The NFL’s week three schedule brings the fans some pretty intriguing match ups. Can the Titans register their first 2009 victory when they visit the surprise 2-0 Jets? Who’s more for real; New England or Atlanta? Can the 49ers upset the Vikings in a battle of 2-0 NFC teams? And can Detroit taste victory for the first time since 2007?
We’ve got three of our best to give you insight on these games as well as picks for the rest of this week’s schedule.
Titans @ Jets
Dudley French: The Jets have surprised the league so far under new coach Rex Ryan. Tennessee and Jeff Fisher have dropped some close ones so far but don’t appear to be back to their ’08 form just yet. I like the Jets to get to 3-0 at home.
Tony Bozma: Trust Jeff Fisher’s Titans in this game. Hell hath no scorn like a desperate team; especially one that is playing to salvage its season. The Jets are all the rage in the NFL right now, but the Titans have just as much rage inside them because they’re sitting 0-2.
Wes French: At first glance I wanted to take the Titans in this game, but the more I thought the less I like them. Rex Ryan has held two high powered offenses(NE/HOU) to just 16 points this season. They gave up just seven to a Houston team that went into Tennessee and hung 34 on the Titans for a loss. I like that Rex Ryan just schemed for this team last January, too. J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets.
Falcons @ Patriots
DF: New England at home is sure to light up the score board. I like the Falcons, but this is one of the toughest road tests a young team could face. I see the Falcons coming up short in this one, but hanging around for longer than the Patriots would like.
TB: The Patriots may not look like the same team before quarterback Tom Brady went down in 2008, but the Pats have only lost back-to-back games four times since Brady became the starting QB in 2001: three times in 2002 (lost four in a row and back-to-back in week 15 and 16) and once in 2006. Losing back-to-back games hasn’t been a trend in the Belichek/Brady era, and I don’t see it becoming one just yet.
WF: I think the Falcons can hang with the Patriots, but in New England with the Patriots coming off of an embarrassing divisional loss to the Jets is not a good situation for anyone. I think the Patriots will run it up simply because Belichek needs to show everyone in the league they’re still a force.
49ers @ Vikings
DF: San Francisco has won two convincing games within their division and look strong heading into this match up. The Vikings have played down to their competition so far(CLE/DET) and have not impressed me at all. I like San Fran to steal a win on the road in the surprise of the weekend.
TB: This game comes down to Adrian Peterson vs. Frank Gore. I’ll take Peterson and his Vikings squad.
WF: I’d like to pick the 49ers in an upset special this week, but my brain is telling me otherwise. I think that the Vikings are ripe after letting the Browns and Lions hang around the first two weeks and the possibility that they’re looking ahead to hosting Green Bay(why would they be doing that?) next week. All that said, I still think they are a better team and will find a way to win.
Redskins @ Lions
DF: The Lions impressed me last week, taking a lead into the half against the Vikings. Washington did not, as they barely beat the hapless Rams 9-7 in their own home opener. Give me the Lions as the ‘skins are ripe for the picking.
TB: People want to see Detroit win, but it won’t happen in Week 3. With jobs on the line for Redskins head coach Jim Zorn and QB Jason Campbell, I’d go as far to say that this game is more of a must-win for the Redskins and they’ll put it off.
WF: The Lions need this game. They have to go to Chicago, host Pittsburgh and go to Green Bay in the weeks following this game against the ‘skins. If they don’t beat this team they’ll be setting records and not in a good way. I like Schwarz being able to use this to fire up his squad. The Lions will take care of the football and win convincingly.
And the rest…
STL @ GB- DF, TB, WF
KC @ PHI- DF, TB, WF
NYG @ TB- DF, TB, WF
CLE @ BAL- DF, TB, WF
JAX- DF @ HOU- TB, WF
NO- DF, TB, WF @ BUF
CHI- DF, WF @ SEA- TB
PIT- DF, TB, WF @ CIN
DEN- TB @ OAK- DF, WF
MIA- DF @ SD- TB, WF
IND- DF, TB, WF @ ARI
CAR- DF @ DAL- TB, WF
