PREVIEW - WEEK THREE

Kansas City Chiefs @ Atlanta Falcons
Line: Falcons -6
O/U: 36.5

I was going to go for the upset because Larry Johnson is getting pissy and is going to explode for 150 yards at some point, but KC is playing some third-string QB named Thigpen. The Falcons will be able to run the ball against KC, and Ryan can get a little experience throwing against a lesser defense. Plus Atlanta's at home. Falcons -6. I'll take the under, and Atlanta to win it 20-10.

Oakland Raiders @ Buffalo Bills
Line: Bills -9.5
O/U: 36.5
LINEBUSTER ALERT!

I love being able to pick the Bills to win games this year. They have a legitimate shot at every game the way they're playing right now. One of the Bills' biggest victories ever was in the 1991 AFC championship over the Raiders, 51-3. Will we see that again? Maybe not quite that much offense, but domination nonetheless. Bills -9.5. I'll take the over, and Buffalo 34-7.

Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans
Line: Titans -5
O/U: 39

Tennessee has looked good, but the Bengals aren't exactly the league's stiffest competition. Houston is very tough to call right now. Will their heads be in the clouds after dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, or will they come out and play great thanks to an extra week off and the added emotion of playing for the Houston community? I'm thinking the latter. But will that be enough to beat the Titans? I think this is going to be a very close game, and though I hesitate to go against the Titans again this week, I will. Texans +5.5. I think the Titans may win by a field goal in a close, low scoring game. Tennessee 20-17

Cincinatti Bengals @ New York Giants
Line: Giants -13.5
O/U: 41.5
LINEBUSTER ALERT!

Could the Giants get an easier start to the season? The Bengals are terrible right now, and heading into Giants Stadium isn't going to help them turn it around. Giants -13.5. Take the over. G-men win big 38-13.

Arizona Cardinals @ Washington Redskins
Line: Skins -3
O/U: 42

The Cardinals have looked good, but they haven't yet faced a great defense. I believe that Washington has a premier defense, so we'll see what the Cards can do. My guess is they lose, especially since the Skins are at home and recently figured out how to play offense. Skins -3. Take the under. Skins win 23-14.

Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots
Line: Pats -12.5
O/U: 35.5

Is Joey Porter really that dumb? Now that he's given the Pats something to play for, they may beat this spread. It's the Dolphins. They are not good. They didn't show up at all against the Cards, but only lost to Favre and the Jets by 6. I think the Pats will control the game, but with Maroney a little banged up, I'm not sure they can score enough points to win by 13, and Pennington has had some success against the Pats D in the past. Dolphins +12.5. I'm going with the over, and the Pats 24-13.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Chicago Bears
Line: Bears -3
O/U: 35.5

How can I go with the Bears after their collapse last week against the Panthers? Both of these teams have great D, but going purely on offensive potential against good defense, I'd have to give the edge to the Bucs. The reason the Bears had a lead against Carolina was special teams play. You cannot expect your special teams to score points in every game. Bucs +3. Tampa is better than advertised. Go under. Bucs win 17-10.

Carolina Panthers @ Minnesota Vikings
Line: Vikings -3.5
O/U: 37.5

Adrian Peterson tweaked his hamstring in practice this week, and though he'll likely play, he may not be quite as effective. The Vikings also start Gus Frerotte. Though Minnesota needs a win, Carolina is out to prove that their 2-0 start isn't a fluke, and that they really are a contender. Plus Steve Smith is back. The key is this is a must-win in Minnesota, and the Vikings made the call to go with Frerotte early enough to get him all the snaps in practice, so he should be on the same page with his receivers. Vikings -3.5. Goin' over, Minny 26-21.

St. Louis Rams @ Seattle Seahawks
Line: Seahawks -9.5
O/U: 44

Though I hate to bank on the Seahawks playing well, they are at home for a must win game against an awful Rams team. Though I am tempted to go the other way, I'm going to give the Seahawks credit. They have a good coach, and should be prepared to not only win, but to blow the Rams out and restore a little of their fans' confidence. Seahawks -9.5. I'm going under, as the Seahawks will blow out the Rams, but won't necessarily put up a ton of points. Seattle 27-13.

Detroit Lions @ San Francisco 49ers
Line: 49ers -4
O/U: 46

An over/under of 46 means that Vegas thinks neither of these teams has any defense. They're right. In a shootout, the Lions have the advantage based on the solid receiving corps and my lack of confidence in J.T. O'Sullivan. But they lost to the Falcons. Then again, Kitna has to be getting pissed off, because for some reason he thinks the Lions should be decent. If the Lions are going to scrape together 6 wins, this has to be one of them. Lions +4. Go over. Lions win 31-27.

New Orleans Saints @ Denver Broncos
Line: Broncos -5.5
O/U: 51
LINEBUSTER ALERT!

Speaking of shootouts...Denver has looked great offensively, especially in the passing game. Cutler is young, though, and may have a bad game at some point, though I don't think this will be the one. New Orleans can score, but they don't have the defense to stop Denver. Denver -5.5. I'm going over, and taking the Broncos 33-24.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Philadelphia Eagles
Line: Eagles -3
O/U: 45

The Eagles looked powerful their first 2 games, and though Pittsburgh is also 2-0, their offensive output against an OK Browns defense makes me wonder what they can do against a solid Eagles D. Of course, that game was played in strong wind and rain, and the Eagles D just gave up 41 points to the Cowboys. Philadelphia is in such a tough division that every game outside the NFC East is basically a must-win. Plus the NFC East only has two losses so far, and both were to other teams in the division. This ought to be another great game. Eagles -3. I'm going with the over. Philly wins it 31-23.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts
Line: Colts -5.5
O/U: 41.5

I wish I could guarantee a Colts win every week, but they have been very inconsistent thus far. Jacksonville boasts a solid rushing attack, which the Colts have had trouble with so far. The Jags are 0-2, and facing a must-win against their division rivals. Dungy's team isn't just going to lay down, though. They're underachieving, and need a win too. If Buffalo can throw against the Jags, so can the Colts. Indy -5.5. Go under. The Colts win it 24-17.

Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens
Line: Ravens -2
O/U: 38.5

The key to this game could be the Baltimore run game. The Ravens have had an extra week to get McGahee back healthy and into the groove, and the Browns just lost Robaire Smith from their D-line. But Cleveland needs a win desperately, and if the Browns can get enough points, the Ravens don't have the offense to catch them. The Baltimore secondary should be able to limit the effectiveness of the Browns passing game, but Jamal Lewis should run effectively. Browns +2. I'm going over. Cleveland 27-13.

Dallas Cowboys @ Green Bay Packers
Line: Cowboys -3
O/U: 51.5
LINEBUSTER ALERT!

Green Bay isn't good in primetime, and Dallas is playing very well offensively right now. Ryan Grant will have nowhere to go, and Aaron Rodgers will make a few mistakes. The Pack can't shut down Romo and the Cowboys. Dallas -3. Go Over. Dallas puts a hurtin on the Pack, 35-17.

New York Jets @ San Diego Chargers
Line: Chargers -9
O/U: 44
LINEBUSTER ALERT!

San Diego disappointed at home in week one. They aren't going to let that happen again. The Jets are a bit overrated. I doubt they're a playoff team, and may not even finish the season at .500. Plus there was a good game last Monday night, so it's only right that every Monday nighter for the rest of the season will be a blowout that everyone can turn off at halftime. Chargers -9. I'll take the under. San Diego finally gets a W 27-14.