NFL Week 3 Picks: Recap Of Chargers Vs Jaguars and Week 3 Predictions

Taking a look back at the Chargers Week 2 match-up against the Jaguars, I have a couple of thoughts.  My first thought is, “Wow! The Jaguars looked horrible!.”  My second thought is, “Wow! The Chargers looked great!  Six takeaways on defense!  The offense scored 38 points!!!” 

My final thought is, “Wow! That was an ugly game.” 

That’s right, that game was quite disturbing.  Even for Chargers fans who walked away with a blowout win, you can’t leave without wondering what would have happened against a more well prepared, more talented team than Jacksonville?

How ugly was it?  Well, in the first half, there were seven turnovers.  That says it all.   Three picks and a fumble recovery by the Chargers defense and two picks and a fumble recovery for the Jags defense.  Fortunately for the Chargers, every time the offense coughed the ball up, the defense just took it back.  The Chargers defense was the best unit on the field all day.  The Chargers offense did well and scored a lot of points, but the defense really shut down the Jaguars offense and forced a normally safe quarterback (Garrard) into throwing three picks by the half.

The other concern from that game for the Chargers is the high ankle sprain of top draft pick Ryan Mathews.  Mathews says he will be a good for Sunday’s contest with the Seahawks, but he did miss practice on Wednesday and has been wearing a boot for support and  stabilization.  If Matthews doesn’t return, don’t fear Bolt fans, Mike Tolbert will roll on the field and start pounding out yards like he did against the Jags.  The bowling ball shaped Tolbert rumbled for over five yards per carry in Matthews absence in week 2.

Now the question is, which Chargers team will show up and which Seahawks team will show up this week?  In Week 1, the Chargers struggled against the Chiefs and took a tough loss.  Also in Week 1, the Seahawks swooped down on the Niners and surprised them with their first loss of the year.  Since then, the Bolts beat the Jaguars handily and the Seahawks were beaten by the Raiders.  Parity? Maybe.  We’ll find out on Sunday!  Enjoy the game!

Week 3 Picks!

Here are my picks for Week 3.  I hope you haven’t been putting any money down on my picks so far.  It’s been a rough start with the inconsistencies around the league.

 Last Week:  8 - 8

Year Total:  16 – 16

Niners  24 @ Chiefs 13

The Niners are desperate and I still don’t believe in the Chiefs.  Even though the Chiefs have homefield advantage, I like Frisco to play like a team that is trying to save their season.

Browns  10 @ Ravens 20

The Ravens have had little offense to speak of, but Ray Lewis and the Ravens defense has spoken loud and clear.  They are too much for the Browns.

Cowboys  24 @ Texans  27

Whew! This is a tough call.  The battle of Texas could be one of the best games of the weekend.  Dallas is already worried about even making the playoffs, much less playing in their home Super Bowl.  The Texans are coming off two big wins and ready to take bragging rights in their home state.  I’m not overconfident in this pick but I have to go with the home team here.

Lions  17  @ Vikings  31

Just looking at the names of these teams makes it look like a no-brainer.  However, the Vikings have been struggling and the Lions have scored a lot of points in their first two games.  That being said, I just can’t go with Detroit over a very hungry Vikings team.  Look for the Vikings to get well this week.

Bills 6  @ Patriots  28

Even though the Pats lost to the Jets in week 2, and Tom Brady says his own team, “sucks”, I have to think that the Patriots will roll over the Bills at home (or anywhere else).

Falcons  14 @ Saints  28

Should have been a great game, but I fear that the loss of Michael Turner will prove to be too big of a loss for the Falcons.  It’s hard enough to beat the Saints at home, even with Turner in the fold  Doesn’t look good for Atlanta.

Titans  12  @ Giants  24

The Titans are having all kinds of quarterback and O-line problems.  The Giants are moving the ball well and they are at home.

Steelers  13 @ Bucs  6

I want so badly to pick the Bucs here and I almost did.  The Steelers didn’t even score an offensive touchdown last week.  Charlie Batch will be taking over this week and that may actually be an improvement for the men in Black and Gold.  I don’t know that the Bucs can move the ball on Troy and the boys.  Low scoring, defensive battle.

Bengals   34  @ Panthers  13

Too much firepower from the Bengals for the Panthers to compete.  The Panthers are not a good team.

Eagles   31  @ Jaguars  13

I don’t think the Jaguars can compete with a team like the Eagles.  Vick should have a big day!

Redskins  28 @ Rams  12

The Skins lost a shootout last week with Houston.  The Rams cannot shoot with McNabb and his Skins.

Colts   41 @ Broncos  14

Look for Manning to put on a clinic against the banged up Broncos.  Shouldn’t even be close.

Raiders  17  @ Cardinals  24

I guess we will see if Gradkowski is the man to lead the Silver and Black.  Personally, I don’t think the Raiders will move the ball well against the Cards.  The Cards are at home and should win in a relatively close game.

Chargers   31  @ Seahawks  21

Let’s get this straight.  The Charger beat the Jaguars, who beat the Broncos, who beat the Seahawks, who beat the Niners, who almost beat the Saints?  I wonder why it is so hard to pick winners?  Anyway, even without Ryan Mathews running the ball, I look for the Chargers to be too much for the Seahawks, even in Seattle.

Jets   18  @ Dolphins  24

Call me biased, but I’m going with the red-hot Miami Dolphins at home.  I think the Jets offense is inconsistent and the Fins are playing well on D.

Packers   27 @ Bears  24

This could be great!  Cutler looked good last week and the Packers are good.  Could be an upset here but I’m going with the Cheese Heads.

Enjoy the games!!!