I went 7-9 last week straight up, and...uh...5-10-1 against the spread. That puts me at 16-16 straight up for the season, and 12-19-1 against the spread. (For a comparison, check out the "experts" over at ESPN.)
Here are my picks for the NFL's Week Three:
Thursday, September 20
New York Giants 1-1 at Carolina 1-1 8:20 p.m. [Line: Giants by 1.5]
Recap: Last week the Giants came back from a 14 point deficit in the 3rd quarter to beat Tampa Bay 41-34. Eli Manning threw for 510 yards, and both Hakeem Nicks (10 catches for 199 yards and a TD) and Victor Cruz (11 catches for 179 yards and a TD) had huge days. Carolina surprised New Orleans last week, winning 35-27. The Panthers ran the ball 41 times for 219 yards and three scores.
Preview: I don't expect New York's passing game to put up video game numbers again this week, but the Giants should be able to put enough points on the board to win. Cam Newton will be facing a menacing defensive line that includes Justin Tuck, Linval Joseph, Jason Pierre-Paul, Rocky Bernard, Osi Umenyiora, and Adrian Tracy (though not all at once, obviously). It should be fun to watch them chase Newton around all night.
RJ's Pick: Giants by 8
Sunday, September 23
St. Louis 1-1 at Chicago 1-1 1:00 p.m. [Line: Bears by 7]
Recap: The Rams came from behind to beat the Redskins last week 31-28. They were down by 15 points in the 2nd quarter, but Sam Bradford tossed three touchdown passes to three different receivers in the comeback effort. Danny Amendola caught one of those touchdown passes, along with 14 other receptions for a total of 160 receiving yards. The Bears lost to the Packers last week 23-10. Jay Cutler was awful, throwing 4 interceptions and completing just 41% of his passes.
Preview: The Bears should win this week at home, but I expect a close game.
RJ's Pick: Chicago by 3
Buffalo 1-1 at Cleveland 0-2 1:00 p.m. [Line: Bills by 2.5]
Recap: The Bills beat Kansas City last week 35-17. C.J. Spiller rushed for 123 yards and two TDs on just 15 carries. The Browns lost the Battle of Ohio last week, falling to the Bengals 34-27. Rookie RB Trent Richardson gained 109 yards on 19 carries, including a 32 yard run for a score. Richardson also caught four passes for 36 yards and a TD. Rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden looked sharp, completing 70% of his passes for 322 yards, two touchdowns, and no turnovers.
Article comments
1 - Charlie Doherty
Love your sense of humor, but not your games of the week (Eagles at Cardinals, and Falcons versus Chargers).
In my (not very) humble opinion, the Patriots at Ravens matchup on Sunday night is hands down the biggest game of the week. After all, it's a rematch of last season's AFC Championship game, and both are coming off fairly unexpected losses. But to each his own.
2 - RJ
Final Score:
Giants 36, Panthers 7 - RJ 1-0 (1-0 ATS)
3 - C2E
Enjoyed the Recap/Preview format!
A little late, but here are mine...
Giants over Panthers
Cowboys over Buccaneers
Colts over Jaguars
Bills over Browns
Dolphins over Jets
Saints over Chiefs
Redskins over Bengals
Bears over Rams
49ers over Vikings
Lions over Titans
Chargers over Falcons
Eagles over Cardinals
Steelers over Raiders
Texans over Broncos
Ravens over Patriots
Packers over Seahawks
4 - RJ
Final Scores:
Bears 23, Rams 6 - RJ 2-0 (1-1 ATS)
Bills 24, Browns 14 - RJ 3-0 (2-1 ATS)
Dallas 16, TB 10 - RJ 4-0 (3-1 ATS)
Jets 23, Miami 20 (in OT) - RJ 4-1 (3-1-1 ATS)
Vikings 24, SF 13 - RJ 4-2 (3-2-1 ATS)
KC 27, NO 24 (in OT) - RJ 4-3 (3-3-1 ATS)
Bengals 38, Washington 31 - RJ 4-4 (4-3-1 ATS)
5 - RJ
Final Scores:
Titans 44, Lions 41 (in OT) - RJ 4-5 (4-4-1 ATS)
Jacksonville 22, Colts 17 - RJ 4-6 (4-5-1 ATS)
Arizona 27, Eagles 6 - RJ 5-6 (5-5-1 ATS)
Atlanta 27, SD 3 - RJ 5-7 (5-6-1 ATS)
Houston 31, Colts 25 - RJ 5-8 (5-7-1 ATS)
Raiders 34, Steelers 31 - RJ 5-9 (5-8-1 ATS)
6 - Zingzing
Vikings! Skol!
7 - RJ
Final Score:
Ravens 31, NE 30 - RJ 6-9 (5-9-1 ATS)
8 - RJ
Final Score:
Seattle 14, GB 12 - RJ 6-10 (5-10-1 ATS)
9 - RJ
I am 22-26 straight up for the season, and 17-29-2 against the spread...
10 - RJ
ESPN's experts in Week 3:
Allen
8-8
Golic
9-7
Hoge
4-12
Jaworski
5-11
Mortensen
11-5
Schefter
7-9
Schlereth
7-9
Wickersham
8-8
Jackson
6-10
Johnson
6-10
Ditka
5-11
Carter
9-7
Accuscore
4-12
Pick 'em
8-8
11 - RJ
ESPN's experts through three weeks:
Allen
25-23
Golic
27-21
Hoge
22-26
Jaworski
25-23
Mortensen
31-17
Schefter
28-20
Schlereth
24-24
Wickersham
30-18
Jackson
22-26
Johnson
25-23
Ditka
22-26
Carter
26-22
Accuscore
24-24
Pick 'em
26-22