Without further ado, here are the week 3 match-ups.

• Cleveland at Baltimore
  The browns have been struggling and I don’t expect their fate to improve against the ravens. Expect a strong showing by the ravens defense against the browns and look for Flacco to have a big game.
  Ravens defeat the Browns
• Washington at Detroit
  It’s been 19 games since the lions have won and I think today is the day this streak ends. I look for the Redskins to loose a close one on poor offensive production.
  Lions defeat Redskins
• Jacksonville at Houston
  I don’t expect Schaub to have another 4 touchdown game but I look for him and Andre Johnson to perform well and win again. Jacksonville’s Jones-Drew will play well but they will loose a close one in the fourth.
  Texans defeat Jaguars
• Atlanta at New England
  The Patriots will redeem themselves after a heart breaking loose last week against the jets. Michael Turnes will keep the falcons in this game but look for Brady to lead the pats to a victory.
  Patriots defeat Falcons
• Green Bay at St. Louis
  Rodgers is too hot right now to loose to the Rams. Look for a big aerial attack by both teams with the packers prevailing.
  Packers defeat Rams
• New York Giants at Tampa Bay
  Eli Manning is playing as well as he has ever played in the NFL. He is hitting his receivers in the numbers and Smith and Manningham have emerged as valuable weapons. The Bucs are in a transition period and I look for the Giants to win big.
  Giants defeat Buccaneers.
• Tennessee at New York Jets at Jets
  The titans are a talented football team on paper but they haven’t yet won a game. I look for this to continue as the jets are rolling with the support of their rookie quarterback Sanchez.
  Jets defeat Titans
• Kansas City at Philadelphia
  With Kevin Kolb under center who knows what could happen. Today, I look for him to manage the game and I expect Vick to take around 10-20 snaps. The Chiefs just don’t have the talent to win this week.
  Eagles defeat Chiefs.
• San Francisco at Minnesota
  Who would imagine at the the start of the season that both the 49ers and the vikings would be 2-0? I didn’t. However, both teams are playing as well as ever and I expect this game to be exciting. Look for a close, hard fought game with Peterson and the vikings pulling out the victory late in the fourth.
  Vikings defeat 49ers.
• New Orleans at Buffalo
  Drew Bress and the high-scoring saints offense have been unstoppable for the first two weeks. Look for the saints to roll again as they come to Buffalo and win big over the bills.
  Saints defeat Bills.
• Chicago at Seattle
  Chicago has been playing tough after loosing Urlacher. This hole cannot be filled but I expect the other linebackers to step up and play hard. I expect a hard, defensive battle in Seattle but I look for Cutler to play hard and win on the road.
  Bears defeat Seahawks.
• Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
  The Bengals are an underrated team. Palmer is a good QB and I expect him to play well against the physical Steelers defense. However, Mike Tomlin will have his team prepared for a tough, divisional match-up and I expect the Steelers to win a close one.
  Steelers defeat Bengals.
• Denver at Oakland
  This game is going to be better than most people expect. The black and gold will play tough and I look for Russell to improve this week. Expect a run dominated game with the Raiders winning by a touchdown.
  Raiders defeat Broncos
• Miami at San Diego
  This is one of the better games on the day. Tomlinson is out again and I look for Rivers to step up. I expect successful wild cat plays by the dolphins as they win the battle against the chargers.
  Dolphins defeat Chargers.
• Indianapolis at Arizona
  The defending NFC champs will score some points on Sunday night. In fact, I expect a lot of points to be put up by both teams. However, Peyton Manning will keep his team ahead during this prime-time match-up.
  Colts defeat Cardinals.
• Carolina at Dallas
  Dallas has another shot to win at home Monday night against the struggling panthers. I expect Steve Smith and Jake Delhome to have big games and upset the cowboys, again, at Texas stadium.
  Panthers defeat Cowboys.

The New England Patriots are one win away from going 16-0 in the regular season. They will be playing on Saturday night against the New York Giants, who have clinched the playoffs, and many feel both teams should rest their starters. With Brady coming off a 3 touchdown game, needing only 2 more touchdowns to break the single season record, and Maroney coming off a career day with one touchdown and 156 rushing yards it makes everyone wonder; ‘Can they manage to have only the second perfect season in NFL history?’

As a Pats fan myself I am hoping they accomplish all of these goals including a perfect season, the touchdown record for Brady, and the most receiving touchdowns in a season for Moss. However, how logical is that? What it boils down to is what team can stop them. The giants are the team in there way for individual records and can either shut down the Patriots offense with extensive pressure from their defensive line but more likely allow all these records to be broken. The Giants have been known to do both during any game which makes their fans sick. Plus, it’s hard for the Patriots not to capitalize on Eli Manning if he has another 2 int and 2 fumble game. But than again, any team should. During the playoffs I can see Colts and the Jaguars beating the patriots. The colts because I feel they have the second best team in the league ranking in the top five in total offense, total passing offense, total defense, and total passing defense. I also feel the Jaguars can beat New England because of their run game. On a cold snowy day in Massachusetts where passing will be difficult I’m not sure the patriots can rely on their running game to win. Plus, the Jaguars have an amazing two headed monster that will allow them to manage the game and score points.

If the patriots can run the ball effectively, and obviously maintain their stellar passing game, they can beat any team anywhere at anytime. That’s not even taking into account there defense that ranks in the top 5 for total and passing defenses. But hey, that’s a pretty basic blueprint. I’ll guess we will have to see when the Patriots battle the Giants on Saturday, 12-29-2007, which will now be broadcast not only on the NFL network but also on NBC and CBS.