Not the best performance by me after a bounce-back week two. The Patriots, Eagles and Jets all decided to get upset last weekend. Even still, I kept things above .500 with a 9-7 record. It's a good thing I'm doing NFL picks for a NFC West team page, because that gets you home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
This weekend, we have a couple potentially awesome games to watch. The Lions-Cowboys game should be a great barometer for the Lions, who are looking to go 4-0 to start the season since...since I'm too lazy to check when. What do you guys think are the chances of Ndamukong Suh doing this to Tony Romo's ribs on Sunday?
Besides that game, we have the Jets visiting the Ravens and the Steelers at the Texans. Is ESPN sure it can't flex one of those games to replace the Colts at the Buccaneers on Monday night? I mean, I love Curtis Painter as much as the next guy, but come on.
Record last week: 9-7
Overall record: 31-16
Carolina Panthers at Chicago Bears
This is actually kind of a tough pick for me. The Bears can't protect Jay Cutler. Jay Cutler can't protect the ball. Cam Newton has been impressive so far this year, but he's still prone to make rookie mistakes. I'm going to take the easy way out and go with the home team.
Winner: Bears
Buffalo Bills at Cincinnati Bengals
After watching the Cincinatti Bengals offense last weekend, I feel pretty confident in picking the Bills here. Cedric Benson is still available to play because of the appeal of his suspension, but I just don't see the Bengals keeping up with the Bills surprisingly potent offense. Look out, the Bills start off the season 4-0.
Winner: Bills
Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns
Neither club is really what you would call an "impressive" 2-1 team. Matt Hasselbeck has been surprisingly (at least to me) effective, but he just lost Kenny Britt for the year, who has been their most explosive player on offense. This should be a close, but ugly game. Since I'm a Colt McCoy fan, I'll take the Browns.
Winner: Browns
Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have barely beaten the Redskins and 49ers the last two weeks. Tony Romo is still banged up; ribs don't heal in a week or two. I think the Lions win this game. Matt Stafford and Megatron have been great, and the Cowboys have a suspect secondary. The key for the Lions is to keep DeMarcus Ware from destroying Matt Stafford's shoulder.
Winner: Lions
Minnesota Vikings at Kansas City Chiefs
It's time. It's time for the Chiefs to win a game. They are at home, the Vikings aren't great besides Adrian Peterson, and the Chiefs are due. I can feel it.
Winner: Chiefs
Washington Redskins at St. Louis Rams
The Rams are pretty bad. Their offense can't move the ball. Their defense can't stop it. Sam Bradford hasn't been dealt the best hand: new system, lockout, tough schedule and no big play-makers at receiver. Shockingly, I think the Rams will start off the season 0-4. In fact, I'd bet they start 0-6.
Winner: Redskins
San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles
I wish I could pick the 49ers here. But with the offensive line woes and an Eagles defensive line that can bring pressure, I just can't do it. The Eagles are just too explosive offensively for the 49ers to keep up with, especially with the talent the Eagles have at cornerback. The 49ers are going to need some big plays on defense and special teams to have a chance. Being able to run the ball would help too.
Winner: Eagles
New Orleans Saints at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Saints have an offense. The Jaguars don't, with the exception of 5'6 madman Maurice Jones-Drew. Enough said here, really.
Winner: Saints
Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Texans
The Texans burned me last week. I thought they would be able to pull off the somewhat upset against the Saints last weekend. It didn't happen. That being said, I'm going to be the that guy who gets back together with his girlfriend that cheated on him and pick the Texans.
Winner: Texans
New York Giants at Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals laid a massive egg against the Seahawks while the Giants were able to knock Michael Vick and the Eagles out. I'm not an Eli Manning believer, but the Cardinals defense is just too awful to not do well against.
Winner: Giants
Atlanta Falcons at Seattle Seahawks
An NFC West team playing against an out of division opponent? I'll take said out of division opponent please.
Winner: Falcons
Denver Broncos at Green Bay Packers
Nick Collins is out for the year. Ryan Grant isn't going to be able to go. Perfect combination for the upset? Nope. It's Chuck Testa. Ugh...I'm disappointed in myself for doing that.
Winner: Packers
New England Patriots at Oakland Raiders
This could be an entertaining game. The Patriots defense has been awful this year. The same goes for the Raiders defense. Both team have shown they put up points, so this should be a high-scoring game. I'm going to have to go with my guy Tom Brady here, though. I just don't see him letting his team get upset two weeks in a row.
Winner: Patriots
Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers
Tony Sporano may have already lost his team this season, and it looks like he will lose his job as well. The Chargers are the easy pick here.
Winner: Chargers
New York Jets at Baltimore Ravens
I can't go against the Harbaugh bloodline. It wouldn't be right. Plus, I'm just not a believer of the Jets offense at this point. I don't see them being able to put many points against the Ravens. Baltimore, on the other hand, has some playmakers on offense. Anquan Boldin, Ray Rice and rookie sensation Torrey Smith give the Ravens big play ability.
Winner: Ravens
Indianapolis Colts at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Curtis Painter is supposed to start. What a terrible Monday night game.
Winner: Buccaneers
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