Week Three NFL Picks

A day late but still a couple days but the Week 3 NFL Picks are here before the big games start this weekend. Week 2 was definitely tougher like I said it would be but still went a pretty good 12-4, bringing the season record to 26-6. I’m pretty happy with that its a solid start to the NFL season.

Unfortunately I split on my lock and upset picks in Week 2. We nailed the upset, which was the Oakland Raiders beating the Kansas City Chiefs. My lock was the Green Bay Packers beating the Cincinnati Bengals, that obviously didn’t happen. Oh well can’t get every lock right.

This week is going to be even tougher to choose winners then it was last week. Some teams that many figured would be good have been absolutely dreadful, while some bad teams (i.e. Denver Broncos) are undefeated.

(Home teams are in CAPS) Note: I don’t use the spread in my picks but if betting is your thing you can hit up Bodog Sportsbook and get all the latest lines on the NFL.

LOCK – BALTIMORE 33, Cleveland 16 – Don’t see how Brady Quinn and the Browns offense will score against the Ravens defense. They’ll get some points but not enough to counter the high scoring Ravens offense. Did I really just say that? Wow.

Washington 17, DETROIT 12 – Like I said earlier this week, this is the Lions best chance to win this season. The Redskins offense is horrible, but I think Jason Campbell will do just enough to pull out the win.

HOUSTON 24, Jacksonville 20 – Beating Tennessee last week was a huge win for the Texans. The offense woke up and proved they can put the points on the board. I still have serious questions about their running game but they should have enough in them to beat the Jags at home this weekend.

MINNESOTA 30, San Francisco 24 – A battle of unbeatens, one of which the 49ers were totally unexpected. A battle of the two biggest rushers in the NFL this season, Frank Gore (who I’m not sold on) and Adrian Peterson (minor back issues). Should be a very entertaining game to watch but this is the week where Brett Favre shines and shows why the Vikings needed a real QB to support Peterson.

NEW ENGLAND 27, Atlanta 23 – The Patriots have struggled in the first two weeks but I think it makes them more dangerous. This has the potential to be the best game of the weekend. Can Matt Ryan handle a rowdy Foxboro crowd? I think he’ll do just fine but there will be some late Tom Brady heroics again.

PHILADELPHIA 32, Kansas City 13 – Even without Donovan McNabb the Eagles should have no problem handling the Chiefs. The Eagles defense was shredded by Drew Brees last week but I think that will put a major chip on their shoulder. No team likes to get embarrassed at home but for a team with fans like theirs its even worse. Expect a big rebound performance.

Green Bay 26, ST. LOUIS 17 – The Rams offense has been absolutely horrendous this year, seven points after two games. After what the Bengals Cedric Benson did to the Packers defense expect a heavy dose of Steven Jackson. The Packers offense should also rebound thou from a tough week and be too much for the Rams to handle.

New York Giants 31, TAMPA BAY 18 – The Giants had a huge win against the Cowboys last week, with them going on the road you wonder if this turns into a potential trap game. The Giants defense will be short Kenny Phillips and most likely Justin Tuck, luckily for them the Bucs aren’t that good. Tampa’s defense has been uncharacteristically bad and are showing no signs of coming out of it, expect another big game out of Eli Manning and the Giants passing attack.

Tennessee 20, NEW YORK JETS 17 – The Jets are also coming off a huge win against the Patriots, so you have to wonder again about a let down. The Titans, expected to contend for the AFC title, are 0-2 and in desperate need of a win. I expect there defense to pressure Mark Sanchez into a couple mistakes which helps Kerry Collins manage the Titans to a win.

New Orleans 41, BUFFALO 27 – The Saints have scored an insane 93 points after two games, with 41 of those coming against a very good Eagles defense. Expect more of the same against the Bills this week, can Terrell Owens and company will this team to an upset win? Doubt it.

SEATTLE 24, Chicago 21 – Both of these squads really need a win. I think Seattle’s 12th man will be going crazy, especially when a late field goal seals the deal for the home team.

UPSET – CINCINNATI 20, Pittsburgh 16 – Cincinnati pulled off a major road win last week against the Packers, while the Steelers offense continued to struggle out in Chicago. Expect the struggles to continue as the Bengals begin to build on the confidence from last week. Ocho Cinco will have a big game with Troy Polamalu not around.

OAKLAND 23, Denver 17 – Denver gets brought back down to reality this week. Enough said.

SAN DIEGO 33, Miami 21 – Should be entertaining game but doubt the Dolphins have the success they had last week. The Colts defense made the mistake of not adjusting to the Wildcat offense, the Chargers won’t make that same mistake. Rivers should lead this team to victory through the air as the running game is pretty bad.

Indianapolis 27, ARIZONA 20 – Indy got a lot of heat for their defense last week, do you think that makes them more scary this week or not? I’m sure there was a lot of extra time put in by that unit this week. The plus for the Colts is the Cardinals can’t really run the ball, in fact they have a pretty basic offense. Just what the Colts need for another Manning win.

DALLAS 26, Carolina 18 – This is a tough one. Do the Cowboys lose two in a row to open their cathedral? Or do the Panthers fall to 0-3? I didn’t expect the Panthers to be this bad but at the same time I can’t see them beating an angry Cowboys team. A heavy rushing attack should prevent the same kind of mistakes Tony Romo made last week.

LAST WEEK – 12-4
SEASON RECORD – 26-6
LOCK – 1-1
UPSET – 2-0

Those are the picks, I’m sure they’ll be some controversy with them this week.