By Ron Alderman
There are four games in the late window, and the Sunday Night Football game promises to be a cracker.
Arizona Cardinals (1-1) @ San Francisco 49ers (2-0)
This all-NFC West matchup sees the unbeaten 49ers host the Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers won both matches last season, the home game by a point and the game in Arizona by 19 points.
The Cardinals surprised the Chargers in Week 1, winning 26-14. However, they lost to the Seahawks 31-7 last week. QB Jacoby Brissett has completed 44 of 65 passes for 372 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. TE Trey McBride has 17 receptions for 136 yards and two touchdowns, with rookie RB Jeremiyah Love rushing for 70 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown.
The 49ers beat the Rams in Melbourne. They have also beaten the Dolphins (but that’s nothing special). QB Brock Purdy has completed 45 of 56 passes for 492 yards, five touchdowns and an interception. RB Christian McCaffrey has 91 yards on 20 carries and two touchdowns, whilst former Buc Mike Evans has nine receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown.
Prediction: The 49ers to beat the Cardinals by 10 points.
Minnesota Vikings (2-0) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2)
This game has been fairly close over the years, with the Buccaneers winning their last meeting in Week 1 of the 2023 season, 20-17. The Bucs have won three of the last five matchups.
The Vikings beat the Packers in Week 1 39-22, and despite the weather in Chicago, the Vikings held on to win 9-3. Starting QB Kyler Murray suffered a concussion in the game against the Packers and was replaced by Carson Wentz. Wentz has completed 23 of 39 passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns. Murray has now cleared concussion protocol and will start this game. WR Justin Jefferson has 11 receptions for 147 yards and two touchdowns, whilst RB Aaron Jones has 145 yards on 35 carries and a touchdown.
The Buccaneers have lost to two sides from the AFC North, the Bengals 33-27 in Week 1, and surprisingly the Browns 23-19 last week. QB Baker Mayfield has completed 44 of 62 passes for 398 yards, a touchdown and an interception. RB Bucky Irving has 134 yards on 25 carries and a touchdown. With Mike Evans going to the 49ers, WRs Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka are seeing the receptions. Godwin has seven receptions for 86 yards, whilst Egbuka has eight receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown.
Prediction: The Buccaneers beat the Vikings by three points.
Baltimore Ravens (1-1) @ Dallas Cowboys (1-1)
This 9:25pm BST matchup is at the world-famous Maracanã Stadium in Rio. The Ravens have won four of the last five meetings between the two, winning the last one in Week 3 of the 2024 season 28-25.
The Ravens beat the Colts 41-23 in Week 1 but were surprised by the Saints 24-17 last week. QB Lamar Jackson has completed 38 of 56 passes for 559 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, whilst rushing for 74 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown. RB Derrick Henry has already rushed for 212 yards on 40 carries and four touchdowns. WR Zay Flowers has five receptions for 150 yards and a touchdown.
The Cowboys have started their season with two divisional matchups, losing to the Giants 28-20 in Week 1, but beating the Commanders 37-20 last week. QB Dak Prescott has completed 48 of 65 passes for 454 yards, six touchdowns and an interception. WR CeeDee Lamb has 197 yards on 13 receptions and three touchdowns. RB Javonte Williams has 71 yards on 24 carries and a touchdown, with 51 yards on eight receptions and a touchdown.
Prediction: Tough game to call but I can see the Ravens beating the Cowboys by three points.
Las Vegas Raiders (2-0) @ New Orleans Saints (1-1)
Two sides with surprising records meet at the Caesars Superdome. The Raiders have won three of the last five meetings, with their Week 17 matchup in 2024 going 25-10 to the Raiders.
The Raiders beat the Dolphins 27-13 in Week 1, then beat the Chargers 26-14 last week. Despite drafting Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the draft, the Raiders have Kirk Cousins as the starter. Cousins has completed 40 of 59 passes for 413 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions. RB Ashton Jeanty has 150 yards on 44 carries, with 60 receiving yards on 10 receptions and two touchdowns. WR Tre Tucker has 146 yards on seven receptions and a touchdown.
The Saints lost in overtime by a point to the Lions 31-30 in Week 1 but surprised the Ravens last week with a 24-17 win. QB Tyler Shough has completed 62 of 90 passes for 662 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. WR Chris Olave has 268 yards on 18 receptions and a touchdown, whilst RB Travis Etienne has 71 yards on 17 carries.
Prediction: The Raiders to beat the Saints by three points.
Sunday Night Football – Los Angeles Rams (1-1) @ Denver Broncos (1-1)
This Sunday Night Football game promises to be a cracker, and could be a Super Bowl matchup come February. The last time these two sides met was a Christmas cracker as the Rams destroyed the Broncos 51-14 in 2022.
After their defeat to the 49ers in Australia in Week 1, the Rams got back to winning ways, beating the Giants 28-6 last week. Veteran QB Matthew Stafford has completed 37 of 56 passes for 482 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. WR Davante Adams has 221 yards on 11 receptions and two touchdowns. RB Kyren Williams has 126 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown, with 36 yards on five receptions and a touchdown.
The Broncos lost to the Chiefs 31-10 in Week 1, but turned over the Jaguars 20-13 last week. QB Bo Nix has completed 39 of 59 passes for 419 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Former Dolphin Jaylen Waddle has 140 yards on nine receptions, whilst RB J.K. Dobbins has 72 yards on 18 carries.
Prediction: The Rams beat the Broncos by three points.
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