NFL Week 3 Predictions

Time goes by far too fast. It is already week three in the NFL and time for me to make some predictions.

Green Bay vs. Dallas highlights the week and it's on Sunday Night Football.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) vs. Atlanta Falcons (1-1)
Last week Kansas City was defeated by the Oakland Raiders 23 to 8. Tyler Thigpen made his first career start completing 14 of 33 passes for 151 yards and one touchdown. It's got to be tough knowing a no-name like Tyler Thigpen is your starting quarterback. The Chiefs are off to a bad start only averaging 9 points per contest. Atlanta lost to the Bucs 24-9 on Sunday. Matt Ryan was horrendous completing only 13 passes for 158 yards and two interceptions. Michael Turner only ran for 42 yards on 14 attempts.

This game should be a close one because they are amongst the worst teams in the NFL.

Prediction: Kansas City 13 Atlanta 19

2. Oakland Raiders (1-1) vs. Buffalo Bills (2-0)
Oakland picked up there first win of the season last week against the Chiefs. Jamarcus Russel completed 6 passes for 55 yards. Weird to think that some quarterbacks can get that in one drive. Darren McFadden ran for 164 yards on 21 carries hitting the end zone once. Michael Bush also had a touchdown and 90 yards. DeAngelo Hall led the team with 6 tackles. Buffalo has proved to be one of the better teams in the league this year by defeating both the Seahawks and Jaguars. Trent Edwards completed 80% of his passes for 239 yards and one touchdown to rookie Wide Receiver James Hardy. Marshawn Lynch ran for 59 yards and one touchdown.

Buffalo should be able to take this one at home but Oakland could surprise some and make it closer than you would think.

Prediction: Oakland 16 Buffalo 24

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1) vs. Chicago Bears (1-1)
In his first start of the season Brian Griese completed 18 of 31 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown. Earnest Graham on 16 carries had 116 yards and one touchdown, including a 68 yard run. Second year Defensive End Gaines Adams had 2 sacks. Chicago came up short to Carolina losing by only a field goal 20 to 17. Kyle Orton threw for 149 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions. Matt Forte ran for 92 yards on 23 carries. He is beginning to look like the future back for Chicago already. Brandon Lloyd ran in for a touchdown off a blocked punt attempt by Brandon McGowan.

This will be a fantastic game and one that could potentially come down to who has the ball last.

Prediction: Tampa Bay 24 Chicago 21

4. Carolina Panthers (2-0) vs. Minnesota Vikings (0-2)
Carolina last week was victorious over the Chicago Bears. Jonathan Stewart piled up 77 yards and one touchdown on the ground. Mushin Muhammad caught 5 balls for 59 yards with a long of 33 yards. Linebacker Jon Beason had 8 tackles tied with fellow linebacker Thomas Davis. Minnesota is on the brink of going 0 and 3. Adrian Peterson as of right now is questionable with a hamstring injury. Without him the Vikings do not stand a chance. Tarvaris Jackson has been benched to bring in 15 year vet Gus Frerotte. Last week the Vikes were defeated on a late seconds field goal.

Minnesota can't afford to lose this game. If they do they have a very small chance of making the playoffs.

Prediction: Carolina 17 Minnesota 22

5. Miami Dolphins (0-2) vs. New England Patriots (2-0)
On Sunday Chad Pennington completed half of his passes for 112 yards. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams struggled to get anything going on the run managing only 53 yards on 22 attempts. Miami was blown out by the Cardinals 31 to 10. As for the Patriots they were victorious against Brett Favre's Jets 19-10. In his first career start Matt Cassel threw for 165 yards. Lamont Jordan ran for 62 yards on the ground. Rookie Linebacker Jerod Mayo led the team with 7 tackles.

This should be a blow-out win for the Pats.

Prediction: Miami 9 New England 27

6. Cincinatti Bengals (0-2) vs. New York Giants (2-0)
Carson Palmer struggled greatly last week throwing for 134 yards with 2 interceptions. The only touchdown for the Bengals was a rushing touchdown by Chris Perry who also had 64 yards. Chad Ocho Cinco and T.J. Houshmandzadeh combined for 64 yards on 7 receptions. Defending super bowl champion New York Giants were victorious in dominating fashion over 41 to 13 over the Rams. Eli Manning threw for 3 touchdowns on 260 yards. Plaxico Burress led the team in receiving yards with 81. Brandon Jacobs had 93 yards on 15 attempts rushing.

Another blowout for the Giants this week.

Prediction: Cincinnati 13 New York 31

7. Houston Texans (0-1) vs. Tennessee Titans (2-0)
Due to the impact of Hurricane Ike the Houston Texans were not able to play last week. Therefore they will play on their originally schedule bye week. In week 1 the Texans were defeated by the Ravens. As far as Tennessee goes they did play last week against the Bengals and walked away winners 24 to 7. Kerry Collins completed 14 of 21 passes for 128 yards and one touchdown. Chris Johnson ran for 109 yards on 19 carries.

This game could be a bounce back for the Titans but they may be rusty.

Prediction: Houston 17 Tennessee 23

8. Arizona Cardinals (2-0) vs. Washington Redskins (1-1)
The Cardinals are off to a tremendous start. They crushed the Dolphins last week 31 to 10. Kurt Warner was on fire completing 19 of 24 passes for 361 yards and 3 touchdowns all to Anquan Boldin. Edgerrin James had 55 yards on the ground. Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin combined for 12 catches and 293 yards. Washington defeated the Saints 29 to 24 in an exciting game. Jason Campbell threw for 321 and one touchdown. Clinton Portis had 2 rushing touchdowns. Wide Receiver Santana Moss led the team with 164 receiving yards and one touchdown.

Arizona and Washington will make for a close game.

Prediction: Arizona 21 Washington 20

9. New Orleans Saints (1-1) vs. Denver Broncos (2-0)
New Orleans was beat last week by 5 to the Redskins. Drew Brees had a bad day throwing for 2 interceptions. Reggie Bush had 91 total yards. Without Marques Colston the Saints struggled in the passing game. Jonathan Vilma led the team on defense with ten tackles. Denver has been the most impressive team this year. They defeated the Chargers by 1 last Sunday with a 2-point conversion from Cutler to Royal. Brandon Marshall had a career high 18 catches for 166 yards and one touchdown. Tony Scheffler caught 2 touchdowns.

Denver should impress again against a terrible Saints pass defense.

Prediction: New Orleans 17 Denver 31

10. Detroit Lions (0-2) vs. San Francisco 49ers (1-1)
The Lions were crushed by the Packers 25 to 48 on Sunday. Jon Kitna completed 21 of 41 passes for 276 yards and 2 touchdowns along with 3 picks. Calvin Johnson caught both of the touchdowns. J.T. O'Sullivan impressed yet again. Throwing for 321 yards and a touchdown. The niners were victorious over the Seahawks 33 to 30. Frank Gore had 61 yards on the ground along with a touchdown. Isaac Bruce had 153 receiving yards on 4 receptions.

Detroit's defense is one of the worst in the league. San Fran's whole team is picking up.

Prediction: Detroit 19 San Francisco 27

11. St. Louis Rams (0-2) vs. Seattle Seahawks (0-2)
St. Louis was dominated last week against the Giants. Steven Jackson only rushed for 53 yards. Marc Bulger completed 20 of 32 passes for 177 yards and one touchdown. Torry Holt caught that one touchdown pass on an amazing bobbling catch. As for Seattle they are still win-less losing last week to the 49'ers. Matt Hasselbeck completed half of his passes and threw 2 interceptions with no touchdowns. Julius Jones on 26 carries ran for 127 yards and one touchdown.

Seattle should get their first win of the season seeing as they're facing the Rams.

Prediction: St. Louis 9 Seattle 24

12. Cleveland Browns (0-2) vs. Baltimore Ravens (1-0)
Cleveland is still searching for it's first win. They were beaten 10 to 6 on Sunday night to the Steelers. The Browns didn't manage to get any touchdowns, only 2 field goals by Kicker Phil Dawson. Cleveland's defense looked better only allowing 10 points to a great offensive unit. Baltimore is still undefeated..But they've only played one game. They were supposed to play Houston last week but couldn't due to Hurricane Ike as mention before. Baltimore was impressive in week one nonetheless.

Cleveland will look to get back on track this week.

Prediction: Cleveland 20 Baltimore 13

13. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2) vs. Indianapolis Colts (1-1)
Jacksonville a top contender in the beginning of the year is now without a win thus far. Losing 20 to 16 last week to the Bills was a big loss. David Garrard threw for 165 yards with an interception. Fred Taylor led the team in rushing with 49 yards. On the defensive side Brian Williams had 8 tackles. Indianapolis bounced back this week by defeating the Vikings 18-15. They were shut-out in the first half but came out strong in the second half. Peyton Manning threw for over 300 yards with one touchdown. They managed only 25 yards rushing. Second year receiver Anthony Gonzalez had 9 catches for 137 yards.

This game will be close and an offensive show-down

Prediction: Jacksonville 34 Indianapolis 31

14. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)
Pittsburgh was victorious on Sunday beating the Browns by 4 points. Ben Roethlisberger even with a bad shoulder threw for 186 yards and the games only touchdown to Hines Ward. Santonio Holmes led the team in receiving yards with 94. Philadelphia came up short in a classic game against Dallas on Monday night. Losing 41 to 37. Donovan McNabb completed 25 of 37 passes for 281 yards and one touchdown. Brian Westbrook had 2 rushing touchdowns. Rookie DeSean Jackson led the team with 6 receptions for 110 yards.

A Pennsylvania match-up. This game is going to be very close.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 20 Philadelphia 23

15. Dallas Cowboys (2-0) vs. Green Bay Packers (2-0)
One of these teams will walk away undefeated and the other will suffer it's first loss. Dallas beat Philadelphia 41 to 37 on Monday Night Football. Tony Romo threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns. Jason Witten caught 7 passes for 110 yards. Marion Barber had 63 yards on the ground. Aaron Rodgers was very impressive on Sunday completing 24 of 28 passes for 328 yards and three touchdowns as well. Greg Jennings had 167 receiving yards to lead the team. They defeated the Lions 48 to 25.

This game is a must-see. Full of offense and points scored.

Prediction: Dallas 37 Green Bay 30

16. New York Jets (1-1) vs. San Diego Chargers (0-2)
The Jets were defeated last week to the Patriots 19 to 10. Brett Favre threw for 181 yards and one touchdown. Thomas Jones had an even 70 yards on the ground. Laveranues Coles had 3 receptions for 72 yards. San Diego has yet to win a game and they are hungry for one. In the late seconds they were beaten on a drive by the Denver Broncos. Philip Rivers threw for nearly 400 yards and had 3 touchdowns. Chris Chambers caught 2 of them and hauled in 83 yards. Quentin Jammer led the team with 10 tackles.

San Diego should take this one at home on Monday night.

Prediction: New York 14 San Diego 27

Start/Sit:

Start:
QB: Jay Cutler vs. Saints
QB: Eli Manning vs. Bengals
QB: Philip Rivers vs. Jets
RB: Michael Turner vs. Chiefs
RB: Darren Sproles vs. Jets
RB: Maurice Jones-Drew vs. Colts
WR: Steve Smith vs. Vikings
WR: Brandon Marshall vs. Saints
WR: Plaxico Burress vs. Bengals
TE: Tony Scheffler vs. Saints
TE: Jason Witten vs. Packers
TE: Antonio Gates vs. Jets
K: Nate Kaeding vs. Jets
K: Stephen Gostkowski vs. Dolphins
K: Rian Lindell vs. Raiders
DST: Giants vs. Rams
DST: Patriots vs. Dolphins
DST: Bills vs. Raiders

Sit:
QB: Carson Palmer vs. Giants
QB: Marc Bulger vs. Seahawks
QB: Donovan McNabb vs. Steelers
RB: Jonathan Stewart/DeAngelo Williams vs. Vikings
RB: Jamal Lewis vs. Ravens
RB: Thomas Jones vs. Chargers
WR: Chad Ocho Cinco vs. Giants
WR: Torry Holt vs. Seahawks
WR: Javon Walker vs. Bills
TE: Anthony Fasano vs. Patriots
TE: Greg Olsen vs. Buccaneers
TE: L.J. Smith vs. Steelers
K: Shayne Graham vs. Giants
K: Josh Brown vs. Seahawks
K: Sebastian Janikowski vs. Bills
DST: Packers vs. Cowboys
DST: Cowboys vs. Packers
DST: Eagles vs. Steelers