Week 3 NFL Picks

After the easiest week 1 in recent memory, Week 2 brought me back down to earth to the tune of an 8-8 record. In hopes of getting my predictions out sooner and to more eyes, my week 3 picks will be happeninnnnnnggggg... NOW.

(Home team in CAPS)

DETROIT over Washington

What a way to start off eh? Detroit hasn't won a game in 19 straight attempts. What better to snap that trend than a home game against an uninspired Washington team with a head coach who doesn't seem to have a handle on his team? I can't imagine Jason Campbell tearing apart any defense. This is as far from a sure thing as you can get, but I'll still take the Lions to be one of ESPN's top stories from Week 3.

Green Bay over ST. LOUIS

Green Bay losing to Cinci last week. Not many saw that coming, especially in the cheesy confines of Wisconsin. Bounce back time for Aaron Rodgers and company.

MINNESOTA over San Fran

I'm rooting for San Fran so we can hear more about Shaun Hill and his game management skills. The last thing I want to hear about is that He Who Must Not Be Named and Peterson's Vikings might be the best team in the NFL, which is a real possibility depending on the outcome of this game. Save me from overanalyzing + He Who Must Not Be Named + Purple Jerseys = ESPN having a field day.

(On a side note, with Peter Forsberg's announcement that he is attempting another comeback, he has quietly distinguished himself as He Who Must Not Be Named's likeness for the NHL. If hockey was a bigger sport people would be talking about how Forsberg is a diva. How he announced his latest retirement on the day of the trade deadline to overcome all the NHL attention and focus it on himself. How his injuries are because his "boot doesn't fit." Has anyone heard of such an injury before? Anyone? Anyone?)

NEW ENGLAND over Hotlanta

Bill Belichick is too good of a coach to allow his team to keep underperforming like this. A home game against a somewhat inexperienced team should help his cause. The Brady-Moss connection is due for a honeymoon sometime soon aren't they?

Tennessee over NY JETS

I haven't made up my mind on Rex Ryan yet; he has backed up his talk so far and doesn't appear to be shutting up any time soon. Much like my New England prediction, Jeff Fisher will not allow his team to start the season off 0-3 and crush any historical chance of winning the Super Bowl (it has never been done before). I'll put my money on Kerry Collins over Mark Sanchez for this one.

EAGLES over Kansas City

Dorothy Gale of Kansas once said "there's no place like home." This will ring true this week for my Eagles. It looks like McNabb will not play (and he shouldn't), Brian Westbrook will pull the classic "no practice but I'll play anyway" gag, Desean Jackson is nursing the first semi-serious injury of his career, and Kevin Curtis will probably be out too. Todd Haley has overstepped his boundaries already, just two weeks into his first head coaching gig. Threatening the 63 million dollar QB's job already doesn't appear to be the best start to the season. The Philly crowd will push the Eagles to a victory that will be amplified by the triumphant return of Michael Vick. Go Iggles.

NY Giants over TAMPA BAY

I already forgot that Byron Leftwich was the Bucs starting QB. Giants win.

BALTIMORE over Cleveland

I believe in Joe Flacco. I really do. I do not believe in Brady Quinn. Or Braylon Edwards. Or Jamal Lewis. Or Eric Mangini.

HOUSTON over Jacksonville

I don't really like either one of these teams. So when in doubt I'll go with Andre Johnson and co.

New Orleans over BUFFALO

I'm still not a huge fan of the Saints. Sure they absolutely demolished the Eagles last week, but that was without McNabb and with the worst special teams performance in recent memory. Give Drew Brees a short field and it's basically automatic. With all that said, I think they still take care of business over the Bills, despite a strong performance from Trent Edwards and TO.

Chicago over SEATTLE

Well I was wrong about Jay Cutler. Hard to make a stronger first impression for your home crowd than beating the defending Super Bowl champs.

SAN DIEGO over Miami

This is where the season ends for Miami. After a strong showing on Monday Night Football, traveling to San Diego won't be kind to Tony Soprano, whoops I mean Sparano. I still can't trust the San Diego defense which I was so pumped to draft and don't think they will cause the Dolphins must strife. Rivers will be too pissed off to lose another one. Love that dude.

Pittsburgh over CINCI

I have a secret crush on the Steelers. I just love the way they operate. It will be interesting to see if Troy Polamalu's absence has that much of an effect on the Steelers.

OAKLAND over Denver

The battle of the two must currently dysfunctional teams in the NFL. There's no way JaMarcus Russel can go 7/24 again right? Right?...right?

Indy over ARIZONA

What a matchup huh? Should be a high scoring, shootout kinda' game. While Kurt Warner may have more weapons thanks to Anthony Gonzalez's injury, I'll put my money on Peyton Manning.

DALLAS over Carolina

Will Romo step up and be the media-created star that he has been portrayed as? Or will he continue to find the opposing team's secondary more easily than his own receivers? Only the second straight night game at the Jerry Jones's new stadium will tell.

Season: 21-11

Week 2 NFL Picks

I will spare you the rehashing of my Week 1 picks which I did not post but wrote on a piece of paper and had validated by my dad. I went a ridiculous 13-3 to start off a beautiful 2009 campaign. Today, the start of the Jewish New Year, marks the return of my weekly picks.

(Home team in CAPS)

HOTLANTA over Carolina

Don't expect another horrendous week from Jake Delhomme but the Falcons balanced offense should overcome a stellar Panthers running attack.

Minnesota over DETROIT

We will probably be shown a lot of "The Quarterback Who Must Not Be Named" on ESPN highlights this week. After allowing Drew Brees to pick apart their secondary, the undecided one should do half as well.

GREEN BAY over Cinci

This year spells the end for Carson Palmer. Look for quite a few Lambeau Leaps.

TENNESSEE over Houston

I'm not expecting another 13-3 season from the Titans, but then again I'm also not a supporter of the "Houston will make the playoffs" statement made by everybody and their mother this year. Houston has never won and they certainly won't do it now.

Oakland over KC

After seeing a pretty nice defensive performance against the Chargers last Monday night, I'm a believer in more than 5 wins for the Raiders. Count this as one of them.

New England over NY JETS

How can anybody call Mark Sanchez a "rookie sensation" one game into the season when he threw one TD and one INT against a crappy Houston team? This is a team with a head coach whose mouth has so far outweighed his stomach (a difficult accomplishment). Don't tell me that the Jets defense is really good enough to shut down Brady, Moss, Welker and maybe even Watson.

EAGLES over Naaaahlins

No McNabb, no problem. I remember when McNabb went down with his first injury and Koy Detmer was given the responsibility of matching Jeff Garcia and TO (just as he hit his TO years). Detmer even got injured and AJ Feeley came in to lead the Eagles to victory. I may not be an Andy Reid supporter, but the man can win in the regular season. A home game against a Saints team that beat the Lions? - give me a break. I look for the Eagles to contain Drew Brees as well as they contained LT in 2005 when he was going for his umpteenth straight 100 yard running game and he instead ran 17 times for 7 (that's right SEVEN) yards. The Eagles defense have a knack for showing up to play at home and this should be no different. Eagles 27 - Saints 14.

WASHINGTON over St. Louis

St. Louis away? Can't even pick them to win at home.

JACKSONVILLE over Arizona

This will be the mini-storyline of Week 2. "Defending NFC champs open season 0-2." Reminder, Kurt Warner is now 38 and they are the Cardinals for crying out loud. The last time they had any success before Super Bowl XLIII was in Jerry Maguire when Rod Tidwell helped to upset Troy Aikman and the Cowboys for a playoff spot.

BUFFALO over Tampa Bay

Trent Edwards needs to find TO or this season will self-destruct before Marshawn Lynch even gets a taste of the field for the first time. After Romo tore the Bucs' secondary apart last week, a home team should take care of Byron Leftwich.

SAN FRAN over Seattle

My semi-upset pick of the week. Seattle may have some weapons and a healthy Matt Hasselback, but Frank Gore and Shaun Hill should be enough to pull a close one out at home.

Pittsburgh over CHICAGO

It should be fun to hear the ravenous Bears fans boo Cutler at his first home start.

SAN DIEGO over Baltimore

I can't imagine Joe Flacco putting up those insane numbers 2 weeks in a row. And I can't imagine Phillip Rivers putting up those lackluster numbers 2 weeks in a row. Chargers win a nailbiter.

Cleveland over DENVER

Last week's win was a fluke for Denver. Law of averages will catch up with the Broncos and their dysfunctional team.

DALLAS over NY Giants

New stadium + dark horse team + No Plaxico Burress = Cowboys win.

Indy over MIAMI

Miami had a nice season last year, but it all fell apart in the playoffs. I see most games going like that for Chad and his Dolphins. Manning should find a way to win even though Anthony Gonzalez is down with a booboo.

Season: 13-3

**Check out the new poll**