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Football Predictions – September 21-23 WSU, UW, Seahawks, Sunday Night

By Ed Stein

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 17: Russell Wilson #3 and Brett Hundley #7 of the Seattle Seahawks run out of the tunnel to the field prior to the start of the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 17: Russell Wilson #3 and Brett Hundley #7 of the Seattle Seahawks run out of the tunnel to the field prior to the start of the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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FOXBORO, MA: Patriots head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots talks with defensive coordinator Matt Patricia before their game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2015. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Sunday Night: New England Patriots at Detroit Lions

Matt Barry – Historically, the Patriots have been the model of consistency. When they do have a hiccup, it is usually in game two. Last week, the Jaguars were hungry and the heat didn’t help either. The Patriots rarely lose back to back games under Bill Belichick. He has also had good success against former assistants.

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The Lions have been somewhat of a disaster. The surprising aspect of their struggles is how bad they have been on defense. Matt Patricia is a defensive coach and should fix that over time. The X-factor this week is the Patriots’ acquisition of WR Josh Gordon. It will be interesting to see how long it takes for Gordon and Tom Brady to gel, if at all.

Detroit should be ready to go, at home, in prime time. They are 0-2 and this prediction may fly in the face of my “desperate” philosophy. I just can’t pick against the Patriots coming off a loss. New England wins.

Randy Sgaraglio – Sunday Night Football will bring the New England Patriots and Detroit Lions into the national spotlight. After losing in Jacksonville in Game 2 of the season, Pats are an ordinary 1-1. They are being outproduced on offense, as Tom Brady works with a patch-up receiving corps.

The 0-2 Lions are at home after suffering a gut-wrenching loss in San Francisco. So, what gives? This match-up pits former, long-time Patriots’ defensive coordinator Matt Patricia against his ex-boss, Bill Belichick. The beginning of the season has not gone well for Patricia and his team so far this season.

Whatever motivation Patricia can muster to out-coach his mentor might be the edge for a Lions win. After all, Patricia has been practicing against Brady for many years. I can’t bring myself to state it here. I’m going with Patriots. As the NFC Central gets tougher with an improved Bears team, the Lions will sink to the cellar.

Ed Stein – Does the student Patricia, knock off the master, Bellicheck? Not a chance. New England was humbled last week by Jacksonville, and they won’t lose two straight. The Jags have a tremendous defense and the Lions don’t. At the very least, look for the Pats to out-scheme their hosts. New England wins and all is right in Foxboro for a week.

Brad Weiss – The New England Patriots were smacked around by the Jacksonville Jaguars last weekend in an AFC Championship Game rematch. Detroit is still looking for their first win of the season, and after seeing Blake Bortles pick apart the Patriots in Week 2, Matthew Stafford has to be licking his chops. It is prime time though, which means Tom Brady will be ready to roll, and the Pats should take care of former Bill Belichick assistant Matt Patricia and company. Patriots 30 Lions 14

1 in, 2 out on Hawks O-line. dark. Next

Another big weekend of football, let’s see who can catch Matt for the lead.

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