Road warriors thrive again
Do two weeks make a trend?
Another solid week for people willing to go with the road underdogs, who continued their solid start going 6-3 (13-4 through two weeks) including outright wins from the Raiders and Cowboys.
The Giants would have been on that list if Dexter Lawrence did not jump offside on a field goal attempt that sailed wide as time expired. Given a second chance and five yards closer, Dustin Hopkins and Washington delivered in a crazy ending to the start of Week 2.
It was a Lawrence-like week for yours truly with just three winners, fading the two worst teams in the game and riding the best to ever play it. Other than that, straight pain. Time to dust myself off and get back up to the window. New Orleans at Patriots (-3) — Surely Sean Payton will call more than 17 run plays against a Pats defense that allowed 152 yards rushing to the Jets. Saints, 21-17.
Carolina (-7.5) at Houston — Short week and rookie Davis Mills gets the start under center for the Texans with Tyrod Taylor injured. Panthers, 27-14.
Arizona (-7.5) at Jacksonville — Haven’t seen a reason to fade the Jags yet. Cardinals, 34-23.
Indianapolis at Tennessee (-5.5) — The Colts are in a tough spot after two home losses. They’ll play with desperation and keep it close, but not close enough for the win. Titans, 27-24. Baltimore (-7.5) at Detroit —
There was so much to like about the Lions in the first half on Monday night, but the second half was a reminder they are still the Lions. A short week doesn’t do them any favors. Ravens, 34-21.
Washington at Buffalo (-7.5) — Taylor Heinicke keeps the Football Team in the game. In Sunday’s rout of Miami, Josh Allen was just 17-for-33 passing. Bills, 30-24.
L.A. Chargers at Kansas City (-6.5) — Two teams who feel like they let a win get away from them last week. Chiefs, 38-31.
Atlanta at N.Y. Giants (-3) — Both teams moved the ball at times during Week 2; they’ve also made many mistakes to earn 0-2 starts. Falcons, 24-23.
Chicago at Cleveland (-7.5) —
If the Bears thought Justin Fields was ready to be the guy, he would have opened the season as the starter. Browns, 31-16.
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh (-3) — Which O-line can do a better job of protecting their quarterback? Steelers, 26-20.
Miami at Las Vegas (-3.5) — The Raiders have been the surprise of the league so far. The Dolphins will struggle to move the ball as Jacoby Brissett gets the start while Tua Tagovailoa is injured and out. Raiders, 28-14. N.Y. Jets at Denver (-10.5) —
The Jets are formidable defensively but getting more than 16 points from this offense is asking a lot. The Broncos handled the No. 1 pick easily last week, get No. 2 on Sunday. Broncos, 24-10.
Tampa Bay (-1.5) at L.A. Rams — Tom Brady has nine TDs passes through two games (most through two games during his time in New England was seven). Bucs hit the road for the first time. Buccaneers, 34-28.
Seattle (-1.5) at Minnesota — This one has track meet written all over it; I’ll take Russell Wilson over Kirk Cousins down the stretch. Seahawks, 38-34.
Green Bay at San Francisco (-3.5) — Aaron Rodgers looked to be back to normal. Packers are facing an opponent a bit tougher than the Lions this time, however. 49ers, 28-23.
Philadelphia at Dallas (-3.5) — Hard not to be impressed with what the Cowboys have done over the first two weeks. Cowboys, 27-19.
The Buccaneers were the play last week in a survivor pool and delivered. Brady slung five touchdowns, two to Rob Gronkowski, and Matt Ryan iced the Falcons’ chance of a comeback with two interceptions being returned for touchdowns. This week, we’re going with the Broncos hosting the Jets, who along with the Jaguars will be a popular opponent in this slot going forward. Hopefully.
LAST WEEK: 3-13-0 (.188)
SEASON: 13-19-0 (.406)