NFL 2010 - Week 3 picks.....

Two weeks down and it is not much clearer than before the season started. Some trends starting to take shape, but not many after these two weeks. Some of the 2-0 teams make you say "wow" (Kansas City and Tampa Bay), while some of the 0-2 teams have you scratching your head (Dallas and Minnesota).

My season is the same, as no trends are developing. Losing record the first week, while great numbers in week 2.

Below the point spread games are the win/lose picks of Mike (not as good as week 1), myself (better than week 1) and our guest picker, Richard Ramos.

NFL Week 3 picks (Home Team in Caps)

49ers (-1) over CHIEFS
The 49ers had a tough time in Seattle to open the season and Kansas City has been known to also give visitors a difficult time and the stadium should be rocking as the Chiefs are 2-0. The Chief offense has not played well and the 49er defense will be no easier for them. Look for quite a bit of Frank Gore running and the first win of the season for Mike Singletary's 49ers.

VIKINGS (-11) over Lions
Still lots of passing offense questions for the Vikings after two weeks, but they get healthy and on the same page against the Lions. Adrian Peterson ran hard against the Dolphins and will have another big day to help Minnesota get a win on the board.

PATRIOTS (-13 1/2) over Bills
New England's offense got bottled up in the second half against the Jets, but gets the perfect opponent to get back on track with Buffalo coming to town. Look for Tom Brady to rack up big numbers in this glorified scrimmage against the worst team in the NFL.

SAINTS (-5) over Falcons
Short week for the Saints after pulling out a tough victory Monday night over the 49ers and they suffer a big loss with the Reggie Bush broken leg. Atlanta crushed Arizona, but also lost Michael Turner to a groin injury. The Saints take advantage of that loud Superdome crowd and gets a tough divisional victory to stay undefeated.

Titans (+3) over GIANTS
The Giants have not looked good the first two weeks, despite the week one victory. While the Titan offense looked dismal against Pittsburgh, I think we will be saying that more this year when opponents fact the Steelers. Vince Young and the Titan offense gets back on track and grabs the road victory.

Steelers (-3) over BUCCANEERS
Battle of 2-0 teams. Who had that to start the season? Even though the Steeler quarterback situation is questionable, the Pittsburgh defense looks like the 2008 defense and hands the surprising Bucs their first loss of the season.

Bengals (-1 1/2) over PANTHERS
Jimmy Clausen gets his first NFL start and its against a tough Bengal defense. The Panther offense will have to run the ball and Cincinnati will dare Clausen to throw the ball. Could make for a long day. Carson Palmer still needs to get the offense going and this week could be the launching point.

RAVENS (-8 1/2) over Browns
This is a test week for Joe Flacco and the Raven offense. Ten points each of the first two games is not what was expected of this team. Could not have a better remedy than facing the Browns. If the Raven offense struggles again, there will be lots of questions and finger pointing at Flacco and offense coordinator Cam Cameron.

TEXANS (-3) over Cowboys
The records say Texans, but the fact that the Houston defense has given up more than 400 yards the first two weeks, plus the loss of left tackle Daune Brown to a four week suspension points to the Cowboys being able to get the victory. Dallas still not running the ball well and the Houston crowd will be loud and fierce and that will be enough to push Houston over their in-state rivals.

RAMS (+3 1/2) over Redskins
The Rams have played tough the first two weeks and are looking to give Sam Bradford his first NFL victory. Washington could be looking past St. Louis, but they have more talent than the Rams and it will be enough to get them a close victory.

Eagles (-3) over JAGUARS
Michael Vick is now the Eagles' starting quarterback and while this change could cause a distraction, it seems the Eagles are all on the same page with this move. Jacksonville was shredded by the San Diego passing game last week and Philly will do the same.

Colts (-5 1/2) over BRONCOS
Knowson Moreno is out for the Broncos, so the thought of running the ball at the Colts and shortening the game is now in trouble. Add in the emotions form the death of wide receiver, Kenny McKinley, and this is a very difficult week for Denver.

Raiders (+4) over CARDINALS
The change for the Raiders to quarterback Bruce Gradkowski has me taking Oakland against the Cardinals in Arizona. While I still think Jason Campbell should be their quarterback, Gradkowski gave them a spark last year and he does it against this week.

Chargers (-6) over SEAHAWKS
The Seattle crowd can be tough to deal with and the San Diego locker room might be a little bit upset after the Vincent Jackson non-trade this week, plus Ryan Mathews injured ankle points to a Seahawks upset. But, Philip Rivers is tough and will help carry the Chargers to a difficult road win with the help of his big man, Antonio Gates.

DOLPHINS (-1) over Jets
The New York defense struggled against the Dolphins' Wildcat offense last year and many expect them to again see heavy doses. I think Miami runs a more conventional run heavy offense, but makes sure it tries to get Brandon Marshall involved and they do against Antonio Cromartie's

Packers (-1) over BEARS
The Mike Martz / Jay Cutler "marriage" seems to be working so far after two games. Martz still not using the running game to balance the attack, but so far, so good. Problem is this Packer defense will harass Cutler and their offense is very good and will put up more points than the Bears in a Monday night shootout.

Week 2 picks: 10-4-2
2010 season: 17-12-3


Win/Lose picks:
Guest picker for week 3: Richard Ramos

Week 2 results: Mike (11-5) / Sal (12-4) / Guest (8-8)
2010 season: Mike (23-9) / Sal (22-10) / Guest (18-14)

Week 3 picks:
Sal --- Titans at Giants --- Mike / Rich
Sal / Mike / Rich --- Steelers at Buccaneers ---
Sal / Mike / Rich --- Bengals at Panthers ---
--- Browns at Ravens --- Sal / Mike / Rich
--- Cowboys at Texans --- Sal / Mike / Rich
Sal / Mike / Rich --- 49ers at Chiefs ---
--- Lions at Vikings --- Sal / Mike / Rich
--- Bills at Patriots --- Sal / Mike / Rich
--- Falcons at Saints --- Sal / Mike /Rich
Sal / Mike / Rich --- Redskins at Rams ---
Sal / Mike --- Eagles at Jaguars --- Rich
Sal / Rich --- Raiders at Cardinals --- Mike
Sal / Rich --- Chargers at Seahawks --- Mike
Sal / Mike / Rich --- Colts at Broncos ---
Rich --- Jets at Dolphins --- Sal / Mike
Sal / Mike / Rich --- Packers at Bears ---