Week 3 Predictions

Ok so your girl did better last week, finishing 11-5. Let's hope we can do even better this week. Here we go:

Cincinnati Bengals (1-1) vs. Carolina Panthers (0-2)

The Bengals beat the Ravens in week 2 in a tough defensive battle (along with some questionable calls). Palmer struggled last week against Baltimore completing just 16 of 35 for 167 yards, but of course this was against the Ravens so you cant totally blame him for that. Cedric Benson is probable this week playing with a shoulder injury. Bengals D has looked good in both their 1st 2 games..let's hope they can keep it on a roll. Panthers have looked sad & pathetic in the first 2 weeks of the season. Getting rid of Jake Delhomme was supposed to solve their issues, but Matt Moore hasnt faired any better throwing for just 307 yards, 2 TDs and 4 INTs over the 1st 2 games of the season. This week they've decided to start rookie QB Jimmy Clausen. His only WR threat is the veteran Steve Smith but Panthers have looked terrible in the first 2 weeks and even the change in QB won't save them for losing 3 straight. Prediction: Bengals

Buffalo Bills (0-2) vs. New England Patriots (1-1)

Bills are a terrible team in a great AFC East division. There isnt any one specific area to point at that makes them terrible..blame can be shared all around. Whether it is their lack of a proficient QB (they are starting Ryan Fitzpatrick in place of the inept Trent Edwards), lack of production in their running game (20 rushes for 77 yds 0 TDs for Lynch) or the complete lack of scoring period (they are averaging only 17 ppg). The Bills at this point look to have another long tough season ahead of them. Patriots stumbled last week in the Meadowlands against the Jets falling to 1-1. But the Patriots are still a high powered offense lead by the always dynamic Tom Brady. While he struggled in week 2 against the Jets throwing 2 INTs, he won't have the same issue this week against the Bills whose defense cant stop opposing offenses from racking up yards. Prediction: Patriots

San Francisco 49ers (0-2) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (2-0)

49ers lost a heartbreaker last week against the Saints where they lead with just a minute plus left in the game. This week they hope to avenge that loss. QB Alex Smith has looked awful in his 1st 2 games this season throwing just 1 TD with 4 INTs. Frank Gore looked good last week on 20 rushes for 112 yds and 1 TD but he has been their lone bright spot in an offense that is sputtering this season. If they dont right this ship soon they will finish last in a bad NFC West division. Kansas City Chiefs meanwhile have been the shocker of the AFC West, leading the division but playing inconsistent while doing so. Matt Cassel threw for only 176 yds and 2 INTs and Jamaal Charles managed only 49 yds on 11 carries against the horrendous Cleveland Browns last week. This week they face the 49ers who are itching for their 1st win of the season. If Chiefs play like they did last week, 49ers are sure to get it. Prediction: 49ers


Tennessee Titans (1-1) vs. New York Giants (1-1)


Tennessee played a terrible game last week where Vince Young was pulled before the end. They need to be able to play better against tough defenses or they will not finish above .500 this season. Vince Young finished with just 70 yds and 2 INTs before the Titans brought in Collins to finish the game. However, Vince is getting the start again this week so needs to play more consistent if he hopes to maintain his starting job. Chris Johnson was held to just 34 yards against the tough Steelers defense, so his line will need to get him open more to allow him to show off his explosive running ability that has made him the top rusher in this league. Giants are coming off a crushing loss to the Colts last week where they were completely dominated on both sides of the ball. Eli finished with just 161 yds, 2 TDs & 1 INT and Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham each caught a TD last week. There is hope this week playing at home that the defense will play better than last week's debacle. Titans are not the Colts so there is some hope for redemption for the Giants. Prediction: Giants


Cleveland Browns (0-2) vs. Baltimore Ravens (1-1)


The Browns are just an awful team and unfortunately for them they play in a very tough AFC North division. Jake Delhomme played poorly til injuring his ankle which allowed Seneca Wallace to start who hasnt faired much better. Last week he completed 16 of 31 for 229 yds, 1 TD and 1 INT. He will be getting the start again today. He does this with a running game that has struggled to score and a defense who cant stop the run. Baltimore lost a good game last week against the Bengals in Cincinnati. They will need to win to stay within a game of the division leading Steelers. Joe Flacco played extremely poorly last week throwing 4 INTs but against the Browns he will not have the same kind of problems. Ray Rice will move the ball on the ground and the Ravens D will shut down the Browns at home. Predicition: Ravens


Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)


Credit the Steelers defense for keeping them on a winning track even without their star QB. This week they are starting Charlie Batch with Byron Leftwich as his back-up since Dennis Dixon is hurt. Even with the offense struggling to score many points Steelers defense behind Troy Polamalu is having a great season so far. Buccaneers are the surprising 2-0 team in the league. While they arent a finesse team, they are consistently doing enough to get the job done and rack up the Ws. Even with a broken tip of his thumb on his throwing hand Josh Freeman finished with 178 yds and 2 TDs last week. His defense was smothering last week in their win against the Panthers. This week though they face a very tough opponent in the Steelers. I think the Bucs will have a great season but this week they will get their first L. Prediction: Steelers


Atlanta Falcons (1-1) vs New Orleans Saints (2-0)


Falcons played a fantastic game last week where they crushed the Cardinals. This week they face the division leading Saints who are coming off a close but good win against the 49ers last week. Brees is still on a roll from last season and though I like the Falcons I dont think they can get pass Jonathan Vilma and that hard charging defense of the Saints. Predicition: Saints

Detroit Lions (0-2) vs Minneosta Vikings (0-2)

Lions are without their starting QB Matthew Stafford who is gone for the season. Their defense is atrocious and needs help badly. Vikings are playing poorly behind an injured Brett Favre who is looking all of his 40 years right now. If Adrian Peterson can hang onto the ball and Favre can finally throw with some regularity they will get their first win of the season. Predicition: Vikings

Dallas Cowboys (0-2) vs Houston Texans (2-0)

The battle for Texas wouldnt be so interesting if the standings for each team were reversed. However, with Cowboys being winless so far this season this has turned into a surprisingly interesting game. Cowboys have not played with any kind of cohesion..they lack a core unity which keeps them from playing together in a way that will get them a win. Their running game has yet to score a TD and Romo threw for 2 INTs last week against the Bears. This team has got to turn things around fast. Texans meanwhile have looked unstoppable. They came out the gate with a big win over their division rival Colts and last week beat up on the Redskins in Washington. Schaub threw for nearly 500 yds and 3 TDs with Andre Johnson being on the receiving end of 1 of those. The defense behind the big play of Mario Williams has looked superb. If they can continue to play at this level they will have a fantastic season. But with Cowboys in desperation mode I see them getting the W they need. Predicition: Cowboys

Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) vs Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)

Eagles decided to stick with Michael Vick this week against the Jaguars which is a good decision since he has played so well in the first 2 weeks. Last week he threw for 284 yds and 2 TDs. His running game has finally got a reliable back in LeSean McCoy who rushed for 3 TDs in their win against the Lions. They may turn out to be better than projected in the NFC East division. Jaguars meanwhile have played with their same lackluster inconsistency that has haunted them the last year or so. Garrard threw 4 INTs last week before finally being benched before the end of the game. Maurice Jones-Drew rushed for only 31 yds and had a fumble. They will need to play bigger if they have any hopes of contending in the AFC South. Predicition: Eagles

Washington Redskins (1-1) vs St. Louis Rams (0-2)

Washington managed to play well even in defeat last week against the Texans. Donovan McNabb threw for 426 yds and a TD bringing the big play reliability that the Redskins have needed at QB for years. Clinton Portis rushed for only 33 yds but 2 TDs so with Redskins cutting Larry Johnson this week he will need to be the man in Washington and stay healthy. Their defense has played well enough to keep them in games with Arakpo and Fletcher being the big game players Skins need. Rams are just an awful team. They have a bright spot in RB Steven Jackson but he alone cannot carry this team, and with a rookie QB in Sam Bradford they are once again going to have a bad season. They are in a rebuilding year so hopefully next year they will be more competitive. Prediction: Redskins

Indianapolis Colts (1-1) vs Denver Broncos (1-1)

Colts made up for their week 1 loss by completely dismantling the Giants in the Meadowlands. They were rocking on all cylinders and showed why they have been a 13 win team for the last several years. Peyton threw for 255 yds and 3 TDs with Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne each catching a TD. Robert Mathis and the Colts D have looked good each week. Broncos are coming off a good win last week against the Seahawks. Kyle Orton threw 2 TDs and Moreno rushed for another but this week the Broncos are without their 2nd year back. Without a ground attack the Colts will be impossible for them to beat even at home. Prediction: Colts

Oakland Raiders (1-1) vs Arizona Cardinals (1-1)

Jason Campbell has been benched in favor of Bruce Gradkowksi this week in their start against the Cardinals. Last week he finished with 162 yds 1 TD and 1 INT. Even with this the Raiders will need their running game to pick up the pace and the defense to keep them in games. The Cardinals suffered a humiliating loss to the Falcons last week in Atlanta. Derek Anderson is showing the same unreliable play that cost him his job in Cleveland. He finished last week with 0 TDs and 2 INTs. This is going to be a long season for the Cardinals if they dont get some consistency at the QB position. Prediction: Cardinals

San Diego Chargers (1-1) vs Seattle Seahawks (1-1)

Chargers played great last week in a win against the Jaguars at home. Phillip Rivers threw for 334 yds and 3 TDs with 2 INTs. They will be without rookie phenom Ryan Matthews who is out with an ankle injury. They have a crushing defense though who always plays big for them. Seahawks meanwhile looked bad in a loss to the Broncos last week in Denver. Hasselback threw 3 INTs and their defense gave up chunks of yards threw the air and on the ground. This game will be ugly and the Chargers will stay within a game of the division leading Chiefs. Prediction: Chargers

New York Jets (1-1) vs Miami Dolphins (2-0)

The Jets played fabulous in their week 2 win against the Patriots. Mark Sanchez finished with 220 yds and 3 TDs making up for a poor performance in week 1. His running game behind LaDainian Tomlinson has played much better than last season. This team has a smothering defense even without Revis. Dolphins are the surprise 2-0 team. They have played with an amazing level of cohesion that many other teams need. This should be a good AFC East battle. Prediction: Jets

Green Bay Packers (2-0) vs Chicago Bears (2-0)

The battle of the unbeatens in the NFC North division. Aaron Rodgers threw for 255 yds and 2 TDs last week in their win over the Bills. Donald Driver caught one and Brandon Jackson rushed for 1. This should be a great season for the Packers. Bears meanwhile won a shocker against the Cowboys last week in Dallas. Jay Cutler threw for 277 yds and 3 TDs. Bears have a great defense and will definitely be a team to watch who may do much better than predicted. This will be a good game and a much watch. Prediction: Packers