Who Dat Dish NFL Pick’em! Week Three
By John Hendrix
Dec 29, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; NFL referee Walt Anderson breaks up a fight between San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals players at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Who Dat Dish NFL Pick’em keeps rolling from last week! It was another ugly week overall, but credit Andrew for having the best record (11-5) from last week. Let’s look at the rough patch of standings after Week Two:
- Andrew (@ShootsMcGavin), 21-11
- Simon (@Daugulis), 18-14
- Federico (@FedeFerrari10), 16-16
- MacGyver (@SaintsTailgate), 16-16
- Barry (@HarahanWhoDat), 16-16
- Ian (@IDear_Sports), 15-17
- John (@JohnJHendrix), 15-17
- Ryne (@RHancock19), 12-20
Without further ado, here’s how Week Three unfolds:
Thoughts from John
Tampa Bay at Atlanta
Although it’s a division game, I realistically don’t expect the Bucs to knock off Atlanta. They lost to a third string quarterback last week, how much worse can it get?
San Diego at Buffalo
Don’t try telling anyone in Buffalo that a 2-0 start isn’t anything. The Bills are in sole possession of first place in the AFC East, but the bad news is that there’s fourteen games to go. All the Chargers did last week is knock off the defending Super Bowl Champion Seahawks. I won’t say it’s a given win for San Diego, as you have to respect Buffalo playing in their backyard, but I like for Rivers and company to come out with a win.
Tennessee at Cincinnati
The Bengals are too much for the Titans, they should roll.
Baltimore at Cleveland
Both teams are feeding off of huge wins from last week, and this game suddenly has huge meaning early in the season. The Browns proved to everyone that they aren’t to be taken lightly. I think many would automatically look at the Ravens as the early victor for this matchup, and while I tend to agree, I don’t think it will be automatic, by any means.
Green Bay at Detroit
These two square off for the 168th time in history. The Lions finally earned a Thanksgiving win last year at the expense of the Packers. However, we have to point out that it was Matt Flynn, not Aaron Rodgers leading the Pack. The Packers are 6-2 in this decade, and 23-5 in this millennium against the Lions. Stranger things have happened in Detroit, but I’ll side with the majority and take the Packers.
Indianapolis at Jacksonville
The Jags look horrid. The Colts desperately need a win. The Colts should earn a fairly easy, much-needed victory here.
Oakland at New England
After last week’s pummeling of the Vikings, the Pats head back home to square off against the Raiders. That doesn’t bode well for the Raiders, as they haven’t won on the road against the Pats since 1994, and they were the Los Angeles Raiders then. The Pats have won the previous three meetings, and should roll again.
Minnesota at New Orleans
Look for my Keys to the Game, but spoiler alert: New Orleans need this win.
Houston at New York Giants
I’ve picked against the Texans twice, and it’s burned me each time. I want to pick them here, but something tells me that the Giants will right the ship this week. Can they really drop two in a row at home?
Washington at Philadelphia
Even if the Redskins do get out to any type of lead, expect the Eagles to come back. They’ll be Sproles’d.
Dallas at St. Louis
Both are coming off wins, but perhaps we’re seeing more of a settled Cowboys unit on defense.
San Francisco at Arizona
Since 2009, the 49ers are 9-1 against the Cardinals, with their only loss coming in 2011 at Arizona. Losing left a fairly sour taste in their mouth last week. Even with Drew Stanton leading the team last week, the Cardinals soared. I’m crazy for saying this, but I’m taking the Cardinals as an upset this week.
Kansas City at Miami
The Chiefs are banged up terribly. I don’t see much encouragement to see them beating the Phins on the road.
Denver at Seattle
After one loss, suddenly the Seahawks are swarmed with all sorts of question marks from the media. Don’t let that scare you. However, there’s a bit of revenge the Broncos are looking from last year’s Super Bowl. I know in the end Seahawk fans will say, ‘Hey, we still won the Super Bowl over you guys’, but they’re going down at home. Manning might exploit Richard Sherman some.
Pittsburgh at Carolina
The Ravens defense frustrated Big Ben and company last week, and all the Panthers defense did was shut down the powerful Lions offense. Dare to say 3-0 for the Panthers? Not yet.
Chicago at New York Jets
It’s not exactly the most exciting Monday Night Football matchup, but at least the Jets can say they hosted a prime time matchup. The Bears shocked everyone last week, rallying from a 17-0 deficit against the 49ers, and spoiled the debut of Levi Stadium. They should win again.