Standing in the crowd last Sunday for the Buffalo Bills’ victory over the Denver Broncos, the thing I’ll remember most is what happened before the game.
Players from both teams — and from teams around the league — knelt and locked arms in response to President Donald Trump’s inflammatory remarks at a campaign rally (among other things).
To say the folks in the stands around me had mixed feelings about the display would be putting it mildly.
“Stand up you cowards!’ was what the gentleman standing directly behind me yelled. There are many others who feel the same way.
There are also just as many that have a great deal of respect for these players who serve as role models to so many exercising their right to peacefully protest.
It’s an issue that has no easy answers and it doesn’t figure to be going away anytime soon.
We may look back at what happened last Sunday in the NFL as a turning point in how professional athletes make their voices heard to effect social change.
Surprise, surprise
There’s usually a week within the first month of the NFL season that flips everything we think we know on its head. That was certainly the case in week 3.
Teams like the Ravens, Broncos, Steelers, and Raiders who had looked so good early on looked anything but that on Sunday.
Those surprising results had an adverse effect on those who make an effort to accurately predict the outcome of the games (cough, cough).
It’s also a reminder that nobody really knows what’s going to happen on a week-to-week basis.
On to the picks:
New Orleans vs. Miami (London)
The NFL’s London games always tend to be strange affairs; take last week’s blowout by the Jaguars over the Ravens for example. With Drew Brees playing as well as ever, the Saints should be able to take advantage of a Miami team that was shockingly bad in its loss to the Jets.
Nick’s pick: SAINTS
Buffalo at Atlanta
The Bills’ surprisingly stout defense will face its biggest challenge yet in the form of Matt Ryan and the high-flying Falcons. Julio Jones will get a lot of attention, but it’s the backfield duo of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman that makes Atlanta truly dangerous.
Nick’s pick: FALCONS
Pittsburgh at Baltimore
Both of these AFC North rivals are coming off of embarrassing defeats, so the pressure to win this week will be upped even further. The Steelers’ offense hasn’t yet found its stride, but it’s still miles better than Baltimore’s. Joe Flacco is coming off perhaps the worst performance of his career, and he now has to face a very tough Pittsburgh ‘D’.
Nick’s pick: STEELERS
Cincinnati at Cleveland
The loser of this divisional game can pretty much kiss their slim playoff chances goodbye. Cincinnati pushed a strong Green Bay team to overtime last week, while Cleveland is showing how far it still has to go to be a contender.
Nick’s pick: BENGALS
L.A. Rams at Dallas
Two high-powered offenses square off — and yes, hard as it is to believe, the Rams’ ‘O’ has been exceptional so far. But Dallas has the better defense, which should be enough for the Cowboys to keep pace in the tough NFC East.
Nick’s pick: COWBOYS
Detroit at Minnesota
Even without Sam Bradford, the Vikings offense hasn’t missed a beat thanks to the playmaking ability of Stefon Diggs and Dalvin Cook. Detroit, meanwhile, is looking for revenge after a heartbreaking loss on a tough call vs. Atlanta. When it comes down to it, I trust Matthew Stafford more than Case Keenum.
Nick’s pick: LIONS
Carolina at New England
The Patriots ought to feel fortunate that they’re 2-1 and not 1-2 after barely squeaking by the Texans. New England’s defense has not looked good at all, but that might not be a problem against Carolina. Cam Newton is clearly at less than 100 percent, and it’s shown so far.
Nick’s pick: PATRIOTS
Jacksonville at N.Y. Jets
Two teams coming off surprising wins look to keep the good times rolling. This could be a low-scoring affair with two solid defenses and two less-than-stellar quarterbacks. I don’t know if I can handle being in a world where the Jets win back-to-back games.
Nick’s pick: JAGUARS
Tennessee at Houston
Two of the league’s best young quarterbacks go head-to-head for the first time in what could become a long-term rivalry. Deshaun Watson showed he belonged by pushing the Patriots to the brink in New England. But Marcus Mariota is leading a Titans’ offense that could be among the best in the game.
Nick’s pick: TITANS
San Francisco at Arizona
There aren’t a lot of captivating storylines in this matchup between two teams trying to keep their heads above water. San Francisco features a lot of talent in its defensive front, which could give Carson Palmer some problems.
Nick’s pick: 49ERS
Philadelphia at L.A. Chargers
The Eagles edged the Giants on a 61-yard game-winning field goal. The Chargers, meanwhile, always seem to find new ways to lose close games. I think this might finally be the week that the Bolts stop shooting themselves in the foot for one day.
Nick’s pick: CHARGERS
N.Y. Giants at Tampa Bay
I’ve always thought that Jameis Winston and Eli Manning were very similar: undeniable talent but an unmistakable propensity to commit backbreaking turnovers. The Giants need a win to keep the torches and pitchforks at bay.
Nick’s pick: GIANTS
Oakland at Denver
A pivotal matchup in what figures to be an extremely competitive AFC West race. Both teams need a win after disappointing losses. I think the Raiders’ performance last week was less indicative of who they are than the Broncos’ showing against the Bills.
Nick’s pick: RAIDERS
Indianapolis at Seattle
Seattle has not been impressive thus far, due in large part to a terrible offensive line that is bound to get QB Russell Wilson hurt. Jacoby Brissett has actually performed well for the Colts, but the Seahawks defense is still formidable.
Nick’s pick: SEAHAWKS
Washington at Kansas City
Playing under the lights in Kansas City is always a daunting task for opponents. The Chiefs are firing on all cylinders right now, but don’t sleep on Washington either. Their defense shut down Derek Carr and the Raiders, so I expect a close game on Monday night.
Nick’s pick: CHIEFS
Last week: 8-7
Overall: 21-9
