NFL Week 3 Preview/Predictions

            

Hello everybody. Although I am a rather pedestrian 17-16 on my NFL picks so far, I can proudly say that I am at the very top of the food chain, as evidenced by the table above. My cousins, to this point, have not been as successful in predicting as I have. Hopefully it stays that way after Week 3. After the New York Giants defeated the Washington Redskins on Thursday Night, Brad, Jeff and I are all 1-0 for the week, while Ryan is 0-1. Let's break down all of these Week 3 battles to see why we think what we think

1:00
Bengals(2-0) at Ravens(0-2)
Almost all of us are united here. The Ravens have had a very disappointing start to the season, losing their first 2 games to Denver and Oakland on the road. Cincinnati is 2-0, with wins over Oakland and San Diego. I think that the Ravens will be playing very inspired football on Sunday, as 0-3 is not an option for a team of their caliber. Andy Dalton will struggle against the Baltimore defense, and I see the Ravens winning a low scoring affair, 20-16. The lone ranger who sees the Bengals pulling out a win is Jeff, who stated that the ''Ravens are struggling''. Very deep observation.

Most Intriguing Match-up
Raiders(1-1) at Browns(1-1)

The most intriguing match-up of the week isn't always the best one. I find this game very intriguing because it is between 2 teams that have been doormats in this league for a while, but are itching back towards respectability. I think Oakland is a sleeper in the AFC West, as they have a much improved offensive attack with the additions of receivers Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper. However, I think the Cleveland defense will cause problems for Derek Carr this week, and the Browns will feed off of their home crowd and improve to 2-1. Josh McCown will be behind center this week instead of Johnny Manziel. While I am part of the ''Free Johnny Football'' campaign, I do think McCown is capable.

While he is no Drew Brees, McCown is a smart player who knows how to manage a game. Jeff is the lone ranger once again, stating; ''Josh McCown is coming back from injury and will struggle.'' While I see Jeff's point, I still think Cleveland will etch out a 21-17 win,

Saints(0-2) at Panthers(2-0)
New Orleans is a train wreck. Just awful. Their performance against Tampa Bay in the Superdome last Sunday was embarrassing, and I really cannot imagine things getting better against a tough, tough Carolina team, especially without Drew Brees. The Panthers are 2 seasons removed from a going 12-4, and they are capable. I'm gonna go with a 31-14 Carolina triumph. Godspeed, Luke McCown.

''Who the Hell Cares'' game of the week
Bucs(1-1) at Texans(0-2)
Oh boy. Despite a win over the Saints last week, I still don't see Tampa Bay as a team that is ready to win. The Texans are 0-2 and have not looked good at all. These are 2 teams that I do not think will turn many heads this year. 24-10 Texans. Not that I care.

Falcons(2-0) at Cowboys(2-0)

The 4 horsemen are split here. Ryan and Brad have Dallas winning while Jeff and I picked Atlanta. I think that the Cowboys are very lucky to be 2-0, and not having Tony Romo or Dez Bryant will catch up with them on Sunday. The combination of Matt Ryan and Juilo Jones will cause fits for the Cowboys secondary, as the Falcons have a very explosive offense that I think could win them the NFC South. Every Dallas fan knows that the offense makes their team click, and now that the Dallas attack is depleted, I think that they Cowboys will have a very uphill climb for quite a while. Brad begs to differ, stating that he ''can't see Atlanta beating Dallas.'' Well, I
can see it. 28-17 Atlanta.

Colts(0-2) at Titans(1-1)

The Horsemen are united. While the Colts have looked quite dreadful in losses to the Bills and Jets, The Titans are far weaker than both of those teams, and I think that Andrew Luck will finally get his way in Week 3. Remember, Tennessee was 2-14 in 2014, and Marcus Mariota won't improve this team that much. 30-13 Colts.

Jaguars(1-1) at Patriots(2-0)

Although the Jags got a big win over Miami in Week 2, they are still the Jags, and Tom Brady is still Tom Brady. 34-13 Pats. Also expect Gronk to spike it at least twice.

Chargers(1-1) at Vikings(1-1)

We are again split, as Jeff and I have the Chargers, while Ryan and Brad have the Vikings. While I expect a close game, I think that Phillip Rivers will turn in a clutch performance, as he is due to bounce back after a disappointing game in Cincinnati.Brad believes that the home-field advantage will be the difference in a Vikings win. I think that The Chargers will spoil a lot of Sundays in the Twin Cities with a last minute touchdown drive. 24-20 San Diego.

Eagles(0-2) at Jets(2-0)
As badly as I ripped the Eagles in my last NFL article, I think that they are too talented to start out 0-3. Sam Bradford will finally have a breakout performance, and the Jets are due to come back down to earth after an impressive 2-0 start. Everyone in my group agrees except for Jeff, who thinks that the Jets current momentum will propel them to a win. I disagree. 31-20 Eagles.

Steelers(1-1) at Rams(1-1)

This is an interesting one. Although Pittsburgh is the better team on paper, these type of games plagued the Steelers throughout last season. Nonetheless, I still predict the Steelers to prevail here, as does everybody except Brad, who said he ''just has a feeling'' about the Rams. I think he's just superstitious in picking against the Black and Gold, as this is the 3rd week out of 3 that he has done so. Le'Veon Bell is back from suspension, and that should make the offense even stronger going up
against a Rams defensive unit that has under performed this year and looked pretty ugly in a 24-10 loss to the Redskins last week. Although it could be a trap game, I still expect the Steelers to take this one. Steelers 31, Rams 17.

4:05
49ers(1-1) at Cardinals(2-0)

The Horsemen ride together. The Cards have looked pretty dominant in their first 2 wins over New Orleans and Chicago, and I see no reason why San Francisco can stop them. Carson Palmer is in a grove after coming back from a torn ACL that cut his 2014 season short, and San Fran is in the opposite of a grove, as they were smacked in the face repeatedly by the Steelers in a 43-18 loss last Sunday. I see the Cards cruising to a 34-10 win.

4:25

Bills(1-1) at Dolphins(1-1)

This is a tough, tough AFC East match up to predict, but I think the Bills narrowly take this one. Buffalo has a stout defense and an offense that could surprise some people. Tyrod Taylor could be the real deal if he limits his interceptions, and I think he will a better job of that against Miami than he did last week against New England when he was picked off 3 times. Robert Woods and Sammy Watkins provide Taylor with dangerous options as receivers, and LeSean McCoy will finally have a breakout game of 100+ yards rushing. I think the Bills defense will handle Miami well enough to escape with a win. Brad and Ryan share my opinion, while Jeff disagrees, stating that Miami's ''electric offense'' will lead them to a win. It will be close, but I say the Bills will win by a score of 26-20. Buffalo will be talking proud after they win this one.

Bears(0-2) at Seahawks(0-2)

The Bears are dreadful, as was evident when they were publicly undressed by Arizona last week in front of their home fans. The Seahawks are the best 0-2 team in the NFL, as they have lost 2 close road games at St. Louis and Green Bay, and are coming home to the loudest stadium in the league with Kam Chancellor back at Strong Safety after a holdout. This will be the Hawks first step to getting back on track. Seahawks 34, Bears 7.

Broncos(2-0) at Lions(0-2) 

We are all united! The Lions have gotten off to a rocky start, losing to San Diego and Minnesota, and I don't think facing Peyton Manning is going to solve any problems in the Motor City. Phillip Rivers and Teddy Bridgewater both were successful against the Lions secondary, and I think Manning will do the same and turn in a big game. Matthew Stafford has a good enough arm to keep things interesting, but I think Denver will hold on and improve to 3-0. 34-23 Broncos.

Chiefs(1-1) at Packers(1-1) 

The horsemen ride together again. The Chiefs are a good team, but Green Bay is stronger and Aaron Rodgers has more weapons offensively than Alex Smith does. Brad put it best by saying;''Rodgers is unstoppable at Lambeau Field''. Packers 27, Chiefs 14.

Thank you for reading, and we will see whose picks turn out to be the most accurate. Mine probably will be, but anything can happen.