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2011 NFL Week 3 picks and predictions: An NFL fanâ??s predictions
2011 NFL Week 3 picks and predictions: An NFL fanâ??s predictions
It is hard to believe, but we are already hitting week three of the young NFL football season. Teams are starting to show their hands, and an early season pecking order is starting to come clear. After a scorching-hot week two of NFL picks and predictions in which I went 13-3 on my picks, I am starting to find my legs. Some fans made comments last week about the fact that I had no major upset picks, but the bottom line was that I picked who I thought would win. I pick plenty of upsets when I see a reason to, but the slate looked pretty straight forward in week two. As it turns out, I was absolutely right. The only major upset was the Titans over the Ravens, and I seriously doubt anybody outside of Tennessee would say they saw that coming. That said, I am not a fan of picking upsets just to say I did, and then acting like I did something when I get lucky now and then. If I pick an upset, there will be a good reason for it. (At least in my brain) Now, on with the week three NFL picks and predictions!
SUN, SEP 25 - Week Three NFL Games
 Texans (2-0) at New Orleans Saints (1-1) - 1:00 PM - Superdome
The Texans are the latest trendy pick to make the Super Bowl and I can certainly understand why. They have a great passing attack and an underrated defense. They actually remind me a great deal of…the New Orleans Saints. I expect them to come in and put up a huge fight against the Saints, but I think the Saints will hold serve at home.
Week Three NFL Winner - New Orleans Saints
NY Giants (1-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) - 1:00 PM - Lincoln Financial Field
The Giants and the Eagles are always fun to watch in the Eagles house. Lincoln will be rocking and the Eagles will be all over the Giants, with or without Michael Vick (notes) . I think the Eagles whip them either way because of that salty defense.
Week Three NFL Winner - Philadelphia Eagles
 Jaguars (1-1) at Carolina Panthers (0-2) - 1:00 PM - Bank of America Stadium
Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers are set to pick up their first win of the 2011 NFL season. The passing attack in Carolina will be big, but the rushing attack will come back to life in week three as well. Look for the Panthers to have a big party at the Jaguars expense. The Jags have too many problems at quarterback to keep up. Even the loss of Thomas Davis yet again to a torn ACL will stop the Panthers.
Week Three NFL Winner - Carolina Panthers
 Patriots (2-0) at Buffalo Bills (2-0) - 1:00 PM - Ralph Wilson Stadium
The Patriots have been incredible thus far in 2011 and Brady seems intent on getting yet another ring. In their way in week three of NFL action is the upstart Buffalo Bills. This should be fun to watch in [Buffalo]e|place , and the Bills might even put up a fight. No way they win the game, but they will look good in a loss.
Week Three NFL Winner - New England Patriots
 Dolphins (0-2) at Cleveland Browns (1-1) - 1:00 PM - Cleveland Browns Stadium
The [Cleveland]e Browns always do the exact opposite of whatever I say they will do. When I pick them to win, they lose. When I pick them to lose, they win. What to do this week? Common sense says they will win at home, but I think the Dolphins are ready to have a good game. I do think the Browns will win week three, but I don't have to like it. The Dolphins will look better, but they will still lose.
Week Three NFL Winner - Cleveland Browns
 49ers (1-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-1) - 1:00 PM - Paul Brown Stadium
Andy Dalton (notes) has truly surprised me this season, and the Bengals came within a hair of starting 2-0 on the 2011 season. Can they beat the Niners at home? I think so, on the arm of Dalton.
Week Three NFL Winner - Cincinnati Bengals
 Broncos (1-1) at Tennessee Titans (1-1) - 1:00 PM - LP Field
Does anybody know what to expect from the Titans? Even though they decimated the Ravens, they did so without a big game from [Chris Johnson]e|/nfl/players/8801 . What happens when CJ runs wild? We find out this week against Denver.
Week Three NFL Winner - Tennessee Titans
 Lions (2-0) at Minnesota Vikings (0-2) - 1:00 PM - Mall of America Field
The Vikings and Lions are flip-flopped right now, correct? The Vikings should be 2-0 and the Lions are supposed to be 0-2? Not in 2011 they aren't. The Lions are for real and the Vikings struggles are not a mirage. This game will be huge to the Lions, but I have a bad feeling for them. I think the Vikings are going to put it together at home and Peterson will control the clock. How is that for an upset pick?
Week Three NFL Winner - Minnesota Vikings
 Ravens (1-1) at St. Louis Rams (0-2) - 4:05 PM - Edward Jones Dome
The Ravens are not going to be in any kind of mood to play around and the Rams are in their sights. I still see them playing the Ravens tough, but the Ravens will get back on track with the win.
Week Three NFL Winner - Baltimore Ravens
NY Jets (2-0) at Oakland Raiders (1-1) - 4:05 PM - Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
The Jets have not been a very solid looking 2-0 but that defense certainly has been. That vaunted rush defense will be tested in [Oakland]e|place with a great running attack. The problem for Oakland is that they have little to fall back on in the air. That will be their downfall against that tough Jets run defense.
Week Three NFL Winner - New York Jets
 Chiefs (0-2) at San Diego Chargers (1-1) - 4:05 PM - Qualcomm Stadium
The Chargers are angry after losing badly to the Patriots, and the Chiefs are very bad. Not a good combination for a good football game at all is it?
Week Three NFL Winner - San Diego Chargers
 Cardinals (1-1) at Seattle Seahawks (0-2) - 4:15 PM - CenturyLink Field
This game is always tough, no matter who is lining up on either side at quarterback. The two teams simply hate one another and they always fight it out to the finish. I expect that the Cardinals will win out in the end though not by much. Larry Fitzgerald (notes) will be the difference here.
Week Three NFL Winner - Arizona Cardinals
 Falcons (1-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1) - 4:15 PM - Raymond James Stadium
In what has become a solid NFC South rivalry, the Bucs will host the Falcons with a taste of first place on the line early in the season. Even though Matt Ryan (notes) has struggled a bit, he always seems to find a way to put the Falcons in a position to win. The Bucs are getting closer, but they are still missing that final step to move into the elite. Still, they are sure to put up a heck of a fight.
Week Three NFL Winner - Tampa Bay Bucs
 Packers (2-0) at Chicago Bears (1-1) - 4:15 PM - Soldier Field
Every season this game is highlighted by most every NFL fan on the calendar. Watching the Bears and the Packers is a national past time in my view. I do think, however, that the Bears will fall mightily in this one. I do not even think it will be close.
Week Three NFL Winner - Green Bay Packers
 Steelers (1-1) at Indianapolis Colts (0-2) - 8:20 PM - Lucas Oil Stadium
The Steelers are back on track and what was once going to be an epic battle will now be a slaughter instead.
Week Three NFL Winner - Pittsburgh Steelers
MON, SEP 26 Week Three NFL Games
 Redskins (2-0) at Dallas Cowboys (1-1) - 8:30 PM - Cowboys Stadium
Yet another epic NFC East tilt in which the Redskins come into Dallas on a roll. Dallas, however, has struggled a bit. I still think that Dallas will win this one at home, and put the NFC East up for grabs in the early season.
Week Three NFL Winner - Dallas Cowboys
Week two record - 13 - 3
Season to date - 23 - 9
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