NFL week 3 picks

After two weeks Loren and I are tied with 6-6 records. I know the definition of mediocrity. On to week 3!

New York Giants at Carolina
Loren – Carolina. This is the point in the season where every Giants fan starts hyperventilating and contemplates jumping on the third rail. They needed a miracle last week to win and their vaunted D hasn’t been able to slow anyone down. The Giants need to hit rock bottom before they pull out of it and make the push that gets them into the post-season. Personally, I think they do it just so they can see how red Coughlin’s face can get. It might bypass the visible spectrum entirely this year and go right into infrared.
Derek – New York Giants. I think you need a line like the Giants have in order to beat Cam Newton. Without Nicks in the game NY will rely on their running game more than usual and that’ll be a good thing. Watch for this to be a lower scoring than everyone expects.

Philadelphia at Arizona
Loren – Philadelphia. Well, with the parity through the first two weeks in the season, we just had to pick this battle of undefeated teams. CARDINALS DYNASTY! Ok, seriously, the Cards are overmatched in a second straight week (some would argue they were overmatched against the Seahawks, too). Philly has tons of weapons and no inclination to actually use them. However, whatever luck the Cardinals have has to run out soon.
Derek – Arizona. I know the Cards are a bad team but if they can get to Brady they can get to Vick. The cards strength lives in their defensive backfield and this will help negate the Eagles big plays. Don’t forget the cross country trip.

Cincinnati at Washington
Loren – Washington. RGIII has become required viewing, just like Cam Newton. There is nothing better in football than a dynamic QB who can slice you up on the ground and through the air. I appreciate the skills Luck has, and no one knows who will end up with the better career or stats. Who do I want to watch play the game, Luck or RGIII? It’s not even close. I don’t have a personal stake in the Redskins other than a communal hatred of Dan Snyder, but their relevancy means less attention on the damn Cowboys, and that’s a victory for everyone.
Derek – Washington. Until someone slows the Redskins down it’ll be hard to go against them. Their offense is working well right now and I don’t think the Bengals will keep up.

Atlanta at San Diego
Loren – Atlanta. I’m a believer. Yeah, the Falcons are traveling across the country blah blah. This team can handle it. The Broncos are a solid team and Manning is still one of the best at managing scoring drives (1st quarter the obvious exception), but the Falcons pretty much owned that game. If they had put the pedal down when they had the chance, the game probably wouldn’t have been as close as it was. It should frighten other teams to know that the Falcons haven’t even figured out their best offense yet. Once Michael Turner gets really involved and they use more play-action to keep defenses honest, you could see scoring a la 2011/12 Green Bay, but with a legitimate running game. Yikes.
Derek – Atlanta. San Diego is waaaay past due for their beginning of the season slump. Plus, you know, the dirty birds are pretty good. They seem to play well on D and their passing game is clicking right now. I don’t expect Jones to drop passes like he did last week. Did I mention I picked them to be in the Super Bowl?

New England at Baltimore
Loren – Baltimore. I really didn’t know which way to go on this. After week 1, I would have gone with Baltimore without reservation. Their meltdown, though, against Philly leaves me with lots of questions about the identity of that team. New England, for all their holes, usually know how to expertly exploit a team’s deficiencies. I hope the Ravens get back to consistent running and limit Flacco’s long throws. They shouldn’t have to worry about the Pat’s running game, so they can launch a barrage at Brady and keep him off balance the whole game.
Derek – Baltimore. I keep thinking back to last year’s AFC Championship game, how did Baltimore not win that one? The Ravens fourth quarter last week aside I think they’ll play a full 60 mins this week and with the virtual absence of Welker a lot of the Pats big play potential is gone.

Houston at Denver
Loren – Houston. Bet you didn’t see that one coming. I’ve said from the beginning, though, that the Bronco’s schedule is tough. They should be happy to get to their week 7 bye with at 3-3 record. I just don’t see this being one of their victories. The Texans should run the ball 50 times. Foster and Tate can reel off 5, 6, 7 yards at a time, dominate possession, and literally run the Broncos off the field. Denver’s best shot is to hope for a reversal of last week’s game; Houston gets pass happy and makes mistakes the Broncos capitalize on. I think Kubiak is smarter than that.
Derek – Houston. Maybe the best team in the league so far and they look like they can run, pass and play D. If it wasn’t for a punt return for TD I’d say their special teams are playing well too. I’m going to waffle on Manning until I see more spirals and less wounded ducks.