The Chosen: Week Three

Season prediction tally: 22-10.

Another week is in the books. We're now looking forward to round three, the first week that we usually begin to see glimpses of developing patterns.

Jacksonville at Houston

Again, I say, the Jaguars are one sub-.500 season from complete rebuild mode. They are 0-2 thus far, but they always play Houston tough.

Its not like you can give the Texans home field advantage since in their home opener they were manhandled, only to come back in Week Two looking like juggernauts on the road versus what was supposed to be a stout Titans' Defense.

I am going to have to side with Houston this time just because I want to believe they still can be the playoff team that we have been expecting to develop for three years.

Pick: Texans.

Tennessee at N.Y. Jets

Wow, what an early season matchup this is. The Jets beat up on the Texans on a bad day and outlasted the Patriots, who are learning how to play without half of their usual Super Bowl champion defenders from yesteryear.

Are they for real? I think they are a playoff-caliber team, but can they stop a Titans squad that is better than their record and in desperate need of a win to avoid going 0-3?

Pick: Titans.

Green Bay at St. Louis

St. Louis is not very good. How many times will I write that this year? The Packers were embarrassed at Lambeau last weekend and have the weapons to overwhelm the Rams.

Pick: Packers.

Washington at Detroit

Look, Detroit is going to win eventually. They have gone 0-18 in their past, oh I don't know, 18 games.

With the anemic Redsksins coming to town, it is tempting to predict a Lions victory.

OK, why not? Washington is playing uninspired ball and doesn't put enough points on the board—a perfect recipe for the struggling Lions.

Pick: Lions.

San Francisco at Minnesota

Another tough call between two teams in sole possession of first place. I wouldn't be surprised either way, but I think the 49ers take it to Favre and contain A.P. just enough to eek out a close one on the road.

Pick: 49ers.

Atlanta at New England

Maybe the Patriots just aren't that great. I know that is a bitter pill to swallow for Patriots fans, but they are really struggling to adjust without their defensive stalwarts of yesteryear.

Matt Ryan and the Falcons are one of the better teams in the NFC again, but I don't know if they can bring enough pressure on Tom Brady to keep him from willing the Patriots to a win.

Pick: Patriots.

N.Y. Giants at Tampa Bay

Could be the Giants are headed for a letdown game, but it's hard to get behind the identity-less Bucs right now.

Pick: Giants.

Cleveland at Baltimore

What can Browns do for you? They can hire Mangidiot.

Pick: Ravens.

Kansas City at Philadelphia

Philly might let Brees have a fantasy party on them, but you know they're not letting a rebuilding franchise waltz in and do the same coming off a loss at home.

Sure, Kolb gets another start with McNabb likely out again, but Vick is back and the Eagles will find a way to make his presence known.

Pick: Eagles.

Chicago at Seattle

I believe the Bears will progress throughout the year offensively.

It is their defense that I am not sure about now that they are missing their captain, Brian Urlacher, and another starting LB. They will likely face Seneca Wallace this week instead of Matt Hasselbeck, who is a better QB than people give him credit for.

Pick: Seahawks.

New Orleans at Buffalo

Can anyone stop Drew Brees? The man is on fire. The Bills have a reasonably stout defense and I really want to pull the trigger on the Bills' upset here, but I just can't do it after realizing what New Orleans did to the Philly secondary.

Pick: Saints.

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati

I like Cincy at home because they get particularly amped when Pitt comes to town and their defense is up to the task.

Pick: Bengals.

Denver at Oakland

Who really knows? I'm taking Oakland at home.

Pick: Raiders.

Miami at San Diego

Miami is 0-2 but should have beaten the Colts; I think we can agree on that.

San Diego shouldn't have beaten the Raiders and did but should have beaten the Ravens and didn't. Sproles is ridiculous and V-Jack and Naanee are coming on strong. I think the Chargers' offense is too potent for the Fins to avoid going 0-3.

Pick: Chargers.

Indianapolis at Arizona

There are some stellar matchups this week, did I say that yet? This is a prime time chess match.

People want to point to the Colts' improved pass defense, but let's get real, they faced two relatively weak passing squads in Jax and Miami. They can't stop the run well and Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells are a tandem that is coming on strong.

Arizona plays strong at home, has an underrated defense, and coach Whisenhunt should be able to have success calling the preferred balance of run and pass if they can keep Warner upright.

Pick: Cardinals.

Carolina at Dallas

DeAngelo Williams will have success, Steve Smith will have a few highlights, but the Carolina defense isn't playing that well. Dallas finds a way to bring home a win in their new stadium.

Pick: Cowboys.

This article also appears on Undrafteds.com.