Ryan Mac's Picks: Week 3

Arizona Cardinals(1-1) vs. Baltimore Ravens(1-1. The Cards want to be taken more seriously this year and last week's victory over Seattle may just be the statement game they needed. Unfortunately for them they are on the road against a tough, more experienced Baltimore team that is already playing catch up to the Steelers. Don't be surprised if Arizona makes a game of it though. Ravens 17, Cardinals 13.

San Diego Chargers (1-1) vs. Green Bay Packers (2-0). The Chargers have struggled to truly get their offense in gear this season, with only 28 points after two contests and a humiliating loss in Foxborough that was supposed to be the game of the week. Meanwhile the Pack have surprised many with two wins to open the 07 season with a defense that is only allowing 13 points per game. Can Green Bay contend for a wild card? How about the division? Believe it. Upset of the week. Packers 27, Chargers 24.

Indianapolis Colts (2-0) vs. Houston Texans (2-0). What's this, a battle for the AFC South lead involving Houston? I knew it was a mistake for Atlanta to part with Matt Schaub, and the Texans are reaping the benefits. Manning to Harrison vs. Schaub to Johnson. Fortunately for Manning, he has other weapons to use and a better defense to support him. Colts 30, Texans 21.

Minnesota Vikings (1-1) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (0-2). Two games in, the year of Tavaris Jackson in Minneapolis is not quite going the way Vikings fans had hoped. When the Lions pick you off four times, it may be a long year. Will we see Bollinger take the field in KC? It won't really matter. The Chiefs may just be the worst team in their division but they'll take their home opener at Arrowhead. Chiefs 23, Vikings 21.

Buffalo Bills (0-2) vs. New England Patriots (2-0). The best in the division takes on what is quite possibly the worst. The Bills are well on their way to competing for the first overall pick while the Patriots... don't have one, but would likely get a very high one anyway. Buffalo is due to win at some point, but not this week and not against the class of the NFL. Patriots 31, Bills 10.

Miami Dolphins (0-2) vs. New York Jets (0-2). So who will be the first non-New England AFC East team to win a game this year? New York put up a fight against Baltimore last week after a lackluster performance opener against the Patriots while Miami sort of showed up in Dallas and lost consecutive games to NFC East opponents. The battle for 2nd in the division begins here. Jets 20, Dolphins 16.

Detroit Lions (2-0) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (0-2) One of the league's most surprising 2-0 team is facing one of its most surprising 0-2 teams. However, this could be the first true test for the Lions after playing two mediocre clubs. The Eagles are struggling but a match against Detroit may just what they need to get out of their slump. An 0-3 start would all but eliminate their chances for the division. Desperation and home field advantage wins. Eagles 34, Lions 24.

San Francisco 49ers (2-0) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0). The only game between undefeated teams will feature one team that has dominated in its two wins and one that has squeaked through its two wins. The Steelers are looking solid under new coach Tomlin. San Fran has one of the most potent and underrated running games not only in the NFC, but in the entire NFL. They'll need more than that in Pittsburgh but this would be a statement game if they pull it off. Steelers 27, 49ers 21.

St. Louis Rams (0-2) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1). For having a supposed high-powered offense, St. Louis has only put up two touchdowns after two games, both at home. Stephen Jackson has 139 yards and two lost fumbles. Meanwhile, Jeff Garcia led Tampa to an impressive victory over the Saints after an abysmal performance against Seattle. The Rams may not be playoff material but they're too good to go 0-3. Rams 30, Bucs 20.

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) vs. Denver Broncos (2-0). The Jags are looking to be the AFC's version of the Panthers. You just don't know which kind of team is going to show up. Things aren't so rosy in Denver either. Sure they've won both games but neither win was entirely convincing and and both were against teams likely to end up with top 10 draft picks. I still like the Broncos, but if they pull off another miracle victory, they may just be the worst 3-0 team. Broncos 23, Jaguars16.

Cleveland Browns (1-1) vs. Oakland Raiders (0-2). Let's just admit that the Raiders were robbed of a big division win last week. And let's also acknowledge the fact that the Browns will not put up 50+ points again all season (although they do still play Cincy again). Both teams are showing promise, but assuming Anderson doesn't repeat his Week 2 performance Oakland contains Jamal Lewis they should be able to get their first W of the year. Raiders - 27, Browns - 23.

Cincinnati Bengals (1-1) vs. Seattle Seahawks (1-1). Both teams are coming off disappointing divisional losses that most people expected them to win. Dropping to 1-2 would be a huge setback for either team. The Bengals can put up the points but after giving up 51 to Cleveland, don't be surprised if Seattle puts up more than the 20 points they've produced in each of the last two games. The AFC will again prove its dominance though. Cincinnati has more at stake and more to prove in their tough AFC North division. Bengals 34, Seahawks 28.

Carolina Panthers (1-1) vs. Atlanta Falcons (0-2). The Panthers are still hard to figure out. The Falcons.. not so much. With the way the Saints have started, the NFC South may be a division more up for grabs than originally thought, making this early divisional game all the more crucial. Look for Carolina to bounce back after a disappointing outing against Houston last week. Panthers 24, Falcons 20.

New York Giants (0-2) vs. Washington Redskins (2-0). While I did pick the Giants to finish last in the division, I didn't see the Skins starting an impressive 2-0. If they can keep this pace, don't be surprised if they are in the Wild Card hunt in the muddled NFC. Jason Campbell is playing well enough to win games and though they won't put up a lot of points, their defense has been stingy. Unless their D steps it up, New York will have to wait for that first win of the season. Redskins 24, Giants 23.

Tennessee Titans (1-1) vs. New Orleans Saints (0-2) The Titans almost pulled off another last-minute victory against the defending NFC Champs. The Saints embarrassed themselves in Tampa. With the way these teams have been playing, it points to a Tennessee romp. But this is New Orleans' home opener and they've been the NFC favourites for a reason. This is their opportunity to prove they weren't a one year wonder. Saints 21, Titans 17.