NFL Week 3 Preview
Week three is already upon us and after two weeks under their belts teams will begin to show their true identities. There are several games in week three that will prove to be important in early division positioning and begin to show where some of the teams may end up by seasons end. My NFL pick for best game of the week is the Indianapolis Colts at the Arizona Cardinals.
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Manning versus Warner should be an offensive battle.
Both teams have high expectations of these two veteran Pro Bowl Quarterbacks, both who are coming off exciting week two wins.
Sunday, September 27 1:00 pm – Tennessee Titans @ New York Jets
Line: New York -2 (Total 37)
The Titans lost just three games in 2008, one of which came against the New York Jets in week 12. Tennessee is currently 0-2, coming off a close loss at the Houston Texans. The Jets are off to a quick 2-0 start behind rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez, including a victory in week two over the New England Patriots. Sanchez was 14-22, 163 yards, and 1 TD against the Pats. Look for the Jets to win this one at home.
Sunday, September 27 1:00 pm – Green Bay Packers @ St. Louis Rams
Line: Green Bay –6 (Total 41)
The Packers haven’t been the same since the post-Favre era, but quarterback Aaron Rodgers is looking to change that. Rodgers was 21-39, for 261 yards and 1 TD despite a loss to the Bengals last week. The Rams will pound it out on the ground, creating problems for the Packers defense. Look for Green Bay to repeat a week three loss in 2009.
Sunday, September 27 1:00 pm – Washington Redskins @ Detroit Lions
Line: Washington -6 (Total 38)
Coming off a 9-7 win over the Rams, the Redskins head to the Detroit Lions looking for their first road victory early in the season. Washington’s improved defense should pose a problem for a young Lions offense. First year quarterback Matt Stafford will be searching for second year man Calvin Johnson to pass to. The 0-2 Lions will look to pick themselves up from a loss to the Vikings in their last outing and snap their 18 game losing streak. Despite Detroit’s efforts the Redskins walk away with the win.
Sunday, September 27 1:00 pm – Atlanta Falcons @ New England Patriots
Line: New England -4 (Total 44)
The Falcons starting quarterback Matt Ryan looked good in last weeks win against the Panthers. Ryan was 21-27, 220 yards, 3 TDs, and 1 INT. Ryan now gets an opportunity to face off against Tom Brady and the Patriots. It will be Atlanta’s first road game of the season. The Pats will still be trying to figure out what hit them in New York last week, losing to the Jets 16-9. Pats quarterback Tom Brady tossed just 23 completions in 47 attempts for 216 yards and no TDs. Brady’s favorite target Randy Moss, had a meager four receptions for a total of 24 yards. Look for the Pats to bounce back and win this one at home.
Sunday, September 27 1:00 pm – Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans
Line: Houston –4 (Total 47)
Jacksonville hits the road in week three with a trip to Texas. The 0-2 Jaguars are coming off a loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The Jags had just five wins last year, with one of those wins being against the Texans. The Texans have looked solid in their first two appearances and are still basking in the glory of a close victory over the Titans in week two. Texans QB Matt Schaub was 25-39, for 357 yards and 4 TDs against Tennessee. Look for the Texans to post up some big numbers against the Jags in this one.
Sunday, September 21 1:00 pm – San Francisco 49ers @ Minnesota Vikings
Line: Minnesota -7 (Total 41)
The Vikings are 2-0 heading into their home opener against the 49ers. A better start than last season when the Vikings started 0-2 before getting their first win in week three. The Vikings rushing attack should post good numbers against a 49ers defense that is not known for its ability to stop the run. The 49ers, also 2-0, will look to running back Frank Gore for a repeat of last week’s performance in a win over the Seahawks. Gore had 207 yards on 16 carries and 2 TDs. This will be a good one, but the Vikes will come away with the win at home.
Sunday, September 27 1:00 pm – Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens
Line: Baltimore -13 (Total 41)
Cleveland has scored just one touchdown in their last 33 quarters, to 200 yards of offense, just 56 of that on the ground. They are still struggling with their quarterback situation and are 0-2 to start the season. The Ravens have faired well against the Browns in the past and this week’s match up should be no different. The Ravens defense will shut down the Browns pushing their touchdown draught to just one in 37 quarters. Ravens come away with an easy win at home.
Sunday, September 27 1:00 pm – New York Giants @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Line: New York -7 (Total 44)
The 0-2 Bucs got the short straw when it came to schedules, playing Dallas, Buffalo, and the Giants in the first three weeks of the 2009 season. Despite a loss to the Bills in their last outing, the Bucs QB Brian Leftwich faired well going 26-50, 296 yards with 3 TDs, but had 2 INTs. New York should be pumped up after a come from behind win against the Cowboys last week as Eli Manning tossed for 330 yards and 2 TDs. Giants win big.
Sunday, September 27 1:00 pm – Kansas City @ Philadelphia Eagles
Line: * (Total **)
The Chiefs let one get away in week two losing a close one to the Raiders at home. They will head out on their first road trip in 2009 to take on the Eagles. Philadelphia’s heavy passing defense may be too much for the Chiefs, even with newly added weapon, quarterback Matt Cassel. The Eagles will most likely be without Donavan McNabb, but even then the Chiefs defense will need some help against the Eagles offense. Eagles win at home.
Sunday, September 27 4:05 pm – New Orleans Saints @ Buffalo Bills
Line: New Orleans -6 (Total 52)
The Bills will need to prepare for a high scoring game against the Saints, who ended the 2008 season as the highest scoring team in the League. Terrell Owens should have is way with a poor Saints secondary. The Saints are coming off a big win against the Eagles as Drew Brees was 25-34, for 311 yards, and 3 TDs. Look for the Bills to hold off the Saints at home with just a bit more defense.
Sunday, September 27 4:05 pm – Chicago Bears @ Seattle Seahawks
Line: Chicago -2 (Total 37)
The Bears improved their offense with the acquisition of QB Jay Cutler while maintaining the existing defense, and it paid off in week two with a win over the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers. The Seahawks will be coming off a loss to the 49ers on the road. Seattle has a decent record at home over the past few seasons, but the Bears will spoil that, beating Seattle in a close game.
Sunday, September 27 4:15 pm – Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals
Line: Pittsburgh -4 (Total 37)
The Bengals lost both meetings against the Steelers last year. After a 29-carry, 141-yard day against the Packers, Bengals running back Cedric Benson will be relied upon to have another big day this week when Cincinnati plays host to Pittsburgh in a key AFC North Division game. The Steelers are coming off a loss to Chicago and will be weighing in heavily on the NFL’s top-rated defense from last season to show up. This one is too close to call.
Sunday, September 27 4:15 pm – Miami Dolphins @ San Diego Chargers
Line: Denver -3 (Total 38)
The Fins showed up in 2008 with their wildcat offense and surprised a few teams early on. Coming off a close loss to the Colts, the 0-2 Dolphins will look to surprise the Chargers again, as San Diego fell victim to Fins last season, 17-10 in week five at Miami. The Chargers’ Phillip Rivers, despite a loss to the Ravens in his last outing played well going 25-45, 436 yards with 2 TDs, and 2 INTs. Look for the Dolphins to exploit a weak Chargers D-line and win this one on the ground.
Sunday, September 27 4:15 pm – Denver Broncos @ Oakland Raiders
Line: Oakland -1 (Total 37)
The Broncos will head to Oakland with their new head coach, new offense and a 2-0 record. The Broncos will rely on running back Correll Buckhalter to energize their running game against Oakland. Burkhalter had 9 carries for 76 yards and 1 TD against the Browns last week. The Raiders lost a close one to rival San Diego to start the season and beat the Chiefs in Kansas City in week two. QB JaMarcus Russell will need to step it up. Russell has just 19 completions in 54 attempts, with no other quarterback in the NFL completing less than half his passes. Denver will take this one, edging out the Raiders in a close battle.
Sunday, September 27 8:30 pm – Indianapolis Colts @ Arizona Cardinals
Line: Arizona –1 (Total 47)
This could be the best match up of the week. Both of these teams love to pass the ball. Both teams love to give up the pass as well. The Cardinals are thriving off of last years Super bowl success and a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in week two, where QB Kurt Warner completed his first 15 passes and was 24 of 26 overall. His completion percentage of 92.1 set an NFL record for a single game. The Colts are coming off a come-from-behind win over the Dolphins, led by QB Payton Manning who was 14-23, for 303 yards and 2 TDs. The Colts are on a quest to return to the Super bowl. This has all the makings of a high scoring contest, with the Cardinals coming out on top.
Monday, September 21 8:30 pm – Carolina Panthers @ Dallas Cowboys
Line: Dallas -9 (Total 47)
Four turnovers, including three interceptions by quarterback Tony Romo, were the difference in a 33-31 loss to the NY Giants in the inaugural game at Cowboys Stadium last week. Dallas will now face a 0-2 Panthers team that is desperately seeking their first win of the season. Dallas should be able to take advantage of a Panthers defense that has its share of holes. Carolina will need DeAngelo Williams to have a solid rushing performance if they want to beat the Cowboys. This will be a shootout with the Cowboys coming out ahead on the scoreboard in the final quarter.
