Okay, on to week three in the 2003 NFL season...

There are four teams with bye weeks this time around, the Panthers, the Cowboys, the Eagles, and the Bears. In the case of the Panthers, they'll need to determine how to keep the intensity. Parcells will have to convince the Cowboys that they deserved the win, even though they only played two good quarters. The Eagles need to sort things out and figure why they are losing, even with their Pro-Bowlers healthy and starting. As for the Bears, I hear the bye week is favored by 4½ points; the Bears won't even be able to cover that.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts
Looks like the Colts may have finally realized that they were in the playoffs last year, and have been picked to get there again this year. Brunell hasn't been the same since the Jags let Boselli go. Give the Colts a 10-point win.
Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Texans
To be honest, KC is just scary when they get the machine running. Houston will put up a valiant effort, but the firepower of the Chefs is just too much. Chiefs by 14.
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
Another chance for the Lions to prove that their first-week victory was not a fluke. Another chance for Minnesota to go up a game against a divisional rival and prove they're back to form. Daunte makes the difference with his legs, scrambling for 50+ yards and a TD that turns out to be the winning difference.
New Orleans Saints at Tennessee Titans
Ooooh, not good for the Saints. The Titans are stinging from their recent defeat and they're looking for someone to beat up. The Saints will start with confidence, but the Titans have the game wrapped up by halftime. Titans by 11.
New York Jets at New England Patriots
Nothing "New" about this AFC East matchup, other than the ways the Patriot defense is going to slap Vinny around. What else can I say? Pats by at least 9.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals
You always get the most hungry when someone teases you with something and won't give you a taste. Victory was on the plate last week for the Bengals, and they are starving right about now. Not good for the Steelers, whose defense was exposed by Priest Holmes last week; you better believe that Dillon will know how to hit them up for some yards, too. Bengals by 4.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons
Without the big bird, Vick, on the field, the Falcons are not going to fare well against Tampa; the defense for the Bucs will score two TDs, more than Atlanta will be able to score. The Buc offense doesn't need to be spectacular to win, and this may be a good chance for Chucky to have the team practice the running game and blocking the surge for field goals.
Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals
This game will be a good chance for Favre and Ahman Green to get their egos stroked, as the Cards won't be putting up too much of a fight. The best chance the Cardinals have is that the Pack will be used to colder weather, and might wear down in the heat. Pack by 12.
New York Giants at Washington Redskins
If I felt like a little schoolgirl, I'd say this one is "too close to call". But of course, I can take it when I'm wrong. I see this one going to the wire, maybe even into overtime, but I think the Giants have just a bit more "oomph" on offense that helps to tip the scales. G-men by 2.
St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks
St. Louis received a morale boost by putting Bulger in, but you'll see Warner in the game by the end of the third quarter when the Seahawk defense puts Mark on his butt a few times and he gets a little headache -- Kurt knows all about those. Neither of them is able to perform well enough, and the Seahawk offense finds the right patterns to expose a shaky version of the Cover-2. Hawks by 5.
Baltimore Ravens at San Diego Chargers
Tomlinson won't be running against this defense, and the wideouts for the Chargers don't have the speed or skill to separate. The defense isn't enough to stop the Ravens, no matter how shaky the Raven running game is. Carney scores the only points for the 'Bolts, and the Ravens take the game by 7 points.
Cleveland Browns at San Francisco 49ers
The Forty-Browners show up to the bay with DeBartalo in tow, only to have their heads handed back to them after the Niners rip them off. TO is unstoppable in this game, with 100+ yards, and Garcia doesn't take a sack. Niners by 8.
Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins
This is the game of the week, between the contenders for this year's eastern division. Ricky will have a mediocre game, and Jay will not be able to get passes off comfortably. Conversely, Bledsoe will put up decent numbers, but the experience Junior brings to the Miami defense will keep him honest on play fakes. The Bills will take this one, primarily to the leadership that Lawyer brings to their D. Bills by 3.
Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos
A good, long-standing feud continues between these two, but Plummer won't understand how much these teams hate each other until after the game, as he's getting Liquid Heat rubbed in. The Raider offense will fire on all cylinders, and I look for Gannon to be at least 24 of 31 for 300+ yards and 2 TDs. Romo is a butthead, but he'll hold the D firm, and the Broncos get beaten down yet again. Raiders by 8.
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