NFL Picks Week 3: Washington Redskins and 3 Fast Starters That Will Fizzle

Ah yes, we've finally reached that all-important point in the 2011 NFL season wherein we anointed 2-0 teams to contender status and doom those at 0-2 to the bottom of the barrel.

Invariably, some of those who have gotten off to a perfect start will come back down to Earth as soon as this weekend.

These three teams are particularly vulnerable to picking up loss No. 1 in Week 3.

Washington Redskins

The Redskins have had the tremendous fortune of facing teams with terrible secondaries in each of the first two weeks.

Well, make that three once they land in Irving, Texas to take on the Cowboys.

Dallas' defensive backfield is as banged up as any in the NFL. The Cowboys were fortunate to have Mike Jenkins back at corner against the 49ers but figure to once again be without Terence Newman and Orlando Scandrick.

So why, exactly, do I think Washington will lose?

Well, for one, this will be Washington's first road game of the season, so a change of scenery will certainly play a part.

More relevant, though, is the extent to which the 'Skins struggled to score against an inferior opponent in Week 2. DC piled up 455 yards of offense but managed only two touchdowns in five ventures into the red zone in a 22-21 win over the Cardinals.

Those sorts of struggles won't fly so easily against the Cowboys, who will garner another gutsy performance from Tony Romo to claim victory in front of a friendly crowd. 

Buffalo Bills

I like the Buffalo Bills and I'm rooting for them to succeed this season, but I just can't see them keeping this run going against the Patriots on Sunday.

New England hasn't lost to Buffalo since Week 1 of the 2003 season and, with Tom Brady off to another MVP-caliber start, it isn't about to let that streak come to an end yet.

This game will be a shootout, to be sure, as both teams have demonstrated a propensity for putting up points and neither has much to write home about on defense. It will be entertaining and the Bills will have a solid season after Week 3, but for now, the Pats will rule the roost in the AFC East.

Houston Texans

The Texans have hardly looked like the offensive juggernaut that everyone had them pegged to be.

Granted, Arian Foster is still struggling to shake his hamstring strain, but backup Ben Tate has done a terrific job filling in. Matt Schaub has been steady, if wholly unspectacular, and the defense has had the benefit of going up against some pretty sorry offenses so far.

Houston won't have the benefit of playing a poor opponent in Week 3, when the Texans head down to the Bayou to take on the New Orleans Saints.

Those very same Saints that destroyed the Chicago Bears this past weekend.

Surely, Drew Brees and company wouldn't mind showing Houston what a truly elite offense looks like up close, albeit at the expense of the Texans' perfect record.

Follow @J0shMart1n