Sunday, September 23, 2007

Week 3 NFL Predictions

Indianapolis at Houston

Line: Colts by 6

They’re still my sleeper, they’re still going to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, but can the Texans beat one of the two best teams in the league without their #1 target, Andre Johnson? I’m hedging my bets on that. Colts 27, Texans 20

San Diego at Green Bay

Line: Chargers by 5

San Diego’s offense has looked inept the first two weeks, but how long can it stay this bad? I’m guessing this is the breakout game. If not, you’ll know exactly who’s fault it is, and he’s wearing the headset. Chargers 28, Packers 21

Minnesota at Kansas City

Line: Chiefs by 2.5

Scoring will be at a premium in this game as two struggling offenses face two pretty good defenses. The advantage goes to KC, as It’d be tough to imagine Tavaris Jackson winning in a hostile environment. Chiefs 10, Vikings 7

Detroit at Philadelphia

Line: Eagles by 6.5

This is a bad Eagles’ offense with slow receivers and an aging QB. They shouldn’t be favored by 6.5 against Penn St, much less the 2-0 Lions who have an arsenal of offensive weapons. Eagles 21, Lions 18

Buffalo at New England

Line: Patriots by 16.5

It’s a divisional rivalry and the Pats are due for a letdown of sorts after winning their first two handily. This could be one of those games that’s a struggle in the 3rd quarter before the Pats’ talent eventually outlasts the Bills. Patriots 31, Bills 17

Miami at New York Jets

Line: Jets by 3

Pennington’s the QB of the present, even though Clemens proved more than capable of running the offense in his absence. The Jets started to move the ball well against Baltimore, but this week they finally put it all together. Jets 30, Dolphins 20

San Francisco at Pittsburgh

Line: Steelers by 9

The Steelers are a dominant 2-0, while the Niners are a lucky 2-0, having barely squeaked by the Cardinals and Rams. Alex Smith has talent, but he won’t flash it enough against the Steelers’ scary blitz that will likely keep him completely out of rhythm. Call this one the Tums Blowout of the Week. Steelers 31, 49ers 10

Arizona at Baltimore
Line: Ravens by 8

Without their two best linemen, the Ravens will get all they can handle from the road-dog Cardinals, who have enough moxie to keep it close. Ravens 13, Cardinals 10

St. Louis at Tampa Bay

Line: Bucs by 3.5

St. Louis has a bad secondary and Jeff Garcia is already clicking with his receivers. The Rams don’t have Orlando Pace and the Tampa D is playing surprisingly well. All around, a bad matchup for the Rams, as Tampa might be the best team in the suddenly-anemic NFC South. Bucs 24, Rams 17

Jacksonville at Denver

Line: Broncos by 3

You just don’t know which team’s going to show up, and that’s the case on both sides. What I do know is there appears to be something flukish about Denver’s 2-0 start and I have to believe Jacksonville shows up in this game since they have a strange tendency to play well with the odds against them against tougher competition. Broncos 21, Jaguars 20

Cincinnati at Seattle

Line: Seahawks by 3

This should be about as entertaining as an AFL game, with offensive weapons galore and defense that are underperforming. Seattle wins this high-scoring affair as Hasselbeck has a little more ammo than Palmer and the Hawks control the ball on the ground against a woeful Bengals’ rush defense. Seahawks 35, Bengals 30

Cleveland at Oakland

Line: Raiders by 3

The Raiders came awfully close to their first win of the season in Denver and they completely get the job done against the youthful Browns. Raiders 21, Browns 17

Carolina at Atlanta

Line: Panthers by 4

It may not be long before Byron Leftwich gets another shot under center. For now, the completely inept Falcons’ offense will rely on Joey Harrington and his bumbling incompetence once more. Panthers 20, Falcons 10

New York Giants at Washington

Line: Redskins by 3.5

The Redskins look like a good all-around club that moves the ball on the ground, plays tough defense, and gets big plays from its passing game. The Giants, meanwhile, are a mess on defense and the revamped Redskin offense will likely tear them to shreds. Redskins 34, Giants 17

Dallas at Chicago

Line: Bears by 3

You just can’t count on the Bears’ offense this year, as they’re clearly having a post-Super Bowl hangover. Meanwhile, look for Tony Romo to stay hot and lead the troops to a close road win as the Boys stay undefeated. Cowboys 20, Bears 17

Tennessee at New Orleans
Line: Saints by 4.5

The Saints will be fired up, playing at home on Monday Night in a desperate situation. That’s enough for them to topple the Titans. Saints 27, Titans 17

Last Week vs Spread: 8-7-1

Season vs Spread: 15-14-3

Last Week Straight up: 11-5

Season Straight up: 21-11

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