NFL Week 3 picks

The first two weeks have produced some interestug results, including a 2-0 Bears and 0-2 Vikings, 2-0 Chiefs and 0-2 49ers, and 0-2 Cowboys and 2-0 Texans.  Two of those pairs face off this week.

Sunday early games
Atlanta Falcons (1-1) at New Orleans Saints (2-0):  Falcons have a strong offense, but I have to favor the Saints here.  Their offense hasn't been stellar, but theylve defended their Super Bowl title well, and I think their defense will continue to shine.  SAINTS, 21-14

Buffalo Bills (0-2) at New England Patriots (1-1):  The Bills woes will continue as the Pats roll.  PATS, 23-17

Cincinnati Bengals (1-1) at Carolina Panthers (0-2):  Defense will rule in this game, and that gives the advantage to the Bengals.  BENGALS, 17-10

Cleveland Browns (0-2) at Baltimore Ravens (1-1):  I think having Braylon Edwards play will be more of a distraction than a benefit.  Given the Ravens' defense, it wouldn't have made a difference anyway.  RAVENS, 13-10

Dallas Cowboys (0-2) at Houston Texans (2-0):  Dallas is a team struggling for consistency, while the Texans' defense is squeezing opponents.  Houston has been gradually improving themselves each season.  Meanwhile, Dallas has lost their cohesion, and they just aren't working together.  Houston's defense can take advantage of that.  TEXANS, 23-17

Detroit Lions (0-2) at Minnesota Vikings (0-2):  Minnesota has got to get it together!  Favre has been playing half-heartedly in the first two weeks, but he looks tired of taking the grief.  He'll step it up, and propel the Vikings to their first victory.  The only question is, will he push himself too hard, and hurt himself?  VIKES, 24-16

Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0) at Tampa Bay Bucs (2-0):  Defense will be the primary force in this game, as neither quarterback is stellar.  The Steelers have the better defense, so they have the edge in this game, but the Bucs have been pulling off some amazing plays this season, so an upset is possible.  STEELERS, 13-10

San Francisco 49ers (0-2) at Kansas City Chiefs (2-0):  A question on 1st and Ten this week focussed on which NFL record was the most surprising.  KC's 2-0 finished second (behind Tampa Bay).  KC had my vote.  The Chiefs seem to be playing above themselves recently.  At some point that will end, and the 49ers defense seems to be a good place to end it.  If I'm wrong, though, the surprise will continue.  49ERS, 17-6

Tennessee Titans (0-2) at New York Giants (1-1):  The Giants defense will keep Tennessee on its toes.  The Titans have a strong rush defense, so the Giants' strength will struggle, but Eli and company are clever enough to come up with alternatives.  GIANTS, 24-13

Sunday late games
Indianapolis Colts (1-1) at Denver Broncos (1-1):  The Colts offense hasn't been stellar the first two weeks, but Denver doesn't have a defense on the same level of Houston and the Giants, and even the Giants defense couldn't hold them back for four full quarters.  COLTS, 24-13

Oakland Raiders (1-1) at Arizona Cardinals (1-1):  The Raiders are hoping Bruce Gradkowski will be the solution at QB, as Jason Campbell has struggled.  The problem is that Oakland has used Gradkowski before, to spell JaMarcus Russell.  Gradkowski does well the first game, then declines.  Could Oakland be desperate enough for a one-game advantage?  Derek Anderson is doing okay under center, but the Cards are used to the aerial dynamics of Kurt Warner.  They are losing patience with Anderson's slower pace.  If the Raiders do well, could that cost Anderson the starting job?  That's the future.  My job is to pick a winner.  I like Arizona's chances, but the switch to Gradkowski could boost the Raiders.  CARDS, 14-13

Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1):  Michael Vick takes over as starting QB.  That's not too surprising, as Vick has been dynamic, but will the pressure of the starting job send him back to destructive habits?  He should do well this week; it'll be between games where the real pressure lies.  EAGLES, 27-20

San Diego Chargers (1-1) at Seattle Seahawks (1-1):  Here's two teams going in different directions.  San Diego was skunked in the opening week, and then redeemed themselves last week.  Seattle had a colossal opening game and struggled last week, especially on defense.  If their defense falters again, San Diego will soar.  I think the Seahawks' offense will wake up, but the defense will still give too much room for the Chargers.  CHARGERS, 34-23

Washington Redskins (1-1) at St Louis Rams (0-2):  The Rams are trying to improve, but the Redskins defense won't make that an easy process.  REDSKINS, 20-10

Sunday evening: New York Jets (1-1) at Miami Dolphins (2-0):  A lot of people think Miami is the Cinderella team of this season, and think they'll finish the trifecta of division games with a 3-0 record.  I think the results of the past two weeks will inspire the Jets to "up" their game, making this a more defensive game.  Miami's defense is good, though, so this will be a close one.  JETS, 17-13

Monday Night Football:  Green Bay Packers (2-0) at Chicago Bears (2-0):  I'll get to see my Bears for the second week in a row, but it may not end as well as last week's.  Green Bay is much more potent than Dallas, and some defensive injuries make the Bears more vulnerable.  PACK, 24-16