and traded Za’Darius Smith. All three are high-level players for the Vikings last year. There are rumors that Dalvin Cook will be waived if no one will trade for him. Amidst all the chaos, it feels like a shakeup is on the way and more names will be on the move in the future.

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