Week 3 Pick ‘Ems

Another week, another Pick ’ems, and this time Jonathan’s schedule allows him to join me in the party (actually, it’s my fault – we’ve been trying to get both our picks up in one post for your comparison pleasure, and I’m always jumping the gun).

This week I have only two picks against the spread, but I always make my choice before I see the Vegas odds anyway. On to the expert selections.

kmonty’s pick	kmonty’s thoughts	Jonathan’s pick
	JAC @ DEN (-3) – The Broncos need to shore up their run defense in case Jacksonville suddenly finds its running game. Kyle likes a defensive struggle with the Broncos pulling through in the end.
	SD (-4.5) @ GB – I think this could be closer than a lot of people think, and I was tempted to pick the Packers. The Chargers offensive line is its biggest problem right now, but then again they’ve been facing the Bears and Patriots defenses, not exactly a cakewalk. The Packers could make it interesting though. I want Jon to be right.
	IND (-6) @ HOU – You have no idea how tempted I was to take the Texans. If Andre Johnson were playing, by far their biggest weapon, I’m telling you right now that I would. This 4-game win streak the Texans are on started with the first franchise win against Indy, and it was the last game the Colts have lost.
	MIN @ KC (-3) – Mark it down – overtime field goal propels the Chiefs barely past the Vikings. Adrian Peterson rushed for 150 yards, but the Chiefs eek out a win. MARK IT DOWN. Unless Jon’s right, and the Vikings pull through, which would be grand.
	DET @ PHI (-6) – Can the Eagles pull a 2003, going 0-2 to start then finishing as the NFC’s #1 seed? I don’t think so – I doubt they’ll make the playoffs – but they’ll beat the Lions this Sunday. Jon thinks so too, so it must be true.
	BUF @ NE (-16) – I honestly think the Bills are the most underrated team in the NFL right now. They played two tough teams, nearly beat one, and have a ton of injuries to boot. 16 points is just disgraceful – I think they’ll play the Patriots closer than either of New England’s previous opponents, and the Pats will finally break it open in the fourth quarter, 31-24.
	MIA @ NYJ (-3) – The battle of 0-2 AFC East teams. Chad Pennington should return, I think he gets a bad rap from Jets fans (he’s only taken you guys to the playoffs, what, 3 of the last 5 years?). I like the Jets a lot more than the 3 points and think they could win by a couple of touchdowns, especially if Zach Thomas doesn’t play.
	SF @ PIT (-9) – Manny Lawson out for the season is a big loss for the Niners. I think he Steelers could win big. Ben Roethlisberger may struggle against the secondary, but I think Alex Smith will struggle more against Pittsburgh’s defense. Mike Tomlin is doing one helluva job so far in the Steel City.
	ARI @ BAL (-8) – Does anyone really believe the Ravens are 8 points better than anybody? The Cardinals are a botched play from being 2-0 (or really 0-2 if you look at it the other way), and I think they’re headed for a playoff spot. Upset in the makings for Kyle’s pick.
	STL @ TB (-3.5) – I’m just disgusted with the Rams right now. Two home losses and you think they’re going to travel to Tampa Bay, where the fans are going crazy after they pummeled the Saints last week? Not a chance in hell in my book.
	CIN @ SEA (-3) – I like Seattle and I like Seattle big. It could go the other way, but the Seahawks will run Shaun Alexander straight down the Bengals’ throats. There are a few teams in the NFC I think can compete with the AFC, and Seattle is one of them.
	CLE @ OAK (-3) – After the huge game last week by the Browns, they’ll come back down to earth quick and fall by the Raiders. And I think they could fall hard – like 30-14 hard. I just think the Raiders defense won’t get torched like the Bengals’ did, and I don’t know if the Browns can stop anybody.
	CAR (-4) @ ATL – I still think the Panthers will win the division, despite losing to the Texans. The Falcons o-line is horrendous, and Julius Peppers will have a field day.
	NYG @ WAS (-4) – I actually considered picking the Giants here – could catch the overconfident Redskins off guard. But Jason Campbell looks like the real deal, and Clinton Portis is playing very well. They’re getting amazing safety play from their rookie safety LaRon Landry, too.
	DAL @ CHI (-3) – OK, I’ve finally joined the Rex Grossman-bashing bandwagon. I thought he was a lot better than a lot of people gave him credit for. You know what? I was wrong. I almost picked the Cowboys for that reason alone, but I just think Grossman could still have a huge day with the deep ball against the Cowboys secondary.
	TEN @ NO (-4.5) – Call this the Battle of the Overrated. This has to be one of the biggest spreads for an 0-2 NFC team against a 1-1 AFC team in some time. I can’t conjure up a scenario where the Saints stop Vince Young, I just can’t – their defense has only registered one sack to date, and Young is showing everyone he’s still a winner.

To date, Kyle is 23-9, Jon is 19-13.