NFL Pro Football 2007 Week 3-preseason Picks early games

NFL Pro Football 2007 Week 3-preseason Picks

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Fearless Rick's NFL Week 3-preseason Picks - Early Games

Rick Gagliano | Aug. 23-27

All times Eastern - Click here for late Saturday, Sunday and Monday night games.

PRESEASON WEEK 3

Thursday, Aug. 23

Jacksonville (-1, 39 1/2) at Green Bay 8:00 pm (FOX) - With starters expected to see extended time, Brett Favre will get most of the first half snaps, if not into the 3rd quarter. Favre's been OK, but his backup, Aaron Rodgers, has been better, though both will likely struggle against the Jags' defense, which seems to be putting it all together. Don't expect the Pack to put up 40+ points, like they did against Seattle last week. If they even get half that much, it would be saying something.

The Jaguars know they're going to have to be ready to go from the first snap in regular season in the tough AFC, so they've been practicing with purpose. Besides, they have a running game. Green Bay only wishes they did.

Prediction: Jaguars 28 Packers 16

New Orleans at Kansas City (-1, 37 1/2) 8:30 pm - There should be more than enough offense in this one, so the over is the obvious way to go. KC still is missing a key element in their attack, Larry Johnson, though Brodie Croyle seems to have the starting job nearly locked up. A good showing against the so-so Saints' defense should seal the deal. Also, kicker Justin Medlock will probably be more on the mark than he was against Miami (he missed 2 out of 3 FG attempts).

The Chiefs, however, have been listless on offense and the O-line is banged up. KC has scored the least amount of points over 2 preseason games in the league - 22. That's not going to get it done against the Saints, who will use Deuce McAllister, Reggie Bush and QB Drew Brees extensively.

Prediction: Saints 24 Chiefs 16

Friday, Aug. 24

New England at Carolina (even, 38) 8:00 pm (CBS) - The Patriots aren't the least bit concerned with a pair of losses in their first two tune-ups, but the starters are likely to play through the third quarter and that means a steady dose of Tom Brady, Randy Moss and running back Laurence Maroney. Carolina's defense looked pretty porous in last week's loss to Philly, so they'll be up against it here.

Look for the Patriots to get off the schneid in a big way.

Prediction: Patriots 31 Panthers 10

Tennessee at Buffalo (-1 1/2, 35 1/2) 7:00 pm - Buffalo looked sloppy in their home loss to Atlanta last week (13-10), but should play better here. JP Losman looks more comfortable each week and running back Marshawn Lynch is in a fight with Anthony Thomas for the starting role, so both backs will get a good number of carries against a somewhat questionable Tennessee defense.

Buffalo has scored only 23 points in 2 games thus far, so they must show more consistency and limit the mistakes. The Titans are really a wild card in the AFC. Nobody is really sure whether they're playoff-capable or just another also-ran. They have a potent offense, and if they get off the mark early, Buffalo will be hard-pressed to keep up. Should be a wide open event.

Prediction: Titans 27 Bills 24

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St. Louis at Oakland (-1, 38) 10:00 pm - Rams' QB Marc Bulger didn't look all that good against the Chargers last week, hitting 8-12 for 79 yards and an INT, and running back Steven Jackson probably isn't going to see much - if any - action.

The Raiders are scoring points, which is unusual, but equally as strange, the defense is giving up lots of yardage and scores. They should get both sides of the equation working against the overrated (already) Rams.

Prediction: Raiders 20 Rams 13

Saturday, Aug. 25

Detroit at Indianapolis (no line) 7:00 pm - Detroit is 2-0 and Indy is 0-2. It must be preseason. The Lions offensive potency will be on display on Indy's fast indoor track, but Peyton Manning will get more snaps as will the rest of the offense. Detroit's two wins have come against Cincinnati and Cleveland, so this one will have a different flavor. The Colts have losses to two of the NFC's best - Dallas and Chicago - and a mismatch looms here. Detroit may have loads of talent on offense, but it has come at the expense of the defense, which can't stop anybody.

Prediction: Colts 35 Lions 24

Tampa Bay at Miami (even, 34) 7:30 pm - On the road for the second straight week, the Bucs have plenty to work on in this game. The defense is still working out some kinks in the secondary and the offense looks like it may not hold together past the first few weeks of the regular season. The Dolphins continue to amaze with back-to-back wins, but is Ronnie Brown really the answer at running back?

With old pros Jeff Garcia and Trent Green at the helms of their respective teams, Garcia seems to be playing better thus far. Still, this one's a head-shaker, as the line indicates. Overtime is a distinct possibility in a struggle decided by defense.

Prediction: Buccaneers 14 Dolphins 13

All times Eastern - Click here for late Saturday, Sunday and Monday night games

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