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Patrick Mahomes is looking to expand a record start; the Packers hope to bounce back to Washington; and the Los Angeles teams are playing for the first time since 1994.
People tend to like touchdowns and close games, so this N.F.L. the season has really delivered. N.F.L. produced the most touchdowns and second highest points in the last two weeks of its history, and according to the league, 25 of the 32 games were at one point in the fourth quarter. For those who like to take into account the drama, there were even nine returns in the fourth quarter.
This week, the Rams are trying to prove that they are the team to beat in the NFL, while Patrick Mahomes and Ryan Fitzpatrick are trying to show that their hot starts are not just a stroke of luck, and Matt Patricia confronts her former boss, Bill Belichick. . A reasonable assumption: a lot of touchdowns, a lot of points and more than a few close games.
Here is an overview of this week's program, with all the choices made against the points gap.
Last week's record: 10-6
Overall record: 21-10-1
High end games
49ers at the chefs, 1 pm, Fox
The world of football has struggled to quantify the incredible quarterback of Chiefs Patrick Mahomes in the first two weeks of the season, but one statistic sums it up: he set a record of touchdowns in the first three starts in career.
The reason is that Mahomes did not throw a single touchdown pass on his first start, which took place in the last game of last season. So even after spotting all the quarterbacks of N.F.L. story a game, he's always out in the lead.
The 10 touchdowns of Mahomes lead N.F.L. and the Chiefs (2-0) seem unstoppable. They were so much fun that there was little attention paid to their defense giving 217 yards more than their offense. As long as Mahomes throws four to six touchdown passes each week – and no interception – a deficit of this kind can be manageable. But if it regresses to average even slightly, the jig could be up.
Enter the 49ers (1-1), who have their own young quarterback who will be thrilled by Jimmy Garoppolo and the best supporter of N.F.L. in Matt Breida. San Francisco has been disappointed so far, but if Marquise Goodwin returns to the attack and Reuben Foster makes his season debut on the defensive, this match could be much closer than expected in Las Vegas. To choose: 49ers +6.5
Chargers in Rams, 16:05, CBS
Scoring more than 30 points in each of their first two games was hardly surprising for the Rams (2-0), who were the best players in the N.F.L. last season and should only benefit from the addition of the receiver Brandin Cooks and another year of development of Cooper Kupp receiver. The question is whether the team's defense, which has added several stars this season, is really as good as the one suggested by the 13 points it has allowed so far.
This first battle between the Los Angeles teams since 1994 will serve as a good test of the Rams' performance against a high level attack. Quarterback Philip Rivers and the Chargers (1-1) will certainly do more damage than those in Oakland or Arizona, but if the Rams defense continues to match their offensive, the rest of the league may want to call it's a season. To choose: Rams -7
Patriots to the Lions, 20.20, NBC
There are many reasons why this match is a high-level matchup, but none has to do with the quality of the teams' play so far this season. The Patriots (1-1) followed the Super Bowl defeat last year with a tight win over Houston and a pretty embarrassing loss for Jacksonville. It's even better than the Lions (0-2), who gave 78 bad points.
Among the things to watch for:
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Coach Matt Patricia faces New England after 14 years as coach of the Patriots;
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Josh Gordon, the talented wide receiver, could play for the Patriots despite a hamstring injury that would be part of Cleveland's decision to part with him;
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The New England defense, which allowed 276 passing yards to a game, attempted to contain Matthew Stafford, who averaged 323.5.
If Patricia beats her former boss, the first two weeks of the season will certainly be disappointing, but the wait for two bad consecutive games from Tom Brady and the Patriots seems stingy. To choose: Patriots -6.5
Packers at Redskins, 1 pm, Fox
The Packers (1-0-1) want to believe that a hard blow against Clay Matthews cost them a win last week. While they have a point, they ignore the fact that Green Bay needed a punt blocked for a touchdown, and a performance so horrible by the opposing kicker that it was immediately released by the team, tied. Tight games and frustration are likely to define the Packers season as long as Aaron Rodgers is severely limited in his movements due to a knee injury. The veteran superstar gives Green Bay a much better chance of winning than his replacement, DeShone Kizer, but anyway, a good team like Washington (1-1) is a tough match on the road. To choose: Redskin +3
Thursday night matchup
Jets at Browns, 8:20 pm, NFL Network
If the Browns (0-1-1) seemed cursed to continue their winless streak in the first week, this feeling only intensified in the second week, when Zane Gonzalez missed a point extra, depriving Cleveland of 4 potential points in a 3-point loss. This is the type of ripper that a franchise sometimes needs to rank 1-32-1 in two seasons or more. Now facing the Jets (1-1), which have been great in Week 1 and much less at Week 2, the Browns are favored. A key to justifying this Las Vegas faith would be that Tyrod Taylor rediscovers the precision for which he was known in the past. To choose: Browns -3
Second level games
Colts at Eagles, 1 pm, Fox
If Colts (1-1) fans seemed thrilled by Andrew Luck's return to Week 1, just wait for Philadelphia fans to see Carson Wentz take the field for the Eagles (1). -1). It's hard to imagine that the team's fans are more excited about the Super Bowl's MVP competition, but Philadelphia fans seem to have found a balance between being grateful to Nick Foles the better their team is with Wentz on the ground. The question now is whether Wentz can do all the remarkable things he did on the field before the devastating knee injury of last year. To choose: Colts +6.5
Saints at Falcons, 1 pm, Fox
The saints (1-1) were expected to miss running back Mark Ingram (suspended for the first four games after a performance-enhancing drug test) at the attack. But unless he wants to defend himself on his return, New Orleans has bigger problems. The Saints allowed 868 total yards in two games, losing to Tampa Bay and beating Cleveland. Now, they go on the road to face the Falcons (1-1), a team with an attack that shames these two other teams. To choose: Falcons -3
Titans at Jaguars13h, CBS
The Titans (1-1) are trying to start a serious injury to Marcus Mariota (elbow injury) or a severely limited Blaine Gabbert (overall capacity) against the Jaguars (2-0), who have just rolled Blake Bortles and their solid defense. a pretty easy victory over the Patriots. To choose: Jaguars (off)
Bengals at Panthers, 13h, CBS
The Bengals (2-0) took an incredible start, especially at the attack, and if the Panthers (1-1) did not produce as many points, there is every reason to believe that match will be a high score. case. Andy Dalton and A.J. of Cincinnati Green appeared as good as a pair of quarter-receivers in the N.F.L. Besides the Buccaneers, Ryan Fitzpatrick and DeSean Jackson, but Carolina is rightly favored at home. To choose: Panthers -3
Bills at Vikings, 13h, CBS
Without a performance worthy of the name, the Vikings (1-0-1) would be 2-0. To try again to avoid such a fate, they signed Dan Bailey, the second most accurate kicker of N.F.L. history. Things are not so rosy for Bills (0-2). The biggest problem with cornerback Vontae Davis' half-time retreat last week is that other players on the team know it's an option. To choose: Invoices +16,5
Broncos in the Ravens13h, CBS
The Broncos (2-0) have come a long way in their two wins, and they may have won the gold medal with running back Phillip Lindsay, an undrafted rookie who has played more than 100 yards in both games. games. But all this good news is tempered by a lack of consistency on both sides of the ball. The Ravens (1-1) showed last week that their erupting victory in the first week was a stroke of luck, but they have done enough in defense for this match to be tight. To choose: Broncos +5
Background games
Raiders at Dolphins, 13h, CBS
The most interesting part of this match could be the national anthem, when Marshawn Lynch of the Raiders (0-2) will likely be sitting on the bench while Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson of the Dolphins (2-0) will be seated on the bench. kneel in the continuity of the protest to raise awareness of the brutality of the police. Once the game starts, the outcome will likely be determined by Oakland's ability to turn all of his winnings into points. To choose: Raiders +3
Bear with the Cardinals, 4:25 pm, Fox
Khalil Mack's show is broadcast once a week. The rest of the Bears (1-1) are not up to their defensive star. Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky looked particularly problematic last week – but against the unfortunate cardinals (0-2), a one-man show is enough. To choose: Bear -6
Cowboys at Seahawks, 4:25 pm, Fox
The Cowboys (1-1) looked so good on both sides of the ball against the Giants last week that it's surprising that the final score – 20-13 – is so close. More surprising is the fact that the Seahawks (0-2) have been quite competitive despite the lack of racing game and a porous defense. To choose: Cowboys +1.5
Giants with Texans, 1 pm, Fox
The main difference between these teams without a win is that some experts thought the Texans (0-2) could be good this season while the Giants (0-2) were widely considered a reconstruction project. Houston has more talent and at one point, quarterback Deshaun Watson explodes for a huge game, but he will need consistency from his offensive to make that happen. To choose: Texans -6
Monday matchup
Steelers at Buccaneers, 8:15 pm, ESPN
The Steelers (0-1-1) are probably not as bad as they have appeared, and the Buccaneers (2-0) should refrain from making plans for the Super Bowl. But there is no doubt that the team has had more fun this season.
Ryan Fitzpatrick's relationship with DeSean Jackson was remarkable – and he was almost as productive as Mike Evans. But it is worth remembering that Fitzpatrick's consecutive games of 400 yards or more passing and at least four touchdowns equaled a note from N.F.L. Record set by Dan Marino, the record was also matched by the very forgettable Billy Volek in 2004. In Volek's attempt to make three straight games with such showy statistics, he managed only eight achievements and 111 yards.
Fitzpatrick has the opportunity to participate in another important game, especially as Pittsburgh allowed Patrick Mahomes to throw six touchdowns last week. And while the Steelers' offense faces several problems early in the season, coach Mike Tomlin has to find a way for his team to win or he could be in the hot seat, despite winning a Super Bowl for a franchise that values stability in the coaching profession. To choose: Steelers -1
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