Update: The NFL Week 17 TV schedule, point spreads, and picks post is up.
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Does it seem to anyone else like those first two weeks of the NFL season just flew by?
I suppose it always seems like that. Training camp and the preseason just drags on and on and before you know it — BAM! — your team is 0-2 and it feels like all hope is lost.
Yes, you guessed it, a Browns fan is writing this week’s NFL TV schedule, point spreads, and announcer pairings post.
And although Browns fans may not have a whole lot to watch this week, considering their team has to travel to Baltimore, Week 3 is a pivotal week for a host of fan bases who had high hopes coming into this season.
That is a huge reason why you should be very careful before you bet against the Titans (at the Jets) and the Panthers (at Dallas on Monday night). I realize that neither of these teams has a favorable matchup, but both squads made the playoffs last year, had high hopes coming into 2009, and have rosters filled with prideful veterans.
They may not win, but I’d bet they’ll cover.
As always, this post is designed to be the most complete viewing guide you’ll find anywhere. Not only is every game listed (with date, time, network, and announcer pairing) but we also give you the point spread and over-under, as well as an educated guess at a spread pick for each game.
Through two weeks I am 19-13 against the spread. Not too shabby.
A couple of quick things to keep in mind:
- All times are ET.
- Some games do not have all of the information filled in as of this post being published (i.e. a few games don’t have spreads yet and the announcer assignments have not yet been announced). I’ll up date this post as soon as the information is available at the506.com.
- Point spread and over-under listings are as of Monday night, and obviously subject to change throughout the week. If you want update point spread info, or some expert advice as you make your weekly picks, below are a few helpful links.
- DocSports: NFL Odds
- DocSports: NFL Picks
And with all that said, here is your mood music and the Week 3 TV schedule, point spreads, announcers, and picks.
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NFL Week 3 Viewer’s Guide
TV Schedule – Announcers – Kickoff Times
Point Spreads – Picks – Odds – Over-Unders
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Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)
- Chiefs-Eagles Date: Sunday, September 27th
- Chiefs-Eagles Time: 1:00 ET
- Chiefs-Eagles TV Network: CBS
- Chiefs-Eagles Announcers: Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots
- Chiefs-Eagles Point Spread: NL
- Chiefs-Eagles Over-Under: NL
- Chiefs-Eagles Pick: There is currently no line on this game, presumably while the powers that be await a decision on Philly’s QB and the status of Brian Westbrook. Well, I don’t care. Whatever it is (Philly will be favored) take the Eagles and the points. The Chiefs are awful. Chiefs-Eagles free spread pick: Eagles minus the points
New York Giants (2-0) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2)
- Giants-Buccaneers Date: Sunday, September 27th
- Giants-Buccaneers Time: 1:00 ET
- Giants-Buccaneers TV Network: FOX
- Giants-Buccaneers Announcers: Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, and Tony Siragusa
- Giants-Buccaneers Point Spread: Giants -7.5
- Giants-Buccaneers Over-Under: 44
- Giants-Buccaneers Pick: I have been wholly unimpressed by the Bucs so far this year — their secondary is absolutely pitiful — whereas the Giants have played very sound football in moving to 2-0. I think Eli Manning will have another big game hooking up with Steve Smith and Mario Manningham and the Giants will roll, even on the road. Giants-Buccaneers free spread pick: Giants -7.5
Green Bay Packers (1-1) at St. Louis Rams (0-2)
- Packers-Rams Date: Sunday, September 27th
- Packers-Rams Time: 1:00 ET
- Packers-Rams TV Network: FOX
- Packers-Rams Announcers: Chris Myers and Trent Green
- Packers-Rams Point Spread: Packers -6.5
- Packers-Rams Over-Under: 41
- Packers-Rams Pick: This one is tricky. Before last week, it would have been Packers and the points without thinking about it. But after seeing how poorly the Packers’ line played, along with their inability to stop Cedric Benson, I’m a little worried. The Rams played Washington tough last week and will be in desperation mode at 0-2 in front of their home fans. In the end though, I don’t think the Rams can score enough to keep up with the Packers. Packers-Rams free spread pick: Packers -6.5
San Francisco 49ers (2-0) at Minnesota Vikings (2-0)
- 49ers-Vikings Date: Sunday, September 27th
- 49ers-Vikings Time: 1:00 ET
- 49ers-Vikings TV Network: FOX
- 49ers-Vikings Announcers: Sam Rosen and Tim Ryan
- 49ers-Vikings Point Spread: Vikings -6.5
- 49ers-Vikings Over-Under: 40
- 49ers-Vikings Pick: The 49ers are getting no love. I realize Minnesota has dominated their first two games, but they played Cleveland and Detroit. They have not yet faced adversity, and it will be interesting to see Favre and his new teammates respond to a close game against a team that can stop the run. I don’t know if San Fran can pull out the W on the road, but I do think they run the ball and stop the run well enough to keep it close. 49ers-Vikings free spread pick: 49ers +6.5
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Tennessee Titans (0-2) at New York Jets (2-0)
- Titans-Jets Date: Sunday, September 27th
- Titans-Jets Time: 1:00 ET
- Titans-Jets TV Network: CBS
- Titans-Jets Announcers: Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf
- Titans-Jets Point Spread: Jets -2.5
- Titans-Jets Over-Under: 37
- Titans-Jets Pick: This is a tough spread. The Jets’ defense has been out of its mind through two weeks, while the Titans’ proud defense has shown that it misses Albert Haynesworth and Jim Schwartz. This Tennessee team is a proud bunch that went 3-13 last year and will be playing with their backs against the wall. The Jets, I think, are ripe for a letdown after putting so much emotionally into last week’s win over the Patriots. And despite all the hype about Mark Sanchez, he is still a rookie and will have a few clunkers here and there. I don’t know that the Titans will win, but they keep it close. Titans-Jets free spread pick: Titans +2.5
Atlanta Falcons (2-0) at New England Patriots (1-1)
- Falcons-Patriots Date: Sunday, September 27th
- Falcons-Patriots Time: 1:00 ET
- Falcons-Patriots TV Network: FOX
- Falcons-Patriots Announcers: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman
- Falcons-Patriots Point Spread: Patriots -4.5
- Falcons-Patriots Over-Under: 44
- Falcons-Patriots Pick: The Patriots will be ready to go and focused after getting blasted by the Jets last week. The problem? Atlanta is really, really good. The Falcons can rush the passer, which attacks the Patriots biggest weakness on offense (protecting Tom Brady), and they can also run the ball. Oh yeah, and they have an emerging star in Matt Ryan who is having fun with his new toy, TE Tony Gonzalez. This will be a close one, and will come down to a mano-a-mano battle between Brady and Ryan. I think Brady ultimately wins it, but the Falcons cover. Falcons-Patriots free spread pick: Falcons +4.5
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2) at Houston Texans (1-1)
- Jaguars-Texans Date: Sunday, September 27th
- Jaguars-Texans Time: 1:00 ET
- Jaguars-Texans TV Network: CBS
- Jaguars-Texans Announcers: Bill Macatee and Steve Beuerlein
- Jaguars-Texans Point Spread: Texans -3.5
- Jaguars-Texans Over-Under: 46.5
- Jaguars-Texans Pick: This Jacksonville team is terrible, and they have shown signs of being able to do anything offensively other than garbage points. The Texans’ D has not played well, but its offense got clicking last week against Tennessee. I would not be surprised to see this game break the over, and I think Houston wins by at least a TD or more. Schaub, Johnson, and a rejuvenated Steve Slaton (he’s due!) will be too much for Jacksonville to handle. Jaguars-Texans free spread pick: Texans -3.5
Washington Redskins (1-1) at Detroit Lions (0-2)
- Redskins-Lions Date: Sunday, September 27th
- Redskins-Lions Time: 1:00 ET
- Redskins-Lions TV Network: FOX
- Redskins-Lions Announcers: Thom Brennaman and Brian Billick
- Redskins-Lions Point Spread: Redskins -6.5
- Redskins-Lions Over-Under: 38
- Redskins-Lions Pick: Something tells me the Lions will be a trendy pick to get the upset W this week. And there is good reason for that: Washington is not a very good team right now. When you only beat St. Louis 9-7 at home, you have some issues. Detroit played well in the first half against Minnesota last week, but the Vikings are a really good team. I would take the under in this game, and my main hesitation in taking the Redskins and the point is that I don’t even know if they can get to 7 points. I do not think Detroit wins this game, but I do think they keep it close enough to give Jason Campbell and Jim Zorn some more sleepless nights next week. Redskins-Lions free spread pick: Lions +6.5
Cleveland Browns (0-2) at Baltimore Ravens (2-0)
- Browns-Ravens Date: Sunday, September 27th
- Browns-Ravens Time: 1:00 ET
- Browns-Ravens TV Network: CBS
- Browns-Ravens Announcers: GUS JOHNSON and Steve Tasker (Yes!!! A reason to watch the Browns! Gus Johnson!)
- Browns-Ravens Point Spread: Ravens -13.5
- Browns-Ravens Over-Under: 38.5
- Browns-Ravens Pick: Ugh. I don’t even want to analyze this game this week. I would take Baltimore and the points if the spread was 21. Cleveland has shown no signs of life on offense, it wears out their D by the second half, and this Browns team always gets trounced at Baltimore when the Ravens are good. Well guess what? Baltimore is really good this year, and barring a huge surprise, they will take the Browns behind the proverbial woodshed. Browns-Ravens free spread pick: Ravens -13.5
Chicago Bears (1-1) at Seattle Seahawks (1-1)
- Bears-Seahawks Date: Sunday, September 27th
- Bears-Seahawks Time: 4:05 ET
- Bears-Seahawks TV Network: Dick Stockton and Charles Davis
- Bears-Seahawks Announcers: FOX
- Bears-Seahawks Point Spread: Bears -2.5
- Bears-Seahawks Over-Under: 37
- Bears-Seahawks Pick: Poor Matt Hasselbeck. He just can’t seem to stay healthy anymore. If he were healthy and playing, I think they’d be a good bet to win and certainly to cover 2.5 points. However, I think last week’s win was a big confidence builder for Jay Cutler and the Bears. And after seeing what Frank Gore did to Seattle last week, Matt Forte will no doubt be ready for his 2009 breakout game. I think he gets it, and I think the Bears win by a TD. Bears-Seahawks free spread pick: Bears -2.5 (for the record, I’m already re-thinking this one…Seattle is tough to beat at home. But the absence of Hasselbeck seals it. Bears, minus the points, final answer.)
New Orleans Saints (2-0) at Buffalo Bills (1-1)
- Saints-Bills Date: Sunday, September 27th
- Saints-Bills Time: 4:05 ET
- Saints-Bills TV Network: FOX
- Saints-Bills Announcers: Ron Pitts and John Lynch
- Saints-Bills Point Spread: Saints -5.5
- Saints-Bills Over-Under: 52.5
- Saints-Bills Pick: I love the Saints this year. Their offense has just been spectacular, and they have played surprisingly well defensively. The Bills did a good job of containing the Patriots for 3 1/2 quarters in week 1 and are playing better than I think most people expected. They certainly are running the ball better than expected, and that should help them keep this game close. I think the Saints’ O will continue to roll, but Buffalo should be able to control the ball somewhat and limit Drew Brees’ chances. I think the Saints win, but I also think the Bills have enough to keep this one close and cover. Saints-Bills free spread pick: Bills +5.5
Miami Dolphins (0-2) at San Diego Chargers (1-1)
- Dolphins-Chargers Date: Sunday, September 27th
- Dolphins-Chargers Time: 4:15 ET
- Dolphins-Chargers TV Network: CBS
- Dolphins-Chargers Announcers: Dick Enberg and Dan Fouts
- Dolphins-Chargers Point Spread: Chargers -6.5
- Dolphins-Chargers Over-Under: 43
- Dolphins-Chargers Pick: The spread has not been posted yet as of publishing this on Monday night, but I’m taking the Dolphins. The ‘Fins played very well on Monday night in so many facets of the game, holding the Colts to under 15:00 time of possession. Peyton Manning is one of the few QBs who could win a game like that, and he did. San Diego is struggling against the run, especially with Jamal Williams now out for the season. I think Miami will be able to run the ball, keep it close, and perhaps even come out with the win. Either way, they’ll cover; and remember, desperate teams usually make good bets to cover. Dolphins-Chargers free spread pick: Dolphins + the points (6.5)
Denver Broncos (2-0) at Oakland Raiders (1-1)
- Broncos-Raiders Date: Sunday, September 27th
- Broncos-Raiders Time: 4:15 ET
- Broncos-Raiders TV Network: CBS
- Broncos-Raiders Announcers: Ian Eagle and Rich Gannon
- Broncos-Raiders Point Spread: Raiders -1.5
- Broncos-Raiders Over-Under: 35.5
- Broncos-Raiders Pick: Ugh. This is going to be an ugly game. Amazingly, either Denver will be 3-0 or Oakland will be 2-1 after this game. Neither team will be as good as their record indicates, but someone has to win. Right now, I have very little faith in JaMarcus Russell. The Raiders somehow won on the road with Russell going 7-24 last week, but that will not happen again. I’m not at all sold on Denver, but I do think their offense is starting to click a bit. The Raiders’ D is much better this year, which will keep Oakland in the game, but Denver can really get after the passer and will force mistakes by Russell. I think this one stays under the number, but the damn Broncos move to 3-0. Broncos-Raiders free spread pick: Broncos +1.5
Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-1)
- Steelers-Bengals Date: Sunday, September 27th
- Steelers-Bengals Time: 4:15 ET
- Steelers-Bengals TV Network: CBS
- Steelers-Bengals Announcers: Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
- Steelers-Bengals Point Spread: Steelers -4.5
- Steelers-Bengals Over-Under: 37
- Steelers-Bengals Pick: Cincinnati shocked a lot of people by going into Lambeau and beating the Packers last week. They did it by pressuring the QB and stopping the run. So far this year and last year, the Steelers have really struggled to both run and protect Ben Roethlisberger. However, I cannot in good faith recommend the Bengals as a winner in this game when their RB is my sworn fantasy enemy Cedric Benson. But since they are at home, and seemingly playing much better, I do think they can keep it close. Pittsburgh won’t blow many teams out, and I think they just squeak by with a win in Cincy. Steelers-Bengals free spread pick: Bengals +4.5
Indianapolis Colts (2-0) at Arizona Cardinals (1-1)
- Colts-Cardinals Date: Sunday, September 27th
- Colts-Cardinals Time: 8:20 ET
- Colts-Cardinals TV Network: NBC
- Colts-Cardinals Announcers: Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth
- Colts-Cardinals Point Spread: Cardinals -2.5
- Colts-Cardinals Over-Under: 48
- Colts-Cardinals Pick: This has all the makings of a really tough spread choice. Both offenses are fantastic in the passing game but struggle running the ball. However, neither defense is particularly adept at stopping the run. The Colts absolutely stole Monday night’s game in Miami despite having the ball for less than 15 minutes. Arizona’s offense is too good to allow the Colts to do something similar here. The Cardinals won’t be able to run the ball as well as Miami did against Indianapolis, but I do think they have enough firepower to outscore the Colts and win by at least field goal. Colts-Cardinals free spread pick: Cardinals -2.5
Carolina Panthers (0-2) at Dallas Cowboys (1-1)
- Panthers-Cowboys Date: Monday, September 28th
- Panthers-Cowboys Time: 8:30 ET
- Panthers-Cowboys TV Network: ESPN
- Panthers-Cowboys Announcers: Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, and Jon Gruden
- Panthers-Cowboys Point Spread: Cowboys -9.5
- Panthers-Cowboys Over-Under: 46
- Panthers-Cowboys Pick: I don’t like this game at all and would not touch it with a ten-foot pole if I actually bet money on these things. Luckily I don’t, so I can still offer up at least a guess as to how it will turn out. I think it all comes down to who you trust more: Tony Romo or Jake Delhomme. If Romo protects the ball and lets his great RBs do the heavy lifting, the Cowboys should rebound from their home opener for a win. However, Dallas is terrible against the pass (as proven last week by Eli Manning) and perhaps this is the game that Jake Delhomme gets well again. In the end, I do think Dallas will win this game, but Romo will make enough mistakes and Dallas’ DBs will play poorly enough for Carolina to keep it close. Plus, when in doubt, go with the 0-2 team that had playoff expectations coming into the year. Desperation can be huge in the NFL. Panthers-Cowboys free spread pick: Panthers +9.5
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