NFL Pro Football 2008 Week 3 Picks early games

NFL Pro Football 2008 Week 3 Picks

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Fearless Rick's NFL Week 3 Picks - Early Games

Rick Gagliano | September 21-22

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

SUN, SEP 21

Kansas City at Atlanta (-5 1/2, 36 1/2) 1:00 PM - It may be a little early in the season to begin quoting stats, but the KC offense is ranked 27th and their defense, 24th of 32 teams. Alternately, the Falcons are 9th on offense and 17th defensively. If this game were in November, it would be a no-brainer blowout, but since we're only two weeks into the season, the numbers may not matter.

Here are maybe more meaningful stats. In 2007, the Chiefs were 0-3 on turf, which is the surface in the Georgia Dome. While Atlanta isn't the greatest team in the NFC, they do look much better than last season and should win this one handily. The Chiefs will start Tyler Thigpen at QB. Right. Who?

Prediction: Falcons 24 Chiefs 9

Oakland at Buffalo (-9 1/2, 36 1/2) 1:00 PM - Buffalo has gotten of to a blazing start, dropping Seattle at home and Jacksonville on the road, but the line makes it appear that the Bills are headed to the playoffs, which is still very much in doubt. The Raiders won, 23-8, at Kansas City last week, proving that they can actually beat some teams in this league. It's probably too early to give up on Oakland. After all, they are 1-1, young, healthy and without much to prove.

A win against the Bills would be a shocker, but a close game would not surprise anyone. Oakland may have turned a bit of a corner after their opening-day disaster against the Broncos (a 41-14 loss). The Bills are very solid at home, but JaMarcus Russell and Darren McFadden will make some noise, both here and throughout the season.

Prediction: Bills 20 Raiders 16

Tampa Bay at Chicago (-3, 35 1/2) 1:00 PM - Both of these teams are 1-1 and rely on heady defense to keep them in games. Neither offense is capable of too many big plays, and this game will likely be predicated on field position and ball control. Expect a lot of running over passing and a very low-scoring, close-to-the-vest game plans from both sides.

The Bucs made the playoffs last season and would like to get there again, but Chicago - a Super Bowl participant from 2006 - looks the more impressive team as Kyle Orton settles into his starting role at QB. The Bears are becoming more disciplined on defense and are injury-free. Also, if any game is going to be UNDER the number this week, this is it.

Prediction: Bears 16 Buccaneers 10

Houston at Tennessee (-5, 39) 1:00 PM - The Titans have started the season 2-0 with a hard-hitting defense (ranked 2nd in the league), hard running by Chris Johnson and LenDale White and, last week, without Vince Young. Kerry Collins was named the permanent starter by coach Jeff Fisher on Monday, as Young sorts out his psyche.

As for the Texans, they have been a disappointment thus far, and also had to take an early bye as Hurricane Ike canceled their meeting with the Ravens last week, so there isn't much to go on here, except that Tennessee is playing very well and they beat Houston twice last year. The score at Tennessee was 28-20. A similar result should occur, though possibly by a lower score.

Prediction: Titans 23 Texans 13

Cincinnati at NY Giants (-13 1/2, 42) 1:00 PM - Are the Giants really as good as their 2-0 record. Well, yes, and they're actually playing well at home this season. The only downside for New York is that they may take the Bengals too lightly, but that huge spread is there because Cincy has shown nothing in two blowout losses thus far, losing at Baltimore, 17-10, and then following that effort up with a 24-7 beat-down at the hands of the Titans on their own turf.

New York is balanced and steady. Eli Manning now has some swagger and coach Coughlin is riding the Super Bowl championship crest, keeping his team focused and prepared. This looks like a classic blowout.

Prediction: Giants 34 Bengals 14

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Carolina at Minnesota (-3 1/2, 37 1/2) 1:00 PM - What we have here is one of the most interesting matchups of the weekend. The Vikings lost by 5 at Green Bay in Week 1, and had the Colts on the ropes in their home opener last week, but fell apart late, losing 18-15. At 0-2, the time to win is now in Minnesota.

That's no easy task against the resurgent, 2-0, Panthers, who are putting it all together for a return to prominence in the NFC South. Jake Delhomme is solid at the controls for Carolina, but Tarvaris Jackson has been pulled by head coach Brad Childress in favor of Gus Frerotte as the starting QB. That's a big burden for Frerotte, but he's been around the league a long time, knows the Viking offense and should handle the pressure OK.

The Panthers will get an offensive boost with Steve Smith at wideout after his two-game suspension and should win their third straight close call.

Prediction: Panthers 20 Vikings 17

Miami at New England (-12 1/2, 35 1/2) 1:00 PM - Matt Cassell outdueled Brett Favre last week and should have an easier task against the Dolphins, who haven't had any breaks from the schedule. They played last week in Arizona and now have to travel up to the Northeast to tangle with a serious AFC East rival. Last season, the Patriots filleted the Dolphins by 21 points both at home at at Miami, so the line has been reduced somewhat due to the absence of one Tom Brady. One also has to consider the addition of Chad Pennington as Miami's starting QB a plus.

New England has rallied around Cassell, but the offense has struggled in the red zone, settling for field goals instead of touchdowns. That issue could be resolved by throwing long to Randy Moss or Wes Welker against the sub-par Dolphin secondary. If Cassell has early success, this one could get out of hand. The Patriot's defense also may not allow a Miami TD.

Prediction: Patriots 31 Dolphins 9

Arizona at Washington (-3, 42) 1:00 PM - Washington pulled off a nifty comeback with 14 4th quarter points against New Orleans last week for a 29-24 win, their first of the season. 2-0 Arizona has had it relatively easy, handling both the 49ers and Dolphins in easy wins. It gets tougher here.

Washington actually dominated the clock against the Saints, had 25 first downs to New Orleans' 15 and rolled up a huge yardage advantage 455-250. The game would not have been close if not for Reggie Bush's 55 yard punt return in the third quarter.

Both teams are performing well on both sides of the ball, but the Redskins at home look like a freight train on offense and a huge boulder on defense. Arizona will be hard-pressed to stay in this one.

Prediction: Redskins 30 Cardinals 17

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

Copyright 2008, 2009, Rick Gagliano, Downtown Magazine. All rights reserved. Downtown Magazine is located in the Uinted States of America and is not affiliated with the National Football League or the NCAA. For more information, contact us here. Use of this site is for entertainment purposes only.

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