NFL 2011 Week 3 picks

The Falcons offense woke up this week.  Kerry Collins is looking better, but the Colts still trail in the AFC South, Washington has proven to be the strongest NFC East team, and Buffalo has the most potent offense.  What surprises will Week 3 bring?

Sunday early games
Denver Broncos (1-1) at Tennessee Titans (1-1):  Tennessee's defense seems solid, as they outplayed the powerful Ravens defense.  That should give Denver cause for concern.  On the other hand, the Titans have a nasty habit of playing up to the level of stiff competition and playing down to the level of mediocre competition.  That could give Denver an opening.  I think Tennessee will prevent the loss, but this may be closer than they'd like.  TITANS, 20-17

Detroit Lions (2-0) at Minnesota Vikings (0-2):  Donovan McNabb showed a bit more life in this week's game, but he's still shaky.  Worse, the entire Vikings defense seems shaky, which will be a problem facing the high-scoring Lions.  LIONS, 31-17

Houston Texans (2-0) at New Orleans Saints (1-1):  Houston has the stingiest defense in the league (yes, Jets fans, you read that right!), but slowing New Orleans may be a challenge.  They will have to, as their offense isn't capable of outscoring them.  This game could go either way, so it's my first "pick-em" game of the season.

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) at Carolina Panthers (0-2):  The Panthers haven't been able to close games, but they are looking better.  Jacksonville's offense is pathetic.  All the Panthers will need to do in this game is preserve a fourth quarter lead, which seems easier for them than engineering a fourth quarter comeback.  PANTHERS, 27-20

Miami Dolphins (0-2) at Cleveland Browns (1-1):  Cleveland has to watch out, because Indy was engineering a nice comeback this past week.  Still, I think the Browns defense will do a good job of shutting down Henne and company, and allow the lumbering Browns offense to eat clock.  BROWNS, 23-20

New England Patriots (2-0) at Buffalo Bills (2-0):  The two best offenses in the AFC battle it out.  This will be reminiscent of the old Patriot-Dolphins games, where each team could score forty or more points.  I'm not sure we'll see that much offense, but both offenses should get over 400 yards each.  The Patriots usually prevail in these AFC East offensive showdowns, so I'll pick them.  PATS, 38-34

New York Giants (1-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (1-1):  The Eagles gave up a fourth quarter lead against Atlanta, but now they host a team where they engineered a similar comeback two years ago.  The Giants defense got on track this week, but Eli and the offense are still struggling.  Without special teams and defensive turnovers, the Giants would have lost their game against the Rams.  Don't expect the Eagles to be so easy.  EAGLES, 28-20

San Francisco 49ers (1-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-1):  Cincy had trouble against Denver, so you know they still have problems.  Alex Smith and the 49ers offense continue to improve.  The defense couldn't stop a Dallas rally, but I don't think Cincy has the same ability to rally.  49ERS, 27-20

Sunday late games
Arizona Cardinals (1-1) at Seattle Seahawks (0-2):  Seattle has the worst offense in the NFC; no other team is even close!  Their defense is only mediocre, so Arizona should be able to mop up this win easily enough.  CARDINALS, 27-13

Atlanta Falcons (1-1) at Tampa Bay Bucs (1-1):  The Falcons pulled off a wonderful comeback against the Eagles.  That type of game built Matty Ice's reputation.  Tampa's defense is good, but I think Matty Ice and company will keep it close enough to engineer another fourth quarter comeback, especially since the Bucs offense isn't really strong.  FALCONS, 23-20

Baltimore Ravens (1-1) at St Louis Rams (0-2):  Baltimore is mad about their upset to the Titans.  They'll take it out on the Rams.  RAVENS, 30-13

Green Bay Packers (2-0) at Chicago Bears (1-1):  The Bears made a great home stand against Atlanta in Week One, and I'd love to see them do it again, but I haven't heard whether Brian Urlacher will be back yet.  Without him, I think the Pack will roll.  PACK, 31-21

Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) at San Diego Chargers (1-1):  Right now KC has the worst offense AND the worst defense in the league.  Their only consolation?  Getting Andrew Luck.  San Diego's offense will roll over them.  CHARGERS, 41-13

New York Jets (2-0) at Oakland Raiders (1-1):  The Raiders can be tricky, but the Jets are trying to keep pace with the Patriots in the AFC East, so this game is crucial.  The Jets defense plays a better form of traditional Raider football (beat up your opponent) than the Raiders currently do.  JETS, 30-20

Sunday night game:
Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) at Indianapolis Colts (0-2):  Kerry Collins looked better last week, but the Steelers rush is too fast for the old man.  The Pitt offense got moving in Week 2, so we should see some points on the board here.  STEELERS, 23-13

Monday Night Football
Washington Redskins (2-0) at Dallas Cowboys (1-1):  The Cowboys pulled off a great comeback against the 49ers, but the Redskins defense is stiffer.  I don't think Romo and company will be able to do it.  They should avoid cries of "fourth quarter meltdown" because they'll already trail by then.  REDSKINS, 26-17