NFL Picks Week 3: Teams Guaranteed to Lose This Weekend

There are teams that are likely to lose and teams that are guaranteed to lose in Week 3.

These are gimmes for all of you involved in the different types of pick competitions out there.

Does anyone actually think Chad Henne can lead the Jacksonville Jaguars over the Seattle Seahawks on the road? Probably not, but they are just one of the guaranteed teams to lose this weekend.

Carolina Panthers (vs. New York Giants)

A healthy Carolina Panthers team would have a fighter’s chance at beating a winless New York Giants team on its own field.

However, with the significant rash of injuries the Panthers’ improved defense has suffered, it’s hard to see that happening.

Most of the Panthers’ ailing players are in their secondary—a group that was beat up last week. According to Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer, that could force the squad to abandon nickel packages and consider converting linebacker Thomas Davis to safety.

Against Eli Manning and his wide array weapons, that deficiency is going to be exploited.

Manning has three potent weapons in Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks and Rueben Randle that will pose significant matchup problems for that depleted group. Expect him to have a huge day to get the Giants in the win column.

Jacksonville Jaguars (at Seattle Seahawks)

Is an explanation really needed for you to believe that a Jacksonville Jaguars upset win at CenturyLink Field is the most unrealistic possibility this weekend?

The Jags have been miserable offensively through two weeks, scoring just nine points against the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders.

This week, they get the unfortunate task of traveling to the toughest venue in the NFL to take on a team that absolutely smothered the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2. If the Jags had problems moving the football before, Sunday could be an exhibition of true offensive futility.

Seattle’s not just going to win, it's going to win big to improve to 3-0.

Oakland Raiders (at Denver Broncos)

Peyton Manning and the Super Bowl hopeful Denver Broncos took a big hit this week when left tackle Ryan Clady was sent to the injured reserve.

The impact of that loss may have long-reaching consequences, but Manning and the Broncos won’t feel the effects this week against the Oakland Raiders.

The Raiders defense has been surprising, but it faces its first true test this week against the juggernaut that is the Broncos offense. Their fifth-ranked pass defense is allowing just 180.5 yards per game, a number that is sure to jump after this weekend.

Manning and Co. are averaging a whopping 376 yards per contest through two weeks. The veteran quarterback has also been able to keep his jersey clean, only being sacked three times to this point.