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Two weeks down, two bitter losses for the New Orleans Saints. They have flirted with victory twice now, but have failed to finish when the game was on the line. The Saints finally return home back home to host the Minnesota Vikings. Inside the sanctuary of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, the Saints look to pick up their first victory of the season. Will order be restored in the NFL this week? Let's take a look at an intriguing slate of games in Week 3.
Last week I went (my all-time worst) 5-11
I told you so: Bengals over Falcons!
What do I know: Nothing, apparently!
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WEEK 3
Thursday, September 18th - Thursday Night Football
Buccaneers(0-2) at Falcons(1-1)
Matt Ryan will do what he does and get Matt Bryant into field goal range as Atlanta escapes with a home victory in the final seconds.
Pick: Falcons
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Sunday, September 21st - Early Games
San Diego experiences a letdown after their stunning Week 2 victory. They now face cross-country travel and a confident opponent in Buffalo.
Pick: Bills
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Thanks to Dallas' opponent being St. Louis, the Cowboys will actually win two in a row.
Pick: Cowboys
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This game will be much better than anyone would have expected coming into the season, but Philadelphia is just better and will pick up the divisional win.
Pick: Eagles
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You've gotta go with an underdog at some point every week right?
Pick: Giants
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Titans(1-1) at Bengals(2-0)
Cincinnati will pick up right where they left off last week at home.
Pick: Bengals
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This one will get ugly in a hurry, by halftime the Cleveland crowd will be begging for Johnny Football™ to come to their rescue. Baltimore will cruise to a decisive victory.
Pick: Ravens
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Packers(1-1) at Lions(1-1) - Game of the Week
Conventional wisdom says that Green Bay and Detroit should put on an aerial show, and I think they will. Matthew Stafford and company should feast on the suspect Green Bay defense, but I think that Aaron Rodgers will pull out a victory for the Packers in the end, as he's known to do in Detroit.
Pick: Packers
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Jacksonville has given up a ton of points in the first two weeks, Andrew Luck and Indy will gladly take their share in this one.
Pick: Colts
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It's Oakland at New England, so...
Pick: Patriots
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Vikings(1-1) at Saints(0-2)
Let's not read too much into this one. The Saints are finally back in the Superdome, and the offense will roll at home. The NFL's worst passing attack will be a welcome opponent for a New Orleans defense that is looking to find its confidence and identity. This is the most ideal opponent for the Saints to face at this point, if you don't honestly believe the Saints will win this game then your prognosis for this season is beyond dire. The Saints will find the win column for the first of many times this season.
Pick: Saints
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Sunday, September 21st - Late Games
San Francisco has some regrouping to do after their home-opening loss last Sunday night, they'll do so this week in Arizona.
Pick: 49ers
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Miami looks to rebound after a tough division loss last week, they will do so at home against a Kansas City team that isn't doing anything particularly well right now.
Pick: Dolphins
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43-8. That was the score the last time these two teams met, in Super Bowl XLVIII. This one won't be that bad, but Seattle's homefield advantage will be too much for Denver to overcome in the rematch. It'll be more along the lines of 34-17 this time.
Pick: Seahawks
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Sunday Night Football
Steelers(1-1) at Panthers(2-0)
I'm just not convinced that Pittsburgh can protect Ben Roethlisberger enough for him to carry the team in this game. Carolina will continue their hot start.
Pick: Panthers
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Monday, September 22nd - Monday Night Football
This game will be much closer than it has any business being. Chris Ivory and the Jets running game will get theirs, but Jay Cutler and the Chicago passing game will win it in the end.
Pick: Bears
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That's how I see it, tell us how you see Week 3 playing out. Leave your comments and insight below!