NFL Week 3 Picks

Injuries are the worst. Through just two weeks of the NFL season, several starters have hit the training room. Running backs (including Adrian Peterson, Arian Foster, Danny Woodhaead, Jonathan Stewart, and Ameer Abdullah) and some quarterbacks (Jimmy Garoppolo and Josh McCown), as well as starters at numerous other positions, got hurt last week. Hopefully there are less injuries this week.

Last Week: 8-7
Season: 17-13

(Home Team Listed Last)

Thursday
Texans 28, Patriots 21 (8:25 PM, CBS)
The Patriots will trot out third-round pick Jacoby Brissett (from NC State) behind center tonight. They usually find a way to do well no matter who is out on the field, but it'll be tough against J.J. Watt and the Texan defense.
Sunday
Browns 17, Dolphins 35 (1:00 PM, CBS)
Oh, the Browns. I don't know what kind of sick joke the football gods are playing on them, but it needs to stop. They've lost two quarterbacks, their 1st round pick (receiver Corey Coleman), impressive rookie defensive end Carl Nassib, and center Cameron Erving, and it's only Week 3.
Cardinals 31, Bills 20 (1:00 PM, FOX)
The Bills have stumbled out of the gate this season, starting 0-2 and firing offensive coordinator Greg Roman. They should improve, but it will be a tough challenge against an Arizona team that has performed much better this season.
Raiders 34, Titans 17 (1:00 PM, CBS)
The Titans stole a victory against Detroit last week, but don't expect their offensively-challenged team to stay with the Oakland offensive attack this Sunday. The Raiders have scored a combined 63 points the first two games, as opposed to Tennessee, who's scored a combined 32.
Ravens 27, Jaguars 28 (1:00 PM, CBS)
The Ravens are off to a 2-0 start this season after an injury-riddled 2015, while the Jaguars, retooled in the offseason, are 0-2. However, Baltimore's two wins were ugly ones over the Bills and Browns, and the Jags have enough talent to win.
Lions 34, Packers 38 (1:00 PM, FOX)
Aaron Rodgers has not been on an Aaron Rodgers level the first two weeks of the season, especially Monday night, when he got outplayed by Sam Bradford in a loss to the Vikings. He may get outplayed by Matthew Stafford, but the Lions, who blew it last week versus Tennessee, won't win.
Broncos 28, Bengals 35 (1:00 PM, CBS)
The Broncos are 2-0 on the strength of their defense, which had two touchdowns last week against the Colts. This will be a marquee matchup between two good defenses, but the Bengals offense gets the edge at home.
Vikings 20, Panthers 33 (1:00 PM, FOX)
Sam Bradford was a revelation Monday night against Green Bay, but Carolina will not provide an easy second opponent. The defense is not what it was last year, but it will be tough sledding without Adrian Peterson.
Redskins 24, Giants 38 (1:00 PM, FOX)
Maybe RG3 wasn't the problem. Apparently, there is some grumbling within the Washington locker room regarding Kirk Cousins after an 0-2 start. Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Josh Norman: The Rematch will be something to watch, but New York will take the victory.
Rams 14, Buccaneers 38 (4:05 PM, FOX)
The Rams defense silenced Seattle last week in a 9-3 win. The offense is still non-existent (they have yet to score a touchdown), and although the Bucs layed an egg last week, their offense looked marvelous in Week 1.
49ers 17, Seahawks 21 (4:05 PM, FOX)
The Niners shutout St. Louis in Week 1, and then Seattle lost to the Rams in Week 2. However, the Seahawks obviously have the head-to-head advantage due to their superior talent. As long as they show more than they did last week, they should win.
Jets 24, Chiefs 27 (4:25 PM, CBS)
This will be a good game between two teams who could easily be 2-0. It might be a battle of the defenses, but the running backs (Kansas City's Spencer Ware and New York's Matt Forte) will be key factors.
Chargers 32, Colts 35 (4:25 PM, CBS)
Andrew Luck has, for the most part, looked like Andrew Luck so far. Unfortunately, the Colts defense has, for the most part, looked like the Colts defense, which is to say below average. Indy has started 0-2 the last three seasons, but won the third game last year and the year before.
Steelers 42, Eagles 20 (4:25 PM, CBS)
I'm not drinking the Eagles Kool-Aid (or the Carson Wentz Kool-Aid, even though he's looked good so far), mostly because their first two opponents were the Browns and the Bears. The Steelers are a much better team, talent and production wise.
Bears 14, Cowboys 34 (8:00 PM, NBC)
The Bears are bad once again, and they'll be quarterbacked by Cleveland and Houston cast-off Brian Hoyer. Dak Prescott has looked good for the Cowboys so far, and last week he actually got Dez Bryant involved quite a bit.
Monday
Falcons 34, Saints 38 (8:30 PM, ESPN)
This should be a high-scoring game. It will be indoors (both teams play their home games inside), and neither of these teams is exactly known for defense (although the Saints somehow held the Giants to 16 points in a loss). NO should get their first win on Monday.