Pro Picks: Broncos will beat the
Rams in a possible Super Bowl preview
[September 24, 2026]
By ROB MAADDI
Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams’ dynamic offense vs.
Denver’s stout defense is a potential Super Bowl preview in Week 3.
The Rams knocked Jaxson Dart out of the game and dominated the New
York Giants, but have a short turnaround after a Monday night home
win.
All-Pros Patrick Surtain II, Zach Allen and the rest of the Broncos’
defense will be a difficult challenge for Stafford, who threw two of
his four touchdown passes to Davante Adams with Puka Nacua
sidelined.
The Bo Nix-Jaylen Waddle connection got in rhythm. Nix will have to
deal with Aaron Donald this week.
The Rams are 26-19 against the spread as road favorites under coach
Sean McVay. They’re 2 1/2-point favorites in Denver.
Pro Picks likes the home team.
BRONCOS: 23-21
ATLANTA (0-2) at GREEN BAY (1-1)
Line: Packers minus 5 1/2
Michael Penix Jr. will start for the struggling Falcons in his first
game back following ACL surgery. He’ll face a defense that has seven
sacks and is allowing just 3.9 yards per play. But the Packers have
been sloppy, committing 26 penalties. Jordan Love should get the
offense going against Atlanta’s defense.
PACKERS: 27-16
SEATTLE (2-0) at WASHINGTON (0-2)
Line: Seahawks minus 7
Sam Darnold could return for the defending Super Bowl champions.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba already has four touchdown catches. Marcus
Mariota replaces Jayden Daniels, who injured his non-throwing elbow
again for the Commanders. Washington is 3-7 without Daniels. Seattle
shouldn’t have trouble winning its 13th straight game.
BEST BET: SEAHAWKS: 26-12
KANSAS CITY (2-0) at MIAMI (0-2)
Line: Chiefs minus 11 1/2
Patrick Mahomes is playing like a three-time Super Bowl MVP, Kenneth
Walker III has added a new dimension for Kansas City’s offense and
Travis Kelce turned the clock back a few years to his prime. The
Dolphins are completely overmatched. The Chiefs are only 2-8 ATS in
their last 10 games but last season was a disaster.
CHIEFS: 31-13
CAROLINA (1-1) at CLEVELAND (1-1)
Line: Panthers minus 2 1/2
Bryce Young is playing the best football of his career and Devin
Lloyd helped Carolina’s defense make a dramatic turnaround after
giving up 59 points. Don’t tell Todd Monken the Browns are the same
old Browns. Deshaun Watson just needed to face the Buccaneers to go
back to his Houston form.
PANTHERS: 23-22
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (0-2) at BUFFALO (2-0)
Line: Bills minus 7
Jim Harbaugh had never been 0-2 as a head coach until he hired Mike
McDaniel to run his offense. Justin Herbert and his teammates are
out of sync and need to turn it around quickly. Josh Allen and the
Bills are the complete opposite. Buffalo’s dynamic offense has
overcome a shaky defense.
BILLS: 27-23
CINCINNATI (2-0) at PITTSBURGH (1-1)
Line: Bengals minus 3 1/2
Joe Burrow and Cincinnati’s offense don’t have to win shootouts
anymore. They finally have a tough defense. That’s bad news for
Aaron Rodgers and Pittsburgh’s stumbling offense. The Bengals are
7-3 ATS in their last 10 games.
BENGALS: 23-17
HOUSTON (0-2) at INDIANAPOLIS (0-2)
Line: Texans minus 2 1/2
This is a matchup between two teams with high aspirations that are
now desperate to avoid an 0-3 start. Houston’s defense got back on
track but C.J. Stroud and the offense couldn’t score last week. The
Colts nearly upset the Chiefs on the road but coach Shane Steichen
played it safe in overtime and they fell short. Indianapolis has
lost nine straight games since an 8-2 start last season.
UPSET SPECIAL: COLTS: 19-17
NEW YORK JETS (1-1) at DETROIT (1-1)
Line: Lions minus 6 1/2
Aaron Glenn goes back to Detroit where he was defensive coordinator
for four seasons. He could’ve been 2-0 if not for poor clock
management. The turnover-prone Geno Smith has protected the ball in
his return to the Jets. The Lions are struggling on defense without
their starting safeties so they’ll need Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs and
their prolific offense to outscore opponents.
LIONS: 30-20
[to top of second column] |
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws a pass
during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York
Giants in Inglewood, Calif., Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Katie
Chin)
NEW ENGLAND (1-1) at JACKSONVILLE (1-1)
Line: Jaguars minus 2 1/2
Drake Maye is struggling, A.J. Brown is out a few more weeks, the
offensive line is banged-up and the Patriots are having trouble on
offense. They’ll need a strong defensive effort against Trevor
Lawrence and the Jaguars, who are coming off a poor performance in
Denver.
JAGUARS: 23-20
TENNESSEE (0-2) at NEW YORK GIANTS (1-1)
Line: Giants minus 2 1/2
The Titans had the Eagles on the ropes but fell short of giving
Robert Saleh his first win. Jeffery Simmons should give Jameis
Winston plenty of trouble. Winston will have a week to prepare for
this one after replacing Jaxson Dart. That’ll help the Giants get in
sync on offense.
GIANTS: 20-19
ARIZONA (1-1) at SAN FRANCISCO (2-0)
Line: 49ers minus 8 1/2
Are the Cardinals the team that upset the Chargers or got walloped
by the Seahawks? Brock Purdy has the 49ers’ offense operating
smoothly. But their depleted receiving corps lost Demarcus Robinson
(ankle) and they need more in the run game.
49ERS: 24-17
MINNESOTA (2-0) at TAMPA BAY (0-2)
Line: Vikings minus 1 1/2
Kyler Murray is back for the Vikings to play against a defense that
made Watson look like a Pro Bowl quarterback. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s
defense shut down the Bears and now faces mistake-prone Baker
Mayfield and the skidding Buccaneers. Todd Bowles’ seat is getting
hotter after a 2-9 stretch, going back to last season. Tampa Bay
hasn’t covered the spread in 10 straight games.
BUCCANEERS: 20-17
LAS VEGAS (2-0) at NEW ORLEANS (1-1)
Line: Saints minus 3
Klint Kubiak, Kirk Cousins and the Raiders could match the team’s
2025 win total with another victory. They have a balanced offense
and the revamped defense has allowed just 28 points. Tyler Shough
and the resilient Saints need to avoid falling behind again by
double digits. If the offense can start fast for once, they’ll be in
control. New Orleans has covered eight straight games.
SAINTS 24-19
BALTIMORE (1-1) vs. DALLAS (1-1), in Brazil
Line: Ravens minus 3
Lamar Jackson vs. Dak Prescott on a neutral field in Rio de Janeiro
should light up the scoreboard. Jackson could have a big day running
and throwing. Field conditions could be a factor. Offenses have the
advantage. So does the team that handles the long travel best.
RAVENS: 30-26
PHILADELPHIA (2-0) at CHICAGO (1-1)
Line: Eagles minus 4 1/2
Jalen Hurts overcame two picks and rallied Philadelphia to a late
win in Tennessee. An extra day of rest should help the Eagles, who
have several players banged-up. The Bears could be down to
third-string QB Case Keenum with Caleb Williams (hamstring)
week-to-week and Tyson Bagent in concussion protocol. That won’t be
easy against Jalen Carter and a fierce defense. Bears are 3-0 ATS as
home underdogs under coach Ben Johnson. That's with Williams.
EAGLES: 27-16
___
Last week: Straight up: 10-6. Against spread: 8-8.
Overall: Straight up: 20-12. Against spread: 13-19.
Best Bet: Straight up: 2-0. Against spread: 1-1.
Upset Special: Straight up: 0-2. Against spread: 1-1.
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