STRAIGHT PICK-EM

LAST WEEK : 9-7

OVERALL RECORD: 18-14

NFL WEEK THREE

THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-1) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-1)

This is a match up of two quarterbacks that would like to stay being starters in the NFL beyond this season. Jets made the Browns look silly in the last two minutes. Mitch Trubisky is feeling the pressure of rookie Kenny Pickett looking over his shoulders. Browns running game will be key to Cleveland winning this game. I like the Steeler defense slowing down the Browns running game just enough for Mitch Trubisky to put some points on the board. Browns defense is still trying to find themselves.

OUR PICK: STEELERS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

BUFFALO BILLS (2-0) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (2-0)

So far this season in Miami it’s been the rise of TUA time in South Beach. Dolphins aerial game is the new Maverick movie. The Bills look like the best team in the NFL. Josh Allen has done well versus the Dolphins. Dolphins lack a defense. Tua Tagovailoa will have Bills defenders in his face all day long. I think Bills prevail on the road and bring Miami back down to earth.

OUR PICK: BILLS

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (2-0) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (0-1-1)

Colts can’t even beat the bad teams in their own division now face one of the top teams in the AFC in the Chiefs. Chiefs been doing their thing and are well rested from playing Thursday game weeks ago. Matt Ryan looks awful. Colts have a slew of injuries on their defense.

OUR PICK: CHIEFS

BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-1) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-1)

Ravens were embarrassed by the Dolphins comeback last Sunday. Patriots rose from the dead and beat the Steelers. Ravens will score points on the Patriots defense. I can’t see the Patriots slow-mo offense keeping up with Lamar Jackson and company.

OUR PICK:RAVENS

CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-2) AT NEW YORK JETS (1-1)

If Bengals lose to the Jets, this season is over. The hangover for the losing team in the Superbowl will linger all season long.

I do not trust Joe Flacco pulling out another big game as he did last weekend versus the Browns. Flacco’s best game since he won the Superbowl that seems a lifetime ago. I think Bengals work out the kinks at least for this week.

OUR PICK: BENGALS

DETROIT LIONS(1-1) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1-1)

My upset of the week.

The Lions have found courage this season and they show it once again in an upset on the road in Minnesota. Vikings laid an egg on Monday night and will still be shell-shocked when the Lions come to town.

OUR PICK: LIONS

HOUSTON TEXANS (0-1-1) AT CHICAGO BEARS (1-1)

The revenge of Lovie Smith!!! Former Bears coach looks like Black Santa will be the Grinch that stole the Bears’ Christmas.

Texans defense is for real. Lovie’s team has played two close games so far. While the Bears looked bad last Sunday night versus the Packers.

OUR PICK: TEXANS

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (0-2) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (0-2)

Shocking both teams are 0-2. Whoever wins this game could save their season. Raiders have played better than the Titans. I think the Titans at home will get this team jump-started. Look for a big day from Titans running back, Derrick Henry. Raiders head coach, Josh Daniels, will wish he was back in New England starting off 0-3.

OUR PICK: TITANS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-1) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-2)

Panthers have been in both games so far this season but the team has not jelled yet. Saints defense will disrupt things for the Panthers offense. Saints should go with Andy Dalton over the Crab Man, Jameis Winston. Saints will run the ball more is what I would do and put Winston on short leash to avoid costly turnovers like last weekend versus the Buccaneers. Saints should be able to generate points versus the Panthers defense.

OUR PICK: SAINTS

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (2-0) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1-1)

The revenge of Carson Wentz versus his former team. Revenge games have not worked out this season. Just ask Russell Wilson. The Eagles are a solid team on both sides of the ball. The Commanders defense never showed up this year. The Commanders offense is up and down so far this season. Eagles show me in both games they play all four quarters.

OUR PICK: EAGLES

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-1) AT LA CHARGERS (1-1)

The Jaguars are in first place in the AFC South for whatever that is worth. Will Justin Herbert suit up in this one? Both teams have solid defenses. If Justin Herbert plays, the Chargers will win this one by bigger score. If Herbert can’t go, I still like the Chargers strong running game and Chase Daniels could steer the ship for at least one contest. I feel Trevor Lawrence will buckle under the Chargers defensive pressure of Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa.

OUR PICK: CHARGERS

ATLANTA FALCONS (0-2) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (1-1)

This is the battle of the birds that can’t fly. Even though the Seahawks have one win with Geno Smith behind center, I like Marcus Mariota better. The Falcons in two losses have been able to put up points against two pretty good defenses the Rams and Saints. Seahawks won their opener. I think the Broncos gift wrap that win for Seattle. I go with the dirtier bird in this one.

OUR PICK: FALCONS

GREEN BAY PACKERS (1-1) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (2-0)

This will probably be the last time Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers square off. Both Brady and Rodgers have issues with their wide receivers so far this season. The Packers are dropping balls. The Buccaneers can’t keep their guys healthy at the wide receiver position. Rodgers has only beaten Brady once in his career. Last time these two teams faced off, the Buccaneers embarrassed Green Bay. The Buccaneers dominating defense is the key of this game.

OUR PICK:BUCCANEERS

LA RAMS (1-1) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-1)

Both the Rams and Cardinals don’t look like themselves from last year. Both defenses have struggled stopping their opponents. Kyler Murray exploded in the second half last Sunday as the Cardinals came back to win on the road. Matthew Stafford does not look like the same guy he was last season. I think the Rams are just going through the motions and need a wake up call. Murray will serve up this wake up call with a cold dish of realality.

OUR PICK: CARDINALS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS(1-1) AT DENVER BRONCOS ( 1-1)

It feels like Russell Wilson has not left the AFC as he squares off against Jimmy Garoppolo like old times. Trey Lance’s injury last week saved the 49ers season as Jimmy G got his job back. The 49ers as a whole play much better with Jimmy as the starting quarterback. Denver is still trying to find themselves. The 49ers defense is not the place you want to be searching. I like the 49ers in a close one.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

MONDAY NIGHT

DALLAS COWBOYS (1-1) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (2-0)

I think the Cowboys play better with Cooper Rush behind center. I think the Giants will come back down to earth as they are off to great start under their new head coach Brian Daboll. Something has to give as Rush is 2-0 as a starter and the G-Men record this season is 2-0. I really don’t care for either of these two teams. I think Dallas has the better team.

OUR PICK:COWBOYS