NFL Week 3 Picks

Week 2 is now a week of football passed by and the only improvement seen in my straight up picks is one less loss. Of course, we had one less game as well. Finishing the week at 9-6 straight up and 8-6-1 ATS I’ve managed to increase my averages by a fraction of a hair to 18-13 (.580) and 14-16-1 (.452) ATS.

What a wild week number two brought us! High scores, big games, and big controversies! Several 0-2 teams are still considered contenders, while some of our 2-0 teams are more than likely pretenders. Will Week 3 begin balance to the scales? Only the game ending buzzers can tell us that. Let’s have a look at how I see things playing out.

---Picks against the spread in red---

ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN

Sunday, September 21^st, 2008

Kansas City Chiefs(0-2) at Atlanta Falcons(1-1) 1:00PM

After losing to the Raiders at home last week, the Chiefs are beginning to look like they’re in for a long season. Not that Atlanta is a juggernaut, but if the Chiefs can’t get the job done at Arrowhead…

Falcons add more woes for the Chiefs in a home win

(Atlanta -5)

Oakland Raiders(1-1) at Buffalo Bills(2-0) 1:00PM

Although no game in the NFL can ever be considered a lock, the performance of the Bills over the last two weeks should make this pick a no brainer.

Bills continue to add to their win streak

(Bills -9.5)

Arizona Cardinals(2-0) at Washington Redskins(1-1) 1:00PM

While Arizona has mounted back-to-back wins, not to much should be read into it. They’ve come against less than stellar teams. With Washington’s apparent regrouping in last weeks match up, look forward to Redskin home coming.

Redskins mount another win at home

(Redskins -3)

Houston Texans(0-1) at Tennessee Titans(2-0) 1:00PM

Although the Texans have had a week off already, I’d hardly say that it was an enjoyable time of rest. While Houston will look to get back into their game, the Titans will be looking to continue with their forward momentum.

Titans tear through the Texans for a win

(Titans -5.5)

Cincinnati Bengals(0-2) at New York Giants(2-0) 1:00PM

Giants are HOT! And, well… the Bengals are not. Bring this game into Giant Stadium and how can you pick otherwise?

Giants continue to roll in win over Bengals

(Giants -13.5)

Miami Dolphins(0-2) at New England Patriots(2-0) 1:00PM

Miami has had a history of throwing a wrench into the Patriots works, but that was before they became the worst team in the league last year, and so far, Parcells revamped team has yet to draw blood from anyone.

Patriots continue to find ways to win without Brady

(Dolphins +13)

Carolina Panthers(2-0) at Minnesota Vikings(0-2) 1:00PM

A tough match up to call as the Panthers continue to find ways to win in the 4^th, while the Vikings continue to fall below expectations.

Panthers find way to finish out fourth quarter…again

(Panthers +3.5)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers(1-1) at Chicago Bears(1-1) 1:00PM

This is another tough game to call. The Buccaneers haven’t looked as good as they were thought to be and the Bears haven’t looked as bad as they were thought to be. If the game were in Tampa, I’d go Tampa without question, but put this game in Chicago and I’ve got my doubts.

Bears defense capitalizes on enough mistakes to seal a home victory

(Buccaneers +3)

New Orleans Saints(1-1) at Denver Broncos(2-0) 4:05PM

The high powered offense of the Broncos will continue to light up the scoreboard as Cutler will continue to connect with Marshall…and Royal, and Scheffler, and Stokley, and Graham…however, the question remains…where is Denver’s Defense?

Broncos continue to out score their opponents

(Broncos -6)

St. Louis Rams(0-2) at Seattle Seahawks(0-2) 4:05PM

Ouch, where do I go here? 0-2 was an expectation for St. Louis, but the Seahawks lack of a win is…um, not shocking, but unexpected.

Seahawks finally squeak on out

(Rams +10)

Detroit Lions(0-2) at San Francisco 49ers(1-1) 4:05PM

While Detroit might have the weapons to move the ball down the field, they also have the distinct ability to shot themselves in the foot. I’m sure that traveling to San Fran for a win is a possibility, but this is really a coin flip.

49ers find another win as they return home

(Lions +4)

Pittsburgh Steelers(2-0) at Philadelphia Eagles(1-1) 4:15PM

After proclaiming the Steelers the team to beat in the AFC last week, I’m going to take a step back; too many words spoken too soon. As strong as the Steeler defense has proven to be, I simply don’t thing they will be any match for Donovan McNabb and the Eagles. As long as DeSean Jackson doesn’t decide to drop the ball on the goal line again this week, I’d be looking for the Eagles to walk away with this one.

Eagles return home for a crowd pleasing win

(Eagles -3)

Jacksonville Jaguars(0-2) at Indianapolis Colts(1-1) 4:15PM

The Colts finally showed a spark of life last week in the fourth quarter to comeback for the win. Personally, I think that was all they needed. I’d be looking for Peyton and the Colts to start looking like the team we know, while the Jaguars still need to figure out some way of regrouping their faltering offense.

Colts start looking more like the team we know and defeat the Jaguars

(Colts -6)

Cleveland Browns(0-2) at Baltimore Ravens(1-0) 4:15PM

While some expected a big season from the Browns, others have called them highly overrated, and I would have to agree. Not that I’m willing to put much stock in the Ravens either. When in doubt, take the home team.

Ravens join the 2-0 teams…a week late

(Ravens -2.5)

Sunday, September 21st, 2008, Sunday Night Football

Dallas Cowboys(2-0) at Green Bay Packers(2-0) 8:15PM

Last season this match up received huge publicity, and after a Favre injury, Aaron Rodgers entered the game looking well composed for a back up that had no expectations of playing when he suited up before the game. This season all that has changed. Rodgers is entering this game in the drivers seat and man has he been a stud so far this season.

Rodgers leads Packers to victory as he continues to shine

(Packers +3)

Monday, September 22^nd, 2008, Monday Night Football

New York Jets(1-1) at San Diego Chargers(0-2) 8:30PM

Even with Favre, the Jets simply aren’t the team many would like them to be, or not be if you enjoy watching them flounder. Chargers on the other hand will be playing with a chip on their shoulder this week. I don’t think I would pick any road team entering Qualcomm Stadium for this Monday Night game.

Chargers blast forward for a big win at home

(Chargers -9)

And there you have ‘em once again, my Week 3 Picks. Love ‘em, hate ‘em, they’re there for all to see. Bring on the weekend already, I’m ready for some Football!!!