Week 3: Putting it on the line

Should have just flipped a coin last week, going 8-8. Let's look at week 3:

Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens
Pick: RAVENS - Offensively and defensively the Ravens are just clicking on all cylinders. Joe Flacco should not have any problems with the Browns defense. Baltimore has won four of the past six meetings to extend its overall series lead to 13-7. Ravens win at home.

Tennessee Titans at New York Jets
Pick: JETS - Hate taking the Jets, but they are getting it done on defense with just enough offense to win. In Week 12 of last season, the Jets handed the 10-0 Titans their first loss of the season. The Titans are definitely not your average 0-2 team though, but the Jets should be able to contain Chris Johnson. New York has won four of the last five meetings. Jets win at home.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals
Pick: STEELERS - Going with the Steelers on the road. Cincy is still flying high beating the Packers on the road. Beware of Antwaan Odom in this game...he was a one-man wrecking crew last week tallying five sacks. The Steelers' offensive line has been vulnerable, giving up six sacks already this season. Steelers have won the last five meetings. Steelers win on the road.

Washington Redskins at Detroit Lions
Pick: LIONS - Washington has won three in a row over Detroit. The Redskins were unable to score a touchdown, last week but their defense held strong. I was leaning towards Washington, but if Portis does not play, I think the Lions finally break there losing streak and upset the Redskins. The Lions are definitely improved, and the Redskins are struggling. Lions win at home for the first time in a LONG TIME.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans
Pick: TEXANS - The Texans snapped out of funk of week one and put up the points week two. They also gave up 31 pts, and it is a divisional game, so anything could happen. Houston has won four of the past six matchups. Texans win at home.

San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings
Pick: VIKINGS - The top to running backs this season go at it in this matchup. AP is banged up though. I still think you have to go with the Vikings at home. This game could be an upset though since the 49ers are defininitely improved over last year. Still need a passing game though. Vikings win at home.

Atlanta Falcons at New England Patriots
Pick: PATRIOTS - Everything points to the Patriots being upset by the Falcons. Is there a healthy Patriot WR even playing? That does not bode well for Brady and the boys. The Falcons have given up an average of 5.1 yards per carry defensively this year and now they are without perhaps their best run-stuffer, rookie DT Peria Jerry. If the Patriots can get the rushing attack going, victory should be theirs! Being a Pats fan, I am going with the home team to pull this game out with Special Teams, a rushing attack, and Defense! Patriots win at home.

Kansas City Chiefs at Philadelphia Eagles
Pick: EAGLES - McNabb is out again, and most likely wont be back till after the bye week. Kolb should be able to get the offense going, even with a banged up Westbrook and Jackson. Eagles win at home.

Green Bay Packers at St. Louis Rams
Pick: PACKERS - The Rams and Packers have split their last eight meetings. The Packers need to redeem themselves after last weeks lost to the Bengals. The Rams defense did well against the Redskins, but the Packers definitely have more offensive weapons to stop! St. Louis has lost its last five home games and is just 2-14 at the Edward Jones Dome. Packers win on the Road

New York Giants at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pick: GIANTS - Run, run, run! The Giants running game has not been great, but should have a big day against the Buccaneers. With an established running game, Eli and crew will pick the Bucs apart. New York has captured six of the last nine meetings. Giants win on the road.

New Orleans Saints at Buffalo Bills
Pick: SAINTS - New Orleans has won three of the past five meetings. Saints are banged up at the running back position, but that shouldn't hold Brees and crew off. Buffalo is ranked 31st against the pass. Saints win on the road.

Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks
Pick: BEARS - Seattle has won three of the past five games. Tough to pick against the Seahawks at home, but with Hasselbeck out due to injury, the Bears should get it done on the road. Seattle's offense changes significantly with Wallace under center. While Hasselbeck is more of a traditional drop-back passer, Wallace tends to scramble and use his legs to make plays. Chicago's defense should keep him in check. Bears win on the road.

Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders
Pick: BRONCOS - The Broncos have won six of the past eight meetings. Oakland hasn't beaten Denver twice in a row since 2002. The Broncos are starting to play like a team, and should have enough offense to roll past the Raiders. Broncos win on the road.

Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers
Pick: CHARGERS - The Dolphins have won seven in a row against the Chargers. If LT doesn't play, the Dolphins could upset the Chargers at home. San Diego failed to score on a touchdown on any of its five trips to the red zone last week, an area in which Tomlinson traditionally excels. Chargers win at home and break the losing streak against the Dolphins.

Indianapolis Colts at Arizona Cardinals
Pick: COLTS - The Colts have won the past three meetings. Last weeks game definitely took its toll against the Colts, eventhough they won in the end. The question is will the Colts have enough in the tank on defense to deal with the rested and high-powered Arizona offense? Colts win a close one on the road.

Carolina Panthers at Dallas Cowboys
Pick: COWBOYS - Battle of the turnover teams. Dallas has won seven consecutive regular-season games against Carolina. If the Cowboys do lose this game at home, keep the knives away from Jerry! Cowboys get their first win at their new stadium.