| NFL
Week 3 |
| Games |
Time (EST) |
TV |
| Detroit (2-0) at Philadelphia (0-2) |
1:00 PM |
FOX |
| Notes: The Lions come into
Philadelphia this weekend with a 2-0 record and with a "nothing to
lose" attitude. The same can't be said about Philadelphia. This is
a huge game for the Eagles. If they lose to the Lions, they fall to 0-3,
and what was once considered a promising season crumbles into obscurity.
Prediction: I think this will be a close game until the third
quarter, and then the Lions' offense will hit on a couple of big plays
and run away with this one. Lions 28, Eagles 17 |
| Miami (0-2) at NY Jets
(0-2) |
1:00 PM |
CBS |
| Notes:
This is always a fun game. The Jets and Dolphins are division rivals and
have a long storied history, but with both teams being 0-2 this season,
a sense of desperation may be on display at Giants Stadium. The return
of Chad Pennington will help the Jets offense, but the loss of Pro Bowl
return man Justin Miller will hurt the Jets' special teams. Miami has a
solid defense, but the offense has to show signs of life for them to
have any chance of resurrection.
Prediction: This game is a battle. The teams don't like each
other, and it's always a close affair. In the end, I see the Jets edging
the Dolphins. Jets 20, Dolphins 13 |
| Buffalo (0-2) at New England (2-0) |
1:00 PM |
CBS |
| Notes: This is a division
game that features the best team versus a team searching for an
identity. The Bills have struggled on offense this season and their
defense was good against Denver -- but horrible in Pittsburgh. The
Patriots are cruising thus far. They're a very disciplined team that can
score with anyone and hold off an opposing offense with their defensive
play.
Prediction: Sorry Bills fans, but it looks like you'll start
the season 0-3. The Patriots are too good. Patriots 24, Bills 6 |
| Arizona (1-1) at
Baltimore (1-1) |
1:00 PM |
FOX |
| Notes: This
is a really good matchup between the Cardinals and the Ravens. The
Ravens have a great defense, while the Cardinals have a potentially
great offense. The Cardinals have improved on defense and have held
their own against two division teams (San Francisco and Seattle) this
year. Baltimore has been bit by the injury bug but has survived.
Prediction: The game comes down to defense and which team can
make the most stops in crucial situations. This may shock some, but I
see the Cardinals pulling this one out over the Ravens. Cardinals 21,
Ravens 17 |
| St. Louis (0-2) at Tampa Bay (1-1) |
1:00 PM |
FOX |
| Notes: The Rams have to
win this game. If they lose, their season is wasted. They have a lot of
talent, but they took a huge blow when Orlando Pace suffered a
season-ending shoulder injury. Tampa Bay played an outstanding game
against the Saints last week, winning 31-14 and look to continue their
winning ways against St. Louis.
Prediction: Despite being on the road, in warm weather, and in
a hostile environment, the Rams will prevail and upset the Buccaneers. Rams
24, Bucs 14 |
| San Francisco (2-0) at
Pittsburgh (2-0) |
1:00 PM |
FOX |
| Notes:
This is a non-conference battle between two undefeated teams, the Niners
and Steelers. Everyone thought that the Niners would have a good offense
-- and they do. But it's the defense that's shown the most
improvement. The Steelers are a veteran team with an attacking style on
defense, but their offense has shown promise thus far -- scoring 60
points in two games.
Prediction: The Steelers are for real and appear destined for
another deep run in the playoffs. The Niners are improved, but it's not
good enough against Pittsburgh. Steelers 27, 49ers 13 |
| Indianapolis (2-0) at Houston (2-0) |
1:00 PM |
CBS |
| Notes: The defending Super
Bowl champions, the Indianapolis Colts will take on the rising Houston
Texans in a matchup for the AFC South lead. Wow, did you ever think
you'd hear that? The Texans have a very good defense, but they will be
tested against Peyton Manning and the high-powered Colts offense.
Unfortunately, the Texans will be without Pro Bowl receiver Andre
Johnson, who may have had a big game against a suspect Indy defense.
Prediction: The loss of Johnson will definitely hurt the
Texans, but being at home, I think this may be a closer game than some
predict. In the end, the Colts will prove to be too much for the young
Texans. Colts 20, Texans 17 |
| San Diego (1-1) at Green
Bay (2-0) |
1:00 PM |
CBS |
| Notes: Green
Bay is back… for now. The Chargers are coming off of a tough loss to
the New England Patriots and must regroup as they head to Lambeau Field.
The Packers are still struggling to find a consistent offensive game
plan, but the emergence of running back DeShawn Wynn has given them some
flexibility in the run game. San Diego must get LaDainian Tomlinson on
track, as well as the rest of their offense.
Prediction: The streak stops here for the Packers. This is the
game where the Chargers offense gets rolling and puts a pounding on
Green Bay. I predict Tomlinson will get 120 yards rushing and two
touchdowns. Chargers 31, Packers 10 |
| Minnesota (1-1) at Kansas City (0-2) |
1:00 PM |
FOX |
| Notes: The Chiefs are a
good team that hasn't been able to get anything to work. Running back
Larry Johnson is struggling, and if he's not right, Kansas City's
offense doesn't work. Minnesota's offense has a great running game with
Adrian Peterson, but the passing game is abysmal. This is a must win for
the Chiefs.
Prediction: The Vikings are entering a no-win situation. The
Chiefs are down, and they need to get a win. The Chiefs have to give
Johnson the ball early and often. Johnson will dominate against the
Vikings defense. Chiefs 27, Vikings 13 |
| Cleveland (1-1) at
Oakland (0-2) |
4:05 PM |
CBS |
| Notes: The
Browns are coming off of a tremendous offense game against the Bengals.
However, to expect the Browns to continue their offensive dominance is
asking too much at this point. Oakland has a very good defense and
playing at home will help their chances against the Browns.
Prediction: This has all the makings of a comedown game for
Cleveland. The Raiders lost a heartbreaker last weekend against the
Broncos and desperately need a win. Raiders 20, Browns 14 |
| Jacksonville (1-1) at Denver (2-0) |
4:05 |
CBS |
| Notes: Denver escaped with
a win last week against the Raiders, but in this week's game against the
Jaguars, it gets a little tougher. The Jags have a tough defense and an
offense that has yet to reach its potential. The Broncos have the
makings of a dominant offense, and their defense is solid.
Prediction: This is a tough call, but the team with the most
takeaways will win this game. The game will be a defensive battle, and
I'm looking at an upset. Jaguars 13, Broncos 10 |
| Cincinnati (1-1) at
Seattle (1-1) |
4:05 PM |
CBS |
| Notes:
The Bengals defense was exposed last week by the Browns, and it gave the
Seahawks something to dissect this week. Seattle has a very good team
all-around. Their offense is one of the most explosive in the league and
their defense is improved.
Prediction: This game has the makings of being another
shootout for the Bengals with the same result. I don't see Cincinnati
traveling to Seattle and beating the Seahawks at home. Seahawks 34, Bengals
27 |
| NY Giants (0-2) at Washington (2-0) |
4:15 PM |
FOX |
| Notes: The Redskins are
one of the biggest stories thus far. They have a very good running
attack with Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts. Their defense has one of
the best secondaries in the NFL. If they just stick to what they do
best, they will be fine. The Giants are struggling. Their offense hasn't
been efficient and their defense has been susceptible to big plays. But
in a divisional game, anything is possible.
Prediction: Being home in a division game is a huge plus, and
in a rivalry like the Giants and Redskins it's anyone's guess who'll
win. So in that case, I'll go with the home team. The Redskins will be
3-0 after this game. Redskins 23, Giants 14 |
| Carolina (1-1) at Atlanta
(0-2) |
4:15 PM |
FOX |
| Notes: After
not being able to produce much on offense with Joey Harrington at the
helm, the Falcons went out and signed former Jaguars quarterback Byron
Leftwich. Harrington will continue to be the starter, but Leftwich may
not be far behind. The Panthers suffered a tough loss to Houston last
week, but got a great offensive performance out of Steve Smith, who
scored three touchdowns.
Prediction: The Falcons are struggling in all facets of the
game. Playing at home is a good thing when you're winning, but when
you're losing, it can almost feel like you're on the road. The losing
continues in Atlanta; Carolina will get the win. Panthers 35, Falcons
16 |
| Dallas (2-0) at Chicago (1-1) |
8:15 PM |
NBC |
| Notes: If only the Chicago
offense was as good as its defense. Every week you're not sure what to
expect from Rex Grossman. However, the Cowboys are starting to realize
what Tony Romo brings to the field every game. Romo is emerging into one
of the game's brightest stars behind center. This will be a great
contest between the Dallas offense and the Chicago defense.
Prediction: Defense usually prevails in games, and the Bears
have one of the league's best. But there's something about this Cowboys
offense that's special. Dallas will continue its winning ways against
Chicago. Cowboys 28, Bears 20 |
| Tennessee (1-1) at New
Orleans (0-2) |
Monday, 8:30 PM |
ESPN |
| Notes: Two
of the top picks in the 2006 draft -- Vince Young and Reggie Bush --
face one another in this game. The biggest battle is for the Saints to
get back in the win column. New Orleans' offense isn't clicking and has
looked lost the last two weeks. Maybe being at home will help them?
Tennessee battled Indianapolis to the end last week and nearly came up
with a victory. The Titans are a tough team and have a never-say-die
attitude.
Prediction: The Saints must show improvement with their
offense if they wish to have a chance against the gritty Titans. I
expect Drew Brees to have a great game and Reggie Bush to shine in the
Monday night spotlight. Saints 24, Titans 14 |