NFL Predictions Week 3: 5 Best Games This Week

Division rivalries litter the Week 3 marquee lineups. When that's the case, dog fights and thrills ensue.

Week 3 will determine the landscape of the NFL for weeks to come. Some contenders will be put in holes they are forced to climb out of in order to secure a division championship.

Surprise teams like the Bills and Redskins may lose, but how well they play against the big boys in their division will set the tone for the rest of their season. Teams like the Texans and Bears have an opportunity to prove their victories so far aren't a fluke.

Let's get to it.

Patriots at the Bills

Surprisingly, one of the best matchups this week features a recent bottom-feeder and the most recent dynasty of our time.

The Bills have made statements the last two weeks, crushing the Kansas City Chiefs on the road, and making a furious 35-point comeback at home in the second quarter in Week 2 against the Oakland Raiders.

The strong point for both teams are the passing offenses. Both have varying weapons to strike with, and the Bills feature what has been a strong running game so far.

The Patriots are a little banged up, most likely having tight end Aaron Hernandez and safety Patrick Chung out for the game. This game looks to be a shootout that will be a lot of fun to watch.

Pick: Patriots 35, Bills 28

Texans at Saints

This is the first true test for a new Texans team.

The Saints are one of the best teams in the league right now and can seemingly move the ball at will. The Texans' revamped defense under Wade Phillips has given up 16 points in two games. However, that was against the Peyton Manning-less Colts and the offensively challenged Miami Dolphins.

Defending Drew Brees will not be an easy task. I expect the Texans to take to the ground to keep Brees off the field. The Saints linebacking corps is among the worst in the league, and it has shown that Aubrayo Franklin and Shaun Rogers are capable of being moved in the first game against Green Bay.

Arian Foster might not be in this game, but Ben Tate is a more than suitable replacement.

Expect the Saints to keep the brilliant Texans passing offense out of sync as they blitz the living daylights out of Matt Schaub.

Pick: Saints: 27, Texans: 21

Falcons at Buccaneers

There has to be a feeling that Atlanta got slightly lucky during its game against the Eagles.

"Air Atlanta" doesn't seem to be working out. Matt Ryan's throwing lots of passes, but receivers not named Tony Gonzalez don't seem to be catching them. Michael Turner isn't even looking good—a 61-yard run saved him from having what would have been a dismal night.

It's not like the Falcons' first couple of games were cake walks, though. I don't expect the Buccaneers to be either, but Atlanta will eventually put it together and fourth-year quarterback Ryan will flourish.

Josh Freeman never fails to impress. He led yet another fourth-quarter comeback against the Vikings (given he had help from LeGarrette Blount) and won the game.

This is a divisional matchup, and they always tend to be close. It should be a vicious game as both teams vie for supremacy in the AFC South.

Pick: Falcons 24, Bucs 20

Packers at the Bears

The Packers' and Bears' age-old rivalry doesn't look to be slowing down this year.

The Bears are one of those teams that are difficult to read. Their defense remains strong, putting pressure on offenses and creating turnovers. However, the offensive line is one of the worst in the league—perhaps the worst—and with a interception-prone Jay Cutler, it's something that really detracts from their chances.

However, Cutler has been playing well, and Matt Forte has been playing out of his mind.

The Packers look to continue dominating the league. They appear top-notch in almost every facet of the game and Aaron Rodgers is as sharp as ever.

Look for Chicago to completely shut down the run game and start dropping seven back into coverage. The Bears know the Packers well and know that they're going to have to get pressure on Rodgers with their front four to slow down this offense.

Either way, these teams know each other too well to let it get out of hand.

Pick: Packers 24, Bears 21

Redskins at the Cowboys

Who thought this Monday night matchup would end up being this good?

The Redskins—dare I say it—are 2-0. They have impressed through two weeks, and Rex Grossman played very well in Week 1. What's surprising is how sturdy the defense has been, considering DeAngelo Hall's penchant for blowing coverage and giving up touchdowns.

Tony Romo suffered a fractured rib that seems to have punctured his lung, yet still returned in the Cowboys' game against the 49ers to throw a game-winning touchdown. He says he's playing Monday night, and that takes a lot of guts.

Sadly, the Cowboys are banged up every where else. Miles Austin is out with a hamstring injury until after their bye week. Felix Jones suffered a separated shoulder, but still re-entered the game.

The good news for the Cowboys is that Dez Bryant wasn't listed on the injury report Monday and is expected to play. Terence Newman is questionable, but tweeted today that he would be in the lineup for their matchup Monday night.

This division rivalry will be nasty, and it could go either way. I expect the Cowboys to power through their injuries and eventually come out on top in this dog fight.

Pick: Cowboys 21, Redskins 17