In Week 3, I went 7-9 on my predictions. That was not the kind of outcome I was looking for, but then again, it will only help me improve and help everyone collectively get a better look at the league. This week, I've got a new set of picks and hopefully I'll be above .500.
Falcons over 49ers
Bengals over Browns
Saints over Panthers
Seahawks over Rams
Colts over Jaguars
Eagles over Redskins
Bears over Giants
Jets over Bills
Packers over Lions
Steelers over Ravens
Broncos over Titans
Texans over Raiders
Chargers over Cardinals
Patriots over Dolphins
These picks are a lot more straightforward then last week's picks, I believe. The three games that look closest are Ravens at Steelers, Patriots at Dolphins, and Broncos at Titans.
The Steelers seem to be unstoppable thanks to their defense, and Joe Flacco hardly needs another reason to have a poor performance like he did in the first two weeks. If the Ravens are going to win this game, they are going to need to be agressive on defense, shutting down Rashard Mendenhall on the run and Pittsburgh's passing game, particularly the deep ball. Flacco will need to give his best game, because his best game against the Steelers D is probably going to net him something like a 70 passer rating. If he and Boldin can attack Ike Taylor and the Steelers secondary, they will have a better chance to win, because a banged-up Ray Rice and a washed-out Willis McGahee are not going anywhere against the Steelers front seven (plus Polamalu).
The Broncos are going into a fired-up Tennessee crowd looking to win one. They have what it takes. Their defense is good enough to "shut down" Chris Johnson for somewhere right around 100 yards. But when Kenny Britt and Nate Washington are your top two receivers, and they are being thrown to by Vince Young, you're not winning against the Broncos. I like the way Denver looks in this game because they can bounce back after C.J. scores a couple and respond through the air. They have a very capable QB in Kyle Orton, and four receivers who are on an above-average level. They'll attack through the air and on the ground with Knowshon Moreno and pull out a close victory in Tennessee.
The game of the week could be either McNabb's return to Philly, the Steelers vs. Ravens matchup without Big Ben, or MNF, Pats at Dolphins. This is going to be a very, very close game. The Dolphins finally looked like they could move the ball efficiently against the Jets last week, and they'll have a variety of options when New England comes to town. Their best bet is to run well, but remember to put it in Brandon Marshall's hands. He came up with a big performance last week and he always will if the ball is there. The physical Dolphins defense can take advantage of the loss of three of New England's RBs (Maroney in a trade, Kevin Faulk and Fred Taylor to injuries) and stuff the run. They will then have to use the young secondary to stop Tom Brady and his stellar receiving corps, which sounds scary but the experienced front seven will apply pressure to Brady and make it hard for him to have an All-Star day.
Speaking of McNabb's return to Philadelphia, this game will be emotional and exciting to watch. On paper, you have to go with the Eagles to win this one, but McNabb will have something to prove, and the Redskins are finally realizing that they need to cut back on Clinton Portis' playing time and have been splitting his carries with the younger, faster Ryan Torian, giving the Redskins a better grade at the RB position and allowing the Redskins to have the underdog advantage for this game. Hey, I'm not saying they are going to win it, but I am saying that they realize this division is weak and they need to send a message. Anything could happen.
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