Free Week 3 NFL Expert Picks

Chicago (-3.5) at Minnesota

Minnesota is 2-0 after wins over Washington and Carolina. The Vikings have played solid on both sides of the ball, but have not wowed either opponent. Veteran quarterback, Brad Johnson continues to quietly get the job done, and he will not get rattled even under intense pressure.

Last week against Carolina, Minnesota kicker Ryan Longwell had three field goals and threw a 16 yard touchdown pass. It may take that kind of trickery again to score against the ferocious Bears’ defense. The Vikings’ defense has been no slouch themselves so far, ranking 7th in the NFL.

Chicago is 2-0 after crushing Green Bay (26-0) and Detroit (34-7). The defense has been tremendous, but it has been the passing game that has surprised the experts. Quarterback, Rex Grossman is leading the NFL in quarterback rating, and their passing offense is 5th overall in the NFL.

Receiver, Bernard Berrian has been the biggest surprise with 138 yards, and he has taken the pressure off Muhsin Muhammad on the other side. Tight end, Desmond Clark is also stretching the middle of the field. The Bears would love to run the ball more successfully this week with Thomas Jones, but they don’t have to in order to win.

Outlook: Chicago has looked tremendous against weak competition, but they prove they are for real with a road win over a quality opponent. NFL Free Pick: Chicago

Baltimore (-6.5) at Cleveland

Cleveland is 0-2 after losses to New Orleans and Cincinnati, and the injury losses are coming at a fast and furious pace. Already this year, the team has lost center LeCharles Bentley, receiver Joe Jurevicius, and cornerback Daylon McCutcheon. Now, cornerback Gary Baxter is hurt and the team may be without its top two corners.

On offense, the Browns are having no success running the ball with Reuben Droughns. Droughns has a hurt shoulder, but should play this week. Cleveland has had more success throwing the ball with Charlie Frye, but he is a young guy prone to turnovers. That is not a good combination with the ball-hawking Ravens’ defense.

The Ravens are 2-0 after wins over Tampa Bay and Oakland. So far, the defense has been all that was expected and more. They are number one in the NFL in yards allowed, and also number one in points allowed at just three per game. That is impressive even if their competition has been less than stellar.

Offensively, the team is doing what it takes to win, and quarterback Steve McNair is the master of that philosophy. McNair is not averaging a ton of yards through the air, as Baltimore prefers to run the ball with Jamal Lewis, but McNair can air it out if needed. Against Cleveland, the Ravens will be able to play conservative and dominate on the ground.

Outlook: This is not expected to be a high scoring game, which can be worrisome when giving points, but turnovers will end up extending the final margin. NFL Free Pick: Baltimore

Philadelphia (-6) at San Francisco

Philadelphia is 1-1 after a heartbreaking 30-24 loss to the Giants. The Eagles were leading 24-7 in the fourth quarter. To add injury to insult, defensive end, Jevon Kearse was lost for the year with a knee injury. Now, Philadelphia must try to rebound mentally and physically as they travel across the coast.

Against the Giants, the Eagles reverted to their form of last year by passing it 45 times and running it only 30. McNabb is getting good protection from his offensive line and he will have success throwing it this week, but they need to be balanced to come away with a victory.

San Francisco is 1-1 after a loss at Arizona and a home win over St. Louis. The San Francisco offense has been one of the surprise units in the NFL so far. Frank Gore is looking like one of the best backs in the league, and quarterback Alex Smith has seen his maturation process develop quicker than expected.

Gore will again be featured this week, but look for more play action than usual if Eagles’ cornerback, Roderick Hood is out with a heel injury. The Eagles are already missing cornerback Lito Sheppard, and Norv Turner’s

offense will be able to put points on the board against this banged up secondary.

Outlook: Philadelphia is desperate to bounce back with a win, but this will be an extremely close game. Take the points. NFL Free Pick: San Francisco

Atlanta (-3.5) at New Orleans

New Orleans returns home after road wins over Cleveland and Green Bay. It will be a major celebration on Monday Night Football as U2 and Green Day will have a pre-game musical performance to launch the re-opening of the Superdome. This is the first regular season game in New Orleans since December 2004 due to Hurricane Katrina.

The Saints hope to feed off the energy of the crowd by taking it to the Falcons early. New Orleans ran the ball well against Cleveland in the opener, but they were shut down against Green Bay. Quarterback, Drew Brees may need to start passing first as the Falcons’ run defense has been stout. If that is successful, they can then turn the ball over to Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister.

Atlanta is also 2-0 after impressive wins over Carolina and Tampa Bay. A victory here gives them three straight wins over NFC South opponents, giving them a huge edge in ultimately winning the division.

The Falcons have been winning games in “old school” style, running the ball and stopping the run. Their run offense is by far tops in the NFL, thanks in part to their running quarterback, Michael Vick. There is a good chance that defensive end, John Abraham will be back for this game, giving a boost to the pass rush and subsequently the pass defense.

Outlook: If New Orleans scores first, they can be dangerous, but look for Atlanta to dominate early and take the crowd and the Saints out of the game. NFL Free Pick: Atlanta

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