Week 3 Pick-Down

Matchup	Adam's Pick	Eric's Pick
49ers at Chiefs	49ers	49ers
Browns at Ravens	Ravens	Ravens
Titans at Giants	Giants	Titans
Steelers at Buccaneers	Buccaneers	Steelers
Lions at Vikings	Vikings	Vikings
Falcons at Saints	Saints	Falcons
Bills at Patriots	Patriots	Patriots
Bengals at Panthers	Bengals	Bengals
Cowboys at Texans	Texans	Cowboys
Redskins at Rams	Redskins	Redskins
Eagles at Jaguars	Eagles	Eagles
Chargers at Seahawks	Chargers	Chargers
Raiders at Cardinals	Raiders	Raiders
Colts at Broncos	Colts	Colts
Jets at Dolphins	Dolphins	Dolphins
Packers at Bears	Packers	Packers
	Adam	Eric
Week 2 Record	9-7	9-7
Season Standings	16-16	16-16

To see how the "Experts" stack up: http://espn.go.com/nfl/picks

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The predictions here come from Adam and correspond to his picks.

San Francisco 49ers at Kansas City Chiefs

Despite the loss Monday, the 49ers dominated the yardage battle against the Saints, and Alex Smith should have gained confidence from his terrific second half.  The 49ers could easily have put up thirty points if not for all their silly mistakes.  Meanwhile, the Chiefs are 2-0 and will be eager to make that 3-0 as they come home to Arrowhead.  The 49ers have been atrocious on special teams, where the Chiefs excel, and the Chiefs' defense is playing much better this year, flying around and playing freely.  On the flipside, the 49ers' defense played great against Drew Brees and they stop the run as well as any team in the NFL.  The Chiefs' strength is running the ball as their passing game has been incredibly anemic.  I think San Fran knows this is a must-win against a team over which they have the talent advantage.  Look for the 49ers to take care of the ball, stuff the run, and come after Matt Cassel.

Prediction: 49ers 23 – Chiefs 16

Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens finally get a break after brawling with the Jets and Bengals through two weeks.  Whether the Browns go with Jake Delhomme or Seneca Wallace is irrelevant because neither will be able to move the ball against this defense.  I think Joe Flacco will have a bounce back performance.

Prediction: Ravens 27 – Browns 9

Tennessee Titans at New York Giants

Both teams are coming off head-scratching displays and will be looking to rebound.  I think the Giants' defense is better than they showed last week against Indy, but they are by no means an elite unit anymore.  Vince Young got yanked last week but accepted responsibility for his mistakes and will be back in the starting role this week.  Ultimately, these teams are close.  The Titans can run all day, but Eli Manning and company can really throw the football.  We have seen the home teams be dominant so far this year, so gimme the Giants.

Prediction: Giants 24 – Titans 23

Pittsburgh Steelers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Charlie Batch looks to be the starter going in to surprising Tampa.  The Steelers have scored thirty-four points through two games, and needed overtime to get to fifteen against the Falcons.  Batch is not even an NFL-level QB anymore.  Pittsburgh's defense has been incredible, but I just have the feeling that the Steelers can't go 3-0 without their franchise quarterback.  In addition, the Bucs have an impressive, young, and deep defensive line to go along with some playmakers in the secondary.  Josh Freeman has a cannon for an arm and has been very smart with his decision-making.  I think the Bucs will make a few big plays down the field, and playing at home, the crowd will be rocking with the prospect of a 3-0 start.

Prediction: Bucs 17 – Steelers 13

Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings

If the Lions had Matthew Stafford, I would be real tempted to pick them.  Brett Favre has been bad, looking immobile and out of rhythm.  Adrian Peterson has been a horse, but I'm wondering how long until he sustains an injury with his increased workload this year.  The Vikes are so desperate at wideout they are looking to add Vincent Jackson, which would likely cost them two high draft choices.  As a Vikings hater, I would love for them to lose more draft picks to add a receiver, especially because Favre won't even be there much longer to throw him the ball.  The Vikings have to be rethinking their choice to pass over Jimmy Clausen in the draft.  Jahvid Best has been dynamic for the Lions.  The Vikings certainly can't cover Calvin Johnson, but the Lions certainly can't block the Vikings' defensive line.  I think the Lions' defense will give Favre some problems, but ultimately the Vikings' defense will be more dominant.

Prediction: Vikings 20 – Lions 13

Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints

These two teams will be battling for this division all year, so this is a huge early season matchup.  Brees hasn't gone off yet; he has played well, but not as well as he can.  I think the Saints received a scare on Monday night and will be looking to come home and have a big-time performance.  The Falcons have weapons, but have been two entirely different teams at home and on the road.  They will be on the road this week, and that is enough for me to pick the Saints.

Prediction: Saints 31 – Falcons 21

Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots

I think the Bills will get blown out again, especially with the Pats coming off a loss.  The Bills' one saving grace is that the Pats don't have much of a pass rush, but even so, Trent Edwards is not a good passer.  The Pats will light up the score board against this defense.

Prediction: Patriots 28 – Bills 10

Cincinnati Bengals at Carolina Panthers

Jimmy Clausen will get his first NFL start; unfortunately it comes against the bruising Bengals.  I love Clausen, but he's not ready to beat a playoff-caliber team.  The Panthers will run the ball early and often to help Clausen, but I think Carson Palmer and this offense will finally get off the ground.

Prediction: Bengals 24 – Panthers 20

Dallas Cowboys at Houston Texans

The Texans would love to send their Texas brethren to a disastrous 0-3 start.  And I think they will.  The Cowboys' defense has been their strength thus far, but their pass defense has been a little shaky, and that is not a good sign with Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson on the docket.  Arian Foster is a bell cow-type back, and this offense for the Texans has special potential.  Not to mention, the Cowboys biggest weakness is their offensive line and Mario Williams is one of the league's premier pass rushers.  The Texans are hungry to be an elite team.  How impressive would it be for Houston to beat Indy, at the Redskins, and the Cowboys in their first three games?  I think that is a question we will be answering after Sunday.

Prediction: Texans 27 – Cowboys 17

Washington Redskins at St. Louis Rams

The Redskins are coming off a very tough loss and have to be kicking themselves because the Rams will be an easy game that could have sent them to 3-0.  Either way, the 'Skins will punish the Rams' offense and should be able to throw all day on the weak Rams secondary.

Prediction: Redskins 24 – Rams 10

Philadelphia Eagles at Jacksonville Jaguars

Starting Michael Vick is the right move.  He is so tough to prepare for and he seems to have really turned a corner with his maturity and mindset.  He has stayed in the pocket well in the past game and-a-half; running is his last resort.  The Jags are an undermanned squad.  The Eagles are too explosive.

Prediction: Eagles 27 – Jaguars 16

San Diego Chargers at Seattle Seahwaks

Seattle plays much better at home, and the Chargers played horribly at Kansas City in Week One.  Still, I think San Diego has too much talent for Seattle.

Prediction: Chargers 27 – Seattle 21

Oakland Raiders at Arizona Cardinals

One of these teams will get above .500 this week, and it may be the only time all year that either team sniffs a winning record.  Derek Anderson is awful.  I think Jason Campbell is a bit like Alex Smith.  He has talent, but has had so little consistency in coaching and weapons.  At some point he has to produce.  I wouldn't be surprised to see Bruce Gradkowski come in, who is a lot like Jeff Garcia.  Both Raiders QBs are better than Anderson, and Darren McFadden may be breaking out as a runner.  Gimme the Raiders by a whisker.

Prediction: Raiders 17 – Cardinals 16

Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos

The Colts bounced back from their Week One loss to the Texans looking like the best team in football against the Giants.  Peyton Manning is the best player in the league and is at the height of his powers.  The Colts will get up early, and Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis will come after Kyle Orton all game.  The Broncos just cannot score with Indy.

Prediction: Colts 30 – Broncos 17

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins

Miami has a chance to really make a statement if they could win this game.  That would mean victories against the Bills, Vikings, and Jets: two division wins and one nice road victory against the fighting Favres.  I think the Dolphins will beat on Mark Sanchez and can stop the run.  Chad Henne hasn't had a big time performance yet, but I think he and Brandon Marshall are due, especially with Darelle Revis likely out.

Prediction: Dolphins 23 – Jets 20

Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears

It doesn't get any better than these two teams on Monday night.  Jay Cutler has been very good thus far, but Aaron Rodgers is the better player in just about every way.  The Bears' front seven is imposing with Julius Peppers, Tommie Harris, Lance Briggs, and Brian Urlacher.  The Pack's defense has been very good as well, and both the Bears and Packers have below average offensive lines.  I think the difference is that the Packers' offensive line is healthier and just a notch better than the Bears', and the Pack has more weapons on offense.  Also, Green Bay's secondary is more talented than the Chicago's.  I think all these elements add up to Rodgers outplaying Cutler in a competitive and fun game.

Prediction: Packers 27 – Bears 24