NFL Week 3 Preview

Week 2 provided lots of great action to follow opening weekend as 10 games were decided by a touchdown or less. The Chiefs and Dolphins continued to show signs of being teams to watch this year as they grow. Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning looked just as sharp as Week 1 while his brother New York Giants QB Eli Manning continued his early season struggles. Besides Denver, the Seattle Seahawks look like an early favorite to win it all besting the equally good San Francisco 49ers in another Seattle beatdown. While they might be 2-0; the New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, and Houston Texans have mostly looked anything but dominant so far. The four games I highlighted to watch last week were not exactly instant classics as in addition to the Broncos and Seahawks blowing out the Giants and 49ers respectively; the Green Bay Packers wrapped up their win over the Washington Redskins practically by half time and the Pittsburgh Steelers kept it close during the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals but just didn't have enough to slow down the Bengals in the second half as they won by 10. That was closest score of the four games.

As the focus now turns to Week 3, there are 8 teams that will look to avoid an 0-3 start and all but cripple their playoff hopes. With my picks, I was able to duplicate the success of Week 1 and go 13-3 to improve to 26-6.

Here are this week's top 4 and the rest.

TOP 4

Kansas City Chiefs at Philadelphia Eagles (Thursday Night): The Chiefs are 2-0 and have already matched their win total from 2012. The Eagles look like they move the ball on offense led by HB LeSean McCoy. However, the Eagles seem to lack an equally explosive defense to slow down teams effectively. The Chiefs don't need to score a lot but enough to outlast the Eagles. It willl lean towards which defense steps up with a couple key plays. The Eagles will get their points but as the game tightens near the end, the Chiefs will do enough to secure a key score that will allow them to hold on. PICK: CHIEFS

Green Bay Packers at Cincinnati Bengals: This is an early statement game especially for the Bengals as both squads are 1-1 and have Super Bowl aspirations. This one has the potential to be a shootout as both teams have good passing games with lots of depth. It will be up the opposing defenses to slow them down. A key stop or two might be the difference in what should be a close one. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers looked nearly unstoppable last week and he has proven to be a top quarterback in the league. He will lead the Packers to the lead and his defense will make a key stop late to preserve a tough win. PICK: PACKERS

Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens: The Texans have had two close calls against teams that did not make the playoffs last year. Now they get the Super Bowl champs. However, the Ravens' offense has been lacking that extra punch as you can tell on both sides of the ball they miss guys like SS Ed Reed. Reed looks like he could make his Houston debut this week and ironically it would be against his former team. The Texans have tested their luck the first couple games and they will likely repeat that as Texans QB Matt Schaub has not shown the ability to take his game to another gear to build on their recent success. A defensive play by Baltimore provides the difference. PICK: RAVENS

Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins: I don't think many expected the Dolphins to enter this one looking like a top team. The Falcons will be without HB Steven Jackson and that could provide issues getting a balanced attack going against an underrated Dolphins' defense. That defense keeps the game close but Falcons' have two many down field threats that Falcons' QB Matt Ryan will find enough space to create separation. They get a winning drive in the 4th to escape with a tough win. PICK: FALCONS

THE REST

St. Louis Rams at Dallas Cowboys: The Rams put up a good second half fight against Atlanta last week before falling to them while the Cowboys could not figure out the Chiefs' defense enough to pull out the win. One of the big matchups to watch in this one is Cowboys' HB DeMarco Murray against the Rams' defense. He exploded against them a couple years ago and could have another big game. It will be a mirror opposite image for the Rams as they are struggling to replace HB Steven Jackson. The Cowboys' running game will lead the way to some passing touchdowns and a victory overall. PICK: COWBOYS

San Diego Chargers at Tennessee Titans: The Tennessee Titans have been one of the surprise teams of 2013 so far. They shocked the Steelers then almost shocked the Texans. The Chargers are a bit harder to figure out as they seem to be turning around some of the mistakes of last year but nearly let both of their games get away. This one has a similar feel as the Titans' defense keeps the score fairly low and close and does something late either a touchdown or field goal to squeak by. PICK: TITANS

Cleveland Browns at Minnesota Vikings: How will be the Browns' play without their best player who was traded? Vikings' HB Adrian Peterson will likely need to do a lot again as the passing game has been hit and miss at times. Both teams have holes in different areas and a couple turnovers will almost even things out. Browns fight harder than some expect but come up short in the end with a late drive being halted. PICK: VIKINGS

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots: One team has a QB in turmoil and the other has a QB struggling to get teammates going. It might not be a pretty game and a showcase for the Patriots, but they have enough led by QB Tom Brady to win. PICK: PATRIOTS

Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints: The Saints have shown signs of a reemerging explosive offense but have not truly taken off. They have a chance this week to do so. The Cardinals with QB Carson Palmer to WR Larry Fitzgerald will put up a fight but it won't be enough as Saints' QB Drew Brees will likely utilize TE Jimmy Graham a lot and get enough out of the rest of receivers. PICK: SAINTS

Detroit Lions at Washington Redskins: Redskins' QB Robert Griffin III has looked like his 2012 self at times but has had slow starts both weeks and that has resulted in two losses. The Lions have not always done well on the road especially against strong teams. The Redskins seem to be struggling putting a complete game together and Lions' QB Matthew Stafford might have enough down the field attacks to WR Calvin Johnson to create another hole. This should be close down the stretch with a costly turnover for RGIII and the Redskins' offense. PICK: LIONS

New York Giants at Carolina Panthers: The Giants' offense hopes a trip to Carolina will get themselves back on track. QB Eli Manning has put up solid passing numbers but has turned it over seven times. The Panthers have slowly but surely gotten their running game going and have kept their first two games close despite losses. The Panthers' defense will surprise some by how well they play and because of that it won't be easy for the Giants. But, Manning will utilize WR Victor Cruz as well as WRs Hakeem Nicks and Reuben Randle in different sitautions. Panthers QB Cam Newton tries a late fourth quarter comeback but it won't be enough. PICK: GIANTS

Indianapolis Colts at San Francisco 49ers: Newly acquired HB Trent Richardson will likely play a decent role for the Colts but don't expect a major game out of him. The Colts want to get their running game going more and that will open things up for QB Andrew Luck. The 49ers have a bad taste from Seattle they want to get out of their mouth and could jump out early. Luck will engineer a strong 4th quarter but not enough as they fall by less than a touchdown. PICK: 49ERS

Buffalo Bills at New York Jets: This will likely not be a stellar game as two rookie quarterbacks will make a mistake or two and there will be some lead swaps and a push and pull type of tempo. Similar to last week, Bills' QB EJ Manuel works some late magic to slide by the Jets. PICK: BILLS

Jacksonville Jaguars at Seattle Seahawks: The Jaguars have struggled to do about anything on offense and the Seahawks will be able to take their intensity back a step after facing San Francisco. It would not be crazy to say this will be a 30 point blow out easily especially since the Seahawks did it a couple times last year to weak teams. PICK: SEAHAWKS

Chicago Bears at Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday Night): Could Pittsburgh really start 0-3? They are lacking a passing attack and running game that would keep defenses on their toes. They will continue to play hard as they shown enough fight to still be a team able to get themselves back into a better position. The Bears are playing well late when it counts most. They needed QB Jay Cutler to step up and he has. The Bears will use HB Matt Forte in running and passing situations to set the tone but Pittsburgh will fight back. Which will lead Cutler to put together a clinching drive. PICK: BEARS

Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos (Monday Night): The Raiders' defense will need to do everything they can to keep Broncos' QB Peyton Manning off the field. That is no easy task. He will put together another solid performance of 3 to 5 touchdowns that adds to his already hall of fame resume. PICK: BRONCOS

There are few interesting top games this week as the Chiefs and Dolphins can continue to make early statements as they hope they are are on their way back to the postseason this year. Teams like the Giants, Steelers, and Redskins do not want to fall into an 0-3 hole. QB Peyton Manning might have a big night on Monday against the Raiders and something to watch to end Week 3. Another week of some good games that could produce close endings as surprise teams are hoping to continue to emerge as early favorite hope to build up more steam.