Picks of the Week (Week 3 Edition)

Here are your picks for Week 3 of the NFL. Remember, I will be keeping a running total based upon $100/game, 10% vig on all losses, and one $250 contest per week.

Atlanta Falcons -5 1/2 versus Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs were manhandled by the Raiders. Did I ever think I would be betting on the Falcons GIVING points in any game this year? No I did not. Did I ever think Tyler Thigpen would be in the NFL? Again, no I did not.

Oakland Raiders + 9 1/2 at Buffalo Bills
Just too many points. McFadden looks like he is the truth, and perhaps last week may give the Raiders some momentum. If this was in the 6 or 7 range, I would have taken the Bills.

Tennessee Titans - 4 1/2 versus Houston Texans
No reason, other than sometimes a team does better when an experienced backup QB takes the helm. He still has no receivers, but Chris Johnson is good. I think the off week might have hurt the Texans.

New York Giants -13 versus Cincinnati Bengals
The Giants are cruising. They are running the ball well, passing the ball well, and Justin Tuck is playing amazing. He is already in Super Bowl form. The Bengals are awful, just awful.

Arizona Cardinals +3 at Washington Redskins
When healthy, Kurt Warner is still one of the best QBs in the league, and he has phenomenal weapons at wideout. The Redskins have been up-and-down so far this year, so I'll take the points.

New England Patriots -12 versus Miami Dolphins
I am not sure that the Dolphins will be able to score enough to keep the Patriots from covering. Even though the Patriots looked a little unsure of themselves last week on offense, they are playing the Dolphins, which is good for anybody's confidence.

Chicago Bears -3 versus Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If Jeff Garcia were starting, I would have picked the Bucs, but Brian Griese is the starter, so I'll take the Bears. I hope this isn't just the homerism talking.

Carolina Panthers + 3 1/2 at Minnesota Vikings
Adrian Peterson might be hurt, but Chester Taylor is a more than serviceable backup. I would be more concerned with the fact that Gus Frerotte is starting. At least he is no Tarvaris. It might be time for a Booty call. Carolina is 2-0 and gets Steve Smith back.

St. Louis Rams + 9 1/2 at Seattle Seahawks
Both of these teams are horrendous. Just awful. I will take the 9 1/2 points from a team as bad as Seattle.

San Francisco 49ers -4 versus Detroit Lions
I just think that Mike Martz has something up his sleeve for this game. Detroit can throw the ball around the field and has great receivers, but they can be prone to turning the ball over. I think Patrick Willis makes one or two phenomenal plays, and Martz begins to pour it on.

New Orleans Saints + 5 1/2 at Denver Broncos
The Broncos look incredibly strong, and are liable to score a ton of points in this game, but as the San Diego game proved, they can also give up a ton of points. Take the over, whatever it is, and I'll take the points.

Philadelphia Eagles - 3 1/2 versus Pittsburgh Steelers
Both teams have looked very strong in the early part of the season. I just think that Philly wants to get back on the winning track after the close call in Dallas last week.

Baltimore Ravens - 2 1/2 versus Cleveland Browns
The close game against Pittsburgh notwithstanding, I think the Browns are going to be really bad this year, and I think Willis McGahee will be raring to go in his first action of the season. As you might remember, he was held out of the first game due to injury and the second game due to Ike.

Dallas Cowboys -3 at Green Bay Packers
Another very intriguing match up. Dallas offense is on a roll right now, and Green Bay, despite dominating most of the game, needed a big surge against Detroit to put the nail in the coffin. Philadelphia is no Detroit.

San Diego Chargers -9 versus New York Jets
The Chargers are going to be angry, and they have shown that they can score points in bunches. The Jets, well they haven't.

BIG BET OF THE WEEK

Indianapolis Colts -5 versus Jacksonville Jaguars
No Bob Sanders for the Colts - no problem. Jacksonville has lost more offensive lineman than the Colts, and this could mean a killing spree for Dwight Freeney. If the Colts get a lead and the Jaguars have to throw, how many sacks could Freeney get? 6? 7? 12? Maybe an exaggeration, but give the points, and take the Colts.


Last Week's Record: 7-5-3
Last Week's Big Bet: 1-0
Year to Date: 19-9-3
Big Bet Year to Date: 1-1
Winnings (Losses) for the Week: $300
Winnings (Losses) Year to Date: $895