NFL Week 3 Picks: 3 Teams That Will Earn Respect with a Loss

As we've seen in the past, the winning team isn't the only team that gets remembered in a game. Sure, a tough loss gets you nothing more than a pat on the back, but it does earn the losing team a measure of respect.

Late in the year or in the playoffs, that means nothing. But early in the year, that respect can turn into confidence, which can turn into late season upsets.

So, even if my predictions are right and all three of these teams lose, don't be surprised if we hear more from them later in the year.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills have looked really impressive in their first two games. They started with an opening-week blowout of the Chiefs, and then came back to win a home thriller against the Raiders.

Now, they are facing one of the NFL's best teams and perennial tormenter in the New England Patriots.

Honestly, I don't see a way that the Bills defense will keep Tom Brady and the New England offense in check.

Ryan Fitzpatrick will lead the Bills to some points, but a shootout against the Patriots is not a winning scenario.

Still, I see the Bills earning more respect here than they have with the first two wins. Buffalo has the team to hang with the Patriots. Not many people question the Patriots' place in the game. So, seeing a comparative unknown play well with the perennial contenders will go a long way in cementing the Bills as a force to be reckoned with.

Prediction: Patriots 37, Bills 24

New York Giants

Despite all of the injuries, the Giants have managed a 1-0 start. In Week 3, they travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles.

There are a lot of questions around Michael Vick's health, but those have to have the Giants on the floor laughing. No team has any right to complain about injuries when they are playing the Giants.

In Philadelphia, I like the Eagles in this one. Still, I am not expecting a blowout.

The Giants have shown resiliency in the past and while I don't think they have the weapons to beat the Eagles, a tough loss will go a long way in earning league-wide respect.

Prediction: Eagles 27, Giants 20

Oakland Raiders

While they are only 1-1, the Raiders have been impressive in two dramatically different games. They beat the Broncos in a tough, ugly, defensive game. A week later, they were inches away from downing the BIlls in a shootout.

The Jets are 2-0 and one of the top teams in the league. Even in Oakland, beating the Jets will be a tall order.

Still, the Raiders have shown enough to believe that they will be competitive in this one. Their offense will have a hard time against the Jets' defense, but I don't just assume that this will be a blowout.

Prediction: Jets 23, Raiders 17