NFL Week 3

Good morning everybody. Sunday number three of the 2015 NFL season is upon us, and after last week if you're participating in a survivor pool and you're still alive, congratulations. In a week that is indicative of how unpredictable this league has become, five of the six teams with the worst records last year all won; Tampa Bay, Oakland, Washington, Jacksonville, and the Jets. The sixth (Tennessee)? Lost to another perennial doormat (Cleveland). Doing some research on the fly as I typed this, it was the first time in NFL history that particular six-team combination (CLE, JAX, NYJ, OAK, TB, WAS) won on the same week. Of course, the Jags have only been around since 1995, and there were no Browns from 1996-1998. I guess it's like hitting the NFL lottery if you have a six-team parlay and pick THOSE teams to win (of course with bye weeks and head-to-head matchups that makes that accomplishment all the more difficult). Will it happen again? Not this week, as the Giants (as I said they would earlier this week) defeated the Redskins on Thursday Night Football. What about today and Monday?

Tampa Bay at Houston
The Bucs knocked a LOT of people out of their survivor pools with their upset win last week in New Orleans. More on the Saints later, but virtually NOBODY saw this coming. However, I did state last week that this game was going to be closer than many thought, which is why I wound up picking Pittsburgh instead of New Orleans. Smart move on my part. This week however, Jameis Winston meets JJ Watt, and Jadaveon Clowney. And the Bucs are without Austin Sefarian-Jenkins until mid-season. Uh-oh...
As bad as they are offensively, I'll pick the home team Texans in a squeaker. By the way it should be noted I'm 0-2 picking the Buccaneers so far, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that trend continues.

Jacksonville at New England 
Speaking of surprises, the JAGUARS winning over the Dolphins? Yep. So much for the Dolphins being that up-and-coming team in the AFC East, especially with that offensive line (more on that later). The depressing thing about that game is that half the fans went home disappointed, then again that ALWAYS happens in Jacksonville, regardless of who wins. Seriously, have you ever been to a game in Jacksonville?? I did when they were halfway decent many moons ago; I thought I was at a Jerry Springer Show casting call, and sure enough a fight broke out between two drunk Jags fans several rows behind me. No wonder hardly anyone likes them, even if Shad Khan is doing a lot for that community from what I hear. Anyway, their reward for beating Miami? A trip to Foxborough. Good. Luck. With. That.
Patriots in a romp.

Buffalo at Miami
Remember when this was THE rivalry in the AFC East? Pepperidge Farm remembers, because it was so long ago. It's the home opener for the Fish in the halfway-revamped SunLife Stadium, which is a good thing because the new aqua seats makes it that much easier to disguise all those empty seats at Dolphins games. Ok, I kid (although South Florida is a favorite target of @EmptySeatsPics on Twitter), but you KNOW the resurgent Bills will have strong showing by the Bills Mafia (I guess that's Buffalo's answer to the Raider Nation). Oh, and did mention the Dolphins offensive line? Oh yeah, and Richie Incognito returns to Miami! Hmm. That ought to be interesting.
Bills take it in Miami.

New Orleans at Carolina
Watching the Saints last week, Drew Brees did not look like the Drew Brees we know and love. His passes were flutterballs, and he was uncharacteristically inaccurate. Turns out he has shoulder issues and will not start in Charlotte today. Enter Luke McCown. I don't know what Jedi mind tricks he has up his sleeve, but he may have to use more than just the Jedi force against a formidable Panthers force in Luke Kuechly. Of note, the last time Carolina started 3-0? 2003. They wound up winning the NFC that year and lost a heartbreaker in a Super Bowl known more for the halftime show (thanks, Janet) than the game itself. Ugh, if only John Kasay had kept that kickoff inbounds...
In my SURVIVOR PICK OF THE WEEK, Panthers win it over a depleted Saints.

Atlanta at Dallas
No Romo? No Bryant? The Falcons are actually good again? Hmm...
Falcons in an upset.

San Diego at Minnesota
Congratulations to Philip Rivers on becoming the Chargers all-time TD leader, surpassing Hall of Famer Dan Fouts. Too bad I cannot trust this team whenever they go on the road; especially in back to back weeks.
I'll take the Vikings.

Indianapolis at Tennessee
This is the home debut for Marcus Mariota, and I wonder which Marcus we'll see? The one who torched an unprepared Bucs in Week One, or the one who butt-fumbled his way to a blowout loss in Cleveland last week? Either way I don't expect Andrew Luck and the Colts to have another putrid performance. Five turnovers? Yuck! They're better than this, and this week is a good time to prove that.
Colts spoil Mariota's home debut.

Oakland at Cleveland
After Johnny Football torched the Titans last week, the Browns decide to go...back to Josh McCown??? Cue the clip of Zach Galifianakis with his wheezy-sounding laugh. How refreshing it was though to see the Raiders have something to cheer for last week? By the way, check out this article by Amber Lee that tells us that Raider fans aren't the thugs many football fans think they are. Still, Mark Davis' haircut, my goodness...better than Josh McCown at quarterback though.
In a tossup, I'll take the Raiders in a mild upset.

Cincinnati at Baltimore
Home opener for the Ravens, and are they glad for that. Consecutive road losses at Denver and Oakland to start the season has to have John Harbaugh in a bad mood, and you know how fiery both him and Jim are.
Ravens roll at home.

Philadelphia at NY Jets
If you had told me at the start of this year that going into this matchup one team would be 2-0 and the other 0-2, you'd probably be right. However, it's the JETS that are unbeaten and the EAGLES who are winless. Come on Philly, get your act together. I thought you were the chic pick to take the NFC East this year and instead you're 0-2 and looking nothing like the offensive juggernaut we thought you would be. Then again, maybe it is Chip Kelly after all...too soon to tell yet though. Although maybe after this week it won't be too soon to tell. Too bad the Birds aren't at home to be blessed by the Pope, they could use it right about now.
Jets in a surprise. 

Pittsburgh at St. Louis
This is an interesting matchup. The Steelers offensive firepower against a pretty decent Rams defense. I like Big Ben though.
Steelers with a road win.

San Francisco at Arizona
Could it possibly be that the Cardinals may just be the team to beat in the NFC West? A convincing win this week could prove that.
Cardinals in the desert.

Chicago at Seattle
Finally, the Seahawks are home in front of the 12th Man, and after last week's debacle in St. Louis it couldn't come at a better time.
Seahawks roll.

Denver at Detroit
Time to sing along with the Peyton Manning Nationwide On Your Side jingle for this pick:
Broncos win on Sunday Night.     

Kansas City at Green Bay
While we're on the subject of auto insurance, the Monday Night game features State Farm pitchman Aaron (discount DAAAA-ble check!) Rodgers against a Chiefs team licking their wounds after their Thursday night collapse at home to Denver. Too bad for them they're in Wisconsin this week; more cheese for their whine.
Packers over KC.

So, to review:
HOU
NE
BUF
CAR (survivor pick)
ATL
MN
IND
OAK
BAL
NYJ
PIT
AZ
SEA
DEN
GB

Hopefully, a better Sunday is in store than last, when I went 7-9. Record for the year after TNF: 19-14.

Enjoy your Sunday everyone!