Thursday
Game: Tampa Bay at Atlanta
Pick: Atlanta - Tampa seems to have a thing for losing close games, and Atlanta isn't really sure what it wants to do yet. With the game being at home, though, and Matt Ryan wanting to bounce back from his poor outing against Cincinnati, I give the slight edge to the Falcons. I'll go with Atlanta by 6.
Result: Atlanta 56 Tampa Bay 14
Record: 1-0
Sunday
Game: San Diego at Buffalo
Pick: Buffalo - It would be very tempting to pick San Diego, who is coming off a bit win over defending Super Bowl champ Seattle. However, like in college, there are such things as hangover games in the NFL, and while Buffalo may be 2-0, they don't have nearly the allure as the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks. Also, as history has illustrated, it's typically been extremely difficult for West Coast teams to play 1 pm (EST) games on the East Coast. With all that in mind and the fact Buffalo is playing well in all phases of the game right now, I'll take the Bills by 4.
Result: San Diego 22 Buffalo 10
Record: 1-1
Game: Dallas at St. Louis
Pick: Dallas - While the Cowboys defense hasn't been spectacular by any stretch of the imagination, it has exceeded low expectations to start the season, and with St. Louis on their 3rd string quarterback, I have to believe the Cowboys defense will do enough to allow their talented, but inconsistent offense to score the points necessary for a victory. I'll go with Dallas by a touchdown.
Result: Dallas 34 St. Louis 31
Record: 2-1
Game: Washington at Philadelphia
Pick: Philadelphia - Regardless of who the banged up 'Skins start at quarterback (and/or receiver), their defense is still no match for Chip Kelly's Eagles offense. I'll take Philly by 10.
Result: Philadelphia 37 Washington 34
Record: 3-1
Game: Houston at NY Giants
Pick: Houston - Until the Giants can prove to me they aren't going to turn the ball over 3+ times a game, I'm going to have trouble picking them (unless they face the Jaguars or Raiders). Given how good Houston's defense has been to this point in the season, chances are their defense will give the G-men's offensive line and Eli Manning just as many fits as the Lions and Cardinals did, if not more. I'll go with the Texans by a field goal.
Result: NY Giants 30 Houston 17
Record: 3-2
Game: Minnesota at New Orleans
Pick: New Orleans - As tempted as I am to go with Minnesota, especially since Adrian Peterson will likely play in this game, the Saints have been a much different team at home in recent years, and I have a very hard time seeing them lose their home-opener, which would drop them to 0-3 on the season. I'll take New Orleans by 4.
Result: New Orleans 20 Minnesota 9
Record: 4-2
Game; Tennessee at Cincinnati
Pick: Cincinnati - Cincinnati's defense dominated Atlanta, whom had dominated New Orleans the week before. Given that, and the fact the game is at home, expect the Bengals to pull away in the 4th quarter in a two-score victory.
Result: Cincinnati 33 Tennessee 7
Record: 5-2
Game: Baltimore at Cleveland
Pick: Baltimore - If this were a college football bowl game, it would probably be called the Who Knows Bowl, because through two weeks, both teams appear to be mysteries. However, with their stellar performance against Pittsburgh on Thursday, along with the extra days for rest and preparation, I'll give the tentative edge to the Ravens. I'll go with Baltimore by 6.
Result: Baltimore 23 Cleveland 21
Record: 6-2
Game: Green Bay at Detroit
Pick: Green Bay - After two weeks, it's difficult to tell how good either the Packers or Lions will be this year. Green Bay got handled fairly easily by Seattle, before coming back from 18 down to beat the New York Jets. Detroit, meanwhile, looked great against the other New York team, but got dominated by Carolina in the second half. In the end, though, even on the road, I trust Aaron Rodgers' consistency and play-making ability over Matthew Stafford's. While I'm quite uncertain about this pick, I'm going to take Green Bay on the road by a field goal.
Result: Detroit 19 Green Bay 7
Record: 6-3
Game: Indianapolis at Jacksonville
Pick: Indianapolis - If Florida State played Jacksonville, I might be tempted to go with the Seminoles, so yes, I'm picking the Colts in this one. I'll take Indy by two touchdowns.
Result: Indianapolis 44 Jacksonville 17
Record: 7-3
Game: Oakland at New England
Pick: New England - Along with Jacksonville, Oakland may be one of the least impressive teams thus far. So, what I mean to say is, rookie quarterback Derek Carr, good luck against Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots on the road. I'll go with the Pats by three scores.
Result: New England 16 Oakland 7
Record: 8-3
Game: San Francisco at Arizona
Pick: San Francisco - Arizona was a very good team last year, and while they're 2-0 to start this season, they've got a few breaks along the way. San Francisco's Jim Harbaugh, meanwhile, is likely more pissed than he's ever been after witnessing his 49ers get penalized for almost 120 years and turn the ball over four times, relinquishing a 17-0 lead over the Chicago Bears on Sunday night. With that combination, I feel bad for whoever the Cardinals quarterback is going to be. I'll take the Niners by 10.
Result: Arizona 23 San Francisco 14
Record: 8-4
Game: Denver at Seattle
Pick: Seattle - While Seattle is a solid team on the road, they're almost unbeatable at home. They're 16-1 in their last 17 home games, and even though the Denver Broncos will want payback, that's not likely to happen against the angry Seahawks, whom lost 30-21 on the road against San Diego on Sunday. The beating won't be nearly as bad as it was in the Super Bowl, but I'll still take Seattle by at least a touchdown.
Result: Seattle 26 Denver 20 OT
Record: 9-4
Game: Kansas City at Miami
Pick: Miami - For as difficult as it's going to be to pick for or against Miami this year (like last year), due to how unpredictable they are, with as banged up as the Chiefs are right now, I have to give the slight edge to the Dolphins at home. I'll go with Miami by a field goal.
Result: Kansas City 34 Miami 15
Record: 9-5
Game: Pittsburgh at Carolina
Pick: Carolina - Through two weeks of the season, Pittsburgh has fallen on the short end of expectations for me, while Carolina has exceeded my expectations. Cam Newton didn't appear at all rusty in his first regular season game this past weekend against the Detroit Lions, and the Panthers defense look to be just as good (if not better) than they were a year ago. Especially with the game being at home, I look for the Panthers to improve to 3-0 with seven-point victory against the Steelers.
Result: Pittsburgh 37 Carolina 19
Record: 9-6
Monday
Game: Chicago at NY Jets
Pick: NY Jets - This was probably my most difficult pick to make. To this point in the season, though, I haven't been overly impressed by the Chicago Bears. They lost to Buffalo and then were given a gift (several of them) in their "win" against San Francisco. Their rush defense is still quite suspect, to say the least, and with the Jets featuring dual-threat quarterback Geno Smith (and Michael Vick), I think New York should expose that weak run defense at home. Rex Ryan should also have a few tricks up his sleeve to minimize the effectiveness of Chicago's typically lethal wide receiver combination. I'll take the Jets by a field goal.
Result: Chicago 27 NY Jets 19
Record: 9-7
Week 3 Record: 9-7 (.563)
Overall Record: 30-18 (.625)
Game: Tampa Bay at Atlanta
Pick: Atlanta - Tampa seems to have a thing for losing close games, and Atlanta isn't really sure what it wants to do yet. With the game being at home, though, and Matt Ryan wanting to bounce back from his poor outing against Cincinnati, I give the slight edge to the Falcons. I'll go with Atlanta by 6.
Result: Atlanta 56 Tampa Bay 14
Record: 1-0
Sunday
Game: San Diego at Buffalo
Pick: Buffalo - It would be very tempting to pick San Diego, who is coming off a bit win over defending Super Bowl champ Seattle. However, like in college, there are such things as hangover games in the NFL, and while Buffalo may be 2-0, they don't have nearly the allure as the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks. Also, as history has illustrated, it's typically been extremely difficult for West Coast teams to play 1 pm (EST) games on the East Coast. With all that in mind and the fact Buffalo is playing well in all phases of the game right now, I'll take the Bills by 4.
Result: San Diego 22 Buffalo 10
Record: 1-1
Game: Dallas at St. Louis
Pick: Dallas - While the Cowboys defense hasn't been spectacular by any stretch of the imagination, it has exceeded low expectations to start the season, and with St. Louis on their 3rd string quarterback, I have to believe the Cowboys defense will do enough to allow their talented, but inconsistent offense to score the points necessary for a victory. I'll go with Dallas by a touchdown.
Result: Dallas 34 St. Louis 31
Record: 2-1
Game: Washington at Philadelphia
Pick: Philadelphia - Regardless of who the banged up 'Skins start at quarterback (and/or receiver), their defense is still no match for Chip Kelly's Eagles offense. I'll take Philly by 10.
Result: Philadelphia 37 Washington 34
Record: 3-1
Game: Houston at NY Giants
Pick: Houston - Until the Giants can prove to me they aren't going to turn the ball over 3+ times a game, I'm going to have trouble picking them (unless they face the Jaguars or Raiders). Given how good Houston's defense has been to this point in the season, chances are their defense will give the G-men's offensive line and Eli Manning just as many fits as the Lions and Cardinals did, if not more. I'll go with the Texans by a field goal.
Result: NY Giants 30 Houston 17
Record: 3-2
Game: Minnesota at New Orleans
Pick: New Orleans - As tempted as I am to go with Minnesota, especially since Adrian Peterson will likely play in this game, the Saints have been a much different team at home in recent years, and I have a very hard time seeing them lose their home-opener, which would drop them to 0-3 on the season. I'll take New Orleans by 4.
Result: New Orleans 20 Minnesota 9
Record: 4-2
Game; Tennessee at Cincinnati
Pick: Cincinnati - Cincinnati's defense dominated Atlanta, whom had dominated New Orleans the week before. Given that, and the fact the game is at home, expect the Bengals to pull away in the 4th quarter in a two-score victory.
Result: Cincinnati 33 Tennessee 7
Record: 5-2
Game: Baltimore at Cleveland
Pick: Baltimore - If this were a college football bowl game, it would probably be called the Who Knows Bowl, because through two weeks, both teams appear to be mysteries. However, with their stellar performance against Pittsburgh on Thursday, along with the extra days for rest and preparation, I'll give the tentative edge to the Ravens. I'll go with Baltimore by 6.
Result: Baltimore 23 Cleveland 21
Record: 6-2
Game: Green Bay at Detroit
Pick: Green Bay - After two weeks, it's difficult to tell how good either the Packers or Lions will be this year. Green Bay got handled fairly easily by Seattle, before coming back from 18 down to beat the New York Jets. Detroit, meanwhile, looked great against the other New York team, but got dominated by Carolina in the second half. In the end, though, even on the road, I trust Aaron Rodgers' consistency and play-making ability over Matthew Stafford's. While I'm quite uncertain about this pick, I'm going to take Green Bay on the road by a field goal.
Result: Detroit 19 Green Bay 7
Record: 6-3
Game: Indianapolis at Jacksonville
Pick: Indianapolis - If Florida State played Jacksonville, I might be tempted to go with the Seminoles, so yes, I'm picking the Colts in this one. I'll take Indy by two touchdowns.
Result: Indianapolis 44 Jacksonville 17
Record: 7-3
Game: Oakland at New England
Pick: New England - Along with Jacksonville, Oakland may be one of the least impressive teams thus far. So, what I mean to say is, rookie quarterback Derek Carr, good luck against Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots on the road. I'll go with the Pats by three scores.
Result: New England 16 Oakland 7
Record: 8-3
Game: San Francisco at Arizona
Pick: San Francisco - Arizona was a very good team last year, and while they're 2-0 to start this season, they've got a few breaks along the way. San Francisco's Jim Harbaugh, meanwhile, is likely more pissed than he's ever been after witnessing his 49ers get penalized for almost 120 years and turn the ball over four times, relinquishing a 17-0 lead over the Chicago Bears on Sunday night. With that combination, I feel bad for whoever the Cardinals quarterback is going to be. I'll take the Niners by 10.
Result: Arizona 23 San Francisco 14
Record: 8-4
Game: Denver at Seattle
Pick: Seattle - While Seattle is a solid team on the road, they're almost unbeatable at home. They're 16-1 in their last 17 home games, and even though the Denver Broncos will want payback, that's not likely to happen against the angry Seahawks, whom lost 30-21 on the road against San Diego on Sunday. The beating won't be nearly as bad as it was in the Super Bowl, but I'll still take Seattle by at least a touchdown.
Result: Seattle 26 Denver 20 OT
Record: 9-4
Game: Kansas City at Miami
Pick: Miami - For as difficult as it's going to be to pick for or against Miami this year (like last year), due to how unpredictable they are, with as banged up as the Chiefs are right now, I have to give the slight edge to the Dolphins at home. I'll go with Miami by a field goal.
Result: Kansas City 34 Miami 15
Record: 9-5
Game: Pittsburgh at Carolina
Pick: Carolina - Through two weeks of the season, Pittsburgh has fallen on the short end of expectations for me, while Carolina has exceeded my expectations. Cam Newton didn't appear at all rusty in his first regular season game this past weekend against the Detroit Lions, and the Panthers defense look to be just as good (if not better) than they were a year ago. Especially with the game being at home, I look for the Panthers to improve to 3-0 with seven-point victory against the Steelers.
Result: Pittsburgh 37 Carolina 19
Record: 9-6
Monday
Game: Chicago at NY Jets
Pick: NY Jets - This was probably my most difficult pick to make. To this point in the season, though, I haven't been overly impressed by the Chicago Bears. They lost to Buffalo and then were given a gift (several of them) in their "win" against San Francisco. Their rush defense is still quite suspect, to say the least, and with the Jets featuring dual-threat quarterback Geno Smith (and Michael Vick), I think New York should expose that weak run defense at home. Rex Ryan should also have a few tricks up his sleeve to minimize the effectiveness of Chicago's typically lethal wide receiver combination. I'll take the Jets by a field goal.
Result: Chicago 27 NY Jets 19
Record: 9-7
Week 3 Record: 9-7 (.563)
Overall Record: 30-18 (.625)
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