It’s time for my 2011 NFL week 3 predictions and picks. There aren’t any Thursday games on the schedule once again and the majority of the week 3 schedule kicks off Sunday at noon.
Let’s start with one gigantic contest between 2-0 Houston and 1-1 New Orleans. The Saints defense absolutely crushed Jay Cutler this past Sunday on their way to a definitive early season win. Houston won on the road in Miami. You would probably have to give the Saints the slight edge since they are playing at the Superdome on Sunday in this battle. Not to mention the entire Drew Brees factor. Brees has looked every bit of the Super Bowl quarterback to start this season and I don’t get the feeling that will change this week-although the Texans defense is much improved. My predictions and picks for this week 3 battle have the Saints winning a tough one at home 27-20. Brees will toss a pair of touchdown passes but that Texans defense will plant him on the ground on several occassions. I look for the New Orleans defense to give Matt Schaub the “Cutler” treatment and drop him four or five times as well.
The New York Giants will travel to Philadelphia where Michael Vick might not suit up thanks to a Sunday night concussion. This is a huge opportunity for the Giants to gain ground and move forward in the division if Vick can’t go(which seems unlikely considering NFL rules these days.) If that’s the case, I look for the Giants to win going away 24-16. Look for Eli Manning to toss a couple of touchdown passes in the second half to allow the Giants to pull away in a close game.
What’s next for my 2011 NFL week 3 predictions and picks? Jacksonville is in Carolina for what could be the 3rd straight 400 yard passing game from rookie Cam Newton. The Panthers are 0-2 but you just get the feeling these competitive Panthers will get that elusive first win of the season against the Jags during the week 3 portion of the schedule. My gut tells me Newton won’t need to pass as much and instead the Panthers finally break open a run game with Stewart and Williams busting the headlines this time. Panthers win 28-13 thanks to two touchdowns on the ground and two brought to you by the most likely rookie of the year in the NFL. Newton doesn’t break the 400 yard passing mark because he simply doesn’t need to.
New England looks to go 3-0 against a surprising Buffalo Bills squad at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday.
Can the Bills find a way to slow down the “Tom Brady show?” I think Buffalo can win this game but my instincts say New England will find another unexpected opponent to lose to on down the line instead of here. Brady realizes this is a big game and that’s typically when we see his best. I look for the contest to be high scoring but New England to emerge with a 31-23 win. Brady tosses 3 more touchdown passes well on his way to an MVP type season.
Miami is in Cleveland for a very unpredictable matchup during the 2011 NFL week 3 schedule. The Dolphins struggled against Houston while Cleveland was earning their first win in Indianapolis against a Peyton Manning-less ball club. I think the Browns have the potential to win here but my gut once again says to go with the road team. Dolphins win an ugly one 20-17 despite 2 more Peyton Hillis touchdown runs.
San Francisco travels to Cincy also in week 3. What are my predictions and picks? I think the Bengals have a chance to roll over the 49’ers. Cincy gets 2 touchdowns and 100 yards from Cedric Benson on their way to a 28-10 win over San Francisco. Alex Smith struggles with 3-4 interceptions away from home.
Denver travels to Tennessee to face the Titans in Nashville. Which Titans team will show up? The team that lost in Jacksonville or the one that just blasted the Baltimore Ravens? I think Tennesee is getting things in gear and I believe that spells lots of trouble for the pass happy Broncos. If the Titans get the passing and running game going at the same time, they could be a playoff team. I think that’s going to be the case at least for NFL week 3. Chris Johnson rumbles with 156 yards and 2 touchdowns as Tennesee wins 31-17.
Detroit tries to improve to 3-0 with a visit to Minnesota. What looks to be an easy win on paper will probably be anything but. The Lions will struggle with the Vikings much like Tampa Bay did before edging out the Vikes 19-16. Adrian Peterson looks decent in the first two quarters before the Lions defense puts the clamps on him. Matthew Stafford goes from all-world to all-average but manages to get the job done.
Baltimore is on the road in St. Louis for what could be an interesting matchup. I think the Ravens have way too much Ray Rice and Joe Flacco comes to life after a tough game in week 2 and Baltimore wins going away 27-21. Sam Bradford tosses 2 interceptions and gets sacked 5 times by an angry Baltimore defense.
My 2011 NFL week 3 predictions and picks continue with the New York Jets in Oakland. I can’t imagine a better game on Sunday and I think this one has all the ingredients for an overtime affair. The Raiders pesky running attack will no doubt be better tested by the Jets. I look for Oakland to get a lift from the left foot of Sebastian Janikowski in OT with a 23-20 win.
The 2011 NFL week 3 schedule continues with struggling Kansas City visiting San Diego. The Chargers probably won’t have many problems here and will emerge with a 35-13 victory. Ryan Matthews gets 2 touchdowns while Philip Rivers also tosses a pair.
Arizona tries to go 3-0, believe it or not, with a road game at Seattle. The Cardinals certainly have a great opportunity to do so but I think they’ll run into a road block of sorts and fall 23-20.
Atlanta has a big game at Tampa Bay if they want to continue in a positive direction after beating Philadelphia on Sunday night. The unfortunate thing is that the Bucs also have a big win on their minds after taking one in come from behind fashion in Minnesota. The big question here might be, “can the Tampa Bay defense slow down Matt Ryan?” I don’t think they’ll be able to match Atlanta point for point unless they get a defensive touchdown or two. Atlanta wins on the road 31-20.
Green Bay can go 3-0 but they’ll have to win at Soldier Field against a very upset Chicago Bears team.
The Packers won that huge contest last season to clinch a trip to the Super Bowl in the NFC title game. But can the Packers do it again? I think the Bears realize the stakes and will come out with some extra enthusiasm. It won’t be easy but I think Chicago steals away a 27-23 victory over Aaron Rodgers and company.
The Sunday night game features Pittsburgh in Indianapolis. Wanna bet the executive at NBC wish they could start the flex schedule today and move the Green Bay-Chicago game into this slot? The Colts have looked miserable and I can’t imagine that will change without Peyton Manning at the helm.
My predictions and picks for this 2011 week 3 game is that the Steelers win 31-14.
Let’s finish up my 2011 NFL week 3 schedule predictions and picks with a very interesting Monday Night Football contest. Dallas hosts suddenly hot Washington. The Cowboys pulled off an impressive overtime win in San Francisco but the Redskins are 2-0. I can’t imagine Rex Grossman will find life easy going in the big D against the Cowboys front line. Grossman is picked off twice and fumbles once. I look for Dallas to roll in this contest 34-14.
That’s it for my 2011 NFL week 3 predictions and picks. I’ll be back once again next week to unveil my picks for what should be a very interesting week 4 schedule. Until then, enjoy the football games with a large bucket of popcorn everybody!