The Washington Commanders are looking to begin the season 2-0 for the first time since 2011 as they face the Detroit Lions in Week 2. The Commanders defeated the Jaguars in Week 1, while the Lions dropped their season opener, 38-35, to the Eagles.
This Week 2 game is a toss-up with the sportsbooks. The Lions opened as slight favorites over the Commanders and now are only 0.5-point favorites.
How do the experts view this weekend’s game?
According to NFL Pick Watch, 64% of the experts picking Sunday’s game believe the Lions will defeat the Commanders. This is a bit of a surprise. Not the Lions being favorites, but 64% of the pickers choosing the Lions. The game could truly go either way.
The experts are siding with the Colts over the Jaguars in Week 2.
The Indianapolis Colts (0-0-1) will head south to Duval County for a Week 2 road matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1) at TIAA Bank Field.
Looking to get the proverbial monkey off their back, the Colts haven’t walked away with a win in Jacksonville since the 2014 season. Though they are favored entering the matchup, Colts fans know this game will be no cake walk.
Here’s how the experts see the game going in Week 2:
Expert
Pick
Score (if applicable)
Nate Davis (USA TODAY)
Colts
27-24
Mike Jones (USA TODAY)
Colts
30-25
Jarrett Bell (USA TODAY)
Colts
24-20
Mike Clay (ESPN)
Colts
N/A
Dan Graziano (ESPN)
Jaguars
N/A
Gregg Rosenthall (NFL Network)
Colts
23-20
Bill Bender (Sporting News)
Colts
28-21
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports)
Jaguars
26-23
Adam Stites (Jaguars Wire)
Jaguars
27-20
Jess Root (Sportsbook Wire)
Colts
N/A
Cam DaSilva (Sportsbook Wire)
Colts
N/A
Bleacher Report
Colts
26-20
Over on Tallysight, 77% of the analysts are choosing the Colts to win the game while only 57% are picking them to cover the spread.
We should not be expecting an easy win for the Colts here. In fact, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they lost this game. In the way they came out flat in Week 1 coupled with the massive injuries they’re dealing with going into the weekend, there are some concerning narratives taking place.
We’ll see if the Colts can right the ship down in Jacksonville on Sunday, and that’s how the experts around the league see it going down.
Tracking the expert picks in the Week 1 matchup between the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles
The Detroit Lions are one of several home underdogs in NFL Week 1. It seems few of the professional game prognosticators see the Lions pulling off the upset over the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Washington Commanders and Jacksonville Jaguars meet Sunday in Week 1 of the NFL season. With plenty of other compelling matchups on the schedule, such as quarterback-revenge games like Russell Wilson and Baker Mayfield facing their former teams, this game has flown under the radar.
While not as widely known, there are compelling storylines for the Commanders and Jaguars. First, Jacksonville guard Brandon Scherff makes his return to Washington after spending the first seven seasons of his NFL career there, including the final two as the franchise player.
Next, Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz faces his former head coach, as Doug Pederson is in his first game as Jacksonville’s head coach. The pair spent five seasons together in Philadelphia.
The Indianapolis Colts (0-0) are looking to snap an eight-year losing streak on opening day when they visit the Houston Texans (0-0) at NRG Stadium on Sunday.
The Week 1 matchup may look like an easy win given that the Colts are viewed as heavy favorites to open the season, but the end of the 2021 season likely has fans taking more of a cautiously optimistic approach.
Here’s how the experts around the league view the results of this matchup:
Expert
Pick
Score (if applicable)
Nate Davis (USA TODAY)
Colts
24-17
Mike Jones (USA TODAY)
Colts
30-18
Jarrett Bell (USA TODAY)
Colts
30-20
Mike Clay (ESPN)
Colts
N/A
Gregg Rosenthall (NFL Network)
Colts
23-17
Bill Bender (Sporting News)
Colts
28-21
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports)
Colts
31-27
Mark Lane (Texans Wire)
Colts
27-20
Jess Root (Sportsbook Wire)
Colts
N/A
Cam DaSilva (Sportsbook Wire)
Colts
N/A
Bleacher Report
Colts
26-20
When looking at this matchup logically, it’s difficult to find reasons why the Colts would lose this game. It’s entirely possible, of course. Thus is the nature of the NFL. But if we’re using the information at hand, the logical approach results in predicting the Colts to win.
As long as the Colts don’t find ways to shoot themselves in the foot, they should be viewed to win this game—something they haven’t done on opening day since 2013.
Who will come out on top between Alabama and Texas? Experts are weighing in.
Alabama enters Week 2 of the 2022 college football season as the top-ranked team in the nation and will hit the road to travel to Austin, Texas to face the Texas Longhorns in a highly-anticipated matchup between to of the game’s biggest and most respected brands.
While Alabama is ranked No. 1, Texas is not ranked at all in the latest poll. An upset would surely put them in the rankings, and potentially playoff contention, while the remainder of Alabama’s season would likely be damage control.
However, many experts are leaning in favor of the Crimson Tide on this one. Various experts from media outlets all across the country have made their picks and score predictions.
In a star-less field, who can take advantage of the opportunity?
Before the best players in the world head across the pond for a few weeks of links golf, a field of PGA Tour pros is in Silvis, Illinois, for the John Deere Classic.
Webb Simpson, who’s coming off a tie for 13th at the Travelers Championship, enters the week as the betting favorite at +1300. Adam Hadwin follows him at +1500 while Sahith Theegala, who suffered heartbreak once again, this time in Cromwell, Connecticut, sits at +2000.
Lucas Glover is the defending champion and enters with four straight made cuts, including a T-23 at the PGA Championship.
Let’s take a look at some names to target this week.
Golf course
TPC Deere Run | Par 71 | 7,289 yards
A view of the second hole with the Rock River in the background at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois. Photo by Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports
Key statistics
Birdies. Players need to make a lot of birdies if they want a shot at contending. The average winning score over the last five playings of the JDC is 21.4 under. So, let’s target players with great par 4 scoring averages and proximity to the hole.
Data Golf Information
Course Fit (compares golf courses based on the degree to which different golfer attributes — such as driving distance — to predict who performs well at each course – DataGolf): 1. The Summit Club, 2. East Lakes Golf Club, 3. Annandale GC
Percent chance to win (based on course history, fit, trending, etc.): 1. Charles Howell III (3.6 percent), 2. Adam Hadwin (3.4 percent), 3. Webb Simpson (3.3 percent)
Latest Twilight 9 episode
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Can Will Zalatoris finally grab title No. 1 in his home state?
With the year’s second major on the horizon, the PGA Tour heads back down to the Lone Star state for the AT&T Byron Nelson. Preparation for the PGA Championship is in full swing and the loaded field at TPC Craig Ranch reflects that.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler will make just his second start since he slipped on the green jacket at Augusta National (T-18, Zurich Classic). The Texan is sure to feel right at home and hopes to win for the fifth time in his last eight starts.
Joining Scheffler just outside of Dallas are Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, fellow Texans Jordan Spieth and Will Zalatoris, Xander Schauffele, and Brooks Koepka.
Golf course
TPC Craig Ranch | 7,468 yards | Par 72 | Tom Weiskopf design
The 18th hole green during round three of the AT&T Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch on May 15, 2021, in McKinney, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Key statistics
Strokes Gained: Approach
Birdie average
Par 4 scoring
Data Golf Information
Course Fit (compares golf courses based on the degree to which different golfer attributes — such as driving distance — to predict who performs well at each course – DataGolf): 1. St. Georges G&CC, 2. Cog Hill G&CC, 3. Port Royal Golf Course
Percent chance to win (based on course history, fit, trending, etc.): 1. Scottie Scheffler (9.2 percent), 2. Justin Thomas (7.8 percent), 3. Hideki Matsuyama (3.7 percent)
Latest Twilight 9 episode
Like golf? How about two idiots talking PGA Tour, golf betting, and everything in-between? Oh, and a lot of laughs along the way. Listen to the Twilight 9 podcast!
What did NFL analysts say about Falcons rookie QB Desmond Ridder ahead of the 2022 NFL draft?
Despite having the choice of any quarterback they wanted, the Atlanta Falcons waited until the third round to draft Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder.
While many analysts had second-round grade on Ridder entering the draft, some thought he would sneak into the first round due to the lack of quality quarterbacks in the class. So, not only did the Falcons build their roster up by taking the best player available early on, the team landed a possible franchise QB without having to reach.
Let’s check out what the different NFL draft experts had to say about Ridder.
What did the NFL’s many draft experts have to say about Atlanta’s athletic new edge rusher?
After addressing their offense in round one, the Atlanta Falcons upgraded their defense by drafting explosive edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie out of Penn State at pick No. 38 overall.
Ebiketie racked up 9.5 sacks, 18 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles for Penn State last season. Let’s check out what the NFL’s many draft experts had to say about Atlanta’s new edge rusher.
