It’s not often that week one is better than week two when predicting the NFL, but that was the case here. In the NFL anything can happen, as we saw the Rams upset the Seahawks. It is hard to predict what is going to happen every week, but I expect better from myself and this week will be better! Please leave your picks in the comments and try and beat me! Here are Hagan’s Haus week three NFL picks.
Last Week: 9-7
Season: 19-12
Thursday Night
Houston 23 @ New England 17: Oh how I wish that Jimmy Garoppolo was healthy for this one. This would be a much better game if he was. New England is a great organization and can usually manage to find a way to win even with big injuries. Winning with Jacoby Brissett would just be unfair. If the Patriots do win with Brissett under center they are, without question, the best team in the NFL. The Texans team strength is their defense. Their defense is ranked third in both yards and points given up per game and it will be the reason they win this Thursday night game.
Sunday Morning
Arizona 27 @ Buffalo 24: Arizona throttled the Buccaneers last week. Buffalo has struggled this season and prior to the start of the season I believe Buffalo would make a playoff run. I no longer believe that because after week three they will be 0-3. The Cardinals should provide a mismatch all over the field, but then again this is the NFL and anything can happen.
Denver 17 @ Cincinnati 20: This is a candidate for game of the week. Denver has not lost a step on defense, but their offense has still struggled. Cincinnati is coming off a tough divisional loss. Cincinnati has a great defense of their own and because they are at home they should be able to pull this game off and give the Broncos their first loss of the season.
Minnesota 10 @ Carolina 19: Everything is in Carolina’s favor in this game. Minnesota has to travel all the way to Carolina for the game. They lost Adrian Peterson to a knee injury and left tackle Matt Kalil was placed on injured reserved for a hip injury. Minnesota has the defense to beat anybody, but the Panthers are the defending NFC champions. Their defense is one of the best in the league and they also have a guy, maybe you’ve heard of him, Cam Newton. It would be difficult to beat the Panthers on the road when healthy so it looks like the Panthers win this one.
Detroit 24 @ Green Bay 36: The Packers got a rude awakening against the Vikings. Their offense was completely shut down and only scored because of lots of Vikings penalties. The Lions are coming off a loss to the Titans. The Packers have dominated this so-called rivalry. The Packers offense will explode in this one resulting in an easy win.
Baltimore 24 @ Jacksonville 27: Jacksonville was taken to the woodshed last week by San Diego, but the Jags are a completely different team at home. Baltimore doesn’t seem to be anything more than an average NFL team. They seem to to be a team destined for mediocrity. The Jags will find a way to get their first win of the season.
Cleveland 14 @ Miami 34: Cleveland looked great in the first quarter last week. Then the wheels fell off. To make matters worse they will start their third quarterback in three weeks, rookie Cody Kessler. Miami is going to feast of of Kessler and get a win at home.
Washington 23 @ New York (G) 31: Josh Norman and Odell Beckham are about to step on the same field again. This should be absolute fireworks. The Giants are going to win the NFC east and this game. The Redskins are going no where fast with Kirk Cousins at quarterback. He will continue to turn the ball over in this one and push the redskins to 0-3
Oakland 24 @ Tennessee 14: This is a surprisingly difficult game to predict. The Raiders have been underwhelming on defense giving up over 500 yards up per game. Their offense is really good but can’t always keep up with what their defense has been giving up. Tennessee has a great defense that flies under the radar. Oakland is suppose to make the step this year and their defense must improve for that to happen. I think the Raiders get back on track in this one.
Sunday Afternoon
San Fransisco 14 @ Seattle 20: Seattle does not look like the dominate team we have been to expect. San Fransisco will put u pan excellent fight in this divisional matchup. The Legion of Boom will have a big game in this match-up causing Blaine Gabbert to make mistakes resulting in short fields for the Seahawks offense.
Los Angeles 20 @ Tampa Bay 27: Todd Gurley guaranteed a win in week two and most people laughed. The Rams had the last laugh by beating the Seahawks. Tampa Bay looked horrible on the road in Arizona but that is because they are young and haven’t learned to win on the road yet. Tampa Bay will come out looking to defend their home field and get the win in this one.
San Diego 31 @ Indianapolis 37: San Diego is dealing with too many injuries on offense to keep the train rolling. The Colts can’t afford to go 0-3 and Andrew Luck needs to make sure his team wins this game. Many people already question Luck and it is time to show why the Colts invested all that money. I think he will deliver for the team.
New York (J) 20 @ Kansas City 23: Matt Forte might have been the best offseason acquisition this year. He has been a key factor for the Jets in their first two games. As for the Chiefs, it is hard to tell what this team is going to be in this season They ha a great comeback in week one then lost to the Texans in week two. This is a toss up but ‘ll go with the Chiefs in one of the toughest places to play in the NFL.
Pittsburgh 31 @ Philadelphia 23: The battle for Pennsylvania should be a good one as both teams enter at 2-0. Although this is a home game for Philadelphia I think a lot of Steelers’ fans will make it to this one. Carson Wentz has looked good, but it has been against the Browns and the NFC equivalent in the Bears. This game is the game that will really prove what Wentz is made of. I think the Steelers’ defense causes at least two turnovers and get the big win to move to 3-0.
Sunday Night
Chicago 17 @ Dallas 31: The Bears need to get rid of Jay Cutler immediately. Luckily for them he is hurt and can’t commit turnovers in this one. Chicago also has struggled in stopping the running game. The Cowboys are going to run it all night on the Bears and Dak Prescott will take care of the ball. Dallas wins this one easily while at home in Jerry World.
Monday Night
Atlanta 31 @ New Orleans 41: 10 years ago the Saints returned home for a Monday night game against Atlanta after Hurricane Katrina. The game is famously know for the blocked punt by Steve Gleason that led to a statue outside of the Superdome. This may be an emotional game since it is the 10 year anniversary but aside from that the Saints have an explosive offense. That Falcons are horrible at pressuring the quarterback. New Orleans will win this shootout.
