Pigskin Prognostications,Week 3

Did you hear all the press about that vaunted Georgia Tech defense before the game? You didn't? Neither did I. State scored one touchdown against them...and that was when Tech's subs were in. Remember that great Bulldog D, that limited top ten Auburn to only three points last week? Today, they surrendered over four-hundred yards rushing. Perhaps Croom needs to make his duck-hunting hobby a profession.

Speaking of professions, here are this week's picks:

Falcons 20, Chiefs 9 - Both teams start rookie quarterbacks, but Kansas City's Tyler Thigpen will be getting his first start, while Matt Ryan gets his third--and he's got better run support, too.

Bills 17, Raiders 13 - The Raiders discovered their running game last week (more than two-hundred total yards rushing), but Fargas is out, and McFadden will be playing with turf toe, and Russell has no legitmate receiving threats, and the Bills are pretty good.

Buccaneers 13, Bears 10 - Both teams play sound defense, both teams have quarterbacks that try their best to manage the game (as opposed to winning it), but the Bucs have a two-headed monster of a ground game, while Chicago's Forte is their running game's only, uh, forte. Sorry 'bout that one.

Panthers 24, Vikings 21 - Carolina gets Steve Smith back, and Minnesota starts Gus Frerotte over Tavaris Jackson, and both offenses will benefit, but Delhomme's a much better quarterback here, and that'll make all the difference.

Patriots 10, Dolphins 9 - New England will be without its top two running backs. Miami's top two running backs have yet to total one-hundred yards in a game.

Giants 27, Bengals 10 - This could be a trap game for the defending Super Bowl champs, because they've played so well in all facets of their game, and Cincinnatti has played so poorly.

Titans 20, Texans 13 - Battle of two great defenses and one great running attack.

Cardinals 24, Redskins 17 - I think Arizona upsets the 'skins; Warner and Fitzgerald and Boldin and the Cardinal D are playing their best football right now. Washington will ground it out with Portis and keep it close, though.

Broncos 31, Saints 20 - Jay Cutler will pick New Orleans' secondary apart, and the Saints don't have the running game to slow the game down.

49ers 27, Lions 24 - San Francisco's J.T. O' Sullivan is the surprise of the season, and he'll put up the points...but so will the Lions, via their passing attack. I wouldn't be surprised to see 49er linebacker (and superstar-in-the-making) Patrick Willis make a key play to win the game for S.F.

Seahawks 14, Rams 3 - Though their defense gave up too many points, Seattle looked like a much better team in week two than they did in week one. The same cannot be said of the Rams.

Ravens 13, Browns 10 - If Braylon Edwards doesn't play, then Baltimore will win. If he does, then Cleveland's got a shot.

Colts 20, Jaguars 10 - Jacksonville's offensive line is hurting terribly, and subsequently so is their offense. Last week, Peyton Manning willed a win against a better defense than he'll face this day.

Eagles 24, Steelers 20 - Ben Roethlisberger's shoulder is gimpy; McNabb's is not. That should be the difference in what is sure to be a great ballgame.

Cowboys 24, Packers 20 - Another great match-up, and I'll give this one to Dallas, because--though the Pack will make it close--I don't think Charles Woodson can cover both T.O. and Jason Witten.

Chargers 21, Jets 17 - The Bolts have one of the league's most porous defense's after the first two games, but then again those games were against the mighty Panthers and Broncos. Even wth Farve behind Center, the Jets offense doesn't look quite so imposing.