NFL Picks Week 3: Predictions Against the Spread for All 16 Matchups

Week 3 of the NFL season is just around the corner, and a number of books have released the lines for upcoming games.

While the home teams won 14 of 16 games straight up last week, the replacement officials have been getting a lot of flak and should hopefully be better prepared with their whistles in Week 3.

We’ve picked quite a few road favorites this time around, so hopefully the NFL comes down hard on the replacement refs for making calls that are influenced by the crowd.

Let’s take a look at all of action and try to predict some winners against the spread.

*Home team in CAPS. Point spreads courtesy of ScoresAndOdds.com.

CAROLINA PANTHERS (-2.5) over New York Giants

The Panthers just beat the Saints and are going to host the G-Men at home.

They have a lot of momentum and are built to stop a team like New York—a squad that relies on rushing the passer and creating turnovers.

Cam Newton and the elite RBs in the Carolina backfield won’t be fazed by Jason Pierre-Paul and the other QB hunters, so they should have a field day against this defense.

It's also worth noting that Hakeem Nicks, Domenik Hixon and Ahmad Bradshaw will all be absent from this contest, effectively making Carolina a lock.  

CHICAGO BEARS (-8) over St. Louis Rams

Chicago was embarrassed on Thursday Night Football, but has had plenty of time to tweak their problems and prepare for a cupcake opponent at home.

While the Rams aren’t too bad in the Edward Jones Dome, they don’t have what it takes to come into Soldier Field and hang with the Bears.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+7) over DALLAS COWBOYS

The Bucs proved over the past two weeks that they are a competitive squad in 2012.

Dallas may have just been embarrassed in Seattle, but they will still be reeling from the loss when Tampa comes to town. Expect a close game decided by less than TD, so take the points.

San Francisco 49ers (-7.5) over MINNESOTA VIKINGS

San Fran may just be the best team in football, and Minnesota doesn’t have the chops to hang with them.

Even though the Niners will be on the road in this matchup, they have a vertical passing game that Minny can’t stop, as well as a power rushing game for when they need short yardage.

Combine all of that with a menacing defense, and you have a recipe for a blowout.

Detroit Lions (-3) over TENNESSEE TITANS

The Lions should make short work of the Titans, who are returning home and still struggling with Jake Locker under center.

It wouldn’t be unrealistic to see a lot of production from Calvin Johnson, Matt Stafford and the rest of the Lions' offense, which has been relatively quiet thus far this season.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS (-3.5) over Cincinnati Bengals

Robert Griffin III has been a revelation on offense for the ‘Skins, but losing Brian Orakpo in a Week 2 bloodbath against St. Louis hurts.

Regardless, this team will rally for their home opener and put up a monster performance against a mediocre Cincy team. Lay the points and put your faith in RGIII.

New York Jets (-3) over MIAMI DOLPHINS

The Jets are an up-and-down team, and we’ll bet that they will be up again this week.

While Miami went absolutely nuts against the Raiders, they don’t have the benefit of playing a team travelling 3,000-plus miles to face them in black uniforms in the middle of a southern Florida day.

Gang Green will get back on track in this one and put up a convincing road win.

Kansas City Chiefs (+9) over NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

The Saints aren’t the team that the public has come to expect anymore.

Coach Sean Payton’s absence is not simply something to ignore, as it’s playing a major role in why this squad hasn’t been able to win.

The Chiefs aren’t much better off with Romeo Crennel serving as both the head coach and defensive coordinator, but they’ll keep this within 10 points.

Buffalo Bills (-3) over CLEVELAND BROWNS

Buffalo may have been embarrassed by the Jets to open the season, but they are now back on track after beating up on the Chiefs.

That was a solid momentum booster before heading on the road to Cleveland, where they will meet a team that has perhaps more inexperience and question marks than any other squad in the league.

Lay the points and hope that the crazy Browns fans don’t influence the replacement refs too much.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (-3) over Jacksonville Jaguars

Andrew Luck will get his second professional win in this home contest against the lowly Jags.

Jacksonville is simply a doormat in this league, and the team is comprised of some of the worst road performers around.

Luck will look like Peyton Manning out there under center for the Colts on Sunday.

ARIZONA CARDINALS (+4) over Philadelphia Eagles

The 2-0 Red Birds will continue their surprisingly dominant run with another upset victory, this time against the turnover-prone Eagles.

While ‘Zona doesn’t have any semblance of a run game and has already used two quarterbacks this season, they have been coached well by Ken Whisenhunt.

If there’s anyone who will be able to devise a scheme to beat Philly by forcing turnovers and capitalizing, it’s the Cards coach.

Atlanta Falcons (+3) over SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

It would be ludicrous not to take the Falcons getting points at this stage of the NFL season.

ATL has proved that they are one of the best teams in the league and can score points both at home in the Georgia Dome or on the road.

Grab the field goal that the Chargers are spotting or even take the Dirty Birds on the money line—it’s a guaranteed win either way.

Houston Texans (PK) over DENVER BRONCOS

The Texans have yet to face a real challenge in 2012, but will get their first taste of one as Peyton Manning and the Broncos host them this Sunday.

They have the pass rush and secondary to hinder Manning into making mistakes—something that the Falcons did to great effect on Monday Night Football.

Take the road team in this pick ‘em, but be careful if the line moves unfavorably towards Houston.

OAKLAND RAIDERS (+5) over Pittsburgh Steelers

If we’ve learned anything in recent years, it’s that Oakland cannot travel and play well. However, the Black Hole has also been a nightmare for opposing franchises to venture out to and come away with wins against the spread.

It will be no different when the Steelers roll into Oakland.

Take the points here, as the crowd will be whipped into a frenzy in a hopeful attempt to get their beloved Black and Silver squad back on track.

New England Patriots (+3) over BALTIMORE RAVENS

The Pats were absolutely stunned by Arizona in Week 2, but Bill Belichick is 32-18 ATS following a loss since taking over the organization in 2000.

It would be stupid not to take the points and even dumber to bet against one of the best coaches in the history of the NFL, especially given his history coming off of a loss.

While the Ravens are a solid team at home, they aren’t going to get it done on Sunday night.

Green Bay Packers (-3.5) over SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Seattle proved, once again, that they have the best home crowd in football by beating the Cowboys at home in Week 2.

They won’t be as lucky in this Monday Night Football primetime matchup.

Green Bay may have dropped an early game against the 49ers to open the season, but they aren’t going to falter again for a long time.