NFL Week 3 Picks

NFL Week 3 Picks
M.D. Wright
9.24.09

Man the NFL season flies by. It's ALREADY WEEK 3. It seems like the season just began. But in a way, it helps fall and winter (even if fall is superb in NYC) go by quickly without it having a chance to depress those of us who have six months of chill ha.

WEEK 1: 11-5
WEEK 2: 11-5

Let's get to the picks.

Tennessee Titans vs. New York Jets
Giants Stadium at the New Jersey Meadowlands
East Rutherford, New Jersey



Over/Under: 37
NYJ: -2.5
TEN: +120
NYJ: -140

The Titans are doing about what I expected. And they are heading for an 8-8 season behind shaky Collins and a defence that isn't exactly flexible (no blitzes, no shifting when obvious opponent advantages were being exploited), along with CB Courtland Finnegan seeming to lose his temper every week. What's he so angry about?

Sanchez should have a field day and Revis may take one to the house for the Jets. Oh, by the way, the Jets are going to ABSOLUTELY BURY Kerry Collins. If there is a lock to pick with regards to the lines, DEFINITELY take the Jets to cover. The UNDER looks good, but that would mean the Jets would have to score 30. Not sure they will.

Pick:
Tennessee 10
NY Jets 24

FINAL
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Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans
Reliant Stadium
Houston, Texas



Over/Under: 47
HOU: -3.5
JAX: +160
HOU: -190

The Jaguwires are a mess. How Del Rio still has a job is beyond me. Old, aging WRs, a QB who has looked rattled since he became a full-time starter and a defence that doesn't exactly make plays outside of Rasean Mathis, and well, you have this slag heap.

The Texans should put up pinball numbers just as the Cardinals did last week on this team

Pick:
Jacksonville 13
Houston 37

FINAL
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Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens
M&T Bank Stadium
Baltimore, Maryland



Over/Under: 38.5
BAL: -13
CLE: +550
BAL: -750

You own a set of stones? I DARE you to take that debacle of a team in Cleveland to cover the 13 points they're getting and the +550 ha.
Nevertheless, Jamal Lewis is banged up, Brady Quinn has not been spectacular -- outside of Joe Thomas, their offensive line is a joke. The defence isn't terrible, but it isn't even consistently average.

The Ravens can score now, which influences the -13. However, they gave up 24 to an equally inept Chiefs squad, so yeah, I DARE YOU, like Black Rob.

Pick:
Cleveland 16
Baltimore 23

FINAL
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New York Giants vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Raymond James Stadium
Tampa, Florida



Over/Under: 44.5
TB: +6.5
NYG: -290
TB: +240

I don't need to comment on this. Unless the Giants really show signs of missing so many players (Phillips for the year -- announced today, Tuck, Ross, Dockery, Nicks, etc.), this should be along the lines of the 2007 Wild Card Playoff game in terms of score and game trend.

Pick:
NY Giants 24
Tampa Bay 6

FINAL
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Washington Redskins vs. Detroit Lions
Ford Field
Detroit, Michigan



Over/Under: 38.5
DET: +6
WASH: -270
DET: +230

Upset alert. If you wanna call it that. The Redskins should've lost to the Rams for the second straight (poor) time. The Lions haven't been THAT BAD thus far, and they have a few pieces in place to offset the many glaring holes. They can't stop a decent offence, but for the Lions' sake they're not facing one this week, either. Who knows.

At least expect the Lions to cover those 6 points they're getting.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Lincoln Financial Field
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania



Over/Under: 41.5
PHI: -8.5
No Money Lines As Of 9.25.09

The Chiefs try so hard. But they're traveling east and the Philly crowd (minus the PETA bunch and self-righteous set) will be in full throat whenever Vick hits the field. The Iggles won't miss McNabb much in this game, but they aren't going to cover those 8 1/2 points they're giving KC.

Pick:
Kansas City 23
Philadelphia 28

FINAL
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Pick:
Washington 13
Detroit 17

FINAL
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Green Bay Packers vs. St. Louis Rams
Edward Jones Dome
St. Louis, Missouri



Over/Under: 41
STL: +6.5
GB: -290
STL: +240

The only possible story line here is the Packers' inability to really stop anyone consistently on defence. Otherwise, this game doesn't merit a write up. Just take the Packers straight up.

Pick:
Green Bay 31
St. Louis 13

FINAL
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San Francisco 49ers vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Minneapolis, Minnesota



Over/Under: 39
MIN: -6.5
SF: +240
MIN: -290

I dunno why Minnesota is favored by so much, honestly. Yes, this is SF's truest test yet -- facing the Vikes' defence, but I would not touch that -6.5 for Minny. If I were a betting man, of course ha.

I don't know if I like Peterson's back ailment or not, but we will see how much of a role that will play. SF will cover.

Pick:
San Francisco 20
Minnesota 24

FINAL
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Atlanta Falcons vs. New England Patriots
Gillette Stadium
Foxborough, Massachusetts



Over/Under: 47
NE: -4.5
ATL: +180
NE: -220

I actually like this game. A lot. For some reason. The Fulcons are traveling to "Matty Ice's" old college stomping grounds, and they are playing solid football.

The Patriots are not. They can't run the ball and John Abraham is going to be in THOMAS' face all game. I love it.

I like Atlanta covering and probably winning.

Pick:
Atlanta 28
New England 23

FINAL
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Chicago Bears vs. Seattle Seahawks
Qwest Field
Seattle, Washington



Over/Under: 37
SEA: +2
CHI: -135
SEA: +115

YUCK. Who wants to even see this game? And then from a wagering standpoint, why would you care? This game has no value. Hasselbeck has busted ribs. The Bears stink and are putrid to watch. Somehow they beat PIT, though. I would still lean toward Chicago at the end of the day. That tells you how much this game stinks.

Pick:
Chicago 20
Seattle 15

FINAL
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New Orleans Saints vs. Buffalo Bills
Ralph Wilson Stadium
Orchard Park, New York



Over/Under: 52
BUF: +6
NO: -270
BUF: +230

I LOVE THIS. The Saints might get that 52 by THEMSELVES ha. My word for them this season: OVERRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
I don't even care about the spread (the Bills don't really miss Lynch because Jackson fills in admirably, Owens is insignificant in the so-called Buffalo no-huddle).

Pick:
New Orleans 41
Buffalo 24

FINAL
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Miami Dolphins vs. San Diego Chargers
Qualcomm Stadium
San Diego, California



Over/Under: 44
SD: -6
MIA: +230
SD: -270

The Dolphins will fight. And the Chargers will sleepwalk 5/6 of the game. Will Tomlinson play Sunday? Will it matter either way? Rivers puts up pinball numbers and he will again against this defence for Miami.

Pick:
Miami 20
San Diego 31

FINAL
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Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Paul Brown Stadium
Cincinnati, Ohio



Over/Under: 37
CIN: +4
PIT: -200
CIN: +165

You know what? After last week, who knows ha? I can't pick Cincinnati despite the fact they have covered both games thus far. And they MAY again, but I don't have any confidence.

Of course Polamalu is still out for PIT and Slow Willie Parker (he's my dude, but he has lost a step) needs to get his game going. Roethlisberger is due to implode with his tendency of holding the ball too long and trying to make the TD pass each time.

Cursin' Palmer is finally healthy and Chad is making plays (even if his concentration is just as much on stunts with fans as it is with making plays and winning).

There has been a Cedric Benson sighting, also. WOW.

Pick:
Pittsburgh 20
Cincinnati 17

FINAL
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Denver Broncos vs. Oakland Raiders
The Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum/McAfee Coliseum
Oakland, California



Over/Under: 37
OAK: +1.5
Pick 'em

What an ugly game. I do see a 3 way tie for "first place" after this game if you get my drift. JaMarcus Russell and Darrius Heyward-Bey seem to sleep well at night knowing they fleeced Al Davis ROYALLY. Russell has the accuracy of a drunk, fat guy trying to take a leak after 10 beers and 5 shots of Patron. But they can run the ball pretty well.

Orton? Agh. He hasn't been bad, but he has potential all-world Brandon Marshall and a poor man's poor man's Steve Smith in Eddie Royal (meaning a poor man's Giants' Steve Smith, who is still viewed [less accurate now, and won't be accurate after this season] as a poor man's Panthers' Steve(n) Smith) to throw to.

Seymour will get Orton. Dumervil will get Russell. But Denver can't run the ball with KNOWSHON banged up.

Pick:
Denver 17
Oakland (somehow) 23

FINAL
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Indianapolis Colts vs. Arizona Cardinals
University of Phoenix Stadium
Glendale, Arizona
***SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL***



Over/Under: 48.5
ARI: -2.5
IND: +125
ARI: -145

Vegas respects the Curds. The Road Warrior Colts are getting 2 1/2 in Glendale on Sunday Night Football. This should be a fun one. TAKE THE OVER. You know what Kurt can do. You know what LARRY can do. You know what Q can do. You know what PEYTON can do. Just watch, enjoy and again, TAKE THE OVER.

Pick:
Indianapolis 30
Arizona 34

FINAL
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Carolina Panthers vs. Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys Stadium
Arlington, Texas
***MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL***





Over/Under: 47
DAL: -8.5
CAR: +320
DAL: -400

Vegas is playing on peoples' emotions to be jacked for Monday Night. And by "peoples" I mean those overzealous, illogical and (despite a 14 year playoff-win drought) bandwagon fans who will wager on their team. Carolina SHOULD be getting points, but not 8 1/2 dear GOD.

The Cowboys will win, and with the help of Jake, and the hype for the stadium (being compared to the Wonders of the World) and Romo will start again.

Pick:
Carolina 23
Dallas 28

FINAL
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NFL Powre Rankings: Week 3

NFL Powre Rankings: Week 3
M.D. Wright
9.24.09

Well, there was a big shakeup in the Top 10 this week, a few top teams lost or came very close to doing so to weaker opponents. This week's rankings will reflect such.

1. New York Football Giants. Yes, Kenny Phillips was just pronounced out for the rest of the season with Patellaosteoarthritis. Yes, Tuck is out. Yes, Ross and Dockery are out. But Eli is actually WINNING games for the Giants now instead of just avoiding killer mistakes. Still the best team in the NFL top to bottom after the Steelers' mind-boggling loss to the bumbling Bears.



2. New York Jets. The Jets are the best team in the AFC. With a ROOKIE QB. I will not allow for discussion on this one. Look at their defence. Revis is the best CB in football (at the very least, in a tie with Nnamdi Asomugha).



3. Baltimore Ravens. I have picked them since training camp to represent the AFC -- may have to come off it if the Jets are for real all season. But the Ravens are getting it in; even if they've given up more points in two games (50) than they used to in their hey day defensively in FIVE games. However, they can FINALLY SCORE ON OFFENCE.

4. Indianapolis Colts. Just another day at the office (once he actually had the BALL) for Peyton on Monday night. Much closer than the game should've been, but the Colts are getting it done, even with key players out.

5. New Orleans Saints. As I have to constantly remind people, this isn't a projection of where teams will END this season -- just where they are right now with the way they're playing. No one can stop the Saints' offence.

6. Minnesota Vikings. It's all Peterson (who's somewhat "slowed" with a back) and the defence, BUT Favre isn't making mistakes... yet.

7. Atlanta Falcons. Can't ignore them. They play solid football and DON'T MAKE MISTAKES.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers. They may miss Polamalu more than they realize. The Bears are not exactly the Saints or Giants offensively dear god.

9. San Francisco 49ers. Imagine how good they will be when Crabtree gets his head out of his ass and joins the team?

10. Houston Texans. Finally played semi up-to-par vs. Tennessee. Still expecting 11 wins from them.

11. Arizona Cardinals. Ditto.

12. Philadelphia Eagles. Jeff Chadiha doesn't see a problem with an injured McNabb, an old Garcia, a still-unproven Kolb and pot-pourri Vick. This team could go from a 10 win team to 7 wins very quickly, especially since their defence can't stop the higher scoring teams (two of which are in their division) in the NFC.

13. Dallas Cowboys. They'll be here all season -- and that means (if you're good at math) barely missing the playoffs with a 9-7 record.

14. San Diego Chargers. The Baltimore game wasn't as disturbing as the Oakland one was.

15. New England Patriots. Stories of worry about the Giants' WR situation were overblown, stories of the Patriots unraveling (which they are, regardless if their bandwagon fans want to admit it or not) are UNDERBLOWN. They should be 0-2 except for a once-a-decade comeback fueled by a once-a-decade mistake by Buffalo.

16. Green Bay Packers. Their defence still has a long way to go. Rodgers will pass for 4,000 again but it won't do any good if they can't stop anyone when it matters. Cincinnati? Really?

17. Denver Broncos. Ugliest, most uninspiring 2-0 start I've ever seen. I still only see them winning 6 or 7.

18. Tennessee Titans. Told you so.

19. Chicago Bears. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

20. Cincinnati Bengals. They would be 2-0 if not for an all-time fluky play by Denver Week 1. Still don't know if Ocho Cinco cares more about winning versus stunts with fans.

21. Buffalo Bills. They are a solid, if unspectacular team.

22. Oakland Raiders. Just think, if they had a semi-competent QB... They can run the ball with the best of 'em and have arguably the best corner in the league (Asomugha -- tied with the aforementioned Revis; with the Giants' Webster a close 2nd behind them).

23. Miami Dolphins. Terrible clock management, poor playcalling + wildcat = .500 team.

24. Seattle Seahawks. If Hasselbeck can't go, not only will it kill their NFC West hopes, but my fantasy squad.

25. Washington Redskins. The Zorn Watch is in full swing.

26. Carolina Panthers. They're a mess, and it's not all Delhomme.

27. Jacksonville Jaguars. Do they even have a plan there?

28. Cleveland Browns. Then again, they AREN'T looking any better from last year, despite the inspiring finish.

29. Kansas City Chiefs. They're improving, even if they are 0-2. Too many turnovers at the absolute worst times have killed them in both losses.

30. Detroit Lions. They're making strides. Even if they're minute.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Leftwich's body language after mistakes (both by his teammates and his own part) is disturbing. He will be benched by Week 6 at this rate and Morris is looking at a one and done season because this team looks absolutely dreadful on both sides. They're like a rudderless ship in calm waters.

32. St. Louis Rams. WHAT A JOKE OF A TEAM.