Beating the House - Week 3

New column here starting today and every Saturday for the rest of the season...selections are made against the point spread...these picks are for recreational purposes only unless you are lucky enough to live in Las Vegas...if you do, run to the nearest sportsbook after reading this and you could be living large!

Indianapolis (-6) at Houston--Colts looked a bit shaky last week but will come out blazing here to show they're still the team to beat...without Andre Johnson, the Texans offense will suffer...pick: Colts.

San Diego (-5.5) at Green Bay--Chargers will look to pick themselves up after their embarassment on national TV...Pack's defense will keep them in this one but they still lose by a touchdown...pick: Chargers.

Minnesota (+3) at Kansas City--Kelly Holcomb may be better than Tarvaris Jackson, but he's probably rusty and I have zero confidence in their wideouts...KC has looked dreadful but will ride Larry Johnson and Tony Gonzalez to a win here...pick: Chiefs.

Detroit (+6) at Philadelphia--McNabb and Co. are desperate for a win here but Lions are playing like the team with the swagger...too many weapons for Kitna so even if Philly gets it together, take the points...pick: Lions.

Buffalo (+16.5) at New England--Looks like a ridiculous spread but probably justified here...underdogs cover these a vast majority of the time when the game is out of hand and they score against a prevent defense...not here, Belichick is still pissed off...pick: Patriots.

Miami (+3) at New York Jets--Both teams are 0-2, divisional game, but the Jets have looked much better to date with their respectable showing against the Ravens...Jones, Coles and Cotchery go off at home...pick: Jets.

San Francisco (+9) at Pittsburgh--Battle of 2-0 teams with the nod again going to the home team...Big Ben looks healthy, Parker is a beast and the defense is inspired...bad news for Niners who have faced soft Ds in Arizona and St. Louis...pick: Steelers.

Arizona (+7.5) at Baltimore--If the Ravens didn't have such a dominant defense, they'd wouldn't be much of a threat...that offense doesn't scare anyone...I think Leinart will have to throw a ton and will keep them in the game...if they're getting more than a touchdown here, I like 'em...pick: Cardinals.

St. Louis (+3.5) at Tampa Bay--This one seems too easy to me and that should throw up a red flag but...the Rams finally get on track here...nice win for Bucs last week but I think they'll be a Jekyll-and-Hyde team all year so it's their week to lose again...pick: Rams.

Jacksonville (+3.5) at Denver--Broncos were lucky to win against Raiders last week with sneaky Shanahan calling that last second timeout! Jags D keep them in this and Henry will struggle to find the holes...it's a classic field goal game so take here...pick: Jaguars.

Cincinnati (+3) at Seattle--Bengals brace themselves for another wild one but should come out on top here as Seattle struggled at home in Week 1 and gave the game away last week...Chad Johnson jumps into end zone here twice with no threat of bodily harm...pick: Bengals.

Cleveland (+3) at Oakland--Great showing by the Browns putting up 51 points so chances are they're due for a letdown against a team that had a win stolen from them...Jordan should carve them up and control the clock for Raiders...pick: Raiders.

Carolina (-3.5) at Atlanta--Aside from Delhomme-to-Smith, what does Carolina have going for them and how are they road favorites...oh wait, it's Atlanta...call me crazy but Falcons cover if not win outright...pick: Falcons.

New York Giants (+3.5) at Washington--Normally I'd call for a close, hard-fought divisional game but G-Men have cost me two weeks in a row and Plax might not play...Jason Campbell impressed last week so if they can avoid the MNF hangover, they should pick apart an abysmal defense that plays with no heart...pick: Redskins.

Dallas (+3.5) at Chicago--The Cowboys offense is clicking but faces its toughest test at Soldier Field...like Ravens, Bears offense is well...almost offensive! Boys should do just enough to keep this one close as Romo still has a decent night...pick: Cowboys.

Tennessee (+4) at New Orleans--Who has been more disappointing than the Saints with many picking them in the preseason to be the best in the NFC...they can turn it around and it has to start here...home crowd on MNF will give them the jump start they need as Brees and Bush finally get on track...this is my pick of the week...pick: Saints.

Last week: 10-6 To date: 20-11-1 (You'll just have to trust me...)