NFL 2009 Week 3 picks

I'm picking a large number of visiting teams this week, which always concerns me.  Ah well, it's early in the season yet.  I can recover from a poor week.

Atlanta Falcons at New England Patriots:  The Patriots need to improve from last week's dismal performance before I think they'll get past a top performer like Atlanta.  They might, but I'm not sure.  The number of geniuses on Belichick's staff has shrunk, so it may take them longer to fix problems.  FALCONS, 24-16

Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens:  Old Browns v new Browns, and the result will be pretty much the same, expect a few more points on the board for the Ravens.  RAVENS, 34-10

Green Bay Packers at St Louis Rams:  Does anyone out there believe the Rams will win this game?  Aside from that one hand in Missouri, I agree with you all.  PACK, 27-10

Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans:  This will be closer than it should be, but I think Jacksonville will start get themselves going.  JAGS, 17-16

Kansas City Chiefs at Philadelphia Eagles:  Won't matter that Kolb is under center, the Chiefs secondary is porous.  That should help give injured Brian Westbrook a break, as the Eagles probably won't need to run much.  EAGLES, 24-13

New York Giants at Tampa Bay Bucs:  The discombobulated Bucs offense will make the Giants defense look like that of old.  The Bucs D isn't bad, so this won't be a cakewalk for the offense, but the Bucs offense won't help their teammates.  GIANTS, 17-10

San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings:  The 49ers defense is looking better, but the Vikes' offense should prove too strong for them.  VIKES, 28-20

Tennessee Titans at New York Jets:  Intriguing matchup.  In my preview column I gave this game to Tennessee, but they are sputtering.  While Jeff Fisher is capable of figuring out and fixing the problem, I think the Jets are proving stronger than people expected.  Rex Ryan really built up the defense, and Sanchez is adjusting to the NFL quicker than most of us credited.  Watch out, the Jets might be for real!  JETS, 23-17

Washington Redskins at Detroit Lions:  If the Lions offense can find a way past the Redskins defense, they might break their losing streak.  Since I question their ability to do that so soon in the season, I have to favor the Skins.  REDSKINS, 20-9

Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks:  The Seahawks offense is sputtering, and are not equipped to host the powerful Bears defense.  I think Chicago's running game might finally get something going against the weaker Seahawks defensive front, with relieves some pressure from Jay Cutler.  With more breathing room, Cutler can pick apart the Seahawks.  BEARS, 24-13

Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders:  Here's my upset pick of the week.  I think Denver's sputtering offense opens the door for the Raiders, who love to punish confused divisional opponents.  Oakland gets a chance to get an edge for the division title, and they'll fight for it.  Denver's problematic run defense should also help, with the revitalized backfield the Raiders are boasting this season.  RAIDERS, 20-16

Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers:  San Diego's offense isn't the juggernaut they hoped, but it has plenty of strong players.  I think they'll tire the Dolphins, allowing the Chargers to break a tie in the fourth quarter to capture the win.  CHARGERS, 23-16

New Orleans Saints at Buffalo Bills:  The Bills' defense looks pretty good, but not good enough to slow the Saints.  Even if TO, I don't think the Bills can keep up with them, either, but TO will get several receptions against the fragile Saints secondary.  SAINTS, 37-27

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals:  Boy, I'd love to pick the home team on this one, but no team has been consistently so dominant against divisional opponents in recent years than the Steelers.  The defending Super Bowl Champs may have struggled in their last two games, but they'll find a way to win this one.  STEELERS, 17-13

Indianapolis Colts at Arizona Cardinals:  Another home team I'd love to pick, but the Cards have a history of folding in tight games, and Peyton is good at directing the Colts to find a way to win.  I have to favor the visitors in this one, especially since the Cards' defense isn't as good as what the Colts have faced so far this season.  COLTS, 34-27