2011 NFL Predictions Week 3 by an Average NFL Fan

The third week of the 2011 NFL season is here and now is when the schedule really begins to pick up steam with several key divisional games. Not only do we have an explosive match in the AFC East with the New England Patriots, and the Buffalo Bills, the NFC North & East will keep their all of their games in the division.

Last week I was able to post a 13-3 record by the time it was done, including the exact Buccaneers – Vikings score. Keep track of how the NFL Pick’em contest is going here throughout the season.

These are the predictions for the game from Week 3 of the 2011 NFL Season

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Carolina Panthers

The Panthers have had one simple game plan since the start of the season, place the ball into quarterback Cam Newton’s hands and see what happens. Meanwhile the Jaguars are still looking for answers and rumors have been circulating that a quarterback change will be made this week. Even if that does happen, don’t expect the Jags to have much of a chance. If Newton tosses for more than 400 yards again, we will have to start thinking if he is on pace to have one of the better rookie seasons in NFL history.

Panthers 24 Jaguars 17

San Francisco 49ers vs. Cincinnati Bengals

If you are going to win in the NFL these days, your offense needs to be able to put up some points. The Bengals have been able to do this with some success under a rookie quarterback while the 49ers are still trying to find their way. The Bengals are going to ride the arm of Andy Dalton against a 49ers defense that is going to need to score some points on their own if they want to win.

Bengals 27 49ers 17

Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Lions’ offense has been explosive this season, scoring over 75 points in the first two games. This is bad news for the Vikings who will play host with the hopes of being able to contain the offense. The key to the game will be if the Lions can contain Adrian Peterson and make sure to limit his production when he touches the ball. The Lions defense will hold true and give them an unexpected 3-0 start.

Lions 27 Vikings 14

Denver Broncos vs. Tennessee Titans

The Broncos have continued to move on with Kyle Orton as their quarterback and earned their first win of the season last week. The Titans continue to play strong and earned an easy win over the Ravens last week. Even though the Broncos are moving in the right direction, their defense is going to be taken apart by the surprisingly efficient Titans offense. Expect Chris Johnson to have his breakout game.

Titans 24 Broncos 17

Miami Dolphins vs. Cleveland Browns

The Dolphins are going to travel up North with their revamped offense to take on a Browns team that had a solid win over the Colts. The Browns will be relying on their offense led by second year quarterback Colt McCoy as they try to earn their second win of the season. The question remains if the Dolphins are going to get Reggie Bush involved in the offense again or are they going to leave it in the hands of a rookie.

Dolphins 27 Browns 24

New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles road to perfection was knocked off when Michael Vick went down with an injury last week. They will be taking on the Giants who will be playing on short notice from the Monday night game. The Giants will need their front seven to step up and put some pressure on whoever is taking the snaps for the Eagles. Watch for the Dream Team Eagles to bounce back with a narrow win at home, thanks to the turnover machine Eli Manning.

Eagles 23 Giants 20

Houston Texans vs. New Orleans Saints

The Texans who sit on a 2-0 record will travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints who had a nice bounce back win over the Chicago Bears. The Texans’ defense is going to be put to the test against quarterback Drew Brees and his slew of targets. The Saints will earn an easy win in front of the home crowd as running back Darren Sproles continues to do a better job than Bush.

Saints 34 Texans 24

New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills

In a battle for the top spot in the AFC East, the Patriots will travel to take on the Bills, one of the early surprises of the young NFL season. When it comes down to it, each side is going to be tossing the ball at will against the porous defenses. It would not be far fetch to see Tom Brady and Ryan Fitzpatrick combined for over 800 yards with 6 touchdowns.

Patriots 38 Bills 31

Baltimore Ravens vs. St. Louis Rams

Baltimore fans will be curious to see which football team shows up to take on the battered and bruised Rams on Sunday. The Ravens need to the ball in the hand of Ray Rice early and often against a Rams defense that has some open holes. The Ravens will have their work cut out for them when they try to contain Sam Bradford who looked solid in the Monday night loss.

Ravens 21 Rams 17

New York Jets vs. Oakland Raiders

The Jets will be riding high from their dominating performance last week when they travel to take on the Raiders. Jason Campbell actually looked like a solid quarterback in the loss last week, but will need the help of Darren McFadden to keep the pressure off of him. This will be the upset special of the week as the Raiders squeak out a close win over the East coast team.

Raiders 24 Jets 21

Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Diego Chargers

The Chiefs season could not get any worse after losing three key players for the year. Now they will be taking their exposed defense to San Diego to face a Chargers unit that knows how to throw the ball. Quarterback Phillip Rivers and Antonio Gates are going to have a big day as they run up the score on one of their AFC West opponents.

Chargers 38 Chiefs 10

Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears

The Packers are looking to build upon their 2-0 record when they travel to Solider Field to take on the Bears who showed no signs of life against the Saints last week. The Bears defense will keep the Packers within reach but in the end; the Bears’ offense is going to be able to do very little against one of the better secondaries in the NFL.

Packers 24 Bears 13

Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks

When it comes to this matchup of former NFC Super Bowl representatives, there is going to be little to keep the NFL fans turned in. The Cardinals have a lackluster defense that will be taking on a Seattle team that has too many holes to count on both sides of the ball. You can expect several turnovers in the game to make things exciting as the Cardinals earn a win in the race for the NFC West title.

Cardinals 20 Seahawks 17

Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Even though it is early in the season, this is a key game between NFC South foes. The Falcons’ offense will need to continue to find their groove against a susceptible Buccaneers’ defense. Both running backs, Michael Turner and LeGarrette should have solid performance against run defenses that have looked less than stellar. The Bucs will keep the game close until the fourth quarter when Matt Ryan begins to outduel Josh Freeman.

Falcons 31 Buccaneers 21

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Indianapolis Colts

The Steelers reminded NFL fans last week why they are still one of the premier teams in the AFC when they dominated the Seahawks. That is bad news for the Colts who seemed to be stuck in a rut without their field general, Peyton Manning. The Steel Curtain is going to close on the Colts as they continue their losing trend and a 0-3 start to the season.

Steelers 34 Colts 10

Washington Redskins vs. Dallas Cowboys

The Monday Night Game will feature two teams that have no love for each other, the Cowboys and the Redskins. Even though the Cowboys are banged up with Tony Romo and Felix Jones, they still have plenty of weapons on the offensive side. The Redskins are going to counter with their own, in the form of Rex Grossman, who has led them to a 2-0 record. The Cowboys’ defense will help shut down the Redskins attack and earn a home win.

Cowboys 28 Redskins 21

2011 NFL Season Record 22-10


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