NFL Picks Week 3: Road Favorites on Upset Alert

It hasn't been a great year for road teams so far this season in the NFL, with a combined 10-23 record for teams playing away from home. That number figures to go down more this week, when some teams that enter the weekend as road favorites will make the trip back home empty handed.

The Green Bay Packers, New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles all go on the road in Week 3. It's a pivotal week from the point of getting out in front of the pack, and the difference between 1-2 and 2-1 can mean a playoff spot on the field vs. a playoff seat on the couch.

Here's some of those favorites who are on upset alert this weekend. All lines are via Bovada.

New York Jets (-3) @ Miami Dolphins

The Jets are coming off a bad week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where Mark Sanchez only completed 10 of his 27 passes and the Jets took a 27-10 loss.

Amid chants for Tim Tebow and a Dolphins team coming off a blowout of the Oakland Raiders, how will Sanchez and Co. respond? It looks like Darrelle Revis will be active and in the starting lineup, which will take pressure off the front seven, but will it be enough to overcome on the road?

Down in Miami, if Sanchez struggles you can bet Florida faithful will let him hear it about Tebow. If the Jets get behind early, it could be a long day.

Pick: Miami 23, NYJ 21

Philadelphia (-3.5) @ Arizona Cardinals

 Both teams are 2-0, but also escaped narrowly in both of their wins. Philadelphia has won two games by a combined two points, while Arizona survived a Braylon Edwards drop, failed two-point conversion and missed field goal to start their season an unlikely undefeated group.

So who wins in this battle of unbeatens? Philadelphia has more weapons, but this Arizona front seven is one of the stoutest in the league and has given up 17 and 18 points in consecutive weekends.

I think Arizona can turn into one of the NFL's darlings by winning at home against the favored Eagles, especially with Jeremy Maclin on injury watch and the Michael Vick experience in full turnover swing (9 through the first two games).

Pick: Arizona 17, Philadelphia 14

Green Bay Packers (-3.5) @ Seattle Seahawks

This Monday night matchup features the surprising Seahawks against the always-tough Packers, and both teams are coming off big home wins against teams considered playoff contenders. Seattle made Dallas look flat-out unprepared, while Green Bay's defense got back on track against Chicago.

They'll face off this week, with this game coming down to which defense is able to create the most turnovers. Clay Mathews has looked like a force through two games, and the Seattle front seven is off to a hot start in only allowing 13.5 points per game.

If the Seahawks are able to beat the Packers on Monday night, it will mark a huge upset in the NFL world and another sign that Green Bay isn't quite in sync yet. Seattle's home crowd poses a huge advantage, and they make a statement at home.

Pick: Seattle 24, Green Bay 21