NFL Pro Football 2007 Week 3-preseason Picks late games

NFL Pro Football 2007 Week 3-preseason Picks - late games

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

Rick Gagliano | Aug. 25-27

All times Eastern - Click here for early games.

Saturday, Aug. 25

Baltimore (-3, 32 1/2) at Washington 8:00 pm - After whipping up on the Eagles in their preseason opener, the Ravens were less-than-inspiring on both sides of the ball against the Giants on Sunday night. With Jonathan Ogden still out, there probably won't be much room for Willis McGahee to run and QB Steve McNair may have to be more mobile that he likes.

The Redskins have not allowed a TD thus far in preseason, but, while the defense looks solid, the offense has injuries everywhere, including starting QB Jason Campbell, who was hobbled and forced to leave last week's game against Pittsburgh with a banged up knee. While he is listed at day-to-day, coach Gibbs may give more time to his veteran backups, Todd Collins and Mark Brunell, either of whom are capable of stepping into the starting role. This should be a bruising battle in a drive-by rivalry. Points at home. Take 'em.

Prediction: Redskins 13 Ravens 9

Dallas (-3, 39 1/2) at Houston 8:00 pm - The Cowboys took some flack from Denver last week for employing lots of blitzes in the 3-4 defense, but they have to practice it, right? And they beat up the Broncos pretty well, right? Houston is simply overmatched as the Cowboys may emerge as the best team in the NFC East and challenge Philadelphia for the top spot. The Texans are young and aggressive, but the experienced Cowboys will show them a thing or two as they improve to 3-0.

Prediction: Cowboys 27 Texans 10

N.Y. Jets (-1, 37) at N.Y. Giants 8:00 pm - This is really not an away game for the Jets, so the slight edge is theirs on the neutral Meadowlands turf. Last week's 37-20 thumping by the Vikings was somewhat flukey, as Minnesota scored three defensive TDs. The Giants played well against Baltimore, with QB Eli Manning looking more poised and accurate than ever.

Both teams are 1-1 and thinking playoffs this season. You could flip a coin as well as pick the winner here, so that's what I did. Heads is Giants, tails is Jets. The coin came up heads. Giants win.

Prediction: Giants 20 Jets 16

San Francisco at Chicago (no line) 8:00 pm - If this were a regular season game, the Bears would be 7-to-10-point favorites. With the starters planning on playing well into the third quarter, the Bears, who are healthy and happy after knocking off Indy on Monday night, hold a sizable advantage. The 49er have the makings of a nice team, maybe even playoff bound, but they probably won't find much success in the Windy City.

Prediction: Bears 34 49ers 17

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Minnesota at Seattle (-7, 38) 9:00 pm - Minnesota's defense may be the best in the NFC, but they still need to work on the offensive side of the ball, though running back Adrian Peterson is beginning to look like the real deal. Seattle hasn't impressed anybody, allowing 64 points in their first two games, the most in the league. That should work to the Vikes' advantage as Peterson and QB Tarvaris Jackson will get plenty of time together here. Things are meshing pretty well in Minny, while coach Holmgren has his hands full with question marks all over the field for the Seahawks. I don't like the Vikings to just cover here, I think they'll win outright and somewhat easily.

Prediction: Vikings 27 Seahawks 17

Cleveland at Denver (-5 1/2, 37 1/2) 9:00 pm - Lets face it. Denver's offense is nothing. QB Jay Cutler hasn't shown much, Rod Smith is another year older, Leslie Lelei is gone, running back Travis Henry is still adjusting to the offense and light air and may not be the answer anyhow. The secondary is the best part of the defense, but the linebacking is weak.

After years of mediocrity, the Browns actually can see light at the end of the tunnel. They've got solid players all over the defense, though the offense may need a Brady Quinn at QB before they really emerge as at least a .500 team. I would love to pick the Browns over the Broncos here, but at home, Denver is still probably just a little better. I will take a flyer on the Browns keeping this close enough to cover, though.

Prediction: Denver 17 Cleveland 14

San Diego (-3, 41) at Arizona 10:00 pm - Pretty simple here. Even without LaDainian Tomlinson, who doesn't play in preseason games, this is a case of pretenders versus contenders. Sure Matt Leinart will hook up with Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, but who's going to stop Phillip Rivers, Antonio Gates and Vincent Jackson. Besides, the Chargers got plenty of action in the secondary against St. Louis last week and looked pretty good. Big edge to the Bolts.

Prediction: Chargers 31 Cardinals 21

Sunday, Aug. 26

Philadelphia at Pittsburgh (-2 1/2, 36 1/2) 8:00 pm (NBC) - Who's the best team in Pennsylvania. Probably the Eagles, and they'll make their case here. Donovan McNabb was 100% against the Panthers and Brian Westbrook should be ready to roll as well. The 2-1 Steelers haven't proven much, beating an unprepared Saints team in the Hall of Fame game, lost to Green Bay and needed a late field goal to get by the Redskins last week. The offense is a little shaky, while the D is solid. Philly, despite injuries, will still stifle the Steelers' offense.

Prediction: Eagles 24 Steelers 16

Monday, Aug. 27

Cincinnati (-3, 38) at Atlanta 8:00 pm (ESPN) - If you're looking for offense, you've come to the right place. While the Falcons may not be the most explosive team in the league, they will line up against your basic matador defense and with the Michael Vick situation pretty much resolved, they can focus on football. Cincy will score lots of points here, but so will Atlanta. The 0-2 Bengals will win the shootout. They need some positive reinforcement before the real deal.

Prediction: Bengals 41 Falcons 34

All times Eastern - Click here for early games

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