NFL Picks Week 3: 8 Games You Must Watch

Week 2 of the NFL season is in the books and last week's games sure gave us plenty of storylines heading into Week 3.

With only one divisional game last Sunday, the chase for division leads heat up this week as we will see eight games within the division played.

We will see Tom Brady, who has had two impressive weeks, go up against the surprise Buffalo Bills, who are looking for their first winning record since 2004 and a playoff berth.

Jacksonville Jaguar fans will get their first look at their future as rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert leads the team into Carolina to take on talented Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers.

A lot of the questions from Week 2 will be answered this week as we find out how much injuries will impact certain players.

Quarterbacks Michael Vick and Tony Romo both suffered critical injuries last week, but both plan on playing in their respective games, a risky move that could substantially hurt their teams if they were to make their injuries worse.

When taking a look at this week's schedule, almost every game has an intriguing storyline.

So let's take a look at the week's eight most interesting matchups that every NFL fan is going to want to watch this Sunday.

Houston Texans at New Orleans Saints

Even without star running back Arian Foster in the lineup, the Houston Texans have gotten out to another impressive start at 2-0, there second time in as many seasons.

Second year running back Ben Tate has taken the load off of Foster's shoulders and has done well, putting together back-to-back games of over 100 rushing yards and is the reason the Texans are ranked fifth in rushing in the league.

Although those numbers have come against two dreadful run defenses in Indianapolis and Miami, they are still impressive.

Now they will face a real test on Sunday as they head into New Orleans to face a Saints team that has no problem stopping the run, allowing only an average of 81.5 rushing yards per game, good for seventh in the league.

The Texans will have to go to the air more often than they may like, but it should be no problem, especially when quarterback Matt Schaub has Andre Johnson on the receiving end.

In two games, Johnson has 14 catches for 188 yards and two touchdowns and is poised for another impressive season.

The real story to watch in this one is the Texans first ranked pass defense trying to stop Drew Brees and his receiving arsenal that averages over 300 yards passing a game.

This game should have plenty of action and a lot of scoring.

Prediction: Houston 42, New Orleans 35

As powerful as the Saints' offense is, their defense has been known to give up some big plays this season. Both Brees and Schaub will have good games as this one will surely go down to the wire. If Arian Foster can come back healthy from injuring his hamstring last week, it should add an extra advantage for Houston.

NY Giants at Philadelphia Eagles

The matchup of the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles is of interest because of the playing status of quarterback Michael Vick.

Against the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday, Vick collided with one of his offensive lineman while being tackled and suffered a concussion.

Vick left the game after the hit and second year quarterback Mike Kafka came in to take over, going 7-of-9 for 72 yards in the Eagles' loss.

The Eagles have confidence in the ability of Kafka, which was one of the reasons they decided to trade quarterback Kevin Kolb to Arizona.

Vick has stated that he feels fine and is ready to play, wanting to practice as soon as Wednesday.

It was reported by a source close to the Eagles that the team is also confident that Vick will be the team's starter come Sunday as he split snaps with Kafka at the team's walk through practice on Wednesday.

On Thursday, Vick was cleared to play and will be in the lineup on Sunday.

The Virginia Tech grad will have to be at the top of his game against a New York Giants team that is looking for redemption from last season.

The last time these two teams met, the Giants lost a 24-point lead in the fourth quarter and lost with no time left as receiver and return man DeSean Jackson took a punt 65 yards with no time left on the clock.

Prediction: Eagles 24, Giants 14

With Vick in the lineup, the Eagles passing game should have a field day against a Giants defense that have lost several players due to injury, and gave up over 300 yards to Sam Bradford and the St. Louis Rams.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning has not fared well against the Eagles, as he has thrown 16 picks in 14 matchups in his career. It doesn't help that the Eagles secondary is one of the best in the game after the acquisitions of Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the offseason.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Carolina Panthers

For the first time this season, we will see rookie quarterbacks go at it in Carolina as Blaine Gabbert and the Jacksonville Jaguars come to town to take on Cam Newton and the Panthers.

Unfortunately for Jacksonville, starting Gabbert this early in the season was not part of the plans, but head coach Jack Del Rio is hoping for a spark that could save the team's season, as well as his job.

Right before the beginning of the season, the Jags cut starting quarterback David Garrad.

Garrad struggled in the offseason and the team's future lied with Gabbert so the team decided to part ways with the East Carolina standout.

The team's original plan was to have Luke McCown start for the team until Gabbert was ready to make the move to starter.

Even with a 1-1 record, McCown has been absolutely dreadful in two games, having a QB rating of 30.6 and has thrown four interceptions.

Gabbert will lead the Jaguars against Cam Newton, who has impressed early on in his rookie season.

Although the Panthers are 0-2 this season, Newton and the Panthers have the second best pass attack in the game as the rookie has produced back-to-back 400 yard passing games and has thrown for three touchdowns.

Prediction: Carolina 17, Jacksonville 10

The Jags are going to want to work Gabbert in slowly into the offense, so expect to see a lot of the Missouri alum handing it off Maurice Jones-Drew. However, that will not be the plan for Newton and Panthers who will most likely air it out against a defense that gave up close to 200 yards passing against the New York Jets last week.

New England Patiots at Buffalo Bills

One of the biggest surprises in this young season has to be the play of the Buffalo Bills.

The team that has not had a winning season since 2004 not only handed the Kansas City Chiefs their worst home opener loss in franchise history, but also came out on top in a shootout against a very improved Oakland Raiders team.

The Bills have shown that they are heading in the right direction and could be a force to be reckoned with in the powerful AFC East.

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has already thrown seven touchdown passes in two games, while running back Fred Jackson has helped the Bills lead the league in rushing with back-to-back 100 yard rushing games.

The true test on whether or not the Bills are a contender will come on Sunday when the New England Patriots come to town.

Fitzpatrick should have another impressive performance against a Pats defense that is ranked 31st in pass defense. Fortunately for the Pats, their offense has been their best defense this season.

MVP Tom Brady has torched the competition in two straight weeks and not only showed why he won the award outright last year, but why he could win it again this year.

The Bills gave up over 450 total yards against the Raiders last week and Brady should have no problem picking them apart. This game will be all about who has the ball last.

Prediction: New England 45, Buffalo 41

Buffalo has shown that they could be a legitimate contender this season, but they will not be able to match Brady and the Pats offense point-for-point. Don't get me wrong, the game will be close, but the Bills will come up just short in what could be a contender for game of the year.

Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings

If the Bills are the surprise in the AFC, then the Detroit Lions are the surprise in the NFC.

However, the Lions success was a little bit more predictable than that of the Bills, as the Lions were talked of as being sleeper in the offseason, but talk can only go so far.

The Lions have come out and in two weeks, have backed up what everyone has been saying, that they are a team on the rise.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford has thrived so far this season with the sixth best passing game in the league, already throwing seven touchdowns.

A big reason for Stafford's strong play is the receiving tandem of Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson, who have combined for close to 300 yards receiving and four touchdowns (not really combined as Johnson has all four).

The Georgia Bulldog has struggled with injuries in the past, but looks to play his first full season since coming into the league in 2009.

Stafford has not been the only bright spot for the Lions as their top ranked defense ranks in the top half of the league.

Led by defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, the Lions will face a tough test on Sunday as they go up against one of the top running backs in the league in Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings.

Peterson gashed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, rushing 120 yards and two touchdowns.

The Vikes had the W in the bag, but the Bucs made an impressive comeback to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. Minnesota has now lost the lead late in back-to-back games.

Prediction: Detroit 28, Minnesota 17

As good as Adrian Peterson is, they can't give him the ball all game. Quarterback Donovan McNabb hasn't looked too good in his new home so far and will have to go up against a tough Lions pass rush. Expect McNabb to struggle and chants of Christian Ponder to start in Minnesota.

Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Like mentioned in the previous slide, the Buccaneers struggled in the first half against the powerful Vikings run game.

Heading into halftime, the Bucs were down 17-0 and had only put up 62 total yards, compared to the Vikings 284.

However, quarterback Josh Freeman strives under pressure and Sunday was no different, as he put up 10 unanswered points in the third quarter, and led the Bucs to a 24-20 victory.

Freeman's touchdown pass to Arrelious Benn was a thing of beauty as a completely different team came out of the Bucs locker room at halftime.

In Freeman's 14 victories in his career, eight of them have come when the Bucs went ahead in either the fourth quarter or overtime.

Expect the pressure to be high Sunday as the talented Atlanta Falcons come to town, feeling good after their win against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Quarterback Matt Ryan threw four touchdowns in the win, including a tipped pass to Tony Gonzalez that could be one of the best catches I have ever seen.

The 15-year veteran led all Falcons receivers with 83 yards and two touchdowns and showed everyone that he is still one of the best in the game.

Look for the Bucs to send a heavy pass rush at Ryan as he is still feeling the pounding he took from the Eagles defense. Ryan has been limited in practice so far this week, but should be ready to go Sunday.

Prediction: Atlanta 28, Tampa Bay 17

After watching what Adrian Peterson did to the Bucs defense, running back Michael Turner should see a heavy dose of carries early on. Turner has played well this season and has put up 100-yard rushing days against two tough defenses in the Eagles and Chicago Bears.

Even with the bumps and bruises, I expect "Matty Ice" to have a good game. The Bucs pass defense will focus most of their attention on receiver Roddy White, leaving rookie Julio Jones in single coverage, something he never had a problem getting by while at Alabama.

Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears

The last time the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears met, they were battling to see who would represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

The Packers came out on top as Bears quarterback Jay Cutler left in the third quarter with a knee injury that would be criticized for weeks to come.

As Green Bay would go on to win the Super Bowl, the Bears went back to drawing board, hoping they would finish the job this season.

Chicago got off to a great start with a 30-12 dominating victory over the Atlanta Falcons, one several thought was an upset.

However, last week against the New Orleans Saints, Cutler struggled as the offensive line could not give him any time in the pocket.

Unable to move the ball effectively, Cutler will throw a lot of dump passes and screens to running back Matt Forte.

The Packers will put a lot of pressure on Cutler as their pass defense ranks dead last in the league and took a big hit with the loss of safety Nick Collins for the season after a neck injury.

While the Bears may stick to the short pass on offense, the Packers will look to air it out as they have in the first two weeks of the season.

Prediction Green Bay 24, Chicago 7

As bad as the Packers pass defense has been this season, I don't see Cutler having a lot of time to throw the ball. With how much pressure the Packers put on the six-year veteran, he may be on the sidelines with another injury like their last meeting.

Cutler, as well as Forte, will struggle to move the ball down the field as the Packers will continue their pass attack that has led them to back-to-back wins.

Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys

The biggest story from Week 2 had to be the courage and play of Dallas Cowboys' quarterback Tony Romo.

Romo was hit early on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers that cracked a rib.

The 31-year-old left the game and it was thought that he would not return.

However, after backup Jon Kitna wasn't getting the job done, Romo came back in and led the Cowboys to an overtime victory.

After the game, it was revealed that Romo not only had a cracked rib, but also a punctured lung.

Romo still plans on playing against the Washington Redskins this Monday night, but it will interesting to see how the injuries will affect the play of the Eastern Illinois grad.

The Redskins defense will most likely target Romo's ribs, as cornerback DeAngelo Hall let it be known to Yahoo Sports this week that that will be his focus,

"

Absolutely. I want to get a chance to put my helmet on whatever's hurt, Hall said. Romo's ribs—I'm going to be asking for some corner blitzes. If I know [Cowboys running back] Felix Jones' shoulder's hurt, I'm not going to cut him. I'm definitely going to try to hit him up high, so that's just part of it.

If you know something's wrong with an opponent, you're going to try to target in on that. We're going to try to definitely get as many hits on that team as possible.

"

The Redskins got out to a hot start this season, winning back-to-back games and will look to pad their division lead with a win against the 1-1 Cowboys.

Quarterback Rex Grossman has had a career resurgence since coming to Washington and has shown that he still has a lot left in his career before he calls it quits.

Prediction: Washington 24, Dallas 14

If Hall backs up his statement of targeting Romo's injured ribs, it will be a long day for him and the Cowboys. To make matters worse, Romo will be without one of his top targets in Miles Austin, who is most likely out because of a hamstring injury.

Washington will continue their impressive play and go into enemy territory to pick up their third straight win. Watch for tight end Fred Davis to have another busy day as he has slowly become one of Grossman's favorite targets.