NFL Week Three Predictions

Week three is loaded with quality action, and we’ll see three primetime games and a Super Bowl re-match!

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2) at Atlanta Falcons (1-1)
The Bucs have lost to backup quarterbacks in consecutive weeks. They’re not beating Matt Ryan in the Georgia Dome. This game might turn ugly pretty soon.

Prediction: Atlanta 27, Tampa Bay 17

San Diego Chargers (1-1) at Buffalo Bills (2-0)
The Chargers beat the ‘Hawks last week, and the game proved once again that Philip Rivers  is one of the game’s best signal callers. The Buffalo Bills might have transformed into the biggest surprise through the first two weeks, and I think they can keep it up at home with their strong defense.

Prediction: Buffalo 24, San Diego 17

Tennessee Titans (1-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (2-0)
The Bengals look great. The Titans don’t.

Prediction: Cincinnati 24, Tennessee 10

Baltimore Ravens (1-1) at Cleveland Browns (1-1)
So far, I trust Brian Hoyer more than I trust Joe Flacco. With this game being played in the Dawg Pound, I’m really looking at Cleveland’s defense, and I think that they can put pressure on Flacco throughout the game.

Prediction: Cleveland 27, Baltimore 17

Green Bay Packers (1-1) at Detroit Lions (1-1)
Both of these NFC North teams struggled in their road game and took victories in their home openers. I like Green Bay because I don’t think Detroit can stop Aaron Rodgers, but this game should be close.

Prediction: Green Bay 31, Detroit 27

Indianapolis Colts (0-2) at Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2)
The Jaguars allowed Washington to climb out of a slump last week, and they’ll allow the Colts to do the same this week. This is a game that the Colts cannot lose.

Prediction: Indianapolis 27, Jacksonville 23

Oakland Raiders (0-2) at New England Patriots (2-1)
You can’t beat Brady and Belichick in Foxboro. Especially not with a rookie quarterback starting his third career game.

Prediction: New England 34, Oakland 17

Minnesota Vikings (1-1) at New Orleans Saints (0-2)
The Adrian Peterson-less Vikings should be no match for Brees and the Saints in the Superdome. Expect this game to get ugly pretty quickly. New Orleans isn’t out of it yet, and this is their chance to jump right back in it.

Prediction: New Orleans 45, Minnesota 20

Houston Texans (2-0) at New York Giants (0-2)
If the Cardinals pass rush was able to get to Manning last week, imagine what JJ Watt is going to do this week and that isn’t a knock on the Cards either. It just shows you how good Houston can be.

Is Tom Coughlin’s job on the hot seat? Is Eli’s?

Prediction: Houston 17, New York 14

Washington (1-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (2-0)
Kirk Cousins is a much better option than Robert Griffin III at quarterback for the Washington football team. He’s also a better fit in Jay Gruden’s offensive style and system.

The Eagles have gotten by two games in which they started out poorly but closed out well. In this one, I expect them to come firing out of the gates.

Prediction: Philadelphia 27, Washington 23

Dallas Cowboys (1-1) at St. Louis Rams (1-1)
The Cowboys can’t lose this game if they want to stay competitive this season. Even though I liked how Austin Davis played last week, I’m not confident in St. Louis’ ability to contain the high-powered Dallas attack.

Prediction: Dallas 24, St. Louis 14

San Francisco 49ers (1-1) at Arizona Cardinals (2-0)
The NFC West leading Cardinals have a huge chance to move two games past the Niners in the division standings while also maintaining the tie-breaking advantage. This is a huge game.

Yet, I’ll take the Niners, who I think will come out strong and angry after last week’s disappointing stadium opener.

Prediction: San Francisco 20, Arizona 17

Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) at Miami Dolphins (1-1)
The Chiefs were overrated last year and that’s coming more into focus this year. The Dolphins are a confusing team to assess because of their inconsistency. After upsetting the Patriots in Week One, they threw up a stinker in western New York.

I’ll take the Dolphins and I don’t think it will be close. Kansas City might be looking at a top five pick this season.

Prediction: Miami 31, Kansas City 17

Denver Broncos (2-0) at Seattle Seahawks (1-1)
A rematch of the Super Bowl is upon us, and like most of America, I’m hoping that this is a much closer game than the man-handling that occurred in February.

This game is in Seattle, and I will never pick against the ‘Hawks at their home stadium. I don’t think that these teams are far off talent wise anymore, and I wouldn’t be surprised if these two teams met once more this season.

Prediction: Seattle 31, Denver 24

Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) at Carolina Panthers (2-0)
Through two weeks, the Panthers have marked their territory as one of the NFL’s best teams.

I like what the Steelers did in one half of Week One, but they’ve played six consecutive quarters terribly, and that doesn’t bode well going to North Carolina against one of the NFL’s stingiest defenses.

Prediction: Carolina 23, Pittsburgh 17

Chicago Bears (1-1) at New York Jets (1-1)
After the Bears upset the Niners in primetime last Sunday night, I was in awe of how well Jay Cutler controlled the game offensively.

Yet, we’ve seen him at his worst way too often as well. I think the Bears should be favored to win this game, but I’m taking New York because of their new found offensive capabilities.

Prediction: New York 20, Chicago 17

Last Week: (10-6)
Season: (18-14)
Best: (10-6)