NFL Picks Week 3: Early Look at the Closest Games of the Week

It is never too early to start looking at the next week of NFL games.

While it is recommended to wait until later in the week to make your picks, there are a number of marquee games in Week 3 that will keep the interest of any football fan.

Although it is still early in the season, each of these games can end up having playoff implications by the end of the year.

New York Giants at Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton is still getting it done through the air and on the ground as he continues his stellar play from last season. He is helped by the mix of a healthy Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams to finally get the running game started after a poor Week 1.

On the other side, Eli Manning has looked nothing like the quarterback that won his second Super Bowl at the end of last season. He continues to turn the ball over and struggles to find his talented receivers.

This Thursday night game will be key as the Giants try to get back on track in a tough road game. If they lose, they might end up in a hole too big to recover from.

Prediction: Giants 27, Panthers 24

Houston Texans at Denver Broncos

The Texans have not had the most difficult schedule in the first couple of weeks, but they have taken care of business and are proving to be one of the better teams in the AFC. 

Peyton Manning will have something to say about that, however, after showing that he can still get it done with his new team. Against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1, the quarterback threw two touchdown passes and made very few mistakes all game.

However, the running back combination of Ben Tate and Arian Foster might be the best backfield in the league. This alone might be enough to defeat a Broncos team that has faced very little pressure from running backs so far. 

Prediction: Texas 20, Broncos 14

New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens certainly have not forgot how their season ended a year ago. They had a chance to beat the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, but a dropped ball in the end zone and a missed field goal ruined their hopes.

Even with both teams having poor games in Week 2, these are still two of the most talented teams in the NFL and the hatred between the clubs will keep this game exciting throughout.

New England must learn how to deal offensively with the injury to Aaron Hernandez, but there are enough weapons around Tom Brady that this should not be a long-term problem. 

However, they must overcome a Baltimore defense that has stayed solid with a new defensive coordinator seemingly every season. The Ravens have been forcing turnovers with consistency and it should be a battle every time the unit is on the field.

Prediction: Ravens 24, Patriots 21

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