NFL Predictions Week 3: Teams That Will Steal Road Victories

At least five teams are going to hit the road and return home victorious in the NFL's Week 3 action. 

This is going to leave a lot of fans driving home from stadiums dejected, but the next five teams all have the poise, talent and matchup to pull off the road wins. 

San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings

There is really no need to get too in-depth here. The 49ers look like the best team in the NFL. The Vikings do not. 

If Minnesota wants to have a chance in this one, they are going to need Adrian Peterson to go off, and the 49ers do not let opposing running backs go off. 

Prediction: 49ers 24, Vikings 13

Detroit Lions at Tennessee Titans

Tennessee has been outscored 72-23 in their first two games. Their running game has been non-existent, and their passing game is not in a position to carry this team. 

As a result their offense ranks 31st by averaging just 248 yards per game. 

Meanwhile, Detroit certainly has not looked invincible as they squeaked by the Rams in the opener, and lost to the 49ers last week. 

However, their offense looked vastly better against the 49ers' tough defense. Had they mustered more success in the red zone, they would have won that game. 

They should find red-zone scoring a little easier against the Titans. 

Prediction: Lions 31, Titans 24

Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals

This should be a telling game as these two undefeated teams go head-to-head. Also QB Kevin Kolb will be going against his former team, assuming John Skelton is not sufficiently recovered from his ankle injury to make the start. 

The Cardinals won seven of their last nine games last season and one of those wins was a 21-17 contest to the Eagles. 

However, that was the game where the Eagles benched DeSean Jackson, and the passing attack was not the same in what turned out to be a disjointed season for Philly.

Larry Fitzgerald went off in that game for seven catches, 146 yards and two scores. That is not going to happen this year. 

The Eagles only allowed 85 yards to wide receivers last week against a Ravens passing offense that looked unstoppable the week before. 

Football Outsiders has the Eagles second in pass defense in a system that weighs the strength of opponent. They will make it a long day for Kolb, Skelton or whatever QB they decide to throw out there.

The Eagles' speed will give Arizona problems on offense, and their tough D will be able to limit Arizona's offense. 

Prediction: Eagles 23, Cardinals 17

Houston Texans at Denver Broncos

Peyton Manning was done no favors by the schedule makers.

He was forced to start his comeback bid against the Steelers, Falcons and now the excellent defense of the Houston Texans. 

As we saw while Manning was chucking three first-quarter picks against the Falcons last Monday, this offense is not yet on the same page, and the Texans have the kind of defense that will exploit their vulnerabilities. The Texans are eighth in the league with five takeaways this season.  

Denver's defense is playing well, but don't forget the Broncos are playing this game on a short week. The Texans' balanced offense will wear them down. 

Prediction: Texans 27, Broncos 20

Pittsburgh Steelers at Oakland Raiders

The Raiders are a mess right now. They were embarrassed by the Miami Dolphins last week as their running game did not show up, and they were terrible in both pass and rush defense. 

Oakland will be playing this game without either of its starting cornerbacks, and this was not a position where they had a lot of depth to begin with. Ben Roethlisberger, Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown are going to have a field day. 

There is also little hope for the Raiders to get their offense on track against the Steelers defense. The offensive line struggled mightily against the Dolphins, and Oakland is struggling to find a competent replacement for injured right tackle Khalif Barnes, who is still dinged up and did not practice on Wednesday.

They are going to hate going against the Steelers' front seven, and every other part of their team. 

Prediction: Steelers 27, Raiders 10