2021 NFL Preseason Week 3 Picks

Indianapolis Colts (-3 1/2, 32 1/2) at Detroit Lions, 7:00 pm - Lions come into this contest 0-2 in preseason, while the Colts are 2-0. The margins are not large. Detroit is only -7 points scored vs. allowed. The Colts are just +5.

With Carson Went still out Jacob Eason and Sam Ehlinger will take all the snaps as the two battle for the #2 (and maybe #1) QB position.

Lions are sitting Jared Goff and other key veterans because of numerous injuries to other team members. NFL players get an additional week to rest before the opener. Lions host 49ers in week one; Colts host Seahawks.

Coin Flip: Detroit

Prediction: Colts 21 Lions 14

Pittsburgh Steelers at Carolina Panthers (-2 1/2, 36), 7:30 pm - Pittsburgh has won all three of their games, including last week's 26-20 win over the Lions. Ben Roethlisberger was on target for Pittsburgh, throwing for a pair of TDs, going 8-10 for 137 yards. He won't be seen this week after that performance netted a perfect passer rating of 158.3.

Carolina is 0-2, scoring just 21 points total in those losses, but Sam Darnold will get the football here, probably for the entire first half. Is he good enough to put enough points on the Steelers before intermission. Not likely.

Coin Flip: Carolina

Prediction: Steelers 26 Panthers 17

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Jets (-4, 33 1/5) 7:30 pm - Thus far, the Eagles have looked like they're taking advice from the band by the same name and "taking it easy." They've scored just 16 points and allowed 59 in a pair of losses. QB Jalen Hurts missed last week's encounter with the Patriots, but is likely a go for this preseason finale.

The Jets can at least think they're making progress, as they've knocked off both the Giants and the Packers. BYU draftee, Zach Wilson, threw for 128 yards and two TDs in the Green Bay win, with a pair of scores. He's looked impressive and will get some playing time here, enough to make the Jets 3-0.

Coin Flip: New York Jets

Prediction: Jets 27 Eagles 10

Minnesota Vikings at Kansas City Chiefs (-4, 38), 8:00 pm - Minnesota QB Kirk Cousins played briefly in the Vikings 12-10 loss to Indy last week, and may be done for the preseason as the Vikings have had more than their fair share of injuries and don't want to risk their starters.

Probably a ditto for Kansas City. Patrick Mahomes is going to be ready for week one, so expect him and most of the starters to sit this one out. Overall, the Chiefs have depth and are at home. Vikings' 0-2 record and 16 points scored does not impress.

Coin Flip: Minnesota

Prediction: Chiefs 21 Vikings 10

Saturday, August 28

Green Bay Packers at Buffalo Bills (-8, 35), 1:00 pm - Aaron Rodgers is definitely not going to play, so give the Bills a big positive here. No word on whether Josh Allen will play. He did not play against Chicago (Bills romped, 41-15) as Mitch Trubisky schooled his old team for 221 yards passing.

The 0-2 Packers have mailed in their preseason, losing, 26-7 to Houston, and 23-14 to the Jets, both games at Lanbeau Field. This one's in Orchard Park, so expect the Packers to no-show again.

Coin Flip: Buffalo

Prediction: Bills 30 Packers 10

Baltimore Ravens (-4, 32 1/2) at Washington Football Team, 6:00 pm - I-95 rivals meet in a grudge match that probably won't amount to much, except that the Ravens have run their preseason winning streak to an incredible 19 games, matching the Green Bay Packers from the early 1960s.

The Ravens can make it 20 straight, so that should provide motivation for both sides. It would be ironic for the streak to end against a team with no real name, as Washington still hasn't decided on a successor to "Redskins." Woke-ness aside, Baltimore is probably the better team and will play a combination of starters and subs. The win obviously means something to the Ravens, enough to get them up and over.

Coin Flip: Baltimore

Prediction: Ravens 31 Football Team 16

Chicago Bears (-2 1/2, 36) at Tennessee Titans, 7:00 pm - The Bears are sure getting plenty of hype, including being favored against the Titans, who were last seen dusting Tampa Bay, 34-3.

Meanwhile, the Bears got hosed by Buffalo, 41-15. Chicago B Justin Fields will have a final tuneup, and probably play a half, if not more. Tennessee QB Than Tannehill may take some snaps, but probably only for two series, tops. Matt Barkley and Logan Woodside both did solid work against the unenthusiastic Buccaneers.

Tennessee has scored 57 points and allowed only 6, a +51 differential, second only to the Broncos (+54)

Coin Flip: Tennessee

Prediction: Titans 24 Bears 14

Click here for late games.

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IdleGuy.com December 2024, Vol. 1 #11