NFL Pro Football 2009 Preseason Week 3 Picks early games

NFL Pro Football 2009 Preseason Week 3 Picks

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

Rick Gagliano | August 27-31

All times Eastern - Click here for late games.

Thursday, August 27

7:00 pm Jacksonville Jaguars at Philadelphia Eagles (-7 1/2, 37) - The line here is obviously representative of the fact that Michael Vick is going to be in the lineup for the Eagles and that's a major factor.

While the Jags have not looked great in their two preseason losses, those have been only by 3 and 1 point, whereas the Eagles have suffered losses by 2 points (New England) and 8 (at Indy) and not looked very concerned doing so. Philly will be a wild scene, but the Jacksonville players are seasoned enough to handle whatever is thrown or run their way. We're talking wildcat offense from the Eagles, and since this will likely be the week when most of the starters see the most action, we can play the line confidently. The TD+ being given to the Jags is generous due to the hype, which we're not buying.

PREDICTION: Jaguars 27 Eagles 23

7:30 pm St. Louis Rams at Cincinnati Bengals (-2 1/2, 35) - For what they've got to work with, the Rams haven't actually played badly, but, since their opener was a road win and the Bengals have that Ochocinco fellow and a healthy Carson Palmer, it would be advisable to side with the home boys. Not only for the fact that the Bengals are probably going to be pretty good offensively, but their defense has only allowed 23 points in two games, both on the road, at New Orleans and New England. A win, even in preseason, will do wonders for the striped tigers.

PREDICTION: Bengals 21 Rams 13

8:00 pm Miami Dolphins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2 1/2, 35) - Were this a regular season game, there's little doubt the Dolphins would be favorites, but, being pre-season, the oddsmakers are offering a gift to wise guys everywhere. While Tampa's Luke McCown looks like the probable starter when action starts for real, Leftwich has also done a fair job at QB, so the Bucs will score a few times here. However, the fish are 2-0 after dismantling the Jags last week, 27-12 and they've barely opened up the wildcat playbook. Chad Pennington has looked sharp as well.

Look for more exotic formations from Miami to confuse a defense with many new parts and win another one going away.

PREDICTION: Dolphins 33 Buccaneers 17

Friday, August 28

8:00 pm New England Patriots (-3 1/2, 37 1/2) at Washington Redskins - After beating the world champs (sans Ben Roethlisberger), the Redskins are on schedule to be brought back to reality by the Patriot offense. Tom Brady really needs to step it up here or there will be cries of "not ready" from the New England hopefuls.

Even if Brady doesn't find the end zone a few times, the New England defense will be more than adequate to handle the grind-it-out style of the Redskins.

PREDICTION: Patriots 31 Redskins 10

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10:00 pm Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals (-3, 42) - Arizona is winless in two starts, though there doesn't seem to be a lot of urgency in the Cardinal camp, but this game is important and the players on both sides know it. Green Bay has proven they have plenty of offer on defense and this will be a real acid test for them, with gunslinging expected from Kurt Warner and has cadre of capable receivers.

The Packers can get up and down the field as well, as QB Aaron Rodgers was on the money last week against the Bills. Arizona may arguably have a better defense than what the Bills displayed, but the Packers have the look of a team not willing to take prisoners, just names. A close call should benefit the underdogs.

PREDICTION: Packers 24 Cardinals 21

Saturday, August 29

1:00 pm Indianapolis Colts (-2 1/2, 40) at Detroit Lions - As befits them, the Lions are underdogs at home, but that's expected as Peyton Manning has shown a very serious side, especially last week in the Colts' win over Philadelphia. This game looks very much like a walkover for Manning and the Colts. Expect Indy's defense to be formidable here as the game is in an indoor controlled environment and the crowd won't be much of a factor.

PREDICTION: Colts 27 Lions 10

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4:00 pm New Orleans Saints (-2, 41) at Oakland Raiders - It's amusing - and going to get better during the regular season - to watch as the Raiders get to be underdogs at home without anyone recognizing the level of talent on this marauding bunch.

If Drew Brees and his offense begin to click, expect the Raiders to respond like it's week 12 and they're playing for a playoff spot. Forget the drama surrounding the Oakland camp. These guys are focused on producing a winning record and are aiming for the AFC West title. While it's still preseason, the Raiders are a serious bunch of people who can destroy teams not prepared for an offensive onslaught.

PREDICTION: Raiders 31 Saints 21

7:30 pm Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers (-4 1/2, 37) - Buffalo looked pathetic against Green Bay last week, unable to hold onto or move the football with any offensive consistency and that will hurt them if not corrected before playing the Steelers. Pittsburgh has problems of its own, however, with Ben Roethlisberger still nursing a sore foot and 3rd stringer Dennis Dixon now down for two weeks with a minor shoulder separation. even if Roethlisberger does go, don't expect him to stay in longer than the first half, letting old reliable Charlie Batch handle mop-up.

Buffalo should bounce back and take advantage of the Steelers not being a full strength at the QB position. Pittsburgh will probably take an "it's only pre-season" approach to this game, practically handing Buffalo a W, if they are capable of taking it. Terrell Owens is expected back for the Bills, another big plus.

PREDICTION: Bills 17 Steelers 14

7:30 pm Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns (-1, 38 1/2) - After being blown apart by the Cowboys, the Titans must take to the road again. With a quarterback controversy brewing in Cleveland, the Browns will start either Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn (who has not looked good), though both will get roughly an equal number of snaps with the first string offense. Similarly, the Titans must be wondering whether named starter Kerry Collins still has it and whether Vince Young has come all the way back. Collins will surely start for the Titans, with Young getting in his work in the second half. Expect the Titans to run the ball more than throw it and look for a better defensive effort than last week's against the Cowboys. Cleveland has the makings of a good offense, but Tennessee already has a solid defense... or do they? There's been some shuffling around with the departure of Albert Haynesworth, but positions should be settled by now. Cleveland won't be nearly as effective as were the Cowboys, and Vince Young should also show improvement against the Browns' second line defenders.

PREDICTION: Titans 20 Browns 17

All times Eastern - Click here for late games

Copyright 2009, 2010, 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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