2015 NFL Week 3 Picks

Here are my picks for week three of the 2015 NFL season.

Thursday, September 24th
Washington Redskins (1-1) vs New York Giants (0-2)- 8:25, CBS/NFLN: Washington is coming off a surprising win over the Rams and the Giants are coming off their second straight loss in which they had a ten point fourth quarter lead in. I think the Redskins defense comes back to earth this week and the Giants, who cannot afford to start 0-3, will get their first win of the season.
Prediction: NY Giants 31, Washington 20.

Sunday, September 27th
Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) vs Baltimore Ravens (0-2)- 1:00, CBS: Cincinnati is coming off a nice home win against the San Diego Chargers and Baltimore is coming off a tough loss in Oakland against the Raiders. The Ravens will be playing with desperation and they, like the Giants, cannot afford to start the season 0-3. I expect Joe Flacco to bounce back and the defense to play inspired here and pick up their first win of the season.
Prediction: Baltimore 27, Cincinnati 23.

New Orleans Saints (0-2) vs Carolina Panthers (2-0)- 1:00, FOX: The Saints are coming off a bad home loss against a lowly Bucs team and the Panthers are coming off a home win against the Texans. The Saints are another team that cannot afford to start 0-3, but I think they will because Drew Brees is dealing with a shoulder injury and could miss time. I see Cam Newton leading the Panthers to a 3-0 start here.
Prediction: Carolina 30, New Orleans 19.

Oakland Raiders (1-1) vs Cleveland Browns (1-1)- 1:00, CBS: Oakland is coming off a nice home win against the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland is coming off a nice bounce back win against the Tennessee Titans. Derek Carr came back from his injury and played really well and I think they'll get the win against a Brown team in which we don't know who'll start at quarterback yet this week with Josh McCown recovering from a concussion.
Prediction: Oakland 27, Cleveland 19.

Atlanta Falcons (2-0) vs Dallas Cowboys (2-0)- 1:00, FOX: Atlanta is coming off a terrific come from behind win against the Giants in the Meadowlands and the Cowboys are coming off a win in Philadelphia against the Eagles in which Tony Romo broke his collarbone and is out for eight weeks. The Cowboys will miss Romo in this game as Brandon Weeden will start under center and Matt Ryan and Julio Jones lead the Falcons to a 3-0 start.
Prediction: Atlanta 30, Dallas 23.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1) vs Houston Texans (0-2)- 1:00, CBS: Tampa Bay is coming off a nice road win in the Super Dome against the Saints and Houston is coming off a loss against the Panthers. The Bucs have been a tale of two different teams in the first two weeks of the season and I believe JJ Waat will have some big sacks on Jameis Winston due to a bad Bucs offensive line and that will be the difference here as the Texans get their first win.
Prediction: Houston 26, Tampa Bay 21.

San Diego Chargers (1-1) vs Minnesota Vikings (1-1)- 1:00, CBS: San Diego is coming off a road loss in Cincinnati against the Bengals and Minnesota is coming off a nice home win against the Detroit Lions. This is a tough game to predict but I think Adrian Peterson has another good game and leads the Vikings to their second straight win.
Prediction: Minnesota 27, San Diego 24.

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) vs New England Patriots (2-0)- 1:00, CBS: Jacksonville is coming off a nice home win against the Miami Dolphins and the defending champions are coming off a good division road win in a Orchard Park against the Bills. Tom Brady has arguably been the MVP through the first two weeks of the season and I expect the Patriots to win big here because they are my lock of the week.
Prediction: New England 37, Jacksonville 17.

Philadelphia Eagles (0-2) vs New York Jets (2-0)- 1:00, FOX: Philadelphia has been the most disappointing team in the NFC and is coming off a disappointing home loss against a Cowboys team that lost Tony Romo during the game to a broken collarbone and was missing Dez Bryant due to a broken foot. The Jets, who are the biggest surprise in the AFC so far, is coming off a nice road win in Indianapolis against the Colts. The Jets defense has been terrific throughout the first two weeks and I believe they get the win here against an a Eagle team that can't afford to start 0-3.
Prediction: NY Jets 24, Philadelphia 20.

Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) vs St. Louis Rams (1-1)- 1:00, CBS: Pittsburgh is coming off a great win against the San Francisco 49ers and St. Louis is coming off a disappointing loss in Washington against a lowly Redskin team in which they had a major letdown after their week one win against Seattle. The Steelers will be getting Le'Veon Bell back this week from suspension and I believe that will be the difference here as Pittsburgh will win their second straight.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 33, St. Louis 24.

Indianapolis Colts (0-2) vs Tennessee Titans (1-1)- 1:00, CBS: Indianapolis has been the most disappointing team in the AFC so far and is coming off a bad home loss against the Jets and meanwhile, Tennessee has come back to earth last week in their loss in Cleveland against a lowly Browns team. Andrew Luck and the Colts can't afford to start 0-3 and I believe they won't and Luck leads the Colts to their first win.
Prediction: Indianapolis 30, Tennessee 20.

San Francisco 49ers (1-1) vs Arizona Cardinals (2-0)- 4:05, FOX: San Francisco came back to earth last week in their loss in Pittsburgh against a good Steelers team and Arizona is coming off a great road win in Chicago against the Bears. The Cardinals have been arguably the best team in the NFC the first two weeks and they'll make a statement at home against their division rivals for another win.
Prediction: Arizona 31, San Francisco 20.

Buffalo Bills (1-1) vs Miami Dolphins (1-1)- 4:25, CBS: Buffalo is coming off a disappointing home loss against the defending champion New England Patriots and Miami is coming off a disappointing loss in Jacksonville against the lowly Jaguars. Miami has not looked all that great in their two games thus far and their offensive line will struggle against a great Buffalo defensive line and that will be the difference here as the Bills pull off the road upset.
Prediction: Buffalo 27, Miami 24.

Chicago Bears (0-2) vs Seattle Seahawks (0-2)- 4:25, CBS: Chicago is coming off a disastrous home loss against the Arizona Cardinals in which Jay Cutler hurt his hamstring and now is out two weeks. Jimmy Clausen will get the start against a desperate Seattle team, coming off a loss at Lambeau against the Packers, that cannot afford to start 0-3. I believe Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch, and the defense will lead the Seahawks to their first win.
Prediction: Seattle 37, Chicago 23.

Denver Broncos (2-0) vs Detroit Lions (0-2)- 8:30, NBC: Denver is coming off a great come from behind win at Arrowhead against a good Chiefs team. Detroit is coming off a loss in Minneapolis against the Vikings. Detroit cannot afford to start 0-3 either, but Matthew Stafford is dealing with a rib injury and the Broncos with their good defense and perhaps a rejuvenated Peyton Manning that led the Broncos comeback, will lead them to a 3-0 start.
Prediction: Denver 33, Detroit 23.

Monday, September 28th
Kansas City Chiefs (1-1) vs Green Bay Packers (2-0)- 8:30, ESPN: Kansas City is coming off a disappointing home loss against the Denver Broncos, in which they had a two touchdown lead in early on in the game. Green Bay is coming off a huge home win against the Seattle Seahawks. I believe this game will be a closer game than the experts think, but Aaron Rodgers will lead the Packers to a 3-0 start.
Prediction: Green Bay 24, Kansas City 23.