Make or Break: NFL Week 3 Preview

There are several teams proving themselves to be contenders for their respective divisions. With Week 3 approaching, it’s time to see who will make the most noise in the 3rd installment of this season. Here’s the rundown of this week’s matchup.

St. Louis vs. Tampa Bay

The Rams are in desperate need of a win. The Buccaneers are in desperate need of a division lead. Something has to give for one of these teams. On Sunday, Jeff Garcia leads the revived Bucs against a limp Marc Bulger and even limper Rams team. Steven Jackson hasn’t played up to his potential this season, and the wide receiving corps hasn’t made a lot of noise yet. As for the Bucs, Cadillac Williams is proving that he is tougher than he originally thought. The defense proved itself worthy of respect after shutting down the Saints last week. This will come down to whether Bulger is healthy and if the offense is awake.

Final Score: Bucs 24, Rams 13

San Diego vs. Green Bay

The Packers are 2-0 to start off the season. The Chargers lost a heartbreaker in Foxboro to the Patriots. The Bolts will be looking to rebound against Brett Favre, and the Packers will be looking for more offensive power against a very hungry defensive team. The defense can keep the Pack in check, but Favre is used to pressure (Just ask Drew Bledsoe and John Elway). Can the Lightning Horses handle the noise and weather of Lambeau? Can the Cheeseheads contain the always dangerous LT? On Sunday, we’ll find out who is ready for this battle.

Final Score: Packers 20, Chargers 13

Miami vs. New York Jets

The Dolphins are still looking for a win. So are the Jets. By the end of this one, someone will be looking, and someone will be moving up. The Jets have the tools to win, but so do the Fins. The Dolphins have a veteran quarterback in Trent Green as well as Ronnie Brown to back him up. Chad Pennington is still limping around, so he doesn’t know if he is 100% ready for the stingy defense led by Jason Taylor. The Low Flying New York B has their work cut out for them tomorrow. Expect a trench fight.

Final Score: Jets 17, Dolphins 7

Arizona vs. Baltimore

The Ravens are 1-1. The Cardinals are 1-1. It’s the first leg of the War of the Birds. Arizona’s offense vs. Baltimore’s defense should be an interesting matchup. Baltimore should have no problems on defense, even against the wrath of Edgerrin James and Matt Leinart. Arizona can keep it relatively close, but don’t expect the special teams to finish the job this week.

Final Score: Ravens 35, Cards 20

Indianapolis vs. Houston

The Colts are picked by some to win the AFC again this year. Bet they didn’t expect the Texans to be 2-0 right along with them. Adding Matt Schaub to the equation has added some positive reinforcement to the team. Unfortunately, Andre Johnson is out for this first shootout between the two teams. Still, expect the Texans to put up a fight. The Former Houston Team proved that the Dome Broncos are vulnerable, so if they can expose that, expect the Texans to be 3-0 after this one. It will be up to Peyton to lead the Colts to victory against a stingy defense.

Final Score: Colts 31, Texans 28

Detroit vs. Philadelphia

The Eagles are 0-2. The Lions are 2-0. What’s wrong with this picture? Jon Kitna is living up to his end of the guarantee of 10 wins. Donovan McNabb has been a fantasy bust so far this season. The special teams of the Green Birds aren’t helping much either. Calvin Johnson, on the other hand, has been great in his rookie season, and Roy Williams has been living up to his potential. With the way the Blue Kitties have been playing so far, I don’t see Philly stopping them. Expect the Eagles fans to be a little more ticked off by the end of this one. This would have been an upset at the beginning of the season, but this one is a no brainer. Sorry, Eagles.

Final Score: Lions 38, Eagles 17

Minnesota vs. Kansas City

The Vikings have high hopes, despite having to mold a quarterback into a premiere starter. The Chiefs lost their premiere quarterback, but they still have Larry Johnson. Fantasy owners have been fighting for Adrian Peterson ever since he was drafted. The Chiefs are just fighting to get a win. I doubt that will happen against a defense that is ready for anything…except field goals. Minnesota will win this one. They may have a challenge late in the third quarter, but until the Chefs realize that they have to find ways to win, the Purple People Eaters will notch another win under their belt.

Final Score: Vikings 37, Chiefs 14

Buffalo vs. New England

The Controversial Soldiers of America will need to step up and show that they are better than they showed off the field. Spygate is over and done with, and the Pats have no problem with that. The New York Buffaloes don’t stand much of a chance against a team that is dangerous on both sides of the ball. Special teams may be the only way that the Bills stay close. Unfortunately, that will not be enough. Tom Brady will be dishing it out to Randy Moss, and the defense will make sure that Bill Belichick goes 3-0 this season. I see that happening as well.

Final Score: Patriots 49, Bills 10

San Francisco vs. Pittsburgh

This game has serious implications on their respective divisions. It also happens to be the battle of the dynasties. The Steelers and Niners both come into this game undefeated with good offense, good defense, and high hopes. Big Ben is back, and he will prove that in this game. Alex Smith is becoming a seasoned vet, and Frank Gore looks unstoppable with emotion hanging over his head. In San Francisco, in front of a home crowd, the 49ers would win this game. But this is Pittsburgh, and Big Ben loves playing at home. That’s enough for me to say that the Steelers will do what both Arizona and St. Louis couldn't do: Beat the Niners.

Final Score: Steelers 27, 49ers 17

Cleveland vs. Oakland

The Raiders have JaMarcus Russell signing a deal…and still no one cares. Even with Russell in the lineup, the Browns are on a high after beating the Bengals in a shootout. Cleveland has the receivers to win this game. They are more motivated with the fact that Detroit did it two weeks before. The Raiders are still fuming over that overtime bust in Denver, but if the Black Hole Warriors want to win this one, they will have to contain Jamal Lewis, put pressure on Derek Anderson, and make sure that those receivers don’t get an inch of space. If that doesn’t happen, expect another round of that same old song and dance in Oakland.

Final Score: Browns 42, Raiders 20

Cincinnati vs. Seattle

The Rain Birds are looking to rebound after a devastating loss to Neil Rackers. The Bengals are looking to rebound after a loss to Derek Anderson. Either way, Shaun Alexander expects to play, and Chad Johnson expects to shine. CJ wants to win, and SA expects to step up in this game. Carson Palmer will be dangerous, as usual. Seahawks win this game if Shaun Alexander has a big game. Cincinnati wins this one if Palmer and Johnson take their game up another notch. This will be a game that will go down to the wire. Expect fireworks in the Rainy City.

Final Score: Seahawks 24, Bengals 20

Jacksonville vs. Denver

The Jags finally have a win under their belts. Jay Cutler has two this season. Even under pressure, the Mile High Donkeys have found ways to win. Shanahan is looking like a genius and has no problem dusting off his Plummer-covered shoulders. David Gerrard will have to bring it all to beat a hungry Broncos defense. The South Beach Cats will have to find a way to force the Dandy Vandy to make mistakes. Otherwise, expect Denver’s running game to have a huge effect on the game. This game will not (I repeat, not) come down to a field goal. Someone will win by more than just a point or two or three. Expect Denver to go 3-0 in Invesco.

Final Score: Broncos 41, Jaguars 31

New York Giants vs. Washington

The Meadowlands Midgets are trying to figure out if Tiki Barber’s comments had an effect on them. Don’t worry. They did. Eli has been somewhat stellar this season, but the NFC powerhouse is still winless this season. As for the Skins, they are 2-0 with Jason Campbell. The offense is clicking, and that’s bad news for New York A. The Hogettes will be celebrating at the end of this one. Dan Snyder is looking like a genius right now due to the fact that they are winning. After Sunday, even I will give Danny Boy his due…if they win the game, that is.

Final Score: Redskins 23, Giants 13

Carolina vs. Atlanta

This would be a good game if the Panthers were 2-0. This would be a good game if the Falcons were 2-0. This would be a good game if Michael Vick were under center. The East Coast Cats are 1-1 and coming off a loss to Houston. The Dirty Birds are 0-2 and searching for a miracle. Insert Byron Leftwich for Atlanta. The Falcons hope that adding Leftwich will bring back some of that mobility lost with Joey Harrington. But no matter how good the Birds were in the preseason, they must have forgot one thing: This is the regular season. Different story. Different cast. Same result: This will not be a good game.

Final Score: Panthers 20, Falcons 10

Dallas vs. Chicago

The defending NFC Champions are still trying to find the right Rex Grossman. The Cowboys are forgetting about the flop of their wild card game against Seattle. Someone is doing something right. The Boys are sitting atop the NFC East, and they aren’t going down without a fight. The Bears are fighting for the top spot (currently owned by Detroit and Green Bay). Depending on which Rex shows up on Sunday, the Bears should do pretty decent in this game. However, Tony Romo is looking like a man possessed. As for TO, well…he’s TO. Would you expect anything less? Either way, someone’s reign ends Sunday night.

Final Score: Cowboys 31, Bears 20

Tennessee vs. New Orleans

This game is good on Monday night. Not because it’s the Titans and the Saints. Not because it’s in the spotlight. Not even because it’s resurrection versus emotion. It’s simply because it’s Vince Young-Reggie Bush 2. The two haven’t met since the BCS Championship Game between USC and Texas. But you can bet that Bourbon Street Priests are looking to get a much needed victory on Monday night. The Flaming Gods are looking to gain some ground on Houston and Indy, but first, they have to find a way to silence the dome. On Monday night, it gets no more clear cut than this: Win the crowd and win your freedom. Freedom in this case is the game. But as it has been proven time and time again, there is no place like dome.

Final Score: Saints 24, Titans 20

That’s all she wrote kids. See ya Tuesday.