Zone Blitz: NFL Week 3 Preview and Predictions

Music to listen to:  Obelisk at Maida Vale part 2/4 by the Mars Volta

You will get more Volta and like it….

Here are my picks for Week Three (home team in CAPS):

CINCINNATI (-2.5) San Francisco:  This is a contest between two teams that I would be shocked will win more than ten games combined.  I don’t like San Francisco having its first road game across the country after dropping that devastating home contest against Dallas last week.  The Bengals looked like they had some life in them at Denver last week so I’ll take the home team.

New England (-7) BUFFALO:  I’ve enjoyed the revival of the Bills, New York’s true NFL team (I say that to tweak my fellow New York Giants fans).  I’ve always had a soft spot for the Bills as a New Yorker and would love to see them beat the Patriots at home.  However, I don’t think its going to happen.  The Bills will score some points on the Pats’ defense but won’t be able to stop New England’s attack.

Houston (+3.5) New Orleans:  That dreaded half-point on the line.  I think one of the teams is going to win by exactly three points, leaning towards the Saints, but that line screams trouble and a potential tough beat at the end of the contest.  I know that the Texans have looked good so far but that’s come against Indy and Miami.  The Saints looked like they righted some of their ship against Chicago last week.

PHILADELPHIA (-8.5) New York Giants:  Ignore all of the Vick concussion talk and look at the reality.  The Eagles have owned the Giants for years and that hurts to say as a fan.  That Deshawn Jackson kickoff return against the Giants last year is still on New York’s mind in a bad way.  Philly is a terrible matchup for New York on both sides of the ball.  The only hope for the Giants is that they can deploy a power rushing attack and try to grind out a win.  However, I think the Eagles are going to put on an offensive show in their home opener .

CLEVELAND (-1) Miami:  I know the Dolphins are a much better team on the road but I’ll take the Browns at home.

TENNESSEE (-7) Denver:  Chris Johnson finally gets into mid-season form after missing the entire preseason and has a huge game for the Titans.

Detroit (-3) MINNESOTA:  I like Adrian Peterson and this is a desperation game for the Vikings but I think McNabb is finished as an above-average quarterback and he will hurt Minnesota’s cause in this contest.

CAROLINA (-3.5) Jacksonville:  I actually think you’ll see Cam Newton throw for less productivity in this contest and the Panthers get back to rushing the ball more with their running backs.  Also, I can’t take a rookie quarterback in his first-ever start, especially on the road.

Kansas City (+14.5) SAN DIEGO:  As sorry as the Chiefs have been this year, that line is too rich for my blood.

OAKLAND (+3) New York Jets:  I’m banking on this being the home opener for Raiders as being the deciding factor.

Baltimore (-5) ST. LOUIS:  The Ravens are the better team.

Atlanta (+1.5) TAMPA:  This may be the toughest game on the board to pick because I can make cases for both squads.  I just see more scenarios for the Falcons winning than the Bucs.

SEATTLE (+3.5) Arizona:  Whoever wins this game will get the victory by less than the line.

Green Bay (-4.5) CHICAGO:  The Bears’ offensive line will struggle against the Packers’ defense who are due for a good game after looking average against Carolina and New Orleans.

Pittsburgh (-10.5) INDIANAPOLIS:  Its going to be Curtis Painter time for the Colts this contest.

DALLAS (-4) Washington:  Did Tony Romo jump off a 10-story building, save three cats, carry five people out of a burning building and still manage to win a road game with a broken lung, three bruised shins and a concussion last week?  That’s the assumption that I had from the media coverage of him this week.

Last week:  6-9-1

Season: 10-21-1