The season is two weeks in and we’re in for 15 more! Are you hyped? How are the games looking out for you? Which teams or players have surprised you? To surprise you even more, here are some Week 3 underdogs that we believe can overcome the odds.
Why the Raiders will win: On-the-rise QB Derek Carr is causing a lot of optimism in Raider Nation. There is zero doubt that he is the type of quarterback they have been waiting for. Over the last two weeks, he has a 70-percent completion rate, four passing TDs, no picks, no sacks, and one awesome dive (they won that game against the Saints, 35-34).
The Fresno State standout is currently averaging 29 completions per game. With his skills and the talented receivers around him, you can expect Carr to match or exceed the stat. Latavius Murray can provide yardage on the ground when he’s on, but he’s only getting 11 carries a game, which is below his 16.6 average last season. Head coach Jack Del Rio may slowly increase Murray’s rushing chances and this game could be it, especially after seeing the Titans’ inconsistency in stopping the run (after holding Adrian Peterson to 31 yards, they let the Lions run for 137).
Why the Raiders will lose: Disappointing is an appropriate word for this Raiders defense. On paper, they have names that can make your eyes light up: Khalil Mack, Malcolm Smith, Sean Smith… it goes on. On the field, however, they are playing like Moe, Larry, and Curly (they are 31st in points allowed and last in yards allowed). If Titans QB Marcus Mariota and his all-around back DeMarco Murray can turn up the pressure on Oakland’s underperforming D, they may win.
San Diego Chargers (+2.5) at Indianapolis Colts (-2.5); total: 51.5 (Sun, Sep. 25, 4:25 PM ET)
Why the Chargers will win: Every San Diego Chargers game is usually about the opposing team’s ability to keep up with a fast-paced offense. By the numbers, at least for this season, the Indianapolis Colts defense has not done an acceptable job in stopping any kind of offense. At 36.5 points allowed per game, they are dead last in the league.
Look for Philip Rivers to do what he does best: slinging the ball to his receiving corps. Losing Keenan Allen and Danny Woodhead for the season (both with torn ACLs) were tough blows, but don’t think for a second that the QB will have problems moving the pigskin. Rivers has passed for over 4,000 yards in seven of his last eight seasons.
Stepping up in place of those two losses are Travis Benjamin, the Bolts’ current leader in targets (14), receptions (13), receiving yards (147), and receiving touchdowns (2). Second-year running back Melvin Gordon, whose numbers are finally looking like it’s from a first-round pick (38 rushes, 159 yards, 3 touchdowns), will also be a threat to Indy from the Chargers’ backfield.
Why the Chargers will lose: A Colts win will happen if their defense can wake up, and Andrew Luck can go crazy, like 2014 crazy, when he tossed a league-leading 40 TDs. It’s not that far-fetched since Luck has decent numbers entering Week 3 (290 yards per game, five TDs, one pick). With the Chargers being perennial underdogs in sacks and picks (they haven’t cracked the top 20 of these categories’ stats in three years), both QBs are positioned to gain yards like it’s college again.
Writer’s Prediction: TheChargers (+2.5) win a shootout, 38-34.
Atlanta Falcons (+3) at New Orleans Saints (-3); total: 53.5 (Mon, Sep. 26, 8:30 PM ET)
Why the Falcons will win: Matt Ryan’s impressive 73-percent completion rate is bound to be maintained or even be increased against the New Orleans Saints. The QB is passing like there are no defenders around, while the Saints are defending like they have no hands… or eyes. Combining the numbers of their past two outings, New Orleans’s opposing QBs have completed 56 of 79 passes (70.8 percent).
Joining Ryan in trying to pile up the points on the Saints are All-Pro receiver Julio Jones and last year’s fantasy football steal Devonta Freeman. The two are leading the team in receiving yards (172) and rushing yards (113), respectively.
Why the Falcons will lose: Atlanta will have to pressure Drew Brees as much as it can. The future Hall-of-Famer is currently averaging 343 passing yards, while his two leading receivers are netting 100-plus receiving yards per game (Brandin Cooks – 105.5, Willie Snead – 113). The Falcons have already lost a game to a divisional rival when they folded to the Bucs in Week 1, 31-24. If they let Brees be Brees, they may be looking at a follow-up.
Writer’s Prediction: TheFalcons(+3) avoid a second consecutive division rival loss, 28-21.
