Clemson QB Tait Reynolds makes his first career road starts vs. Cal...

Colorado will be missing several players on Saturday...

Dallas should send a thank-you note to the Eagles, who essentially wrote last Sunday the Cowboys' game plan here: (1.) On defense, apply pressure to QB Jayden Daniels, which he felt on fully half of his dropbacks in a shaky outing; (2) On offense, go for chunk plays, which the Commanders allowed in bunches. WRs George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb are licking their chops. (Lamb chops; get it?) Can’t fathom the Cowboys sinking to 0-2 not since owner Jerry Jones was a whippersnapper in 2010. They should settle down after being thrown a loop by new/old Giants coach John Harbaugh.

Little will relish kicking in Denver's high altitude. The master of the long-distance field goal -- he has nailed 13 of 16 in a blossoming NFL career from 50-plus -- can connect from the Jaguars' side of the field at Mile High. He drilled a 72-yarder during pre-game warmups here last year. Jax never hesitates to call on Little, who has missed just six times in 65 tries. The stout Broncos defense that can limit the Jags' TDs should provide multiple opportunities for threes.

These teams were involved in the lowest-scoring openers by a wide margin. Pittsburgh's produced 33 points, New England's 23. Both will miss consequential WRs: Michael Pittman Jr. (Steelers), A.J. Brown (Patriots). As lehtal as QB Aaron Rodgers' arm remains, his declining mobility makes it easier on defenses. Rain is expected to start falling around kickoff and could get heavier as the game progresses.

The Saints dragged Detroit into overtime before losing despite outgaining the Lions by a hundred yards. Unsung QB Tyler Shough might be a keeper. From an ATS standpoint, New Orleans is comfortable as an underdog, having covered six straight when receiving points. It is equally at ease on the road, with a half-dozen consecutive covers. Baltimore's offense made mincemeat out of Indy but is thinned out at WR, with Zay Flowers and Ja'Kobi Lane likely sidelined. Their absence could mean less balance on offense and more carries than usual for QB Lamar Jackson and RB Derrick Henry.

Let's start with Minnesota. With QB Carson Wentz at the helm, the Vikes likely will lean conservative on play-calling. Last Sunday, he fired only 19 passes, covering 133 yards. As for Chicago, defensive coordinator Brian Flores' blitz-happy crew can mess with QB Caleb Williams' mind. He was below average in both meetings last year, generating just 19 points in one game. Projected precipitation and a brisk Windy City breeze can contribute further to an Under.

There are late starts for teams from the Eastern Time zone -- and there is this extreme one. Seriously, 11 p.m. (ET) in the Rose Bowl? The Boilermakers are behind the eight-ball before kickoff. UCLA has awakened late in its outings, pulling away from California and San Diego State after sleepy starts. Bruins QB Nico Iamaleava has been a subpar passer through two games but has atoned with his running to supplement an effective two-headed RB tandem. Purdue has shown hints of improvement but faces a lengthy road ahead from its two wins in 2025, neither against Power Four squads.

James Madison heads west feeling good about itself after mauling Wagner 87-3. Let's not forget the Dukes slid by Liberty by a TD the week before. JMU has taken the word ”rebuilding” to a new level, with 61 new players — 39 of them transfers. Only one offensive starter repped the Dukes a season ago. San Diego State shut out UCLA (and its slew of transfers from JMU) well into the third quarter last Saturday. Points will be vastly harder to come by for the visitors. The 10 p.m. (ET) kickoff offers an additional edge to the Aztecs, who have covered in six of the last seven at home.

If there is a true sandwich game in September, it's this one. Texas must return from the clouds after a comeback for the ages against Ohio State, and Tennessee looms next week. The Longhorns failed to impress for three quarters against the Buckeyes, so they hardly are coming off a complete game. Visiting QB Owen (son of Josh) McCown will not be cowed by the scene; he has started 28 straight games. UTSA rolled into Austin in 2022 and played the Horns even into the third period before falling. The 'Runners can feast in ATS terms with this sandwick scenario.

Mississippi State’s 23-point shellacking of Minnesota on the road fell under the radar last weekend. Through two wins, the Bulldogs have carved out an 8.4-yard gain per snap, double what the defense has yielded. Almost overnight, QB Kamario Taylor has advanced from virtual unknown to fringe Heisman Trophy candidate. Only one TD has been registered against South Carolina, but the schedule has been tissue soft, with wins over Kent State and Towson. Two key Gamecocks -- edge rusher Dylan Stewart and O-lineman Jaccarius Peak -- are expected to belatedly launch their seasons after injury rehab but reportedly will be limited.

This gargauntuan line seems rooted in the perception that Oregon will unload its frustrations from the stunning loss to Oklahoma State on the little ol' Vikings. With Southern Cal looking next week, it's doubtful coach Dan Lanning will heavily deploy his regulars just to vent. Portland State's defense is dreadful, but the team has tallied 20-plus points in three outings against decent competition. The average margin in six recent meetings is 52.8. That's massive but still shy of this line. If the Vikes can manage a couple of TDs, the Ducks would have to climb into the 70s for a cover.

Monday mystery: How can a team that finished eight games ahead of its opponent receive nearly a field goal? K.C. QB Patrick Mahomes missed the tail end of the season with a knee ailment, but the Chiefs went 6-8 with him starting. He has been dealt an undesirable re-entry game. The Bronco defense topped the league in sacks, and the unit returns virtually intact whilt the Chiefs start undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson at left tackle. On offense, new WR Jayden Waddle could become QB Bo Nix’s best friend. Closing argument: Denver was won three in a row SU in the series.

Under coach DeMeco Ryans, the Texans have solved the mystery on how to defend QB Josh Allen. His SU record against the Allen-led Bills is 4-1. The 2024 clash was a nightmare, with Allen going 9 for 30. Last year was the nightmare of a lifetime, with the current MVP favorite enduring eight sacks and two picks. Allen is familiar with Joe Brady, who will continue wearing Buffalo’s play-calling hat with his promotion to head coach, but this is an unappetizing inaugural assignment for a first-time leader. Buff's defense also has a new boss, with Jim Leonhard revamping a shaky unit that might need time to jell.

Coach Ben Johnson and QB Caleb Williams have figured out the Rubik Cube of offense n the Windy City. The Bears wound up with the league’s No. 6 ranking. The defense? Well, it was fourth worst while relying too much on takeaways, but Carolina may wield too few playmakers to make the Bears regret not upgrading their D in the offseason. A relatively high total (46.5) hints at plenty of points, and Chicago owns a much higher ceiling for keeping the scoreboard operator busy. In season openers with QB Bryce Young, the Panthers have squeezed out a measly 10 points.