NFL 2012 Week 3 picks

Home teams dominated last week, causing the largest percentage of 1-1 teams I've seen in years.  I'm picking more home team than last week, but still figure the visitors will have chances.

Thursday game: New York Giants at Carolina Panthers:  This was a tough game to pick.  The Giants are inconsistent, while the Panthers seem to fall short despite impressive offensive performances.  The Giants defense may give the Panthers some fits, which might give them an edge.  I'll favor the Giants, but watch out for the Panthers!  GIANTS, 27-23

Sunday early games
Buffalo Bills at Cleveland Browns: Brandon Wheeden has revitalized the Browns offense.  The defense still needs some work, but the Bills' defense isn't stellar, either.  I like what I am seeing from the Browns offense, while Ryan Fitzgerald and the Bills remain too inconsistent to have confidence supporting.  BROWNS, 27-26

Cincinnati Bengals at Washington Redskins:  The Bengals offense isn't quite as stellar as they were last year, which means the Redskins defense might be able to pester them.  The Redskins offense is unpredictable and dangerous, thanks to the antics of Robert Griffin III.  I think the Redskins will keep the Bengals off-guard.  REDSKINS, 30-27

Detroit Lions at Tennessee Titans:  The Titans are struggling so far this season, and I'm not sure Jake Locker and company will get it together.  They certainly can't match the offensive power of the Lions.  The Lions defense still needs work, so the Titans will get on the board, but not enough to keep pace with Stafford and Johnson.  LIONS, 31-16

Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts:  Andrew Luck himself admits that his pro football game is still "a project under development," but it won't need to be polished to take the shine off the Jags.  The Jags are struggling to score, and many of their offensive squad members don't seem to be working in sync with each other.  Expect the Colts to take advantage of that situation.  COLTS, 28-13

Kansas City Chiefs at New Orleans Saints:  The Saints have not shown up powerfully, despite the playability of their previously suspended players.  In previous years, a team struggling as much as KC would be an easy victory.  Given the chaos and confusion suffered by the Saints, I'll pick a close game.  I'd still be surprised if the Saints lose, just because the Chiefs are stumbling so badly, especially on defense.  SAINTS, 20-16

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins:  These games are often offensive battles.  Given that history, I'm going to take the surprise pick and favor the Dolphins.  The Jets offense has been struggling, and Ryan Tannehill showed tremendous progress last week.  DOLPHINS, 27-23

San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings:  The Vikings offense, which is moving the ball well with Adrian Petersen, faces the toughest defense in the league.  The Vikings don't have enough weapons to spread the 49ers defense, which means it will be tough going for their offense.  Meanwhile, Alex Smith, Frank Gore, and the 49ers offense is doing well.  49ERS, 26-13

St Louis Rams at Chicago Bears:  Jay Cutler and the Bears were embarrassed by the Pack last week, but Cutler historically is inconsistent.  The Bears will get into a battle with Sam Bradford and the Rams, but a weak Rams defense will help them out.  Cutler will have better stats, and will maintain a nice lead as the defense bears down (pun intended).  BEARS, 27-17

Tampa Bay Bucs at Dallas Cowboys:  The Cowboys are a team of contradictions.  Their offense smokes on all cylinders against the Giants, then falls apart one week later.  Their defense seems to anticipate what the Giants' next move will be, and then can't stop a rookie quarterback from shredding their secondary.  The difference in this game will be the Bucs defense.  They will pester Tony Romo, who rarely plays well under pressure.  That will keep the offense from being effective, which will take the pressure off Josh Freeman, allowing him to think and plan better.  BUCS, 20-13

Sunday late games
Atlanta Falcons at San Diego Chargers:  This may be the most exciting game of the day!  Both teams have offenses that are working well, and both are coming off big wins.  Surprisingly, the Chargers defense has some some spark this season, which may give them the edge in this game.  They have to watch out for a late fourth quarter rally by Matt Ryan, though; "Matty Ice" is known for those.  CHARGERS, 31-27

Houston Texans at Denver Broncos:  I'd love to say the Broncos will win this game, as I want them to be more successful with Peyton Manning than they were with Tim Tebow, but the massive defense of Houston makes that unlikely.  TEXANS, 23-17

Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals:  Philly has won two close games, both on fourth quarter comebacks.  This time, though, I like the Cards to squeak by.  They are definitely the surprise team so far this season, and their defense makes it tough for their opponent.  The Eagles are a bit banged up already, and that makes them vulnerable to a defense like Arizona's.  CARDS, 28-27

Pittsburgh Steelers at Oakland Raiders:  The Raiders are finding that they can't rely on Darren McFadden, but they can't rely on anyone else on offense, either.  Pittsburgh doesn't need their vaulted defense to win this game, they just need to play better offense than Oakland.  STEELERS, 24-16

Sunday night: New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens:  A rematch of last year's AFC Championship, and I think the outcome might be different.  The Pats have sputtered a bit so far this season, and the Ravens have shown that they still have power on both sides of the ball.  I think Baltimore will lead late, and a rally by the Pats will fall a bit short.  RAVENS, 24-23

Monday Night Football: Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks:  Russell Wilson seems to have the Seahawks offense working, but its the defense that will be tested here.  Expect Aaron Rodgers to air it out; another 400-yard game is possible.  PACK, 35-17