NFL Picks Week 3: Picks and Scores for All 16 Games

Here are my Thursday picks for every game of the NFL's Week 3 schedule:

Houston Texans (2-0) at New Orleans Saints (1-1)

 The Texans' first-ranked passing defense comes back to earth against the Saints. Drew Brees is too good for a defense that is still finding its way under Wade Phillips. New Orleans rolls, 31-21.

New York Giants (1-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)

 It all depends on if Michael Vick can play. If he does, then the Eagles win 30-23. If he doesn't, give me the Giants, 28-21. Either way, it should be a fun NFC East battle to watch. You can pretty much throw out the records when these two play.

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) at Carolina Panthers (0-2)

 The two expansion teams of 1995 face off, but 16 years later, the Panthers have their first star quarterback. The Jags have a combination of Blaine Gabbert and Luke McCown. Advantage, Panthers. Cam Newton and Carolina roll, 27-13.

New England Patriots (2-0) at Buffalo Bills (2-0)

 As badly as I want to pick the Bills, Tom Brady is just in a different world right now. His two-game stretch to start the season is incredible no matter which way you look at it. He'll be big again, and the Pats win, 35-20.

Miami Dolphins (0-2) at Cleveland Browns (1-1)

 The Dolphins have lost 11 of 12 at home, so they welcome the trip away from Miami. In a close game, Chad Henne leads the Dolphins to their first win of 2011, 20-17.

San Francisco 49ers (1-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-1)

Rematch of Super Bowl XXIII? That's about the only storyline I could come up with. San Francisco choked away a game they should have won last week. The Bengals beat a shell-shocked 49ers team at home, 21-20.

Denver Broncos (1-1) at Tennessee Titans (1-1)

Two teams that bounced back nicely from Week 1 losses face off in Tennessee. I like the Titans, 31-21, as Chris Johnson has his first big rushing day of the 2011 season. 

Detroit Lions (2-0) at Minnesota Vikings (0-2)

Are these Lions for real? We might not know after Week 3, as the Vikings are reeling after giving up a 17-point halftime lead. Detroit wins its third straight game, 24-17.

Baltimore Ravens (1-1) at St. Louis Rams (0-2)

The Ravens took a big step backwards Sunday against the Titans, but they get a beat up Rams squad that just lacks that killer instinct. Baltimore's defense will be angry. The Ravens continue St. Louis' pain, 28-13.

New York Jets (2-0) at Oakland Raiders (1-1)

Here's your upset special. The Raiders send the Jets flying back to New York losers, as Darren McFadden helps Oakland run past them by the score of 21-10. Mark Sanchez struggles for the second straight week. 

Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) at San Diego Chargers (1-1)

There will be a lot of pride on the line for the Chiefs Sunday after losing their first two games by a combined score of 89-10. Will they finally respond? I doubt it. Chargers send the Chiefs to their third straight loss, 27-7.

Arizona Cardinals (1-1) at Seattle Seahawks (0-2) 

What a snoozer this game looks like in the NFC West. That's still a bad, bad division.  Give me the Cardinals, the team with a quarterback in Kevin Kolb, 24-13.

Atlanta Falcons (1-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1)

 The Bucs are feeling confident after coming back to beat the Vikes on the road. They'll return home to a Falcons team that's on an emotional let-down following Michael Vick's return to Atlanta. Bucs win, 23-21.

Green Bay Packers (2-0) at Chicago Bears (1-1)

 This one is always a tough game to predict, but I don't think the Packers will generate enough pressure on Jay Cutler to win going away. Chicago's defense always plays Aaron Rodgers tough. The Bears rebound against their division rival, 20-17.

Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) at Indianapolis Colts (0-2)

What would have been an interesting game before the season should now be a laugher. No Peyton Manning means no chance for Indy. The Steelers will send the Colts to 0-3 in a hurry Sunday night, winning 28-7.

Washington Redskins (2-0) at Dallas Cowboys (1-1)

 Just watch: These Redskins are going to go to Dallas and leave Jerry's World 3-0. I like Washington's defense just a touch more than Dallas' right now. Redskins 23, Cowboys 17.