NFL Week Three Predictions

San Francisco 49ers @ Kansas City Chiefs

It's never easy with these teams, is it?  Cleveland was a win, but it wasn't an overly impressive one.  Beating San Diego was impressive, but they showed in week two that they were just in a funk.  The Niners held the Pierre Thomas to 46 yards, though the impact of that is debatable.  In the end, I believe the rush will determine this one, and both teams have sensational backs (the cuts Jamaal Charles made last week were amazing).  Niners have the edge on rush defense, though, and between that and their showing last week against the Saints I think they can finally pull out their first win in week three.
Prediction: 49ers

Dallas Cowboys @ Houston Texans

Washington took Houston to task last week and Matt Schaub brought them back to win.  Dallas may improve, but I don't see them improving enough to beat a sensational team on offense and defense like the Texans.
Prediction: Texans

Tennessee Titans @ New York Giants

The Titans are good with the run and the Giants did get stomped by a poor rushing team, but that was because Perry Fewell resolved to only play the pass last week and got burned.  Look for him to do the opposite this week, stack extra rushers in the box and let his secondary do what they typically do in his system, get picks.  They couldn't victimize Peyton, but as I said that's because he's Peyton.  Collins or Young will have a harder time with them, and the Giants will pull this one out.
Prediction: Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Last year I spent weeks and weeks predicting the Broncos to lose and they didn't, I learned my lesson.  I'm done doubting Pittsburgh, that defense is elite and can win games on its own.  They could end up sweeping these four games and improving once Ben gets back, they are going to be scary good if they can play at this level all year.
Prediction: Steelers

Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings

Detroit keeps tempting me to pick them, like the sirens calling out to Odysseus.  Minnesota has looked bad, but they have looked bad against some damn good defenses.  Detroit can rush the passer and  stuff the run, but can they shut down Brett Favre with that secondary?  I think not.
Prediction: Vikings

Atlanta Vikings @ New Orleans Saints

Atlanta is one of those teams that everyone keeps telling me is good, I just don't see it.  27th in rush defense, 29th in scoring defense; the only bright spots on that side of the ball are their sack and pick numbers, and I don't see Brees and that line getting burned by them.  Settle into second, guys, because you're not unseating the Saints until you get some upgrades.
Prediction: Saints

Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens may have stumbled against the Bengals, but no way are they going to lose at home against the Browns.  The Browns haven't even convinced me they can seal up the games that are winnable, much less compete against a tough rival.
Prediction: Ravens

Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots

Do you really have to ask?  Three down, thirteen to go.
Prediction: Patriots

Cincinnati Bengals @ Carolina Panthers

The Bengals got me back on the bandwagon with their win over Baltimore, the Panthers got me off theirs with a loss at home to Tampa.
Prediction: Bengals

Washington Redskins @ St. Louis Rams

The Redskins and McNabb are both back, watch out.  Both teams have surpassed expectations, but the Redskins look to be too much of a challenge for the Rams to overcome.
Prediction: Redskins

Philadelphia Eagles @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville got absolutely burned by the pass last week and hasn't been that great against the run, either.  Philly made a stand against a good passing team in the Packers, and MJD is off to a slow start.  Jaguars could surprise, but I don't think it's likely.
Prediction: Eagles

San Diego Chargers @ Seattle Seahawks

Passing is the key here.  Both teams have quarterbacks that can make or break a game, but San Diego is ranked 8th in pass defense and Seattle 26th.
Prediction: Chargers

Oakland Raiders @ Arizona Cardinals

Both teams have slumped in certain areas and excelled in others, the question is who can exploit those weaknesses best?  The answer, Oakland.  Both teams are pretty equal on offense and rush defense, but Oakland beats Arizona by miles on pass defense.  Oakland is ranked fifth in the league in pass defense, Arizona 21st.  Oakland also holds he edge in rushing, ranking third to Arizona's thirteenth.  I expect this to turn into a rushing battle, but I believe Anderson will have a hard time against this Oakland defense and that will make the difference.
Prediction: Raiders

Indianapolis Colts @ Denver Broncos

Both teams had slow starts followed by comeback losses, but I am most impressed by the Colts.  The Broncos are still missing pieces on defense and still have some issues on offense that the Colts can exploit.  Manning and company are rock solid, and though I wouldn't expect a repeat of last week's rushing performance when the Colts were blocking safeties with linemen, I do expect them to have a decent game against a weak Denver defense.  The Broncos can be a surprise team, though, and that's why this is my sleeper of the week.
Prediction: Colts

New York Jets @ Miami Dolphins

It seems like every week I'm picking an AFC East game for game of the week, which is what I think this game will be.  The NFC East has fallen off, the AFC East has claimed its title of most competitive division.  This is going to be a good, defensive, rush-heavy game with a possible shootout sometime in the second half, it will have it all.  The Dolphins have thoroughly impressed me, though, and between that and homefield advantage they get my pick here.
Prediction: Dolphins

Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears

I'll admit I have some doubts about this pick.  Green Bay is good, there's no denying.  However, I don't think they'll sweep the Bears this season, I think a series split is more likely.  This week represents the best chance for the Bears to beat them, in my opinion.  Al Harris and Atari Bigby are still out and Charles Woodsen may not play, giving the Martz offense a weakness to capitalize on.  The Bears are at home, and they showed last week that they can not only withstand a heavy 3-4 blitz but succeed against one.  The Packers are also without perennial 1,000 yard rusher Ryan Grant, giving the Bears the opportunity to zero in on the pass.

That doesn't mean it'll be easy.  The receiving corps is solid and will definitely give this secondary some problems.  Lance Briggs also might not play, and with him, Nick Roach, and Brian Iwuh all looking at possibly being sidelined there could be some significant holes in the linebacking corps.  Still, the Green bay line is weak and Julius Peppers should have ample opportunity to get to Rodgers.  It will be a close one, but in the end I think the Bears can pull it out.  Plus, the Packers were ranked first in the power rankings I go by.  They continue to be an overrated team in my opinion and I would love to see the Bears knock them off the pedestal so many experts have built for them.  This is my upset of the week.
Prediction: Bears