Ravens vs. Cardinals

Kyler Murray vs. Lamar Jackson is one heck of a match up but this could be a blowout. The Cardinals had the worst rushing defence in the NFL last year against a Ravens team who last season led the AFC in rushing yards and is currently leading the NFL after game one. This could be a field day for Mark Ingram.

The Cardinals managed a 27-all draw against the Lions last week following a Murray led 4th-quarter comeback. The Cards were atrocious through the first 3-quarters and they’ll have their hands full against a Baltimore defence with Patrick Onwuasor showing his good enough in place of CJ Mosley.

After 16 years with Baltimore, Terrell Suggs will return to M&T Bank Stadium to play against the franchise he holds the all-time sacks record for. At 36-years old, he managed five tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble last week against Detroit.

Previous to last week RG3’s last touchdown was in Week 15 of 2016 for the Browns in a 27-24 loss to the Steelers. I think he’ll get another one in this one. An interesting note, the Cards have lost 1-8 since 2016 in the eastern time zone.

Suggs spent 16-years at Baltimore where he won Super Bowl XLVII.

Steelers vs. Seahawks

The Seahawks needed to mount a comeback to overcome the Bengals last week and the Steelers had no answers for the rampaging Patriots.

The Steelers will need to be wary on both sides of the ball. D.K. Metcalf set a franchise record 89 receiving yards by a rookie in a debut game and although the O-line held up well against the Patriots, Jadeveon Clowney is a next level headache.

With this one being played at Heinz Field you’d expect the Steelers, Roethlisberger and JuJu Smith-Schuster to take it up a notch. It’s also set up as a potential breakout game for Donte Moncrief especially with the Earl Thomas-less Seahawks in the secondary.

If the Steeler’s secondary can lock down Wilson’s deep ball they should take this out but it is worth noting that since 2016 the Seahawks are 12-11-1 on the road and the Steelers 17-7 at home.

Jets vs Browns

It’s a homecoming of sorts for Odell Beckham in a matchup against the Jets at MetLife Stadium. The Browns will play in their first Monday Night Football game since 2015 and the matchup is reminiscent of the first MNF game back in 1970.

Last week the Jets could only manage 223 yards of total offence and 16-points despite forcing four turnovers. More worryingly, from late in the 3rd-quarter they imploded and conceded 17 consecutive points.

Ill discipline cost Cleveland dearly – a franchise record 18 penalties for 182 yards which can also be summed up with Greg Robinson’s ejected for kicking Kenny Vacarro. The Browns did however outgain the Titans for total offensive yards 346 to 339.

Huge news with Sam Darnold out for the Jets with glandular fever with Trevor Siemian under centre. Quincy Enunwa and Avery Williamson are out for the season and C.J. Mosley and Quinnen Williams are battling fit. The Jets would do extremely well to upset the Browns here with their injuries piling up.

Jets fans are cursing their luck with Sam Darnold sidelined indefinitely. Backup quarterback Trevor Siemian has a 30-24 TD-INT record.

Bengals vs 49ers

Andy Dalton passed for a career-high 418 yards to go with two touchdowns, both thrown to a resurgent John Ross who increased his receiving yards by more than 50% in one half of football.

The 49ers offence was rescued by its defence for their opening win, as Jimmy Garoppolo gifted the Tampa D the first touchdown of the game as well as failing to pick the Bucs coverage scheme.

Cincinnati’s O-line eventually gave in to to Seattle’s pass-rush which is worrying, with the ferocity of the 49ers rush. Richard Sherman also held Mike Evans to his third-worst performance in his six-year career but he tends to struggle against speedy receivers.

This game should be won and lost between the Bengals wideouts and 49ers secondary with the juicy matchup of Ross vs. Sherman being key. Watch Tyler Boyd possibly fly under the radar in this one.