We're back for Week 3 of the 2015 NFL season! The New York Giants got off the mat to win their first game, defeating Washington 32-21. Kirk Cousins is just not a good quarterback, and I don't see Washington winning many games this year. That was just appetizer as the 49ers are part of the Sunday main course. The 49ers kick off against the Arizona Cardinals at 1:05 p.m. PT at University of Phoenix Stadium.
Once again, it is time for more predictions for Sunday's game. I posted the Week 3 prediction contest thread, so you can get all of your picks in there, but we can focus on 49ers-specific picks in here. The 49ers have a lot of recent success against the Cardinals, going 10-2 ATS in the last 12 games in Arizona, and generally beating Arizona a lot in recent seasons.
That being said, it is hard to tell what to make of this current 49ers team. I'm going with the 24-20 upset road win, but a loss would not surprise me. If the offensive line holds up well, I think the 49ers win a close one. If the offensive line struggles, I think the Cardinals win and cover the 6.5-point spread.
We're back once again with The Crowd's Line to crowd-source some predictions. Our friends at Revenge of the Birds are also voting, and the widget below pulls out the vote for each site, as well as the general crowd's line, and what Vegas is thinking.
I also have listed out a handful of picks from around the national media. Opinions are not quite as mixed as last week. The 49ers are coming off an ugly loss, and most of the national media think they lose again in Week 3. I like seeing the 49ers as an underdog, but hopefully they fare better than last week.
This is not remotely close to a complete list of media picks, so feel free to post links to any additional ones.
SB Nation (link to come): I'm the only one of eight picks!
ESPN: Everybody picking the Cardinals
CBS Sports: Will Brinson, John Breech, out of eight picks
FOXSports.com: All eight picking Cardinals
NFL.com: All five picked the Cardinals
Greg Cote, Miami Herald: Cardinals 24, 49ers 20
Dennis Manoloff, The Plain Dealer: Cardinals 23, 49ers 19
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Cardinals 24, 49ers 20
Pro Football Talk: MDS Cardinals 30, 49ers 10; Florio Cardinals 34, 49ers 24