Mattie T’s Week 3 NFL Predictions

Isn’t it ironic how both of last week’s Monday Night teams (Indianapolis & Miami) have to travel cross-country to play a pair of postseason-caliber opponents? Will either of them have a chance at winning on Sunday?

Week 2: 9-7

Overall: 22-10 (.687)

Cleveland at Baltimore.

I know it seems like this game has blowout written all over it, but i actually think Cleveland can make things interesting if Brady Quinn (9 sacks leads all AFC quarterbacks) can find time to throw downfield against a Baltimore pass defense that has given up a share of big plays early on in the season.

The Browns won’t be able to do anything on the ground regardless of who starts between Jamal Lewis, Jerome Davis & James Harrison, as they have to go up against the Ravens’ top-ranked run defense.

I’m going with Baltimore to remain perfect in the AFC North.

Washington at Detroit.

Could that 19 game losing streak FINALLY come to an end for Detroit?

I think Sunday is their best shot to do it, as they won’t get another realistic chance until their Week 8 game against St. Louis.

This game could mirror last season’s matchup, as the Redskins needed a Santana Moss punt TD to squeeze past the Lions & avoided being the one team that lost to the woeful 0-16 squad from a season ago.

Could be the week Calvin Johnson explodes for a huge game. Will be very close, but i like for Detroit to win this one & proceed to lose 19 straight again. 🙂

Jacksonville at Houston.

Jacksonville’s secondary is a big mess right now, which doesn’t make their chances all that promising against Matt Schaub & Co.

Schaub had one of his best games a pro last week against Tennessee, as he completed 25 of 39 passes for 357 yards & a career-high 4 touchdowns as Houston pulled off a 34-31 stunner.

It’s possible that Maurice Jones-Drew could explode for a big game on Sunday, as Houston ranks dead last in run defense. However, i don’t think David Garrard will have enough to keep up in what could turn into a potential shootout. Gotta roll with the Texans at home here folks.

San Francisco at Minnesota.

This should be one hell of a game, as Mike Singletary’s 49ers will try & find a way to slow down NFL leading rusher Adrian Peterson & the Vikings.

Don’t expect big plays out of the pass game, as both teams are ranked 30th or lower in pass offense, while Minnesota is dead last with just 119 passing yards per contest.

Something tells me Peterson will find a way to get it done against the 49ers’ 3rd ranked run defense, as i think the Vikings will win a very close game on Sunday.

Atlanta at New England.

It looks as if the Patriots’ decade-long dominance of the AFC East is quickly coming to a halt.

New England could be in serious trouble on Sunday without the services of Randy Moss (back) & Wes Welker (knee), who are both questionable for Week 3.

I just can’t see the Patriots having enough offense to keep up with Matt Ryan & Co, so i am picking the Falcons to win this game.

Kansas City at Philadelphia.

Michael Vick is ready to make his return to the NFL, as the Eagles will use him for about 20 plays on offense on Sunday.

Look for a better game out of Kevin Kolb, while Matt Cassel might end up on the bench before this one is over. I’m going with Philadelphia here.

Green Bay at St. Louis.

After scoring a grand total of 7 points in their first 2 games, the Rams could show some life in their home opener on Sunday afternoon.

Aaron Rodgers has taken his fair share of hits so far this season (10 sacks leads NFL), but is going up against a St. Louis defense that has only recorded 1 sack to this point.

Look for Green Bay to roll big on Sunday.

N.Y. Giants at Tampa Bay.

You’ll never guess who ranks 4th in the NFL in total offense. That’s right, it’s Tampa Bay!

They will have to deal with Steve Smith & Mario Manningham though on defense, as the Giants wide receiver duo both rank in the top 5 in receiving yards.

Derrick Ward will get the start against his former team on Sunday, as Cadillac Williams has already been ruled out with a knee injury.

I look for New York to move the ball at will as they’ll win to improve to 3-0 in the NFC East.

Tennessee at N.Y. Jets.

Hard to picture a Jeff Fisher coached team starting 0-3, but the Titans are not showing the same type of pizazz that they showed a season ago when they finished with a league-best 13-3 record.

Chris Johnson had possibly the best game of his short career last week, but i just can’t see him doing much damage against New York’s 6th ranked run defense. This will be close, but i like the Jets to win this one & possibly take over 1st place in the AFC East.

New Orleans at Buffalo.

The Saints could rely more on Reggie Bush for this one, as Mike Bell has already been ruled out with a knee injury. Pierre Thomas (knee) will play, but it sounds like he will split carries with Bush & undrafted rookie back Lyndell Hamilton.

Drew Brees should have his way with a Bills’ pass defense that is ranked 31st, while Trent Edwards should have success against the Saints’ 29th ranked pass defense. I see a shootout forming here, but i just can’t go against that powerful New Orleans offensive unit.

Chicago at Seattle.

The Seahawks are starting to resemble a MASH unit, starting with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

The 3-time Pro Bowler has already been ruled out for Sunday’s game, as Seattle will have to rely on backup Seneca Wallace to lead the way.

The defense is in disarray, as both of their starting corners Josh Wilson (ankle, out 1 month) & Ken Lucas (groin, questionable for Sunday) are banged up to go along with a shaky run defense that gave up over 200 yards to Frank Gore last week.

Look for Matt Forte to have a huge breakout game here, as Chicago will notch their 1st road win over Seattle since 1975.

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati.

This will be an interesting matchup, as Antwan Odom (7 sacks, leads NFL) will be sure to draw quite a few doubleteams from the Steelers in order to protect Ben Roethlisberger, who has never lost a pro game in the State of Ohio.

Cedric Benson will have a tougher time getting it going on Sunday against a Steeler run defense that is ranked 8th in the NFL.

Should be a close game, but i’ll take Roethlisberger’s Steelers over Carson Palmer’s Bengals.

Miami at San Diego.

Tough game for the Dolphins, as they’ll have to travel cross country on a short week to play a Charger team that is looking for revenge following a heartbreaking home loss to the Ravens.

They’ll have to do it without LaDainian Tomlinson, who has already been ruled out for Sunday’s game with a knee injury.

Miami has had trouble with opposing tight ends on Sunday, so look for Antonio Gates to have a big game while leading San Diego to victory.

Denver at Oakland.

The Broncos’ defense will look to continue their strong start, as they are ranked 2nd in the NFL in fewest yards allowed per game.

JaMarcus Russell led the Raiders to a comeback win in Kansas City despite completing just 7 of 24 passes, which will need to improve against the Broncos.

Look for this to be a low-scoring game, but i like for Denver to continue their early surprise success & improve to 3-0 in the AFC West.

Indianapolis at Arizona.

Should be a classic Manning vs. Warner duel for the final time (unless both teams reach the Super Bowl), as Arizona will get to host a tired Indianapolis defense that won on Monday night despite being out on the field for over 45 minutes.

It will be interesting to see how Warner fares against the Colts’ top-ranked pass defense, but Beanie Wells & Tim Hightower should gash Indianapolis’ 30th ranked run defense to lead the Cardinals to a close win.

Carolina at Dallas.

Will Tony Romo have a bounceback effort against Carolina’s 3rd ranked pass defense?

He won’t need to with Felix Jones, who should shred up a shaky Panther run defense as Marion Barber will probably miss Monday night’ s game with a quad injury that was suffered against the Giants.

I could see Jake Delhomme having some success against a shaky Dallas defense that has yet to register a sack, but the Cowboys will squeak out a Monday night win for their first victory in the new Texas Stadium.