NFL Picks Week 3: Predictions and Scores for Every Game in Week 3

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 their way under Wade Phillips. New Orleans rolls, 31-21. 

Prediction: Texans give up more than 400 yards of total offense.

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

It all depends on if Michael Vick can play. If he does, and it's sounding like he will, the Eagles win 30-23.

If he doesn't, give me the Giants by a score of 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.

Prediction: The Giants sack Vick five times, but still give up 300 yards passing.

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

The two expansion teams of 1995 face off, 16 years later.

The Panthers finally have their first star quarterback, while the Jags have a combination of Blaine Gabbert and Luke McCown.

Advantage, Panthers. Cam Newton and Carolina roll, 27-13.

Prediction: Newton becomes the first player to throw for 1,200 yards in his first three NFL games.  

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.

Prediction: Ryan Fitzpatrick throws his first two interceptions of the season.

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, by a score of 20-17.

Prediction: The Dolphins win on a field goal with less than a minute to go.

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.

Last week, San Francisco choked in a game they should have won. The Bengals beat a shell-shocked 49ers team at home, 21-20.

Prediction: Alex Smith breaks 250 yards passing despite losing Braylon Edwards.

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. 

Prediction: Johnson rushes for 116 yards and a pair of scores, one being over 40 yards. 

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 their third-straight game, 24-17.

Prediction: The Vikings hit Matthew Stafford more than the Lions would like. I'm thinking three or more sacks.

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

The Ravens took a big step backwards on Sunday against the Titans, but get a beat up Rams squad that lacks that killer instinct.

Baltimore's defense will be angry. The Ravens continue St. Louis' pain and win 28-13.

Prediction: Sam Bradford throws three interceptions, one which will be returned for a score. 

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 as losers, as Darren McFadden helps Oakland run past them by a score of 21-10. Mark Sanchez struggles for the second-straight week. 

Prediction: Sanchez toils under 50 percent passing and McFadden goes for over 100 yards.

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

There will be a lot of pride on the line for the Chiefs on 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.

Prediction: The Chiefs offense puts up less than 200 yards of total offense.

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, by a score of 24-13.

Prediction: The boo birds come out for Tarvaris Jackson in just his third game in Seattle.

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.

Prediction: Matty what? Matt Ryan has a late turnover that gives the Bucs the close win.

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 on the road.

Chicago's defense always plays Aaron Rodgers tough. The Bears rebound against their division rival, 20-17.

Prediction: Matt Forte goes over 175 yards of total offense by himself on Sunday.

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 on Sunday night, winning 28-7.

Prediction: Kerry Collins doesn't last four quarters.

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

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

Prediction: The media over-reacts on Tuesday morning about how Tony Romo should have sat if he was injured.