Pick 'em Week 3

Well, week 3 is here and some teams are surprising/disappointing their fans. I'm back with Pick 'em this week as we have more in division games. I'd like to get this out everyweek just for fun and future reference, but who knows.

Also, Alex Capozza will be joining again since he does not at Wells Fargo all day. His comments are in dark blue, while mine are in dark red. Game on.

Cincinnati vs. Carolina

Carolina is already turning to the future with Jimmy Clausen getting the start, and John Fox’s job is doubt already even though his reign ends at years end. Cincy needs to get Benson more involved if Palmer wants to have anytime to throw to Batman and Robin. CINCINNATI.

The Panthers are in disarray after already making the switch to Jimmy Clausen. Meanwhile the Bengals are coming off their 8^th straight win against a division foe and a Super Bowl favorite in the Ravens. The Pick: Bengals.

Buffalo vs. NEW ENGLAND

The Pats returned to Earth with no secondary help and little chance against a good Jets D. This is a perfect matchup with the hopelessly lost Bills. Buffalo is also changing QB’s in an effort to get next year’s number 1 pick and settle that situation with Jake Locker or Ryan Mallett. This one could get ugly. NEW ENGLAND.

Pats coming off a divisional loss is bad news for the Bills, as if they needed anymore. The Pick: Patriots.

San Francisco vs. Kansas City

The newly formed Midwest New England Patriots are 2-0 and atop the AFC West, a certain surprise. The 49ers have been nothing short of a disappointment losing their first two games. I think they right the ship with a “Can’t win with 'em, can’t coach ‘em” attitude and bring the Chiefs back to the pack with a healthy dose of Frank Gore. SAN FRANCISCO

0-2 at 2-0, looks easy on paper, but it’s hard to imagine either one of these teams continuing the trend they’ve started in the first two weeks. The Niners need to get their act together, but they’ve got a little more leeway because of the division they’re in. The Pick: 49ers.

Tennessee vs. New York

When people realize that Eli isn’t that good, they’ll realize the Giants aren’t that good. It is clear Carolina is far overrated and the Saints destruction of NY last week should this team is far from good. I’m giving the Titans the benefit of the doubt against the Steelers and VY’s benching will open his eyes. TENNESSEE.

CJ’s pissed about Hines Ward’s recent comments, and he’s going to take it out on a Giants D that just got scorched by the Colts. The Pick: Titans

Cleveland vs. Baltimore

Ravens D might hang 30 up on Seneca and Co. by themselves since the offense hasn’t proven itself. Flacco has a ton of tools but is slowing showing the sophomore slump. Think of the Ravens D WITH Ed Reed. Yikes. BALTIMORE.

The Browns have lost two close games thus far, and are another team with quarterback issues. For the Ravens, it’s been a slow start for an offense many expected to have a big year. Expect that offense to break out here in Week 3. The Pick: Ravens.

Pittsburgh vs. Tampa Bay

I could be the QB for Pittsburgh and get a win with this team. Tomlin can coach, Mendenhall can run the ball, and Polamula is the best defensive player in the game (Ask Kerry Collins). Tampa is young a good start to the season shouldn’t detour this team after this week. PITTSBURGH.

Give the Bucs credit, not too many people had them starting 2-0, but they’ve done it by beating two of the worst teams in football. They’ll get their first real test this week against maybe the best defense in the league when healthy. The Pick: Steelers.

Atlanta vs. New Orleans

Walking into Candlestick on Monday Night and getting out with a deserved win is a tough thing to do and the Saints proved that they are in the top tier of teams in the league. The Falcons are young, but I’m not sold on Turner being a feature back after only having over 1,000 yards one time. Still, the Superdome comes alive and the Saints go marching on. NEW ORLEANS.

Big measuring stick game for the Falcons to see where they’re at in the division against the Champs. I think they’re much improved, but not quite on the Saints level just yet. The Pick: Saints.

Detroit vs. Minnesota

If Matthew Stafford was at the helm, the game would be different. The Vikings D has shown up the first two games with the Offense lagging way behind. All Day goes off and the Vikes get their first win. MINNESOTA

Must win game for the Vikings, and they’ll take care of business at home here against the Lions, who have lost two really tough, close games. Make it a third. The Pick: Vikings

Dallas vs. Houston

This Battle of Texas has first team to 30 wins written all over it. The Schaub-Foster-Johnson Trio with Walter sprinkled in has the makings of some fun all year. However, the Texans have failed to show they can stop anything through the air and Romo and Crew need a win desperately. DALLAS.

Where’s the panic button in Big D? Pretty much a must win game for the Boys if they want to do anything this year. Start the Wade Phillips countdown. The Pick: Texans.

Philadelphia vs. Jacksonville

Probably won’t know who wins this game, because it won’t be on television, Hurray NFL Blackouts. If you do see it, watch Vick run and gun past the Jags D as his return has little a fuse in the Eagles locker room. Vick was a superstar before his incident, don’t forget that. PHILADELPHIA.

Vick or Kolb? For this week, at least, it probably doesn’t matter too much. But for the long run, how can Andy Reid seriously justify this move after just two weeks? The Pick: Eagles.

Washington vs. St. Louis

Upset special. Anyone remember the ‘Skins blowing a 27-10 late in the third quarter? I do. Anyone remember 2006 Steven Jackson? I do. Bradford throws over 40 times and gets his team a win in the 4^th quarter. The fighting Spagnuolo’s rejoice! ST.LOUIS.

If not for an icing of the kicker, the Skins would be 2-0. Still, the new coach and quarterback have people in the Nation’s Capital believing. Plus, it’s the Rams. The Pick: Redskins.

Indianapolis vs. Denver

A Brown/Addai backfield working with a deep receiving core is just trouble for Denver. The game wasn’t even as close as the scores shows from Monday night. Denver can’t stay healthy although I think Orton can put up a fight. INDIANAPOLIS.

Indy got back to their typical winning ways Sunday night, and there’s no reason to believe this isn’t another 12 or 13 win year for them. The Pick: Colts.

Oakland vs. Arizona

It’s Brad Gradkowski’s world, we’re just living in it. Or not. The Raiders are changing quarterbacks after a WIN, and Derek Anderson is still the guy in ‘Zona. Might be the worst game of the season yet one team is going to 2-1. ARIZONA.

I can’t think of anything worse than sitting down on a Sunday afternoon for three hours and watching this game. The Pick: Raiders.

San Diego vs. Seattle

Recall on all Pete Carroll Hero Dolls; last week was reality. A fluky week 1 showed how inconsistent and not ready this team really is. Chargers are back to beating bad teams. Rivers is the real deal, tough to see how the Vincent Jackson saga will play out.

Let’s see, Denver beat up on Seattle in Week 2, while San Diego was dismantling Jacksonville, who had previously beaten the Broncos in Week 1. Got it? Good. The Pick: Chargers.

New York Jets vs. Miami

No Revis Island and the Dolphins’ defense does work against the Sanchise. Take the under, but be ready for good defense. MIAMI.

In a shocking turn of events, the Jets have been making headlines this week. Revis has already been ruled out, who knows how much Edwards will play, and I sense the Jets are a little complacent after their victory over the Pats last week. Plus it’s the home opener on Sunday Night Football for the 2-0 Fins. The Pick: Dolphins.

Green Bay vs. Chicago

Chicago has improved and will probably be much better than anyone predicted. Yet, Green Bay/New Orleans are above everyone. The Pack’s D has improved tremendously and will scare teams. GREEN BAY.

Classic divisional battle and they’re both off to perfect starts. Problem is, I think only one of these two teams are for real. The Pick: Packers.