5 day forecast
Gerry Dulac's NFL Forecast: Week 3
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Last week: 10-6 (.625)
Season record: 20-12 (.625)
New York Giants (1-1) at Carolina Panthers (1-1), 8:20 p.m., Thursday
The Skinny: As Tampa Bay painfully discovered on Sunday, never discount Eli Manning in any game. And, as the Saints painfully discovered, never take Cam Newton for granted, either, whether through the air or on the ground.
Prediction: Giants, 34-27
Steelers (1-1) at Oakland Raiders (0-2), 4:25 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The last time the Steelers played in Oakland, the Raiders were 1-5. But they won, 20-13, because Ben Roethlisberger threw four picks, two for TDs, one week after sustaining a concussion. Not this time.
Prediction: Steelers, 24-13
St. Louis Rams (1-1) at Chicago Bears (1-1), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Rams had an impressive comeback against the Redskins and are one bad officials call from being unbeaten. Maybe Jay Cutler should try shoving the ball in the end zone instead one of his own linemen.
Prediction: Bears, 34-24
Buffalo Bills (1-1) at Cleveland Browns (0-2), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Browns showed a glimmer of promise with the way they came back against the Bengals ... and with the play of their top rookies, Trent Richardson and Brandon Weeden. They will need more of that against the Bills.
Prediction: Browns, 24-23
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1) at Dallas Cowboys (1-1), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Wonder what pile of Knute Rockne nonsense "High School Harry" Schiano will pull against the Cowboys? Give me a break with that "play to the whistle" stuff. What, did he have a bonfire pep rally before the game?
Prediction: Cowboys, 27-17
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2) at Indianapolis Colts (1-1), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Mike Mularkey is still looking for his first victory with the Jaguars. Chuck Pagano got his first last week with the Colts. Of course, Pagano also has Andrew Luck, who improved tremendously from Week 1 to Week 2.
Prediction: Colts, 23-20
NY Jets (1-1) at Miami Dolphins (1-1), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Something tells me that Tony Sparano, who introduced the Wildcat to the NFL when he was the Dolphins head coach, will see if his former team can stop it this time with Tim Tebow. The Jets offense went silent after two series against the Steelers.
Prediction: Jets, 24-17
San Francisco 49ers (2-0) at Minnesota Vikings (1-1), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The 49ers already own victories over the two best teams in the NFC North. Now they get to make it three in a row in that division against the Vikings. The 49ers have won 16 of 20 games since Jim Harbaugh arrived.
Prediction: 49ers, 30-13
Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) at New Orleans Saints (0-2), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: No team in the NFL has allowed more points than the Chiefs and Saints (75), so it is unlikely this will be a defensive battle. The Saints are struggling without their head coach. Some people think the Chiefs are without a head coach.
Prediction: Saints, 37-24
Detroit Lions (1-1) at Tennessee Titans (0-2), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Titans haven't exactly been a pillar of defensive strength in two games, allowing an average of 36 points. And RB Chris Johnson hasn't been the same since the Steelers thought he quit against them in 2010.
Prediction: Lions, 36-20
Cincinnati Bengals (1-1) at Washington Redskins (1-1), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Redskins have scored more points in two games (68) than any NFL team, and that's because of rookie RG3. He has passed for 526 yards, rushed for 124 yards and accounted for five TDs.
Prediction: Redskins, 31-28
Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) at Arizona Cardinals (2-0), 4:25 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Don't look now, but the unbeaten Cardinals have won seven of their past eight games, dating to last season. Question now is, can the unbeaten Eagles pull out another one-point victory? And against their former QB?
Prediction: Cardinals, 24-23
Atlanta Falcons (2-0) at San Diego Chargers (2-0), 4:25 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Falcons are looking to make it three victories in a row against the AFC West. The Chargers, though, have started fast, something that is uncharacteristic for them. Maybe they can sneak up on teams for a change.
Prediction: Chargers, 27-24
Houston Texans (2-0) at Denver Broncos (1-1), 4:25 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Speaking of uncharacteristic, Peyton Manning had trouble with the pressure defense by the Falcons, throwing interceptions on his first three possessions. He will get more of the same from the attacking Texans D.
Prediction: Texans, 24-20
New England Patriots (1-1) at Baltimore Ravens (1-1), 8:20 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Amazingly, one of these two teams from last year's AFC Championship game will be 1-2 after this. The Patriots and Ravens were each last-minute losers last week. One of them will be a last-second loser this time, too.
Prediction: Ravens, 20-17
Green Bay Packers (1-1) at Seattle Seahawks (1-1), 8:30 p.m., Monday
The Skinny: The Packers might be thinking they're getting a breather in Seattle after opening with the 49ers and Bears. But the Cowboys might have thought the same thing last week, and look what happened to them.
Prediction: Packers, 30-20
First Published September 19, 2012 2:55 pm
