Week Three Picks

As the injury list grows, and seven starting QBs have been benched for injuries or more than likely, not completing the pass; we have some surprising teams starting at 0-2 and other surprises at 2-0.

The craptastic section of the week:
We have a few games in this section this week, mostly because we have more bottom of the barrel teams playing middle of the line teams who have difficulty putting up the points.

Steelers @ Buccaneers
All right, I've offended some people, how could I put the Steelers game in the craptastic section this week when they and the Bucs have proven most analysts wrong by going 2-0. Easy, one, they are playing the Bucs whose two wins came against the Browns and the Panthers. Two, they have only beaten both their opponents by 14 points total... for both games. (Read: they average 17 points a game.) Three, the Steelers are 31st in the NFL for total yards gained, and also 31st for passing yards. While I believe the Steelers will win this one on the road regardless of the Bucs' D, I do think Polamalu deserves a raise for his part on this QB stricken team. Steelers finish this week 3-0.

Bills @ Patriots
The Bills are 0-2 and play like it. The Patriots are 1-1 after losing to the Jets last week and Tom Brady has never looked that pissed off after losing a game-(even the Super Bowl to the Giants to end a perfect season.) Brady will take his frustrations out on a hapless Bills team. Pats win.

Browns @ Ravens
The Browns are 0-2, by the end of this week they will be 0-3, and Mangenius will continue to sweat about the security of his job. The Ravens, while a powerhouse on defense, also struggle on offense and have averaged 10 points a game (30th in the NFL) while going 1-1 these last two weeks. While I'm certain the Ravens will win at home, I don't see this as a potentially exciting match up.

Lions @ Vikings
The two 0-2 teams of the NFC North, awesome. The Lions lost their QB Matt Stafford in Week One, and have hurt ever since because of it. While they have only lost by 8 points total in the first two weeks of the season, they are headed to a desperate Vikings team with an even more desperate Brett Favre at the helm. While Favre may be feeling enough pressure to throw a few picks, he also has won games at the last minute when his team needed it. I don't think Shaun Hill has this capability yet. Vikings win at home.

Raiders @ Cardinals
While the change at QB helped the Raiders overcome the Rams last week, I don't think the Cards will fall for that at home. Cards win.

Not craptastic but not fantastic:
Titans @ Giants
I think Tom Coughlin sucks at play calling. I also think Jeff Fisher regrets paying QB Vince Young as a franchise QB when he consistently runs hot and cold. It's a good thing that Kerry Collins is a around. While Eli Manning's offense doesn't protect him in the pocket, I do think the Giants will be able to pull off the win at home if they keep Chris Johnson contained.

Bengals @ Panthers
The only reason this game makes it in the middle of the line section is because it will be interesting to see how Clausen starts in the NFL. It will be different than his years at Notre Dame, but hopefully he plays better than Matt Moore. Even with this change at QB and the Panthers playing at home, I'm still fairly certain the Bengals will come out with the win.

49ers @ Chiefs
While the 49ers got their groove back last week when they hosted the Saints at home, they have already demonstrated their ability on the road against a tough 12th man. I'm not sure how Qwest Field stands up in comparison to playing at Arrowhead, but I'm fairly certain Arrowhead is much more difficult. The Chiefs go 3-0, 49ers, 0-3.

Redsk!ns @ Rams
Sometimes I wonder if Spagnuolo would rather be defensive coordinator under Tom Coughlin. Until then, he needs to learn how to manage the clock, especially in the last few minutes of the game to optimize his winning potential. The Rams have only lost by 6 points total in the first two weeks of the season. I'm not sure how close they'll be to losing in this game, but I'm fairly certain Shanny and the Sk!ns come away with the win.

Eagles @ Jaguars
While the Jags looked tough at home in Week One, they also proved to be their old selves on the road in Week Two. I think the Eagles are good enough to beat the Jags at home even while their defense has given up 60 points in the first two games. Besides, I'll take Vick over Garrard any day.

Colts @ Broncos
The two horsey teams are 1-1, and at the end of this game, I think the Colts may beat my beloved Broncos. I'll be decked out in my blue and orange, but I don't think the various insults I hurl at Peyton Manning from the couch will discourage his playing ability. The Broncos also have key injuries to Champ Baily and Andre Goodman, who may play, and Knowshon Moreno who injured his hamstring at yesterday's practice. I also don't know how the Broncos will respond to losing a fellow player to suicide earlier this week. The two players who were killed in 2007 were lost in the off season. So while the Broncos know of this heartache because of recent experience, it will still put a much different spin on the regular season. R.I.P. Kenny McKinley.

Chargers @ Seahawks
Two teams who are 1-1, the big difference maker here is going to be the 12th man. Qwest Field was able to shut down a very good 49ers team with Pete Carroll's rah-rah spirit in Week One. The Chiefs' 12th man shut down a competitive Chargers team in Week One. The Chargers will suffer the same fate that the 49ers did at Qwest Field. Seahawks win.

Fantastic Competitions:
Cowboys @ Texans
The Texans have been playing too well (2-0) and the Cowboys look too confused (0-2) for the Texans to throw away the Lone Star State rivalry at home. Texans win. (And I laugh at the schmoes of Wade Phillips and Tony Roschmoe.)

Falcons @ Saints
The Falcons aren't the breakout team that they were last year, but they are competitive even after they went toe-to-toe with the Steelers for a loss in Week One. They also want a top spot in this division, and the way to win this division is through New Orleans. Even though the Saints have a huge loss with the injury to Reggie Bush, Coach Sean Payton and QB Drew Brees are crafty and talented enough to win without him. Saints win at home.

Jets @ Dolphins
I knew the Dolphins had improved in the off season, I didn't know how much they had improved. At 2-0 they are leading the AFC East and show no signs of slowing down to the division rival and trash talking Jets team. Even though the Jets had a big win against the Pats last week, they are facing a Dolphins team who picked them apart last year and have improved their cornerback position and have a faster linebacker corps. The Dolphins also run the ball well and they don't have to worry about the injured Darrelle Revis on defense.

Packers @ Bears
The 2-0 NFC North match up should be a great Monday Night game. While I predicted the Packers would be 2-0, I didn't think the Bears QB would take that quickly to a new offensive system. I still don't have the faith that it will work the entire season as when Cutler comes under pressure no one can save the amount of INTs thrown. Mike Martz and Lovie Smith may be looking for new jobs when the wheels come off their team. The Pack wins at Chicago.