NFL Picks Week 3: Parity Is King In The NFL

Week Two is in the books. Done. There weren't a ton of surprises. The Ravens got trampled by the Titans, -- I must admit I didn't see that one coming. The Panthers gave the Pack a run for their money but Green Bay squeaked by with the victory. There were some fun games: the Birds-of-Prey Bowl, Falcons vs Eagles and the Patriots-Chargers barnburner, just to name a few. 

Though last week was relatively unsurprising, that only makes me believe that we're due for a strange, upset filled week. Parity is the name of the game in the NFL.

Last week I went 11-5 on my picks, and the week before that 8-8. So, if you're a betting man, you can look at it one of two ways: I'm getting better and better, due for a perfect week and you should bet the house; or parity in the NFL makes betting on NFL games a fools errand, and it's anyone's guess what the hell will happen. Your choice. That being said, here are my picks, with the current odds, as they come courtesy of Odds Shark. 

New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills (+9): Gotta go with the juggernaut Patriots here. I have the feeling it's going to be a high-scoring, exciting game, but ultimately I'd avoid betting against Tom Brady right now. Pick: Patriots.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Carolina Panthers (-3.5): This one is pretty tough, but I have to go with the Jags. This will be one fun game to watch, as rookies Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton look to lead their respective teams to victory. I'm going with the road team, courtesy of the stumpy legs of Maurice Jones-Drew. Pick: Jaguars.

San Francisco 49ers @ Cincinnati Bengals (-1): This is another tough one to pick but I'm going to go with the 49ers here. They narrowly lost to the Cowboys at home last week and will be looking to bounce back. The Bengals, though showing some fight early, don't inspire a lot of confidence in me. Pick: 49ers.

Miami Dolphins @ Cleveland Browns (-2.5): I'm actually a little surprised Cleveland is favored in this one, but it's not like either team is head and shoulders above one another. I'm going with the Phins. Pick: Dolphins

Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings (+4): The Lions look very, very tough so far, and the Vikings have given two games away in the 4th quarter. This game, they won't have that chance. Lions all the way. Pick: Lions.

Houston Texans @ New Orleans Saints (-5.5): This will be a fun game. A shootout. Schaub vs Brees. Brees will win at home. Pick: Saints.

NY Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles (-): Another game to watch, and it will be interesting to see if Michael Vick suits up. If he does, I'd feel better about picking the Eagles, but if he doesn't, it's anyone's game. I have to go with the home team here. The Giants are just too banged up. Pick: Eagles.

Denver Broncos @ Tennessee Titans (-4.5): Matt Hasselbeck torched the Ravens for nearly 400 yards last week. He's been inconsistent the past few years so it will be fun to see if he can do it again this Sunday. The Broncos have been playing better, and knocked off the Bengals at home last week. Tough pick, but I'm going with the Titans. The Hasselbeck to Britt connection will be the difference. Pick: Titans.

NY Jets @ Oakland Raiders (+3.5): Playing in Oakland sucks, and I'm not particularly impressed with Mark Sanchez. The Raiders lost on the final play to a good Bills team last week and I would bet it'll be close in this one too. I'm calling the upset here. Pick: Raiders.

Kansas City Chiefs @ San Diego Chargers (-15): Chargers. The Chiefs are a mess and they've lost Eric Berry and Jamaal Charles for the season. Pick: Chargers.

Baltimore Ravens @ St Louis Rams (+3.5): The Rams will put up a fight and the Ravens will look to bounce back from last week's embarrassment in Tennessee. Still have to go with the veteran team here though. Sam Bradford is only as good as the receivers he has catching his passes, and they proved to be inconsistent last week. Pick: Ravens.

Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears (+4): This will be a hell of a game. I'm going with the visiting Packers though. Pick: Packers.

Arizona Cardinals @ Seattle Seahawks (+3): Going with the 'dog home team here. The Seahawks will finally play at home and the 12th man of the CLink will make things difficult for Arizona's offense. This will be a close one, but I'm going Seahawks. Pick: Seahawks.

Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+1): The Buccaneers were 10-6 last year but have appeared to regress a bit. They got a win last week by the hair of their chinny chin chin, and face a very tough challenge against the visiting Falcons this week. I'm going with the Bucs though -- Josh Freeman will light a fire under this team. Pick: Bucs.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Indianapolis Colts (+11): The Colts look bad. The Steelers got back on track last week against the Seahawks. Pick: Steelers.

Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys (-): This will be a fun one. Both teams squeaked by with wins last week but in this one I'm going with the visiting Redskins. Pick: Redskins.