Week 3 Picks

Well, 10-6 with my picks last week, not too shabby. If I’m gambling, I’m doing great! Noticed that the Falcons game didn’t end up on my picks post, but I did pick it, and I did get that one right. Falcons (-6.5) over Panthers. So, let’s see how Week 3 goes! By the way, before I started the blog, I was 10-6 in Week 1, and I can prove it! I’m a part of Bill Simmons’ Pigskin Pick ‘Em Group. I’m currently in the 90th percentile, not too bad. Alright, Week 3 picks!

Home Team in CAPS

Steelers (-4.5) over BENGALS

Steelers are coming off a bad loss to Chicago, I think Pittsburgh comes back this week and takes out their frustrations on a Bengal team coming off a big upset. I think the Steelers cover easy.

LIONS (+6.5) over Redskins

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m NOT picking the Lions to win, just to cover the spread. I think the Redskins are a BAD team. They barely beat the hapless Rams, at home. On the road in Detroit? The Lions do have a shot to win this game, and I think cover easy.

Packers (-6.5) over RAMS

The Packers were stunned by the Bengals last week, much to my chagrin. The Rams however, are the Rams. The Packers SHOULD win this one easy.

VIKINGS (-7.5) over 49ers

This game, to me, is the toughest game to pick. I like how the 49ers play: defense, defense and more defense. The offense scores enough points, and the D takes it from there. However, the Vikes do the same thing, but have a better QB, a better RB, and just as good a D. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Niners cover or get the outright win, but I think this is an important game for the Vikings; Farve’s first game at home, Peterson proving again he’s the best back in the league, just too much for the 49ers to handle.

PATRIOTS (-4.5) over Falcons

I really like the Falcons this year. The addition of Tony Gonzales has been HUGE for Matt Ryan. It really balances out their offense. That said, going up to New England and playing a Pats team coming off a bad loss to the Jets, I think it spells doom for the Falcons this week.

JETS (-2.5) over Titans

The Titans are 0-2, after having the best record in the NFL last year. The Jets look really good, and Sanchez looks like he’s going to be GREAT. If the Titans can’t run the football, which I don’t think they can against the Jets, they don’t win. Jets go to 3-0, the surprise team so far.

Chiefs (+9.5) over EAGLES

I may be going against popular opinion, but I can’t in good conscious pick an Eagles team that is getting almost 10 points, AND starting Kevin Kolb. I know the Chiefs are horrible, but that’s still a lot of points to give to a backup QB. I’ll take the points, but honestly, I don’t feel great about it.

GIANTS (-7.5) over Bucs

I said it before, I’ll say it again: The Bucs are going 2-14. This is NOT one of those wins. I think 7.5 is a little low. They’d have to put this line at 14 or 17 for me to even begin thinking about taking the Bucs and the points. Giants roll in this one.

Browns (+13.5) over RAVENS

This is another one of those “bad team gets a ton of points” games. I love the Ravens to do well this year, but they don’t strike me as a team that will blow anyone out. They usually own the Browns, but I don’t know if they’re going to cover. When in doubt, take the points, which I will here.

Jaguars (+3.5) over TEXANS

After last week, a lot of people are piling on to the Texans’ bandwagon, if they weren’t there already. I called last week for a loss for the them, and they beat the Titans, much to my surprise. This week, EVERYONE is taking them over the Jags. Popular gambling belief is that when EVERYONE is on one team, go the other way. So I will. Jags are desperate, Texan are feeling good about themselves, I think the Jags at least cover.

SEAHAWKS (+2.5) over Bears

A team with an awesome home field advantage is getting points? And it’s the Bears and an INT-prone QB? I know the Seahawks are banged up, but Seneca Wallace is a good backup, and has played well when he’s filled in for Hasselbeck. I’ll take the points, because I don’t believe in the Bears.

Saints (-5.5) over BILLS

The Saints offense is playing a team that’s given up an average of 332 passing yards in the first two weeks? Do the Saints score 50+ this week? Maybe. But I think the Saints win this one easily.

Broncos (+1.5) over RAIDERS

The Raiders are favored to win a game? Really? Alllllllllrighty then. Give me the Broncos.

CHARGERS (-5.5) over Dolphins

The Fish are coming off a Monday night heart-breaker, traveling cross-country, against a really good team. The Chargers should win this game. San Diego has a better D than the Colts, so the Wildcat shouldn’t work nearly as well as it did on Monday night.

Colts (+1.5) over CARDINALS

Easiest pick of the week for me. I can’t imagine the Cardinals winning this game. Indy is just a better team, and their getting points. I’ll take the Colts.

COWBOYS (-9.5) over Panthers

This is a tough one to pick. The Cowboys are so Jekyll and Hyde, and have been since Tony Romo, aka The Savior™, took over. He certainly doesn’t seem like a big game QB, but they seem to do well early in the season. The Panthers played a lot better last week than they did in Week 1. I like Jake Delhomme, and have since he led the Panthers to the Super Bowl. But it seems his time has come and gone. I’ll take the Cowboys to bounce back after last week’s gut-punch loss.

2009 Picks Record: 20-12