This weeks games are: Vikings @ Panthers, Lions @ Packers, Broncos @ Bengals, Steelers @ Eagles, and Redskins @ Giants (in lieu of an upset pick).
Winners are in ALL CAPS.
Erik Ritland (director of The Sports Ramble and podcast host)
Record: 6-4
Vikings @ PANTHERS
I was going to pick the Vikings until the Kalil and Peterson news came in. If the Vikings pull it off it will be there signature win. Nothing's gonna stop us, now...
Lions @ PACKERS
This is going to be a closer game than expected, as the Packers are reeling and division games are always tough. The same people who say that there's no way the Lions win this also thought the same thing last year (when the Lions won at Lambeau, remember?).
Broncos @ BENGALS
The Bengals are the above average team they've always been, and at home they'll have the extra advantage to give the Broncos their first loss of the year.
STEELERS @ Eagles
Pump the breaks, folks: Carson Wentz is facing his first decent defense his week, so we'll finally see what he's actually made of. So far at least, since once there's more tape on him he'll become even easier to expose. If he passes this test, though, with the help of his home crowd behind him, I'll be more willing to say he's as good as people think he is. Once again, my heart says Philadelphia though, so we'll see how it plays out.
Redskins @ GIANTS
Of all my 2016 predictions the Giants being the team to beat in the NFC East is looking to be one of the better ones. The Redskins finishing second? Not so much.
Mike Coenen (co-host of the Sports Ramble podcast and contributor)
Record: 7-3
Vikings @ PANTHERS
The Vikings and Sam Bradford will come back down to earth this week. The defense will play well but won't get the turnovers they did against the Packers and the offense will struggle. They'll come out flat and lose a low scoring game.
Lions @ PACKERS
The Packers will rebound against a Lion squad that blew a solid lead in the fourth quarter last week. Aaron Rodgers will look like the MVP quarterback that he is and finally get in sync with Jordy Nelson.
Broncos @ BENGALS
Broncos have been relying too much on defense already this season. Although its the league's best it won't be good enough to stop the Red Rifle at home.
STEELERS @ Eagles
The Eagles and Carson Wentz will suffer from the Monday Night Football hangover. The Eagle defense made Jay Cutler look like the first year rookie, but no such luck with Big Ben. Steelers dominate.
Redskins @ GIANTS
Media reports say that Redskins players have already turned on Kirk Cousins after two games. After this week's game against the resurgent Giant defense they will have even more reason to dislike him. Cousins struggles again with a sloppy, turn-over filled effort, and Washington goes to 0-3.
John Morton (Sports Ramble contributor and Fully Alive podcast co-host)
Record: 9-1
VIKINGS @ Panthers
Lions @ PACKERS
Broncos @ BENGALS
STEELERS @ Eagles
Redskins @ GIANTS
Michael Emms (Sports Ramble contributor)
Record: 5-5
Vikings @ PANTHERS
Only two teams have beat the Panthers since the last time the Vikings played them. The Vikings won that game courtesy of two blocked punts returned for touchdowns and Mike ZImmer's defense limiting Cam Newton. They'll likely shut him down pretty well again this week. However, with all the moving pieces on offense it is hard to imagine the Vikings scoring enough points to win.
Lions @ PACKERS
The Packers are not as good as 'experts' imagined. However, they are still better than the Lions.
BRONCOS @ Bengals (This is somehow an upset?)
I am not yet a believer in Trevor Siemian, but the Denver pass rush is exactly the kind of thing that Bengals QB Andy Dalton struggles with.
STEELERS @ Eagles
The Steelers make a lot of mistakes on defense, but they are super athletic and far better than anything Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz has faced. I expect the battle of Pennsylvania to go to the Three River City.
Redskins @ GIANTS
Eli Manning has been more consistent under Coach Ben McAdoo than any other point of his career (including the two years he won Super Bowls). Kirk Cousins continues to be a feast or famine quarterback with a killer catch phrase.
You like that?!
Ricardo Lopez (Sports Ramble contributor)
Record: 8-2
VIKINGS @ Panthers
Although the toughest match-up of the season I think we will come out and show we can play with the big boys.
LIONS @ Packers
We just really need the roar to be restored this weekend
BRONCOS @ Bengals
STEELERS @ Eagles
I'm incredibly excited for this game. Weintz is a stud but the Steelers are just too much to handle
49ERS @ Seahwaks (upset)
I really liked what I saw week one from the 49ers and it's not too weird for a team to get pounded by Carolina. The Seahawks offense isn't capable of putting up points (13 in two games) and it's the perfect time for an upset against them.
Chip Matthews
Record: 8-2
Vikings @ PANTHERS
With the news this week about Peterson and Kalil the Vikings are hurting. As good as the defense is their offense is left in trouble. With questionable line play last week against the Packers the loss of Kalil hurts more than the loss of Peterson. The Panthers will win this game by 7, although it could easily also get out of hand and be lopsided or the Vikings could win on great defense.
Lions @ PACKERS
Rodgers doesn't look like the Aaron Rodgers football fans have known (he could be showing that he is human) but the Packers defense is much better than expected this year. They will still beat the Lions in a lopsided victory.
BRONCOS @ Bengals
This game has a lot of intrigue. The Bengals aren't a super team by any means and they may not even make a playoff push. But Cincinnati is still a tough place to play. However, I pick the defending super bowl champs by 3.
STEELERS @ Eagles
One of the most intense rivalries in the NFL is one that a lot of people will watch closely, as a hotshot rookie QB will be getting his first challenge against a defense that has been good for years. I don't think he'll pull off the upset. Steelers by 10.
RAIDERS @ Texans (upset)
This game comes down to special teams and defense. The Radiers defense sucks against the run, something like 4.5 yards per carry. With that said I still think the they will pull the upset on a late field goal.
Evelyn Moreno (Sports Ramble contributor)
Record: 7-3
Vikings @ PANTHERS
This one will be very close. Both teams have a great defense but are each missing their star running back. Picking with my head and not with my heart.
Lions @ PACKERS
The Vikings tickled the dragon with last weeks loss so Rodgers will probably throw for four touchdowns. Also it's the Lions with no Megatron. So sad.
BRONCOS @ Bengals
Defense wins games. And championships, for that matter.
STEELERS @ Eagles
Redskins @ GIANTS
Marshall Nystrom (Sports Ramble contributor)
Record: 7-3
VIKINGS @ Panthers
Lions @ PACKERS
BRONCOS @ Bengals
STEELERS @ Eagles
REDSKINS @ Giants
James Keller (Sports Ramble contributor)
Record: 7-3
Vikings @ PANTHERS
Lions @ PACKERS
BRONCOS @ Bengals
STEELERS @ Eagles
BEARS @ Cowboys (upset)