NFL Week 3 Predictions
September 21, 2005, 11:32 AM | 0 Comments
Note: Predictions for week 3 of the 2008 NFL season can be found here: NFL Week 3 Predictions.
Week one left me with a lot of questions, and week 2 answered some of those. I think that after this week, we’ll be able to see which teams will contend, and which teams are going to have a very long year.
In week 2 I didn’t do so well, correctly predicting only 6 of 16 games. I’m still on par with the ESPN Expert Picks, but I’ll need a good week this week to stay on track.
Now, my predictions for week 3!
Atlanta Falcons (1-1) at Buffalo Bills (1-1) - If Michael Vick would’ve played the entire game, I’m pretty sure the Falcons would’ve beat the Seahawks. The Bills got smoked by Tampa Bay, but when they play well, they can be a good team. If the Falcons have Vick this weekend, they’ll win. If not, I’ll switch my pick before the game to the Bills. Pick: Falcons.
Carolina Panthers (1-1) at Miami Dolphins (1-1) - The Panthers may be just as good as everyone was saying before the season. They beat New England with authority last week. The Dolphins came back down to earth last week, losing against a Jets team that doesn’t look very good. Pick: Panthers.
Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) at Chicago Bears (1-1) - The Bears destroyed the Lions last week and the Bengals rolled right over Minnesota. I think the Bengals are a good team this year, and I expect them to get to 3-0 this weekend. Pick: Bengals.
Cleaveland Browns (1-1) at Indianapolis Colts (2-0) - The Colts defense might be the real deal. It’s gotta be a good thing for their confidence when Peyton Manning only throws for 122 yards, no touchdowns, 1 interception and they still win the game. The Browns beat the Packers by 2 points. Boo. Pick: Colts.
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) at New York Jets (1-1) - This is one of those games that could go either way. Both teams have some issues that need to be fixed, and although Chad Pennington looked better last week, I think the Jaguars are a better team. Pick: Jaguars.
New Orleans Saints (1-1) at Minnesota Vikings (0-2) - The Saints look pretty good this year. Tough loss for them last week playing a ‘home game’ against the Giants, in New Jersey. Minnesota QB Dante Culpepper’s stats for this year so far: 43-70, 469 Yards, 0 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 2 lost fumbles and a 41.6 QB Rating. Pick: Saints.
Oakland Raiders (0-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) - I really thought the Raiders would win last week at home. Randy Moss is playing great for his new team, and I’m sure Oakland is happy. Minnesota, not so much. The Eagles made a statement last week, and Donovan McNabb had a near perfect game. Pick: Eagles.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0) at Green Bay Packers (0-2) - The Packers starting the season at 0-2 makes me mad. They’re going to need to win at least 2 of their next 3 games before they get to their bye week. This week’s game against Tampa Bay is as close to a ‘must win’ game as early season games can get. I think the offense will start to wake up this week, as they showed they can do in the 4th quarter of last week’s game. Tampa Bay looks like a great team so far this year, but if the Packers can limit their turnovers and penalties, I think they’ll come out with win number 1. Pick: Packers.
Tennessee Titans (1-1) at St. Louis Rams (1-1) - So much for the Ravens powerful defense. They gave up 25 to Tennessee and lost. St. Louis played well against Arizona last week. I think the Rams will win big this week. Pick: Rams.
Arizona Cardinals (0-2) at Seattle Seahawks (1-1) - So, Arizona isn’t playing as well as a lot of people (including me) thought they would. I think they need to win this week. The Seahawks played really well against Atlanta, but you never know which team you’ll get when the Seahawks step on the field. Pick: Cardinals.
Dallas Cowboys (1-1) at San Francisco 49ers (1-1) - I think everyone in Dallas said ‘ouch’ at the same time on Monday night. San Francisco played terribly against the Eagles. Look for Dallas to come back strong this weekend. Pick: Cowboys.
New England Patriots (1-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0) - I don’t think I was the only one surprised by how New England played against Carolina last week. The Steelers are a powerhouse so far. Remember, this is the team that ended New England’s unbeaten streak last year. If this game was in New England, I might pick the Pats, but it’s not. Pick: Steelers.
New York Giants (2-0) at San Diego Chargers (0-2) - The Giants have looked very good in the first two weeks. The Chargers haven’t but I think they’ll pull out the win this week in a close game. Note to San Diego: Give LT the ball! Pick: Chargers.
Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) at Denver Broncos (1-1) - So, the Chiefs defense is winning them games this year. That’s gotta be a nice switch for them. They offense is still there, and if they keep playing as well as they have so far, watch out. Pick: Chiefs.
Note: Baltimore (0-2), Detroit (1-1), Houston (0-2) and Washington (1-1) have a bye week this week.
Picks Summary
AWAY - HOME - PREDICTION - RESULT
Falcons - Bills - Falcons - Falcons √
Panthers - Dolphins - Panthers - Dolphins Χ
Bengals - Bears - Bengals - Bengals √
Browns - Colts - Colts - Colts √
Jaguars - Jets - Jaguars - Jaguars √
Saints - Vikings - Saints - Vikings Χ
Raiders - Eagles - Eagles - Eagles √
Buccaneers - Packers - Packers - Buccaneers Χ
Titans - Rams - Rams - Rams √
Cardinals - Seahawks - Cardinals - Seahawks Χ
Cowboys - 49ers - Cowboys - Cowboys √
Patriots - Steelers - Steelers - Patriots Χ
Giants - Chargers - Chargers - Chargers √
Chiefs - Broncos - Chiefs - Broncos Χ
UPDATE: 8-6 this week for another sub-par week… Oh well, at least it’s above 0.500, and it brings me back to even for the year.
Running total: 23-23.
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