NFL SEASON 2014: Week three picks

My stats

Me

Week two: 8-8

Season total: 17-15

Prisco:

Week two: 8-8

Season total 18-14

Exact spread:

me

Week Two: 0/16

Season: 1/32

Prisco

Week two: 0/16

Season: 0/32

Exact score (game):

me

Week Two: 0/16

Season: 0/32

Prisco

Week two: 0/16

Season: 0/32

Exact score (team):

me

Week Two: 2/32

Season: 2/64

Prisco

Week two: 1/32

Season: 2/64

Correct upset specials:

me:

1/2

Prisco:

N/A

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes. That's how I feel about Pete Prisco whenever he picks against Seattle on the road (he nearly always does). But, credit where credit is due: He picked the Chargers to win and for Rivers to have a big game.

It was a tough week for prognosticators, professional and amateur alike. I finished 8-8, though, if not for two blown leads int he fourth quarter by home teams, I would have been a respectable 10-6. I'll have to do better this week.

Teams are starting to show us who they are, but this week should tell us more. Can the Champs bounce back from their worst loss since 2011? Can anyone not get arrested this week? Can the 49ers bounce back following a tough loss? Are the Raiders are bad as they look?

There were a lot of upsets and comebacks this past week, including my fantasy team pulling fo a victory despite the benching of Phillip Rivers. Week three should be promising as well. What's on tap? Let's find out...

The Buccaneers have lost a couple of nail biters to teams with strong defenses, but they haven't look all that impressive on he offensive side of the ball. The Falcons shredded a Saints offense that appears to be nearly as bad as the 2012 record breakingly bad unit only to get stymied at home against an impressive Bengals squad. The Falcons can score, but they still can't stop anybody. I like the Falcons here, but I don't trust them completely.

Buccaneers 16 Falcons 21

result

Buccaneers 14 Falcons 56

The Chargers dominated the champs on both sides of the ball, dinking and dunking their way down the field and controlling the ball for well over forty minutes. The Bills have had two impressive wins behind a strong defense and just enough offense. But, I'm not sold on them. Last time they went 2-0, it turned into 3-0 and turned into 6-10. I like the Chargers here, for one reason : EJ Manuel.

Chargers 20 Bills 16

result

Chargers 22 Bills 10

The Cowboys won on Sunday with-- get this-- defense. After getting shredded for a half the start the season, they have actually looked pretty decent. The rams also bounced back nicely with a victory on the road. They're home here and they have a superior defense which shoudl harrass Tony Romo all day.

Cowboys 14 Rams 17

result

Cowboys 34 Rams 31

The Redskins lost RG3, most likely for the year, and it may be a blessing in disguise as pocket passer Kirk Cousins thrived. The Eagles have two come from behind victories at teams with porous defenses. I look for another high scoring affair and I don't think the Redskins can keep up.

Redskins 24 Eagles 31

Result

Redskins 34 Eagles 37

The Texans defense has been phenomenal to date, though they haven't really played a good offense yet. The giants will be the best offense they've faced so far, but that's not saying much. The Giants can't score or stop anyone from scoring, which doe snot lead to many victories. The poor Texans offense will keep this one close but, as usually happens in Giants losses, Eli will make a key mistake or two.

Texans 20 Giants 19

result:

Texans 17 Giants 30

After thrashing the Rams in week one, the Vikings were ripped in week two, behind three Matt Cassel interceptions. The Saints were stunned by a last second field goal against the supposedly lowly Browns thanks to a historically bad offense. Fortunately for the Saints, they can score and they can outscore the Vikings here, especially in their home opener.

Vikings 20 Saints 30

Result

Vikings 9 Saints 20

The Titans trounced the Chiefs at Arrowhead in Week one and were destroyed by the not so hapless Cowboys in week two. The Bengals have the longest active home winning streak in the NFL, a scary good defense and enough offense to win consistently. This one could get ugly.

Titans 13 Bengals 26

Result

Titans 7 Bengals 33

Baltimore just demolished arch rival Pittsburgh in their first game following Ray Rice's banishment. The Browns stunned the Saints with a last second field goal. This game has me confused and it's my least confident pick of the week. In the battle of the old Browns versus the new Browns, I like the home team, but not a ton.

Ravens 20 Browns 24

Result

Ravens 23 Browns 21

The Packers came from behind last week to beat the Jets, though very easily could have lost if not for a Jets timeout. The Lions crushed a bad Giants team at home and then got annihilated by the Panthers on the road. Still, the Packers haven't done much to impress me and the Lions are home here. If for no other reason, I like them for that reason.

Packers 24 Lions 30

Result

Packers 7 Lions 19

The Colts are 0-2,. but one f those losses was on the road in Denver. They looked good for three quarters last week, though, before a fourth quarter collapse. The Jags are 0-2, getting blown out 75-10 in the last six quarters. My early sleeper pick is not lookin good. Colts roll to their first win.

Colts 34 Jaguars 14

Result

Colts 44 Jaguars 17

The Raiders look horrific on both sides of the ball. Now they go on the road against New England? Good luck with that. Tom Brady takes the second half off.

Raiders 10 Patriots 35

Result

Raiders 9 Patriots 16

San Francisco clutched defeat from the jaws of victory, blowing a double digit fourth quarter lead at home. They have now been outscored 35-3 in the second half... this is cause for concern. But, Kaepernick has never lost to Arizona and I think that trend continues here, in a mild upset.

49ers 21 Cardinals 17

Result

Cardinals 14 Cardinals 23

In a Super Bowl rematch, The Broncos play their first road game in the toughest environment in the NFL against an angry team coming off their worst loss in two and a half seasons. Russell Wilson is 6-0 against Manning, Brady, and Brees in his career. Seattle has the better defense and they showed what they can do to Manning and all of his weapons. This one won't be a blowout, but it'll be comfortable. Seattle will bounce into their bye week with a victory.

Broncos 20 Seahawks 30

Result

Broncos 20 Seahawks 26

Kansas City fell behind early in Denver and then nearly pulled off the improbable victory,. Now they go on the road against a good Miami teams licking their wounds after a beat down. Both teams are likely without their starting running backs, making this a battle of quarter backs and defense. The Dolphins are better in both those areas, so, they win here.

Chiefs 17 Dolphins 19

Result

Chiefs 34 Dolphins 15

The Bears will be riding high after a come from behind victory on the road. But, they didn't play well and now they go on the road against a tough Jets defense. The Jets are slight favorite here, but I don't trust their offense, and the Bears can put up points. I think they win here, but I'm not sold on it.

Bears 24 Jets 20

Result

Bears 27 Jets 19

PIttsburgh (1-1) at Carolina (2-0)

The Steelers have played one good half of football this season and now they face a Carolina team that plays tremendous defense and can move the ball enough to keep you honest. But, i think the Steelers bounce back in this one, and that's why it's my upset special. The Steelers will move the football through the air and that will be enough.

Steelers 26 Panthers 20

Result

Steelers 37 Panthers 19

Thanks for Reading

A FREELANCE WRITER, HONORS STUDENT AND GOVER PRIZE FINALIST, JUSTIN W. PRICE (AKA, PDXKARAOKEGUY)IS A POET, SHORT STORY, BIOGRAPHY AND HUMOR WRITER. HIS POETRY COLLECTION,DIGGING TO CHINA, WAS RELEASED FEBRUARY 2ND, 2013 BY SWEATSHOPPE PUBLICATIONS AND IS AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM, BARNES AND NOBLE AND THROUGH YOUR LOCAL BOOKSELLER.

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