Week 3 Picks

After my horrid picks last week I hope to recover and do better. I did look at the experts on ESPN and found some comfort, a lot of people made similar mistakes that I did. To see their picks go to http://espn.go.com/nfl/picks.

There are some pretty easy picks and some ones that I am still not sure about

49ers vs Chiefs - The Chiefs are 2-0 and in first place in their division, don't expect that to last too long though. The Niners are coming off of a close loss on Monday night to the Saints. They seemed to have recovered from their awful performance in Week 1 when the Seahawks destroyed them. I expect Gore to have a good game of running and for QB Smith to improve a little more in the passing game.

My Pick - 49ers over Chiefs

Lions vs Vikings - As much as I want to pick the Lions to beat the Vikings, I really don't see it happening. Viking coach Brad Childress is a great NFL coach; he won't let his team fall to 0-3, especially to the Lions. Detroit is rebuilding, even though they have shown moments were they looked really good. But this is a must win for Minnesota. Even though it is only Week 3 the, Vikings have to win this game. They cannot afford to go 0-3, they Packers and Bears both look good and Minnesota's schedule gets rougher.

My Pick - Vikings over Lions

Bills vs Patriots - This will be a long season for the Buffalo Bills. They have had struggles on both sides of the ball and seem to be in a battle with the Cleveland Browns for who will finish with the leagues worst record. Patriots looked a little confused against the Jets, who played a lot better than their week 1 loss to the Ravens. The Patriots should play a lot better this week. Expect Randy Moss and Wes Welker to have great games. Like last week, Buffalo will be lucky if this game isn't a blow out

My Pick - Patriots over Bills

Falcons vs Saints - This game is very, very hard for me make a pick. I've been a Saints fan for pretty much my entire life, and they have come to let me down most of my life. The Saints have not looked all that impressive through the first two games this season, and the Falcons played well last week against the flightless Cardinals. The Saints are coming off of a short week and the Falcons want to dethrone the defending champs. These two teams hate each other; they are each others biggest rival. It'll be a good game. Expect turnovers to be key in the game, as well as the Saints ability to stop the Falcons good running game. If Brees and Co. can start throwing the ball better they will win, if they play a slower tempo game Atlanta can take it.

My Pick - Saints over Falcons

Titans vs Giants - Both of these teams are looking to rebound after embarrassing losses. The Titans committed 7 turnovers to the Steelers and seem to have a QB controversy on their hands. Eli was ousted by big brother (and better QB) Peyton. I've never been big on the Giants. I think most years the NFC east is overrated and gets too much media attention. This game should be close; I think Chris Johnson will play a lot better than he did last week.

My Pick - Titans over Giants

Steelers vs Buccaneers - Both teams are 2-0 and are surprisingly so. The Bucs have played some pretty bad teams this year, so don't think they will matter too much this season. The Steelers defense should confuse Bucs QB Freeman, who is in his second year. Mendenhall should have a good game running the ball. Steelers have a big game next week against the Ravens, and might be caught looking ahead. That is the only way the Bucs have a chance of winning this game. That or if Tampa goes back to their old school jersey's. They were 1-0 last year when they played in them, here is what they look like, http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/jul/31/bucs-bring-out-old-uniforms-they-ring-new/sports-bucs/

My Pick - Steelers over Bucs

Panthers vs Bengals - The Jimmy Claussen era is starting in Carolina, and it will start with a loss. And it'll be bad. The Bengals bounced back and beat the Ravens last week. Expect the Bengals offense to get more in sync as they prey on a weak defense. Carolina has a great running game, but it won't be enough. The Panthers are in for a long year.

My Pick - Bengals over Panthers

Browns vs Ravens - The Ravens have not impressed me one bit this year. They have all the tools to make a postseason run, that is except for a good quarterback. Joe Flacco has not impressed me very much this year. The Browns are still struggling to do much of anything, and the Ravens defense should hurt the Browns pretty bad. Expect the Ravens to get their act together

My Pick - Ravens over Browns

Cowboys vs Texans - This is one of the biggest games of the week.  The Cowboys are 0-2, Texans are 2-0. In the offseason the Cowboys had a Superbowl or bust mentality. Maybe they should tone it down to 'win a game' mentality. Both teams need this win, Cowboys need to get things going to compete for the playoffs, and the Texans want to show everybody that this team is for real, that finally the Texans are legit. The Cowboys have a very talented defense, especially against the run, so Texans RB Foster may have another tough week, luckily for the Texans, QB Matt Schaub is a pretty good at chucking the ball long. If the Texans game plan it right they could confuse the Cowboys D and get some big plays. I expect the Cowboys to come out and play as hard as they can, they are tired of hearing all the 0-2 talk and want to get on track. Should be a great game to watch

My Pick - Texans over Cowboys, everyone hits the panic button in Dallas

Redskins vs Rams - The poor, poor rams. They got close to beating the Raiders last week, don't expect it to be a close game this week. The Rams have one of the best RB's in the game in Stephen Jackson, but they have a rebuilding offense and rookie QB. Expect the Skins D to frustrate the Rams. Also Donovan McNabb should have a big game throwing the ball.

My Pick - Redskins over Rams

Eagles vs Jaguars - Last week I picked that the Jags would upset the Chargers, that didn't go to well. With Vick starting again, expect him to play his best as he can. Vick is still trying to prove that he can start anywhere in the NFL (San Fran would be stupid to not go for him next year). Eagles defense has not been up to par at all. But the Jags haven't played super well either. With Vick on the field it will be a little more exciting.

My Pick - Eagles over Jags

Colts vs Broncos - Colts seemed to have gotten back into form, the Broncos are looking to build momentum. Sadly the Broncos probably won't be able to do a whole lot, not with RB Knowshon Moreno out for the game. Manning will be able to pick apart a shaky Broncos defense, as long as he avoids throwing the ball in the area of Champ Bailey.

My Pick - Colts over Broncos

Raiders vs Cardinals - This game will probably decide if the Cardinals are going to be able to compete for a playoff spot or not. They got embarrassed by the Falcons last week and should be motivated to play well. The Raiders have a good defense, but struggle with scoring. They had a hard time beating the Rams last week. Don't expect a lot of good plays out of this game.

My Pick - Cards over Raiders

Chargers vs Seahawks - Both teams showed their true colors last week, the Chargers beat the Jags pretty well, and the Seahawks choked against the Broncos. Don't expect that many changes from these teams. Seahawks are in a rebuilding stage, despite their high payroll and the Chargers are still trying to make a run at the Superbowl.

My Pick - Chargers over Seahawks

Jets vs Dolphins - This Sunday night game should have a lot of defense involved. Both defenses have looked good. I'm really impressed with the Dolphins; they held the Vikings and won. The Dolphins offense is struggling, QB Chad Henne is still figuring things out, and he will have a hard time against the Jets defense, but he got lucky, CB Revis is out with a hamstring injury. Don't expect a lot of points in this game, it will come down to turnovers and ball control.

My Pick - Dolphins over Jets

Packers vs Bears - This is game I am really looking forward to. The Packers have looked really good this season, especially on offense. The Bears squeaked past the Lions in Week 1, but then upset the Cowboys on the road. Mike Martz is a genius as a coordinator, expect him and Jay Cutler to go in more 3 WR sets and spread the ball out. Cutler has been throwing the ball really well this season, and this game could easily turn into a shoot out. Plus the winner will be 3-0 and be in first place in the NFC North.

My Pick - Packers over Bears

Last weeks picks: 6-10

Season : 6-10