NFL Week 3 Picks: Teams That Will Remain Undefeated After Tough Matchups

Parity in the NFL can be a fragile thing, but so far so good in the early goings of the 2013 season. A handful of teams remain undefeated, but that will only last for so long with so many tough contests on the schedule.

On the other hand, there are three teams that will survive tough contests in Week 3 and have a nice leg up on the competition with a 3-0 record. 

2013 certainly won't be the year a team goes undefeated again, but going into Week 4 with a goose egg in the loss column is a respectable start and puts a team on the early path to the playoffs. 

Here are three teams guaranteed to remain undefeated after Week 3 is in the books. 

New England Patriots Will Ease By Tampa Bay

The New England Patriots have not done much to inspire confidence from fans in the first two weeks of the season, struggling to get wins over two teams with rookie quarterbacks in Buffalo and the New York Jets.

That changes in Week 3.

New England still has Tom Brady under center, who has once again made Julian Edelman a star now that receiver Danny Amendola is (shockingly) out with an injury. Plus, it sounds like tight end Rob Gronkowski will at least be a game-time decision per Ben Volin of the Boston Globe:

Even without his top two targets, Brady and Co. have a simple matchup against a Tampa Bay franchise in disarray. Last week Tampa Bay was penalized 10 times for 118 yards, and the continued lack of control in the personal foul department shows coach Greg Schiano has lost control.

Expect the Patriots to overwhelm a Tampa Bay defense that was also unable to stop rookie Geno Smith of the Jets and is reeling at 0-2. Brady and Co. will deliver the knockout blow.

Prediction: Patriots 28, Buccaneers 14

Houston Texans Will Overcome Baltimore on the Road

Simply put, the Baltimore Ravens have yet to fully rediscover their old ways on the defensive side of things, which is something the well-balanced Houston Texans will be able to take advantage of on the road.

The duo of Arian Foster and Ben Tate is arguably the NFL's best. With Foster not even back to full strength, the pair has combined for 284 yards and one score while keeping defenses honest.

Baltimore clearly struggles with teams that have more than one quality receiver, as witnessed in Week 1 when Peyton Manning tossed seven touchdowns on the unit.

Houston represents a serious issue in that regard with Andre Johnson and the emergence of rookie DeAndre Hopkins, who reeled in the game-winning touchdown in overtime last week while catching seven passes for 117 yards.

Without an elite defense to rely on, Baltimore is going to struggle to stop the balanced attack Houston fields. Foster and Co. will outlast the Ravens on the road to enter Week 4 at 3-0.

Prediction: Texans 30, Ravens 27

Chicago Bears Smash Through Pittsburgh

Things cannot get much worse for the Steelers, right?

Sure, they can with a new-look Chicago team coming to town.

Now removed from the Brian Urlacher and Lovie Smith era, Chicago has a sleek new offense under coach Marc Trestman and a defense led by elite corners Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings who can play with any team.

Things aren't as bright for Pittsburgh after losing back-to-back contests, including a Monday Night Football beatdown at the hands of Cincinnati.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has already been sacked seven times and is going to have issues getting rid of the ball with Julius Peppers chasing him down and both Tillman and Jennings ready to take advantage of any mistake.

Chicago may be on the road, but Pittsburgh is coming off a short week, an emotional loss and has scored all of 19 points through two games. The Bears will have little issue moving the ball and will capitalize on a stagnant Pittsburgh offense searching for answers.

Prediction: Bears 24, Steelers 10

Follow B/R's Chris Roling on Twitter for more news and analysis @Chris_Roling