NFL Picks Week 3: Early Predictions for Each Game

It’s never too early to start planning your plays for this week’s NFL action.

The lines were released today and you can start making your bets before they move away from your favor. Most of the NFL action comes in on Saturday and Sunday, so placing a wager before those days could give you favorable odds before the betting public moves the spreads and over/unders.

I’m going take a look at each line as they are currently set on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 4:00 p.m. EDT and make a short prediction. Home teams are in caps.

CINCINNATI BENGALS (-1.5) vs. San Francisco 49ers

The Bengals covered two weeks in a row but I feel that this is the week they falter. They upset a terrible Browns team and covered against a very injured but still poor Broncos squad.

The Niners suffered a heartbreaking loss against a good Cowboys team and beat up on the comparably bad Seattle Seahawks. I expect the Niners to cover, especially given points.

New England Patriots (-9) at BUFFALO BILLS

Don’t bet against New England until they lose. The Bills won a dramatic game against a strange Oakland team, but they won’t repeat that performance again this week.

Tom Brady is playing some of the best football ever at the quarterback position and their offense is too high powered to struggle against the Bills.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (-4) vs. Houston Texans

The Texans have yet to prove themselves while the Saints won big against a decent Bears team and barely lost to the defending Super Bowl champion Packers.

I would go with New Orleans here until the Texans prove they can win a big game against a good team, especially coming off two straight victories.

New York Giants vs PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

This line is not yet available and will largely hinge on the status of Michael Vick.

TENNESSEE TITANS (-7) vs. Denver Broncos

I like the Broncos getting seven here. The Titans got a tough win against a Ravens squad that is much better than them. I expect a hangover against Denver and this should be close. If the Broncos get back most of their starters that sat out Week 2, they will definitely keep this close.

Detroit Lions (-3.5) at MINNESOTA VIKINGS

I’ll tell you the Lions look good. They are beating up on teams and winning with an edge. They didn’t take their foot off the gas against Kansas City and I don’t expect them to take it easy on the Vikings.

Minnesota has already suffered two tough losses and won’t be able to hang with the high-powered Lions, even at home.

CAROLINA PANTHERS (-3.5) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Cam Newton is going to be a superstar and had his team up early against the Packers. He made a few rookie mistakes against a veteran and tested defense that he won’t against the Jaguars.

Jacksonville gave up on their starting quarterback against the Jets and seem like they are in trouble. I would take Carolina all day here and I would get it in before the public moves the line in fear of Newton and Steve Smith’s offense.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (-14.5) vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Wow, a 14.5 point spread in Week 3. Vegas has no faith in the Chiefs and neither should you, but taking the Chargers by over two touchdowns in a divisional game is very iffy.

The Chiefs lost their Pro Bowl RB Jamaal Charles and beastly safety Eric Berry for the season, but they still have many other key components to their team.

I would take the Chiefs but this is a stay away game.

New York Jets (-3) at OAKLAND RAIDERS

This is an east coast team traveling to the west coast, which always makes for a tough game. The Jets looked phenomenal and were rolling on all cylinders against the Jaguars, so they are the play against Oakland’s’ weak defense.

Baltimore Ravens (-3.5) at ST. LOUIS RAMS

The Rams are bad and make mistakes. We saw that on Monday night and we will see it again when they take on Baltimore.

The Ravens lost a fluke game against the Titans and they will be motivated to come out and punish the Rams. Lay the points in this lock.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (-1.5) vs. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons are getting no respect for their win over Philadelphia, most likely because Vick did not finish the game.

They also looked pretty bad against the Bears, but Tampa Bay is not that good this year. They got lucky against the Vikings and were beat up and outcoached by the Lions.

I’d take the Falcons getting points all day here.

Arizona Cardinals (-3) at SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

The Cardinals had a real chance to beat the Redskins last week, who are a much better team than the Seahawks.

Tarvaris Jackson is bar none the worst quarterback in the league and even the crummy Cardinals’ defense will have a field day against him.

Larry Fitzgerald should have his breakout game this season as well against this terrible team.

Green Bay Packers (-3.5) at CHICAGO BEARS

I like the Packers in this one. They already showed they can beat the Saints, who whooped on the Bears last week.

Aaron Rodgers is playing at a high level and the team will be motivated to beat up on the division winner from last season.

Pittsburgh Steelers (-10) at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

The Colts are nothing without Peyton Manning. Kerry Collins will be devoured by this defense that is still being labeled as old after the Week 1 loss to the Ravens.

If the Browns can beat the Colts by eight, the Steelers can beat them by at least 14. 

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