Far be it from me to favor the dogs. I’m not even a Browns fan, Dawg Pound or not. But there are just too many tempting upsets this week for me to start picking favorites. Maybe the Browns shocker over the Bengals in Week 2 inspired me. Maybe Vegas is trying to rope in a few suckers. Or maybe Whizzer doesn’t do “safe.” When you read my picks below, you’ll see my underdogs run deep. Perhaps you’ll call it crazy — or genius!
MATCHUP
Dallas at BEARS, 7:15 p.m., NBC
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
After two weeks, Dallas — led by QB Tony Romo, WR Terrell Owens, and RBs Marion Barber III and Julius Jones — leads the league with 82 points. The Bears would be thankful for 82 points by the bye week. No matter, we’ll see how the fourth overall offense holds up against the fifth overall defense. Oh yes, we’ll just see.
THE LINE
Bears by 3
FINAL SHAKE
Bears
MATCHUP
Minnesota at Kansas City, noon, FOX
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
The Vikings are quarterback-challenged. Well, the Chiefs, too, for that matter …
THE LINE
Chiefs by 3
FINAL SHAKE
Vikings
MATCHUP
San Diego at Green Bay, noon, CBS
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Isn’t that cute? The Packers think they’re legit.
THE LINE
Chargers by 5
FINAL SHAKE
Packers
MATCHUP
San Francisco at Pittsburgh, noon
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Only J.P. Losman has fewer passing yards (251) than Alex Smith (252). Well, that’s just splitting hairs.
THE LINE
Steelers by 9
FINAL SHAKE
49ers
MATCHUP
Miami at N.Y. Jets, noon
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
You gotta love the old-time rivalries. Namath. Marino. Mud wrestling. Let’s make this happen.
THE LINE
Jets by 3
FINAL SHAKE
Jets
MATCHUP
Arizona at Baltimore, noon
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Cardinals first-year coach Ken Whisenhunt saw plenty of the Ravens as an assistant with the Steelers. Won’t help him at all.
THE LINE
Ravens by 8
FINAL SHAKE
Ravens
MATCHUP
Buffalo at New England, noon
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Tom Brady has thrown just 12 incompletions in two games. Paternity-wise, he’s just as effective.
THE LINE
Patriots by 16 1/2
FINAL SHAKE
Pats
MATCHUP
Indianapolis at Houston, noon
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
The Colts’ last trip to Houston ended with a 27-24 loss. Too bad the Texans are without top gun Andre Johnson.
THE LINE
Colts by 6
FINAL SHAKE Colts
MATCHUP
St. Louis at Tampa Bay, noon
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
The Rams are one of the worst against the run. Look for the Bucs to ride the Cadillac through this one.
THE LINE
Bucs by 3 1/2
FINAL SHAKE
Bucs
MATCHUP
Detroit at Philadelphia, noon
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Why the Lions? Because we’re all very, very skeptical of Donovan McNabb. Oh, you know why, you just won’t admit it.
THE LINE
Eagles by 6
FINAL SHAKE
Lions
MATCHUP
Cleveland at Oakland, 3:05 p.m.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
We’re actually talking Josh McCown vs. Derek Anderson. Seriously. What has the NFL come to?
MATCHUP
Jacksonville at Denver, 3:05 p.m.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
The Jags pass defense may seem like a test for QB Jay Cutler. Maybe Cutler’s the test. The Titans and Falcons have no receivers.
THE LINE
Broncos by 3
FINAL SHAKE
Broncos
MATCHUP
Cincinnati at Seattle, 3:05 p.m.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Two teams with defensive issues. Work it out in therapy.
THE LINE
Hawks by 3 1/2
FINAL SHAKE Bengals
MATCHUP
N.Y. Giants at Washington, 3:15 p.m., FOX
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
“You hate to use the word desperation, but we’ve put ourselves in a bad position, let’s put it that way,” said guard Chris Snee. Shyeah.
THE LINE
Skins by 3 1/2
FINAL SHAKE Skins
MATCHUP
Carolina at Atlanta, 3:15 p.m.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
That’s all the Panthers are getting over the Falcs? Even as a road game, I’d be insulted.
THE LINE
Panthers by 3 1/2
FINAL SHAKE
Panthers
MATCHUP
Tennessee at New Orleans, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
It’s silly to say there are must-win games in Week 3. THE SAINTS MUST WIN THIS GAME!
THE LINE
Saints by 4
FINAL SHAKE Saints
