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