A Brief Explanation — The numbers of each game represent how many points they are going to win by. If Miami is (+6.5) at Arizona, that means that they would win if the Cardinals beat them by 6 points or less, or if Miami itself won. If Arizona blew them out by 7 points or more, Arizona would “cover the spread”. If, for some miraculous reason, the game was decided by 6.5 points, the result would be a draw.

The standings after 1 week (beginning with week 2):

 
Here are the NFL Week 3 picks:

Kansas City (+7) at Atlanta
Bill (Kansas City) — this is the NFL’s forgotten about game. Both teams are bad, and Kansas City is arguably the worst in the league. The only reason I pick the Chiefs is because of the seven-point spread, which I think is way too high for a battle of the bad.
Jeff (Atlanta) — Matt Ryan has made a believer out of me already; whether that makes me a fool or not as well is yet to be determined. Add this to two consecutive disappointing performances from the Chiefs’ Larry Johnson, and I’ve got the Falcons flying high.

Oakland (+9.5) at Buffalo
Bill (Buffalo) — The Bills are way too good to give Oakland a shot in this game, especially on their home turf. The spread is very high, which is Vegas’ way of urging you to pick the Raiders, but I am fighting it off. Buffalo blows them out by the end of the third quarter.
Jeff (Oakland) — The big spread scares me, as the odds that any game will be decided by 10 or more points in today’s NFL teeming with parity are thin, regardless of the relative talent of the two teams. Buffalo should still win this one, but I think Oakland cuts the lead to less than 10 with a late score.

Houston (+4.5) at Tennessee
Bill (Houston) — Take the Texans here. Though Ike stirred them up a little last week, they have had almost double the time the Titans have to prepare for the game, and although they might be a little bit rusty this could be a feel good story. Houston wins by a field goal, especially as Vince Young is the number two until Kerry Collins loses.
Jeff (Tennessee) — Although I like the Texans to fight for a playoff spot this year, Tennessee served up a nice performance last week, even without Vince Young. I’ve got the Titans taking this contest at home.

Arizona (+3) at Washington
Bill (Arizona) — I hate making this pick out of love for my ‘Hawks, but it is the one that has to be made. The Redskins have a talented roster but an un-experienced coach. Arizona is a team on the rise (for once), and although they didn’t play amazing team the first two weeks of the season I could easily see them starting out 3-0, striking a blow to the Redskins. It should be close, but I see Arizona at least covering the spread.
Jeff (Arizona) — Similar to Bill, the Cards are on the rise, and should dispose of Washington fairly easily with a big day through the air.

Miami (+13) at New England
Bill (New England) — Three weeks ago this spread would have been like 23, but then again, Matt Cassel is running the show in Boston. At home, Matt Cassel should put up good numbers against a deficient Dolphin’s defense, at least good enough to give them a two touchdown lead.
Jeff (Miami) — Easiest pick of the week for me, you’ve got to be out of your mind not to go with Miami. Aside from being the last team to defeat the Patriots in the regular season, the Dolphins always always always play the Pats tough for some odd reason, and will not lose by more than 6 points, if they lose at all, come Sunday.

Cincinnati (+13.5) at New York Giants
Bill (New York)
Jeff (New York)

Tampa Bay (+3) at Chicago
Bill (Tampa Bay)
Jeff (Chicago)

Carolina (+3.5) at Minnesota
Bill (Minnesota) — This game is intriguing as Jackson has been named the number two starter, behind old-timer Vike Gus Frerrote. Frerrote has tremendous talent and could be enough to push them into the race for the NFC North. But right now, they’re not even close. Expect the Vikings to keep the ball in the hands of Chester Taylor and Adrian Peterson, and expect them to win like that.
Jeff (Carolina) — Two words: Steve Smith. Returning from his suspension, Smith will have a huge day against Minnesota’s abysmal pass D, racking up 100+ yards along with 2+ TDs, as Adrian Peterson disappears in the second half once again.

Detroit (+4.5) at San Francisco
Bill (Detroit)
Jeff (San Francisco)

New Orleans (+6) at Denver
Bill (Denver) — The Broncos are a team on the rise, much like the Cardinals. They are playing on their own turf, and a six point spread is essentially saying, “will they get a touchdown?” The Broncos will outscore the Saints by at least a touchdown come 1:05p.m. on Sunday.
Jeff (Denver) — Once again, I’ll have to agree with Bill. Jay Cutler has been a star so far, and Coach Mike Shanahan has nothing but confidence in his young QB, as was evidenced last week on a decision to attempt a two point conversion with the game on the line with less than a minute remaining. In a losing effort, Reggie Bush scores a TD.

Pittsburgh (+3.5) at Philadelphia
Bill (Philadelphia) — The cross-Pennsylvania rivalry happens once every four years, and this time it is on Eagle turf. For that reason, expect them to win. As much as I like the Steelers on paper, I think Philadelphia should be able to out-coach them, leading to a close, but manageable win.
Jeff (Pittsburgh) — I’m jumping on the Pittsburgh bandwagon right now, and regardless of the always volatile environment in Philadelphia, this year’s edition of the slightly better than average team known as the Eagles doesn’t stand a chance against the Steelers.

Jacksonville (+5) at Indianapolis
Bill (Indianapolis)
Jeff (Indianapolis)

Cleveland (+3) at Baltimore
Bill (Cleveland) — I don’t get this spread. The Browns are a far better team than Baltimore, and although the latter has had some success this is a rivalry game that should leave a mark on a poor Baltimore team. They have a great defense that should shut down Derek Anderson, but the Raven offense is lackluster at best.
Jeff (Cleveland) — In a clash between a greatly overrated team (Browns) and a somewhat underrated one (Baltimore), the Browns stumble upon a victory in what turns out to be a very sloppy game.

St. Louis (+10) at Seattle
Bill (Seattle) — Much like the Buffalo-Oakland pick, I think Vegas is trying to trick us into betting on St. Louis. They are the worst team in the NFL, they have coach-owner problems and their players are not nearly as good as they were a mere two years ago. Seattle has a growing offense, expect them to blow them out as much as their healthy roster enables them to.
Jeff (Seattle) — As much as I am scared away by big spreads, I have to go with Seattle on this one. St. Louis is one of the worst teams in the league, with only one viable weapon in Steven Jackson, and barely any defense to speak of. Did I mention it’s a home game? Seattle brings one home for a ravenous 12th man starved for a victory.

Dallas (-3) at Green Bay
Bill (Dallas) — Easy. Dallas is too good of a team to lose to Aaron Rodgers. This is a late game, so the cold-factor could hurt the ‘Boys, but expect them to trample the Packers.
Jeff (Dallas) — So far this season, I have discovered that I like Aaron Rodgers far more than I expected I would. Moreover, as good as the Cowboys are, I think they are far overhyped. However, I just can’t see Green Bay coming away with this one. In a game with a slow start, Dallas pulls away late, to the dismay of Green Bay faithful.

New York Jets (+8.5) at San Diego
Bill (New York Jets)
Jeff (San Diego)