Art by Ali Levens
Week 2 brought us a ream of upsets— and with it, a ream of PGM sports writers with incorrect predictions. The New York Jets and the Jacksonville Jaguars, both classic punching bags of their divisions, pulled out commendable wins against clear favorites: the Browns and the Colts, respectively. Seemingly adding on to this trend, the Detroit Lions began to show the claws.
Following this theme of change, we saw several backup quarterbacks step up in Week 2. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo stepped back into the saddle to lead the 49ers to a win over their divisional rival, the Seahawks, after an injury to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance’s ankle. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush, who played in place of quarterback Dak Prescott after his week 1 injury, aided by an impressive defensive performance, led the Cowboys to a victory over the favored Cincinnati Bengals.
Despite this, some things remained the same. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, aided by an expert receiving core and protection from elite offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs, put up another winning performance. The Chicago Bears humiliated themselves yet again on primetime against the Green Bay Packers.
This week looks to continue that trend as teams begin to find their footing.
Meanwhile, our NFL picks column looks to find some footing as well in their pursuit of all-mighty predictive glory. It appears to be upset season.
Thursday, Sept. 22, at 5:15 p.m., PDT
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
- Steelers: Maximilian, Jerry, Sam
- Browns: Lucian, Zack, Ali, Alec, Jaan, Zack
“The AFC North is wide open, especially since the Benglas have started 0-2. There’s a lot to play for in this game, and if I know anything about football, it’s that the Browns always perform under pressure!”—Alec
“Steelers need to redeem themselves after Week 2’s meltdown. Why not pick on the Browns a little more?”—Jerry
Sunday, Sept. 25, at 10 a.m., PDT
New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers
- Saints: Maximilian, Zack, Lucian, Ali, Alec, Jaan, Sam
- Panthers: Jerry
Sunday, Sept. 25, at 10 a.m., PDT
Houston Texans at Chicago Bears
- Texans: Lucian, Zack
- Bears: Ali, Maximilian, Alec, Jaan, Jerry, Sam
Sunday, Sept. 25, at 10 a.m., PDT
Kansas City Chiefs at Indianapolis Colts
- Chiefs: Maximilian, Lucian, Zack, Ali, Alec, Jaan, Jerry, Sam
- Colts: Nobody
Sunday, Sept. 25, at 10 a.m., PDT
Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins
- Bills: Ali, Lucian, Zack, Alec, Jaan, Sam
- Dolphins: Maximilian, Jerry
Sunday, Sept. 25, at 10 a.m., PDT
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings
- Lions: Maximilian, Lucian, Zack
- Vikings: Ali, Alec, Jaan, Jerry, Sam
“Vikings are out for revenge after a tough Week 2 matchup with the Eagles. Expect the Vikings to bounce back.”—Jerry
“I never even liked the griddy.”—Zack
Sunday, Sept. 25, at 10 a.m., PDT
Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots
- Ravens: Maximilian, Lucian, Zack, Alec, Jaan, Sam
- Patriots: Ali, Jerry
Sunday, Sept. 25, at 10 a.m., PDT
Cincinnati Bengals at New York Jets
- Bengals: Ali, Lucian, Zack, Alec, Jaan, Jerry, Sam
- Jets: Maximilian
Sunday, Sept. 25, at 10 a.m., PDT
Las Vegas Raiders at Tennessee Titans
- Raiders: Ali, Lucian, Zack, Maximilian, Jaan, Sam
- Titans: Alec, Jerry
Sunday, Sept. 25, at 10 a.m., PDT
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders
- Eagles: Ali, Lucian, Zack, Alec, Jaan
- Commanders: Maximilian, Jerry
Sunday, Sept. 25, at 1:05 p.m., PDT
Jacksonville Jaguars at Los Angeles Chargers
- Jaguars: Alec, Sam, Jerry
- Chargers: Lucian, Zack, Ali, Maximilian, Jaan
Sunday, Sept. 25, at 1:25 p.m., PDT
Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals
- Rams: Ali, Zack, Sam
- Cardinals: Lucian, Maximilian, Alec, Jaan, Jerry
“When it comes to trends, I’ve always lived a bit in the past. I’m still on the Kyler Murray hype train from last year. Let me tell you folks, it’s a great place to be.”—Alec
“It’s a no brainer to choose the Rams when the Cards are kind of bad. Rams have much more ammunition in their pistols.”—Ali
Sunday, Sept. 25, at 1:25 p.m., PDT
Atlanta Falcons at Seattle Seahawks
- Falcons: Lucian, Maximilian, Jaan
- Seahawks: Ali, Zack, Alec, Sam
Sunday, Sept. 25, at 1:25 p.m., PDT
Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Packers: Sam
- Buccaneers: Maximilian, Lucian, Zack, Ali, Alec, Jaan, Jerry
“Watching the Packers lose makes me happy.”—Maximilian
“Long live the cheese hat.”—Sam
Sunday, Sept. 25, at 5:20 p.m., PDT
San Francisco 49ers at Denver Broncos
- 49ers: Lucian, Zack, Maximilian, Alec, Jaan, Sam, Jerry
- Broncos: Ali
Monday, Sept. 26, at 5:15 p.m., PDT
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
- Cowboys: Jaan
- Giants: Ali, Lucian, Zack, Maximilian, Alec, Jerry, Sam
“Shoutout to Cooper Rush.”—Jaan
“You know, I have gotten some heat for my last stance regarding the cowboys, but I am standing by it. Giants all the way.”—Lucian
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Contact Max Pohlenz via email maximilian.pohlenz@pepperdine.edu
