NFL WEEK 3 PICKS

Yes, Out of Left Field is obliged to provide weekly NFL picks that are guaranteed to be no more, or no less accurate than some of the various experts out there. These picks are for recreational use only, so don't come crying to us when you're 64 grand in the hole and they're threatening to take your thumbs. Associate Blogger Neil Acharya and View From The Nosebleeds' Pat Pearce are also dispensing the best kind of advice -- free advice -- throughout the season.

(All lines are from Bet US Sportsbook as of 3 a.m. Eastern. For Canadian readers, please take a moment to peruse the weekly CIS picks.)

Sunday, 1 p.m.
CHICAGO (-4½) at MINNESOTA (over/under 35½)
We haveto separate head from heart since these are our favourite teams. The Bears have the better defensive front and will be fine offensively if they can keep Rex Grossman healthy.
Acharya: Chicago 17-14 (Vikings cover).
Sager: Chicago 27-13.
WINNER: Chicago 19-16 (Vikings cover).

CAROLINA (-3½) at TAMPA BAY (o/u 34)
Both teams have been underwhelming so far, and Carolina has covered in its last three visits to City of Tampa, so the Panthers are a safe choice, with or without Steve Smith on the field.
Acharya: Carolina 21-16.
Sager: Carolina 24-6.
WINNER: Carolina 26-24 (Tampa covers).

CINCINNATI (Pick 'em) at PITTSBURGH (o/u 43)
Where you at, 85? Bengals receiver Chad Johnson seems to have no idea where he is during this post-game interview scrum after a big hit in last Sunday's game.
Acharya: Cincinnati 26-20.
Sager: Cincinnati 24-10.
WINNER: Cincinnati 28-17.

GREEN BAY (+6½) at DETROIT (o/u 39)
Only the diehards and degenerates are going to go bother with this suckfest.
Acharya: Detroit 21-17 (Green Bay covers).
Sager: Detroit 24-13.
WINNER: Green Bay 31-24.

JACKSONVILLE (+7) at INDIANAPOLIS (o/u 42)
Good rule of thumb with the Jags: Take the under, even against high-scoring Indianapolis.
Acharya: Indianapolis 17-12 (Jacksonville covers).
Sager: Indianapolis 27-14.
WINNER: Indianapolis 21-14.

N.Y. JETS (+5½) at BUFFALO (o/u 34½)
Chad Pennington might be in for a long day against Buffalo's defensive pressure.
Acharya: Buffalo 24-20 (N.Y. Jets cover).
Sager: Buffalo 19-10.
WINNER: N.Y. Jets 28-20.

TENNESSEE (+10½) at MIAMI (o/u 35½)
First touchdown wins.
Acharya: Miami 31-24 (Tennessee covers).
Sager: Miami 20-3.
WINNER: Miami 13-10.

WASHINGTON (-4½) at HOUSTON (o/u 37½)
Texans quarterback David Carr spent a day this week teaching fourth-grade gym at suburban Houston school. He only got sacked three times.
Acharya: Washington 23-16.
Sager: Washington 23-20 (Houston covers).
WINNER: Washington 31-15.

Sunday, 4 p.m.-ish
BALTIMORE (-7½) at CLEVELAND (o/u 33.5)
Damn, the first touchdown wins line has already been used, hasn't it? hhh
Acharya: Baltimore 30-6
Sager: Baltimore 20-13.
WINNER: Baltimore 15-14.

N.Y. GIANTS (+3) at SEATTLE (o/u 43)
What are the chances that Eli Manning has two good games in a row? Has a team ever been flukier than the Giants were last week?
Acharya: Seattle 20-18 (Giants cover).
Sager: Seattle 24-13.
WINNER: Seattle 42-30.

PHILADELPHIA (-7) at SAN FRANCISCO (o/u 41½)
Philly should bounce back from last week's calamitous fourth quarter against the New York Giants; the 49ers are still peeing their pants over actually winning a game.
Acharya: Philadelphia 24-20.
Sager: Philadelphia 31-7.
WINNER: Philadelphia 38-24.

ST. LOUIS (+4.5) at ARIZONA (o/u 44.5)
Still hard to put a lot of faith in the Cardinals until they develop a running game and some reasonable facsimile of a defence.
Acharya: Arizona 28-21.
Sager: St. Louis 27-23.
WINNER: St. Louis 16-14.

Sunday nighter
DENVER (+7) at NEW ENGLAND (o/u 38½)
This game is right up the Pats' alley.
Acharya: New England 20-17 (Denver).
Sager: New England 30-20.
WINNER: Denver 17-7.

Monday nighter
ATLANTA (-4½) at NEW ORLEANS (o/u 44)
The Falcons are just 3-11 against the spread when coming off a home win over the past three years.
Acharya: Atlanta 30-16.
Sager: Atlanta 27-24 (New Orleans covers).
WINNER: New Orleans 23-3.

Neil Acharya's season to date (missed Week 1)
Against the spread: 8-8 (.500)
Straight up: 13-3 (.813)
Over/Under: 9-5-2 (.625)

Pat Pearce's season to date
Against the spread: 20-12 (.625)
Straight up: 22-10 (.688)
Over/Under: 10-20-2 (.344)

Neate Sager's season to date
Against the spread: 12-20 (.375)
Straight up: 18-14 (.588)
Over/Under: 17-13-2 (.588)

Related:
NFL Picks Week 2 (originally posted Sept. 14)

That's for now. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.