There are quite a few games on tap this week that merit special recognition, most of all the Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins (both teams are 2-0) with first place in the AFC East on the line. It's early in the 2022 NFL season, but this one could very well go a long way in determining the winner of this division. The Dolphins have been a pleasant surprise, especially in the wake of their huge come from behind win at Baltimore last week.
The Bills have steam rolled both of their opponents as they crushed the Los Angeles Rams (31-10) in L.A. to open the season and last Monday night, they beat down the visiting Tennessee Titans, 41-7 as quarterback Josh Allen had four touchdown passes. Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa threw for six touchdowns in his teams 42-38 victory over the Ravens. This game could be a shootout that will likely be decided in the final possession.
The Green Bay Packers (1-1) travel to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0) on Sunday afternoon as Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady get to square off yet again. However, both teams have key wide receivers who are out for this game with injuries or else are suspended, as is the case for Bucs WR Mike Evans, who shoved Saints defensive back Marshon Lattimore during last Sunday's game and was ejected.
Both of these teams are favored to be among those in the hunt for the NFC title and a trip to the Super Bowl next February. The Bucs rate the slight edge being at home, but the defenses will likely have a pretty big say so in how the outcome of this one will go.
The Los Angeles Rams (1-1) have looked sluggish so far in 2022 and they will face the Arizona Cardinals (1-1) in the desert state this Sunday. The Cardinals had a big comeback win last week in Las Vegas against the Raiders (29-23 overtime victory) as QB Kyler Murray led the way with two touchdowns in the final quarter. The Rams were able to hold off the Atlanta Falcons in a close game after being embarrassed by Buffalo in the season opener. Quarterback Matthew Stafford will need to take charge against the Arizona defense for the Rams to come away with the win. Meanwhile, look for the L.A. defense to get after Murray so he cannot exploit the secondary as he did in the fourth quarter last week.
The Sunday night game features the Denver Broncos (1-1) playing host to the San Francisco 49ers (1-1) as Russell Wilson and company will look to get the offense in gear. But the 49ers defense is solid and didn't give up any points to Seattle (Wilson's former team) last week in a 27-7 win. The Broncos defense has been stellar so far in two games, but will be going against Jimmy Garoppolo, who is back in the starting role for San Francisco following the season ending ankle injury to QB Trey Lance. This one could go down to the wire, as so many games seem to do these days in the modern day NFL.
The rest of the action for Week Three is broken down in the capsule style format and the Heftyinfo picks for all the action follows up.
Houston (0-1-1) at Chicago (1-1) - The Bears should win this one at home, but the Texans have shown they are no easy opponent so far this season.
Las Vegas (0-2) at Tennessee (0-2) - Who would have thought these two teams would be winless so far this season? The loser will be looking at insurmountable odds for the post-season.
Kansas City (2-0) at Indianapolis (0-1-1) - Take the Chiefs.
Detroit (1-1) at Minnesota (1-1) - The battle for first place in the NFC North division, where all four teams are 1-1 this season. The Vikings rate a slight edge at home in what could be a high scoring game.
Philadelphia (2-0) at Washington (1-1) - Can the Commanders find a way to ground the Eagles? This game will be closer than you might think.
Baltimore (1-1) at New England (1-1) - Two so-so teams in the first two weeks will battle it out in this one. Toss up.
Cincinnati (0-2) at N.Y. Jets (1-1) - The Jets got a miracle to win a game last week while the Bengals lost at the buzzer. Joe Burrow and company can't start out 0-3, can they?
New Orleans (1-1) at Carolina (0-2) - The Saints should win this one, but the Panthers have played pretty good defense in their two losses, both of which were lost by a field goal in the fourth quarter.
Jacksonville (1-1) at L.A. Chargers (1-1) - The big question for this game is whether Chargers QB Justin Herbert will be ready to play (rib injury) and even if he does, the Jaguars have shown resilience in their first two games.
Atlanta (0-2) at Seattle (1-1) - This game could go either way.
Dallas (1-1) at N.Y. Giants (2-0) - The Monday night game featuring NFC East rivals. Can the Giants get to 3-0? Will Dallas be able to follow up last week's effort with backup QB Cooper Rush? Toss up in this one.
The Heftyinfo predictions for Week Three games . . . . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Cleveland over Pittsburgh
Chicago over Houston
Tennessee over Las Vegas
KANSAS CITY over Indianapolis
Buffalo over Miami
Minnesota over Detroit
Washington over Philadelphia
Baltimore over New England
Cincinnati over N.Y. Jets
New Orleans over Carolina
L.A. Rams over Arizona
L.A. Chargers over Jacksonville
Tampa Bay over Green Bay
Seattle over Atlanta
San Francisco over Denver
Dallas over N.Y. Giants
Last Week's Record - 10-6
SEASON RECORD - 18-13-1
Lock of the Week Record - 1-1
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