Shack and The Hack’s NFC North Predictions: Week 3
Sep 15, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) huddles with teammates during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Browns at Minnesota Vikings
Shack: The Vikings have played well in each of their first two games, just not well enough to win. In their first home game of the season they take on the Browns that have yet to find a way to win- and they just so happen don’t have their most dangerous offensive threat, Trent Richardson and their starting quarterback Brandon Weeden. The Browns are tanking this season to position themselves in the Teddy Bridgewater sweepstakes. Vikings should win this game easily.
Prediction: Vikings win 23-3
The Hack: How would you like to be one of the Cleveland players now that you know your team has officially thrown in the towel for this year by trading Trent Richardson away for a draft pick next year? The Vikings are winless so far this year and must be licking their chops at the thought of playing the leagues current doormat. I can see AD running for about 400 plus yards, kinda kidding here, and the Vikings passing game becoming untracked. Brain Hoyer’s first start in the bigs is going to be a very long day for him.
Prediction: Vikings-27, Brownies-10.
Chicago Bears at Pittsburgh Steelers
Shack: The Bears haven’t been overly impressive in their two wins, but the fact that they have won both games says something about their resiliency. On the flip side the Steelers aren’t the perennial playoff team they used to be and look to be one of the worse teams in the NFL. The Bears should have their way with the Steelers in this one.
Prediction: Bears 28-20
The Hack: The Steelers are a very un-Steeler like 0-2 and knows that they absolutely must win the big Sunday Night Showdown or they’ll be reminded incessantly that only 3 teams have ever started 0-3 and made the playoffs and it’s been 14 years since it last happened. Everything is going Da Bears way so far this year, heck Jay Cutler was even likable in his appearance on The League, and I don’t see the Steelers stoping their good fortune. Trestman’s Bears will be undefeated when they come marching into Ford Field next week. Just the way we like it.
Prediction: Chicago-33, Steelers-24.
Detroit Lions at Washington Redskins
Shack: My, oh my, did the Lions blow it last week. The Lions looked like the better team against the Cardinals, but they continue to beat themselves racking up a football field worth of penalty yards, missing two field goals, (three if you count their extra attempt) one of which was blocked, and had a costly fumble inside their own 10 yard line, which all contributed to a Cardinals win. This team may have the ability to win against anyone, but they won’t until they play more disciplined. With that said, going on the road against the Redskins, a place the Lions haven’t ever won, they will have to play smart and disciplined football to pull out a win. Since they haven’t shown they can do that, I like the Redskins in this game.
Prediction: Redskins win 30-21
The Hack: In the third game of the season, the Lions are already facing a must-win game against the winless Washington Redskins on the road. I expect Matthew Stafford to shred the Redskins secondary when they blitz, and they blitz often. Nick Fairley will be back this week and the defense should make RG3’s life miserable for another week. The Lions end this streak in the Nation’s capital before they end the one up north in two weeks. The Lions cover the over/under of penalties being 5. They only commit 4.
Prediction: Lions 35, Redskins 17
Shack and The Hack’s Game Of The Week:
Green Bay Packers at Cincinnati Bengals
Shack: The Packers will go as far as Aaron Rodgers’ arm takes them, but he has to have the time to throw. The offense played really good football against the 49ers in week one, regardless of how poor their offensive line played, but against the Bengals, who have one of the best pass rushers in the NFL in Geno Atkins, Rodgers won’t have time to go threw his progressions and will be forced out of the pocket all day. Although I still expect the Packers to put up points, I like the Bengals in this one.
Prediction: Bengals win 27-23
The Hack: The .500 Packers square off against another .500 team with Super Bowl aspirations on their home field. Both teams are coming off wins so somebody is going to be 1-2 after this week and their Super Bowl hopes on the ropes. The Bengals look real solid this year and I don’t think they’re intimidated one bit by the Packers. Their running back situation is shaky but the passing game is still there. If the Pack wins this game then maybe their still the Pack but I’m taking the home team on this one.
Prediction: Bengals24, Packers 21