week 3 picks

As if you need any more reason to love the NFL, here’s yet another: Week 3 and there are 9 teams that look at this, the third game of the season mind you, as a must win game and you can make a case that they are right.

You have to go back to 1998 to find a team that went 0-3 and made the playoffs so that right there tells you the magnitude of importance that teams those 9 teams are placing on these games but you can make a case that for a few of these 1-1 teams this is a must win. The Bills live with the reality that they can be tied for the division lead after letting their opener against the Patriots slip away. They legitimately have a good team, but to be a truly good team in the NFL you have to know how to finish. The Chargers could be 0-2 and thus have to understand that if not for the Raiders imploding late, they could be the tenth team on the list. The Raiders on the flip side could be 2-0 despite getting some historically horrendous QB performances from JaMarcus Russell who’s bust label is being grafted into his Hall of Lame plaque as we speak.

But let’s just see who bounces who I’m projecting to, and how poorly I’ll end up doing:


JETS (-2.5) vs. Titans- one of the better parts of doing this at the very last minute is because you can take into account weather and things of that nature. With it raining steadily here, you can bet that the ground game will be important and the footing may be trippy. So why on earth would I pick the Jets? Because as much as this screams trap game, I think the Jets are on a mission this year with the way they’ve been playing defense. There’s no real reason to get up for this game but I feel as though this team would run through a wall for Coach Ryan and they may have to. Chris Johnson exploded last week but don’t expect him to get too much done this week considering the Jets #1 ranked defense will be looking to put hits on him early to limit his effectiveness and his ability to cut back into holes and take advantage with his speed. Could make it easy pickings to go after Kerry Collins the statue.

Giants (-7.5) over BUCS- Another NY team heading into a trap game but fear not Giants fans. Despite losing Kenny Phillips to a horrible injury for the season (and who knows after that), the Giants have reason to rejoice as they have now proven on a nationally televised stage that those WR concerns are a thing of the past. Mario Manningham and Steve Smith should get a better dose of coverage which should allow the Giants to go back to their old ways of running the football which as we know is their strength.

TEXANS (-3.5) over Jags- I’d like to formally welcome Matt Schaub back to fantasy football with last week’s 4 TD performance which obviously put smiles on their faces. He clearly has all the weapons in the world and this week look for Steve Slaton to get back on track. The fantasy football scourge has been in protective custody since the beginning of the season playing 2 very uneventful games which of course drew the ire of owners who took him early expecting huge returns on their investment. But as the stock market goes, there are downs which give way to eventual ups and this week looks to be a huge up for Slaton owners. Run him and they shall win. Throw to him and they shall win. Throw to Johnson and they shall bloweth the competition away!

Chiefs (+9.5) over EAGLES- I might look stupid for writing this but the Chiefs defense isn’t half bad and they are not up against Donovan McNabb. Despite the return of our favorite dog loving friend Michael Vick, I don’t see him lignin up under center as a full time QB. He looks to be a WildCat option which should of course make the Philly faithful happy (read: sarcasm). The Eagles’ defense got shredded but let’s keep things in perspective, it was the Saints offense playing them and they don’t like to dink and dunk, they slam dunk with a 40 yard alley oop so most teams might not look too good. The Eagles will win but not by more than 10 points especially with Brian Westbrook out and DeSean Jackson AND Jeremy Maclin banged up.

RAVENS (-13.5) over Browns- I’m wacko for Flacco and proudly on board the purple express now coming to wipe the slate clean after it was all brown’d up this week. The fact that Mangenious (oh how many centuries it was huh Jet fans?) is instituting fines for just about anything from tying your shoe laces without using the bunny ears technique to snapping gum during practices, it appears everything is imploding in Cleveland even before it begins. Its too bad, the Browns a city that hoped that he could get them over the schneid looks like they are wearing thin on their first year head coach. Man-wini, better update your resume.

LIONS (+7.5) over Redskins- If ever there was a week for an upset win, this is it. Without Clinton Portis, their already anemic offense will look even worse. As if beating the Rams 9-7 (in which you didn’t score a single offensive touchdown) wasn’t embarrassing enough. It only continues. Speaking of losing your team, one more half back option call and Sonny Jergenson is going to officially replace Jason Campbell at QB in Washington right? I’m sure Jim Zorn can work it out with Sonny.

Packers (-6.5) over RAMS- Like what I see from the Rams defense, its their offense that can’t seem to find any rhythm and coming off a crushing loss against the Bengals. But this week coming against the Rams seems like a recipe back into the good graces of the cheeseheads.

49ers (+7.5) over VIKINGS- that’s right Brett Favre (read: Favor), I’m going against you in your home opener. I’m buying into Mike Singletary’s team and their new found demeanor. Patrick Willis: next great LB.

Falcons (+4.5) over PATRIOTS- I know Tom Brady’s record after a loss. I know Bill Belichiek’s disdain for losing to the Jets and how he reacts. But I don’t care. Wes Welker is out and the Patriots will have a hard time trying to find Randy Moss. I don’t care what you think Julian Edelman, you are no Wes Welker.

Bears (+1.5) over the Seahawks- The injury report has Matt Hasselback sidelined which of course means that the Bears are afforded yet another QB who likes to scramble and try to make plays but they play a much inferior opponent in that regard with Seneca Wallace. Despite the crowd effects, I don’t see the Seahawks pulling the victory.

BILLS (+5.5) over Saints- Yes, upset alert, upset alert. I like the way the Bills have played thus far and they have the defense to slow them down and the offense to put up points. I know I’m asking for it, but I’m asking for it.

Chargers (-5.5) over Dolphins- Its tough. I loved how the Dolphins lost last week and I hated the way the Chargers LOST last week, but the Chargers have too much talent on offense to not win. I love Phillip Rivers and his tenacity. Looks like a guy who won’t let his team lose and definitely not two in a row.

BENGALS (+4.5) over Steelers- Last week I should’ve stayed with my thought pattern which was believing that the Bengals having played 3-4 teams for the last few years would not be fooled by the Packers. I like the Bengals here against a banged up Steelers team. I think the Bengals aren’t going to win the division but they are going to keep it close and give Mike Tomlin grey hairs.

RAIDERS (-1.5) over Broncos- I can’t believe I’m picking them but hey, crazier things are bound to happen this week.

CARDINALS (-3.5 over Colts- I like the home crowd of the Cards and feel as though their defense will shine this week against the Colts who more than winning last week, Peyton Manning might have gained some trust for some players that he needs to step up in the absence of Marvin Harrison and Joseph Addai.

COWBOYS (-9.5) over Panthers- Despite losing their first game last week, don’t expect it to continue. The Cowboys are great at looking great against not so great teams and thus you can expect the Boys to win and win big and impressive in what Jerry Jones would like to be, a blowout victory.