When the National Football League schedule makers came up with this year’s slate of games, it’s unlikely any of them thought Week 3′s biggest matchup would be the undefeated San Francisco 49ers at the undefeated Minnesota Vikings.
But there is very little doubt that the Vikings home opener against Mike Singletary’s rebuilt ‘Niners is the game of the week.
San Francisco opened with a 20-16 road victory over the defending NFC champion Arizona Cardinals and then beat division-rival Seattle 23-10 at home in Week 2. In the win over Seattle, runningback Frank Gore rushed for 207 yards on only 16 carries, pulling an Adrian Peterson a week before he faces off against Adrian Peterson.
Forget the oddsmkers, this will be an outstanding football game. The ‘Niners, under Singletary’s leadership, have come back from, the depths to be a legitimate contender in the NFC West. The Vikings, with Brett Favre at quarterback, could be the best team in the NFC. Even though Minnesota is a 7 1/2-point favourite, one gets the sense this game will be much closer.
After two weeks, the Coach is 20-12 while Dr. Sports is 19-13. However, to respond to a request that we received this week, we’ll make our picks simpler. No more point selections, it will simply read as “cover” or “not cover.”
You’re welcome.
Let’s take a close look at Week 3:
1. Cleveland Browns 0-2 at Baltimore Ravens 2-0 (-13.5)
The Browns can’t score (my goodness, Brady Quinn has been awful) while the Ravens can. This will be ugly.
Dr. Sports: Ravens to win and cover
The Coach: Ravens to win and cover
2. Pittsburgh Steelers 1-1 at Cincinnati Bengals 1-1 (+4.5)
For Dr. Sports, this is the upset of the week. Without Troy Polamalu, the Steelers will have trouble stopping the run and play-action. Carson Palmer is getting healthy and the Steelers still have a weak run game.
Dr. Sports: Bengals to win.
The Coach: Steelers to win but not cover.
3. Washington Redskins 1-1 at Detroit Lions 0-2 (+6.5)
For Dr. Sports, the Lions will be successful at only one thing: Setting the NFL record for consecutive losses at 20. The Coach sees it differently. This is Matthew Stafford’s coming-out party and the Coach’s upset of the week.
Dr. Sports: Redskins to win and cover
The Coach: Lions to win.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars 0-2 at Houston Texans 1-1 (-3.5)
Someone asked this week, “Which team was the worst in Florida.” Amazingly, all three of them are 0-2. The Coach thinks Jacksonville is the worst while Dr. Sports doesn’t believe they Jags can block anybody.
Dr. Sports: Texans to win and cover.
The Coach: Texans to win and cover.
5. San Francisco 49ers 2-0 at Minnesota Vikings 2-0 (-7.5)
Even though both teams are 2-0, the Vikings have had an easy go against Cleveland and Detroit. However, they did win both on the road. This will be a terrific football game.
Dr. Sports: Vikings win but not cover.
The Coach: Vikings win but not cover.
6. Atlanta Falcons 2-0 at New England Patriots 1-1 (-3.5)
Look for a high-scoring, passes-in-the-air, bombs-away football game. Randy Moss will be in hog heaven here.
Dr. Sports: Patriots to win but not cover.
The Coach: Falcons to win.
7. Kansas City Chiefs 0-2 at Philadelphia Eagles 1-1 (-9.5)
Beyonce or even Taylor Swift or even Kanye West could play quarterback for the Eagles and they’d still beat Kansas City.
Dr. Sports: Eagles to win and cover.
The Coach: Eagles to win and cover.
8. Green Bay Packers 1-1 at St. Louis Rams 0-2 (+6.5)
Let’s hope the Packers are angry after losing at home to Cincinnati last week.
Dr. Sports: Packers to win and cover.
The Coach: Packers to win but not cover.
9. New York Giants 2-0 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0-2 (+6.5)
We agree: The Bucs are better than 0-2, they just aren’t good enough to beat the Giants.
Dr. Sports: Giants to win but not cover
The Coach: Giants to win and cover.
10. New Orleans Saints 2-0 at Buffalo Bills 1-1 (+5.5)
Dr. Sports likes the Bills at home since the Saints have been on the road for two straight weeks, but the Coach thinks Drew Brees will throw for 400 yards and four TDs.
Dr. Sports: Bills to win.
The Coach: Saints to win and cover.
11. Chicago Bears 1-1 at Seattle Seahawks 1-1 (+1.5)
The Seahawks will be without Matt Hasselbeck (broke rib) but we both believe Seneca Wallace can get the job done. This is a close one and we like home teams in close ones.
Dr. Sports: Seahawks to win.
The Coach: Seahawks to win.
12. Tennessee Titans 0-2 at New York Jets 2-0 (-2.5)
The Titans don’t want to fall to 0-3, which makes this an extremely important game for Tennessee. However, Mark Sanchez looks like the real deal and the Jets have to be feeling pretty good about last week’s win over New England.
Dr. Sports: Jets to win and cover.
The Coach: Jets to win and cover.
13. Denver Broncos 2-0 at Oakland Raiders 1-1 (-1.5)
Even though the Broncos are 2-0, they aren’t that good. Even the bookies have the Raiders to win. That has to tell you something.
Dr. Sports: Oakland to win and cover.
The Coach: Oakland to win and cover.
14. Miami Dolphins 0-2 at San Diego Chargers 1-1 (-5.5)
The Dolphins are on a short week and they’re playing three time zones west. This will be a blowout.
Dr. Sports: Chargers to win and cover.
The Coach: Chargers to win and cover.
15. Indianapolis Colts 2-0 at Arizona Cardinals 1-1 (-2.5)
Kurt Warner vs. Peyton Manning on Sunday night. Does it get any better than that?
Dr. Sports: Arizona to win and cover.
The Coach: Arizona to win and cover.
16. Carolina Panthers 0-2 at Dallas Cowboys 1-1 (-9.5)
The Panthers will be 0-3 on Tuesday morning. One must worry about Jake Delhomme’s health.
Dr. Sports: Cowboys to win but not cover.
The Coach: Cowboys to win and cover.
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