YCS NFL Predictions - Week 3

This week in the NFL is a gambler's nightmare. The good teams play other good teams. The bad teams play other bad teams. The Raiders have a bye. There are no real clear favorites; even when you find a game that you think has a clear favorite, something in the back of your mind is saying, "Yeah, but I'm not completely convinced." Good advice: bet against the spread. Best advice: bet on something else this week.

So what does YCS's own Matt Bechtel do on this unpredictable weekend, before he sends in his picks? He leaves for the weekend to go to his parents' house in Whitewater, because our dryer is broken and he needs to do laundry (although I'm sure he'll spin some "Oh, I just came home cuz I miss you guys" BS).

So I'll give this a go, and if I have a winning record on my predictions I'm treating myself to a few drinks (I realize that's a hanging curveball, so take your shots if you must).

(My picks bolded)

EDIT: Nate is foolish, and you can't send a child to do a man's job, so I'm going to fix his mistakes.

Washington at Houston: Even the potential return of Clinton Portis won't help the hapless, stuck with Mark Brunell, Redskins. (Nate's an idiot for picking the Texans)

NY Jets at Buffalo: The Bills will put some hits on Pennington, which means...well, you know.

Green Bay at Detroit: Call it a homer pick, but I saw a lot of improvement from the Packers in week 2. (Wrong again, the Lions will win this one. And that is a homer pick)

Jacksonville at Indianapolis: To be the best, you've got to beat the champs, and the Jaguars beat the champs last week.

Chicago at Minnesota: The four combined wins from these teams is less impressive when you look at their opponents: Detroit, Green Bay, Washington and Carolina sans Steve Smith.

Tennessee at Miami: As much as I would LOVE to see Daunte Culpepper and the Dolphins go 0-3, they're playing the Titans.

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh: This is admittedly a homer pick, but I don't really see any other way of determining a favorite here. (Again, homer, you're wrong, the Bengals win this one).

Carolina at Tampa Bay: If, and only if, Steve Smith is in the game.

Baltimore at Cleveland: God, I hope this game is not on TV.

NY Giants at Seattle: The Seahawks' first real test could expose a lot of weaknesses.

St. Louis at Arizona: Leave the punters at home for this one. (Wa-rong, the Cards overpower the disappointing Rams)

Philadelphia at San Francisco: This is the part where I admit I may have been just a little bit wrong about Alex Smith. (Yeah, but you were even wrong-er when you picked the Niners to win this one)

Denver at New England: This is the only game I'm picking with any real confidence.

Atlanta at New Orleans: Atlanta is by far the better team here, but the emotion factor could play huge on Monday. (Everything before the word "but" is correct)

I realize it's a mess, but I had to fix the amateur's childish mistakes.