Week 3 predictions

Well here we are, on the verge of week 3 in the NFL season already. Man, time sure does fly when you're enjoying football. So looking back on last weeks predictions, I went  9-7, putting me at a 17-15 record for the year so far. ESPN's predictions were more accurate, going 12-4 and raising their overall record to 22-10. In week 3, our predictions are as follows:


Green Bay vs. Chicago
ESPN Pick: Chicago 23 Green Bay 21
Committed Fan Pick: Chicago 24 Green Bay 21

A lot of offensive line problems for the Bears, but if they can protect Cutler from the pass rush in this game, I have to like the home team's odds in what is always a close divisional game.


Atlanta vs Tampa Bay
ESPN Pick: Atlanta 21 Tampa Bay 20
Committed Fan Pick: Atlanta 24 Tampa Bay 14

In an NFC South division game, I expect a tough effort from both teams, however Atlanta should gain the edge against the young Bucs defensive squad.


New England vs. Buffalo
ESPN Pick: New England 31 Buffalo 26
Committed Fan Pick: Buffalo 31 New England 29

My upset pick of the week, I pick a red hot Bills squad to get their first win against the Patriots since 2003. New England is weak against the pass, and Ryan Fitzpatrick will exploit that weakness to get the win.


Cincinnati vs. San Francisco
ESPN Pick: Cincinnati 17 San Francisco 10 
Committed Fan Pick: Cincinnati 24 San Francisco 13

Bengals get the run game going, and QB Andy Dalton handles the ball well as the Bengals get their second win of the season.


Miami vs. Cleveland
ESPN Pick: Cleveland 24 Miami 20 
Committed Fan Pick: Cleveland 24 Miami 13

Peyton Hillis runs up, over, around and through the Fins defense as Cleveland coasts to the win in an easy fashion.


Tennessee vs. Denver
ESPN Pick: Tennessee 24 Denver 19
Committed Fan Pick: Tennessee 24 Denver 21


The Titans showed they could play without Chris Johnson up to this point, and against the Broncos, we should see him return to form again. Combined with the passing game, and the team should handle the Broncos this week.


Detroit vs. Minnesota
ESPN Pick: Minnesota 23 Detroit 22
Committed Fan Pick: Detroit 34 Minnesota 24

Detroit's explosive offense will have little trouble with Minnesota, forcing them to throw early from behind and limit their best offensive weapon, Adrian Peterson.


New Orleans vs Houston
ESPN Pick: New Orleans 27 Houston 24 
Committed Fan Pick: New Orleans 27 Houston 21

This Houston team is an underrated squad this year and should win the AFC South. However, they aren't THAT good, and this game against the NFC South powerhouse Saints should show that reality.


Philadelphia vs New York (Giants)
ESPN Pick: Philadelphia 23 New York 20 
Committed Fan Pick:  Philadelphia 27 New York 21

Several Giants players want to face Michael Vick Sunday, several others are apparently injured, and Michael Boley is in desperate need of a better way to celebrate a touchdown. Not that he'll score one this week, as Vick and Co. take care of the football and victimize the depleted Giants secondary.


Jacksonville vs. Carolina
ESPN Pick: Carolina 21 Jacksonville 17
Committed Fan Pick: Carolina 28 Jacksonville 17

Think Cam Newton throws for 400+ yards against Jacksonville this week? Think Blaine Gabbert does in his first NFL start? Carolina picks up their first win by blowing out the Jags.



New York (Jets) vs Oakland Raiders
ESPN Pick: Oakland 10 New York 9
Committed Fan Pick: Oakland 23 New York 21

Oakland will have to play a very good game this week to pull off this upset, but the pieces are there to give them a pretty good shot.


Baltimore vs St. Louis
ESPN Pick: Baltimore 20 St. Louis 17
Committed Fan Pick: Baltimore 23 St. Louis 21

Baltimore needs to find some direction with their passing game, but an impressive Week 1 victory showed their true potential. The defense and run game can carry this team until then.


Kansas City vs. San Diego
ESPN Pick: San Diego 30 Kansas City 17
Committed Fan Pick: San Diego 33 Kansas City 14

Losing Jamaal Charles was a huge blow to this team, and without him on the field Sunday, things get just a little too tough for the Chiefs.



Arizona vs Seattle
ESPN Pick: Arizona 20 Seattle 19
Committed Fan Pick: Arizona 21 Seattle 17

Arizona needs help on the defensive side of the ball, but the offense has performed well up to this point. Kevin Kolb throws for 300 yards and a couple of TD passes as the Cards get the road win.



Pittsburgh vs Indianapolis
ESPN Pick: Pittsburgh 27 Indianapolis 10
Committed Fan Pick: Pittsburgh 31 Indianapolis 7

Last week, the Steelers clamped down on the Seahawks to get back to their true form. This week, they get the Colts, sans Peyton Manning. This one is over by halftime.


Washington vs. Dallas
ESPN Pick: Washington 17 Dallas 14
Committed Fan Pick: Washington 20 Dallas 14

Tony Romo has some injured ribs, and all of the Redskins players know about them. I don't like his chances of getting through the whole game, nor do I like the chances of Dallas winning this game.