NFL Week 3: Can Kevin Go 15-0?

I have never needed a weekend of football worse. Too much CNBC, not enough ESPN.

And we know a winner around here when we see one. Our in-house handicapper is 10-0 through the first two weeks of the NFL season-can he keep it up? If he can remain perfect I will pucker up and kiss Hank Paulson’s hairy butt.

As always you can visit Kevin at Eatdrinkandsleepfootball.com

After starting week 1 with a 5-0 record, skepticism reared its ugly head in week 2.  Then, I gave 1440 Wall Street readers another 5 correct picks.  As I start the season 10-0, maybe you’re thinking “there’s no way he can do it again.” Or can I?

Arizona Cardinas (+3) over Washington Redskins: Are the Arizona Cardinals for real?  Through week 2 of the NFL season, they rank second behind the New York (football) Giants in the EDSFootball.com Domination Index.  Kurt Warner, the leader in 2007 2nd-half passing TDs, has picked up where he left off last year.  So far in 2008, he’s thrown for 558 yards, 4 TDs and most importantly no INTs.  Anquan Boldin may want out of Arizona and into Miami, but he and Larry Fitzgerald combine as one of the league’s best 1-2 WR combos.  Jason Campbell had a huge week against the Saints last week, but I’m not sold.  Although the Cardinals have gone 2-0 for the first time since 1991, I expect them to start 3-0 for the first time since...umm, I’m guessing before 1991.

Cincinnati Bengals (+13.5) over New York Giants: Well, if the Cardinals are #2 in the Domination Index and I picked them over the ‘Skins, I must be picking the Giants, who are #1 in the Domination Index, right?  Wrong.  The Giants are going for their first 3-0 start since 2000 and I think they will get it.  However, I think this game is a little closer than the spread indicates.  The Giants often play down to their competition and struggle a little bit (for some unknown reason) at home vs on the road.  The Bengals offense (8.5 ppg) is off to a horrible start as is Carson Palmer (49% comp., 228 yards, 0 TDs, 3 INTs).  Although it’s more of a hunch than supported by evidence, I expect Carson Palmer to have a bounce-back game (250 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT).  I can see a 27-17 win by the Giants and the Bengals covering the spread.

Tennessee Titans (-5) over Houston Texans: I wanted to avoid this game as I looked through the spreads this week, but everything points to a big win by the Titans.  However, I can see the Texans, who have a lot on their minds post-Hurricane Ike, rallying, uniting and playing inspired football.  Since I used my “hunch” pick with the Bengals, I’m going to stick to the facts on this one and ignore the possibility of the Texans rising up.  The Titans have won the last 6 in this matchup and are 5-1 ATS in those games.  The Titans, who grind it out, are averaging 96.5 rushing ypg more than they are giving up.  The Titans will control the clock and line of scrimmage.  The Titans start 3-0.

Buffalo Bills (-9.5) over Oakland Raiders: The Raiders looked awful against a really good team (Broncos) opening week.  The Raiders looked decent against a really bad team (Chiefs) last week.  This week they play a really good team (Bills).  I expected the Bills to be better in 2008 than they were in 2007, but they have exceeded my expectations.  Although rookie Darren McFadden led all RBs in rushing yards in week 2, I expect a much more modest performance against the Bills, who have a solid run defense.  That is bad news for the one-dimensional Raiders offense.  With a soon-to-be 3-0 start, Donte Whitner’s playoff guarantee is starting look really good.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3) over Chicago Bears: The most exciting player in the NFL is Devin Hester.  When he touches the ball, members/fans of the opposing team hold their collective breath.  Despite conflicting reports on the extent of his injury, Devin Hester (with torn cartilage or bruised ribs) will either miss this week or his play will be affected by the injury.  Granted, the Bears looked good against the Colts in week 1. (Or was it that the Colts looked bad?) The Bucs have a solid defense and the Bears have a (not-so) solid offense.  I expect the Bears to struggle putting up points without Hester.  To use Dennis Green’s terms, “the Bears are who we thought they were.” And, I’m definitely not “ready to crown their ass.” I think the Bucs win this one outright, but I’ll gladly take the 3 points.

Well, enjoy the games this weekend and use the comments feature to let us know what you think about our picks, your own picks, etc.

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