NFL Picks Week 3: Analyzing ESPN's Expert Picks

We all have predictions on which team will win their respective games this week, and the experts are no different. Let's take a look at what the ESPN team of great NFL minds has to say regarding what they think the outcomes of this week's contests will be.

While it's no surprise that the experts were unanimous about certain games—such as the Pittsburgh Steelers over the Indianapolis Colts and the San Diego Chargers over the Kansas City Chiefs—other games appear not so easy to predict.

Of the eight experts, three (Seth Wickersham, Ron Jaworski and Chris Mortensen) picked the Chicago Bears to defeat the Green Bay Packers.

Yes, the Bears are hosting the defending Super Bowl champions this afternoon, and are looking to avenge their loss in the NFC Championship game last season, I don't see them pulling out the win today.

Chicago has too many issues protecting quarterback Jay Cutler, and cannot produce on offense beyond what running back Matt Forte can provide. All the Packers need to do is continue to bring the pressure on Cutler and contain Forte, and while this may be a tall order it's not beyond the Packers' capabilities.

I do not see Green Bay struggling in this contest and agree with the other five ESPN experts that the Packers will emerge victorious.

All of the ESPN analysts chose the Philadelphia Eagles to defeat the New York Giants. What is most telling about this pick is that half of them chose the Eagles before it was guaranteed that Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick would play.

Regardless of whether Vick or backup Mike Kafka is under center for the Eagles, I do not see the Giants winning this game, and it was clear last week that the ESPN experts felt the same.

The Giants have too many issues in the secondary to adequately defend itself from Philadelphia's many offensive weapons, and whether it's Vick or Kafka throwing the ball, I agree that the Giants won't likely win today.

The thing about expert picks is that, when it comes down to it, they are no different than you or me. We all saw the same games and know the same facts about every team.

It's just a matter of weighing the matchups, and one doesn't have to be a television talking head to do so successfully.