Week 3
Chargers at Bills
Kickoff: 10 a.m.
Records: San Diego 1-1, Buffalo 2-0
Line: BUF by 2 1/2 O/U: 45 1/2
Synopsis: Chargers come off big win over Seattle, now go on the road and are minus RB Ryan Mathews (knee injury). That means more is needed from Donald Brown and Danny Woodhead vs. the No. 5 run ‘D.’ Bills have already allowed 16 catches by TEs – and SD’s Antoino Gates had three TDs last week.
Pick: Bills 24-20
Cowboys at Rams
Kickoff: 10 a.m.
Records: Dallas 1-1, St. Louis 1-1
Line: DAL by 1 O/U: 44 1/2
Synopsis: Rams QB Austin Davis is likely to make second NFL start and the Dallas defense is porous. However, Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray has feasted on STL (253 and 175 rushing yards in two outings). With the Rams’ run defense currently ranking 28th in the league, look for him to have another big day.
Pick: Cowboys 27-13
Redskins at Eagles
Kickoff: 10 a.m.
Records: Washington 1-1, Philadelphia 2-0
Line: PHI by 6 O/U: 50 1/2
Synopsis: Washington turns to QB Kirk Cousins because Robert Griffin III (ankle) is out, and many already were calling for a change. He hopes to throw to DeSean Jackson, who had an ugly exit from Philly and wants to shine here but is nursing a shoulder injury. The Eagles rely on ground game, but the Redskins are No. 4 vs. the run.
Pick: Eagles 27-23
Texans at Giants
Kickoff: 10 a.m.
Records: Houston 2-0, New York 0-2
Line: Pick ’em O/U: 41 1/2
Synopsis: Houston gives up just 10 points a game, best in the league, and now faces turnover-prone New York. Texans RB Arian Foster looks strong as he’s now healthy. NY’s Eli Manning-led offense ranks 30th, averaging 14 points, and about the only thing going for the Giants is that they are at home. But that’s enough.
Pick: Giants 23-20
Vikings at Saints
Kickoff: 10 a.m.
Records: Minnesota 1-1, New Orleans 0-2
Line: NO by 10 1/2 O/U: 50
Synopsis: Minnesota is dealing with Week 2 of Adrian Peterson’s ban, and responded poorly last week. They’re in a rough spot here, as the Saints will be revved up for home opener after starting 0-2. New Orleans is a different team at home, where it was 8-0 last year, and gets back on track. But its ‘D’ problems could keep this fairly close.
Pick: Saints 33-24
Titans at Bengals
Kickoff: 10 a.m. (CBS)
Records: Tennessee 1-1, Cincinnati 2-0
Line: CIN by 7 O/U: 43 1/2
Synopsis: Cincinnati has looked sharp thus far, but key WR A.J. Green (toe injury) might not play or at best be less than 100 percent. That would slow the No. 3 passing attack. The Bengals’ defense ranks 26th and Tennessee’s offense has been decent, so the Titans can hang close in this one.
Pick: Bengals 23-17
Ravens at Browns
Kickoff: 10 a.m.
Records: Baltimore 1-1, Cleveland 1-1
Line: BAL by 1 1/2 O/U: 41 1/2
Synopsis: Both teams like to run. Cleveland ranks No. 5, Baltimore No. 13 despite each missing its top back – the Ravens dumped Ray Rice and the Browns’ Ben Tate remains out (sprained knee). But the Ravens (No. 8 vs. the run) are much better stopping the ground attack than the Browns (No. 25). That boosts the visitors.
Pick: Ravens 20-17
Packers at Lions
Kickoff: 10 a.m. (Fox 28)
Records: Green Bay 1-1, Detroit 1-1
Line: DET by 2 O/U: 52 1/2
Synopsis: Green Bay’s offense uncharacteristically ranks just 24th but could get on track vs. the depleted Detroit secondary. The Packers have won 23 of the last 27 times these teams have squared off, and their secondary now is healthy. And Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers is 9-1 vs. the Lions.
Pick: Packers 27-23
Colts at Jaguars
Kickoff: 10 a.m.
Records: Indianapolis 0-2, Jacksonville 0-2
Line: IND by 7 O/U: 45 1/2
Synopsis: Indianapolis, coming off its Monday night meltdown vs. Philadelphia, is winless and can’t afford to lose to the lowly Jags – who are 25th or worse in all four major defensive stats. Jacksonville has been outscored 54-3 in the second half, so look for Andrew Luck and company to bear down here.
Pick: Colts 30-17
Raiders at Patriots
Kickoff: 10 a.m.
Records: Oakland 0-2, New England 1-1
Line: NE by 14 O/U: 47
Synopsis: Looks like a mismatch at first glance, but New England’s Tom Brady-led aerial attack (27th in NFL) is worse than Oakland rookie QB Derek Carr has done (23rd). Plus, the Raiders have the No. 2 pass defense. However, Oakland allows NFL-worst 200 yards a game rushing. Look for the Pats to pound the ball in this one.
Pick: Patriots 27-17
49ers at Cardinals
Kickoff: 1:05 p.m.
Records: San Franciso 1-1, Arizona 2-0
Line: SF by 3 O/U: 42
Synopsis: Drew Stanton will be at QB again for Arizona, as Carson Palmer continues to suffer shoulder problems. That’s a bad sign vs. the rugged San Francisco defense. But the Cards are tough at home and 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick has been turnover-plagued, so Arizona wins this one with its “D”.
Pick: Cardinals 20-17
Chiefs at Dolphins
Kickoff: 1:25 p.m.
Records: Kansas City 0-2, Miami 1-1
Line: MIA by 4 O/U: 42 1/2
Synopsis: Injury-ravaged KC is 0-2 and RB Jamaal Charles (sprained ankle) is iffy. If he can’t go, Knile Davis replaces him. Miami is also hurting at RB (Knowshon Moreno out at least a month after dislocating an elbow last week). Both teams’ passing games are uninspiring; look for a low-scoring affair.
Pick: Dolphins 20-13
Steelers at Panthers
Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. (NBC)
Records: Pittsburgh 1-1, Carolina 2-0
Line: CAR by 3 O/U: 42 1/2
Synopsis: The Greg Hardy saga has been resolved for Carolina, as the defensive standout won’t be active while his legal situation is resolved. The Panthers ‘D’ is still formidable and faces a team that already is minus-4 in turnover margin. Panthers will move the ball on the Pittsburgh ‘D,’ which is 30th vs. the run.
Pick: Panthers 27-20
Bears at Jets
Monday: 5:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Records: Chicago 1-1, New York 1-1
Line: NY by 3 O/U: 45 1/2
Synopsis: Chicago had a big comeback win in San Francisco, now QB Jay Cutler (six TD passes already) faces a foe that has the NFL’s top run ‘D’ but is 17th vs. the pass and collapsed last week in Green Bay. Can the Geno Smith-led Jets offense keep up? Tough, especially with WR Eric Decker nursing a sore hamstring.
Pick: Bears 26-20