Week 2 is done, as was as tough as we thought it would be to make predictions on.

Here are our picks for week 3 of the NFL 2009 season.

Sunday 27th September
Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens
A – The Browns weren’t good last week, and the Ravens were. This will continue this week as the Ravens move to 3-0.

G - Same thoughts here.  The Ravens have been getting better each game so far.

Washington Redskins @ Detroit Lions
A – I hate to say it but this is a tough, tough game to call. The Lions have been much improved so far this season, though they couldn’t stay with the Vikings last week. The Redskins have looked good on defence, but the offence is not clicking yet. On paper, this is the Lions’ easiest game for a while and it’s in their house, so I really think they could take it. However, with my thoughts so close, I’m going to have to back the Redskins. If they can convert just one or two field goals into touchdowns, they’ll be able to beat the Lions.

G – Sorry Andrew, but I think this could be the Lions time to shine.  They need this win so so bad now and they will be boosted by Washingtons poor performance last week. I am going to back them.  err….is this the third week I have said the Lions will do it?

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans
A – Things are all going wrong in Jacksonville. They need to shake things up or else they could easily settle into a malaise that would destroy this season. The Texans are coming off an impressive win against the Titans and will be confident, but their running game hasn’t come to life yet. However, I think they’ll have enough to gets past the Jaguars.

G – I have found the Texans frustrating so far.  I expected great things from them early this season, but they have not really delivered.  I do think they will get the win at home though.

San Francisco 49ers @ Minnesota Vikings
A – Well, well, well, this is an intriguing matchup. If I can, it’ll be the early game that I watch this sunday. The 49ers are looking great and so are the Vikings. Both teams have a great running game, so it could come down to who can do more in the air: Brett Favre or Shaun Hill.
My gut says the Vikings to win here.

G – Ouch, this is a hard one.  The 49ers have not let me down so far and they have been a delight to watch.  I am going for them again here, but I wouldn’t put money on it.

Atlanta Falcons @ New England Patriots
A - If I can’t watch the 49ers in Minnesota, then it’ll be this game I’ll be watching. The Pats are coming off a tough loss to the Jets and a game where they were lucky to edge past the Bills. The Falcons have looked strong so far but haven’t travelled outside their dome yet. I hesitate to call against the Patriots as I think if there’s one team that can turn things around, it’s them. But the Falcons are for real, so this will be a close one. But one that the Patriots will edge.

G – The Falcons have faced an disorganised and wildcat-free Dolphins in week 1 and a wounded Carolina in week 2.  They won’t get a win against the Pats this week.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Philadelphia Eagles
A – The Eagles will probably be without McNabb again but might have someone called Michael Vick to call on. He won’t start at QB, but any appearance he might make will be interesting to see. Looking at how the Seahawks have used Seneca Wallace, I wouldn’t be surprised to see something similar for Vick… but maybe not this week. They’ve looked good, but had Drew Brees do the Drew Brees Passing Show against them last week.
The Chiefs ran out of steam against the Ravens in week 1, and couldn’t hold the Raiders at the end of the game. Matt Cassel took some time to find his feet, but should improve week on week. I’ve got to call the Eagles here though.

G – A hard one here again.  I am going to go with the home advantage, but I can’t see it being a pretty game.

Green Bay Packers @ St. Louis Rams
A – The Packers let me down last week with what was a shocking loss to the Bengals. But I don’t see such a thing happening for two weeks running. The Packers to win in style.

G – Agreed, sadly the Rams won’t know what hit them.

NY Giants @ Tampa Bay Bucanneers
A – Whilst many teams are catching the eye, the Giants are just going about their business quietly and efficiently and are 2-0 after two games in the East. The Bucs… not so much, and they enter a tough few weeks of fixtures culminating with the Wembley game in week 7. If they’re going to beat an NFC East team, I think it will be the Redskins in week 4. I can’t look past the Giants here.

G – The Giants look great on the road so far.  I am really hoping that Tampa can up their game in time for Wembley, but I pick the Giants this week.

Tennessee Titans @ NY Jets
A – The Titans are at 0-2, which must feel very disappointing to them after last season. The Jets are looking good, but surely teams will get wise to Mark Sanchez sooner or later. Following my gut again, I’m going with the Titans.

G – This should be a great game and probably a close one.  I think the Jets will be able to continue with a win, they look great under T-Rex Ryan.

New Orleans Saints @ Buffalo Bills
A – This is my late game of choice, and could be a good one too. The Saints’ have been piling yards and points on all they come against. They get another test here, but I fancy them over the Bills.

G – I am going with the Saints too.  I might even have to get my ‘Saint for a day’ flag out!

Chicago Bears @ Seattle Seahawks
A – Jay Cutler was great against the Steelers last week, making all sorts of throws that he shouldn’t have been able to. The Seahawks may be without Matt Hasselbeck, who has cracked ribs. Even if he does play, I think the Bears can hold the ‘Hawks to a low score and put up enough offence to win the game.

G – I am struggling to get excited about this one.  If the Bears ‘turn up’ then they should get this one.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals
A – The Steelers have been in two very close games, and come out on both sides. The Bengals are coming off an impressive win against Green Bay, but I think they’ll find that Pittsburgh are too strong.

G – The Steelers will be looking to put right the ‘blip’ from last weekend.  I am backing them here.

Denver Broncos @ Oakland Raiders
A – The Broncos are surprising me a little. At 2-0 they can’t be ruled out, but the Raiders have put up two very impressive performances in two tough matchups: I’m backing them here.

G – I can’t imagine I would have had the Raiders winning this one before the start of the season, but they are my pick at home this week.

Miami Dolphins @ San Diego Chargers
G – Miami were very unlucky not to get a win against the Colts.  If they play to that level on Sunday the Chargers don’t stand a chance.  San Diego have a few injuries to deal, but as close as I was to calling Miami I’m going to back San Diego here.

A – I think the Dolphins will win this one. The Chargers are no pushovers though, and I expect a close game.

Indianapolis Colts @ Arizona Cardinals
A – This is a great primetime matchup, but one that I’ll be asleep for. The Colts look to be finding a good rhythm after some setbacks in week 1 and I’m picking them here.

G – This should be a good one.  The Cardinals got a pick from me last week, but the Colts do look good and I am going with them here.

Monday 28th September
Carolina Panthers @ Dallas Cowboys
A – The Panthers are also letting me down, after I picked them to walk the NFC South. The Cowboys will be smarting after the loss to the Giants, and I think they’ll come strongly here. The Panthers will be improved, but I can’t back them here.

G – Still not convinced by the Panthers.  I am going with the Cowboys getting their first win in their new home.

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Fixtures and Scores @ nfl.com: http://www.nfl.com/schedules?seasonType=REG#Week3
Fixtures and Scores @ Yahoo! Sports: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/scoreboard?w=3