NFL Underdogs: Week 3 picks

By ASHTON GREWAL | September 26, 2009 | 34 comments
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Michael Vick is a real piece of work.

The recently activated quarterback was told he would play this weekend, but that wasn’t enough to satisfy him. No, Vick thinks he that by Week 3 he would be a starting quarterback again in the league.

“This is not the exact scenario I thought would play out,” he told CBS earlier this week. “I thought I’d be playing with a team and actually starting.”

Now, Vick defenders will say that this quote is speaking more to how the former Pro Bowl quarterback originally envisioned his NFL return when he was first reinstated. But you can't forget what this double-talking douche bag said when he first signed with the Eagles:
 
“I’ve got to crawl before I walk. I can’t imagine going out there after a two-year hiatus, going out and trying to be a starter for a football team.”

I don’t think we should be surprised by any of this. Vick’s presumptuous attitude is as scripted as a Matthew McConaughey romantic comedy.

People want to pat the former dog mutilator on the back because he goes and talks to kids about the dangers of peer pressure. Gimme a break. All he’s doing is using his former buddies as a scapegoat.

“What was I supposed to do your Honor? They double-dog dared me.”

I picked against the Eagles in my staff picks but it sounds like DeSean Jackson will play and Dwayne Bowe might not. I still encourage everyone to play against Philly, just so you can root against Vick wholeheartedly.

Now for the official, underdog-approved Week 3 picks.

Tennessee Titans (+1) at New York Jets

This is a golden opportunity here. Gang Green earned public status after everyone watched their win over the Pats last weekend. I think the Jets should be 3-point dogs in this game. I don’t care if one team is 2-0 and the other is 0-2.

You can’t convince me New York is the better team.

Tennessee needs this game and Jeff Fisher’s boys are going to get it. There’s bound to be a drop off for the Jets. It’s only natural, especially when the head coach tells everyone that Week 2 was their game of the year.

Pick: Titans

Washington Redskins at Detroit Lions (+6.5)

Count me in as one of those crazies who thinks that this is when the Lions’ 19-game losing streak ends.

The Skins are probably relieved to be playing away from home this weekend after those sincere, loving comments linebacker Robert Henson had for the fans at FedEx Field.

You can tell right away by the body language of Washington’s players that they don’t want to play for Jim Zorn. I get the impression that these guys would rather sit through the director’s cut of Fame than lay it on the line for Zorn.  

Detroit’s not much, but at least the players in that locker room believe in their coach.

Pick: Detroit

Miami Dolphins (+6) at San Diego Chargers 

This is more of a play against San Diego than anything. The Chargers have one of the best quarterbacks in the league, but they have some concerning trends on the other side of the ball.

The defense can’t get to the quarterback (two sacks in two games) and it can’t stop the run either (139 yards allowed per game).

Without DT Jamal Williams eating up space in the middle of that 3-4, San Diego’s athletic linebackers are getting pushing around by guards blocking into the second level.

That means Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are going to run wild on Ron Rivera’s defense.

Pick: Dolphins

Last week: 2-1

Season record: 4-2

34 comments
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lmayoral13
lmayoral13 says:
09/26/09 04:21PM

not sure about miami...

SteveS84
SteveS84 says:
09/26/09 07:11PM

2-1....Chargers win. Miami on a short weak and playing on the west coast.

Love the Lions and the Titans.

ILPRATO
ILPRATO says:
09/26/09 11:55PM

what are u smoking man the jets defense has not given up a td in 8 quarters to 2 offensive teams in the texans and the pats.Anything can happen on sunday but you state they should be a 3 point underdog at home I have to disagree with your analysis.

aldogg702
aldogg702 says:
09/27/09 01:31AM

he said douche bag, pot callin kettle black?

yumomma
yumomma says:
09/27/09 03:01AM

3-0.... good picks. And Titans are gold. Jets aren't as good and THERE WILL be a letdown.

mikeus
mikeus says:
09/27/09 03:22AM

I know Titas 0-2 and they need to comeback but the Jest not going down that easy and would put money on Jets to WIN

Detroit will loose again, not a surprise here ))

and SanDiego coming after a lose should be a winner here to (this one close game 50/50)

That just my picks

worldchamps08
worldchamps08 says:
09/27/09 03:32AM

im glad somebody commented on this guy being a douchebag. you clearly didn't watch his interview on espn where that quote was cleared up. if he really thought he was going to come out of prison and be a starter, he wouldn't have signed with the eagles. you're article doesn't even make sense. how does what he said before joining the eagles have anything to do with what he said on cbs? obviously his dream is to be a starter in the nfl. nobody dreams of being the guy holding the clipboard. you're just another jackass with a personal problem against michael vick. spend more time working on your picks and less time writing senseless articles that have nothing to do with betting

chillery
chillery says:
09/27/09 03:46AM

Great Responce wordchamps08

This computer keyboard badass loser Grewal is just another self hating loser that is so mad that society has spoken and agreed that Vick should be given a second chance, that he is going to dissect every single word that comes out of mans mouth. This loser needs to worry about his own skeletons in his closet and improve on his sorry capping skills.

StevenGA1011
StevenGA1011 says:
09/27/09 04:50AM

NYG/TB OVER 45.5

STL +6.5

KC +9

KC/PHI OVER 38.5

SF +7

DEN -1

Darkknight
Darkknight says:
09/27/09 06:30AM

ASHTON GREWAL: You are a real piece of work. Like the working end of an as$hole. There's guy's out there this Sunday, that if you check their sheet's they make Mike Vick look like Santa Claus. The whole system is dirty and you girl and moan about one player. Go and do some real research and you may know what the hell you are writing about. No instead you would continue to bash Vick, like he has wronged you personally in some way? The only thing it seem's like that you know of Vick, is what you and all of your little writing buddies push out there in the media. I see your p#nk a$$ set there and read and heard, all about big Ben R. sexually asault's a young lady, and you and your little buddie's and the leauge, act like he only ripped her dress, at their school prom. And he's the starting quarterback for the defending champion's. I think it's high time you and your buddie's, let be what will be. The Global Crisis has touched everything in our live's, but Sport's continue to blossum. And to be honest with you, half the pick's you put out there anyway . ARE STRAIGHT GARBAGE! I've been a Philly fan, since Ron Jaworski, donned the #7. And will continue to be a Philly fan, long after the #7 is passed on to another player, long after Vick is gone. So go on, and continue to write your negetive comment's about Vick. That time that you set there doing that, is wasted time. Fans today, don't seem to be bothered by the dirt. Look at Baseball- you are a Fool!- If you think the list consist of only a 100-or so player's. The fan's know better, and so do you. So keep your dirty little opinion's to yourself. Opinion's are like a$$holes, everybody has one. keep your's to yourself unless asked. And get on with what this is all about anyway- Revenue-Money-Dollar's. Get it! Got it! Done!!!!!!!

nuttyrich
nuttyrich says:
09/27/09 07:52AM

It seems like your mind is made up on Vick and everything else.

The jets 2-0 shut down two high octane offenses. Because Tennessee "needs" the game, means what? They didn't need the first 2?

Titans are being gashed by the run, and you say there is NO convincing you.

I understand Vick contradicted himself,but as much as I hate to say this, he served his time, paid all fees and has a right to play.

I don't understand why you didn't mention why the Eagles aren't playing Garcia, he is a clutch performer, way better than Kevin Kolb, and yet you simply go on about Vick.

If the Eagles LOSE it's because they don't play Jeff Garcia.

How can you even pick Miami to win a game, they looked HORRIBLE on offense. People have picked up on the "Wild Cat" offense gimmick from last year.

How does Miami contain Darren Sproles and Phillip Rivers and the large wide receivers.

Chad Pennington cannot make deep throws and when pressured he fumbles and takes a dive quicker than Ken Obrien did for the Jets back in the day!

And Tenneessee and +1 isn't really an "underdog".

I cannot believe they let someone like yourself write for this site, you clearly have a thing for Vick and Clearly your picks have NO LOGIC.

Where's the write-up on why Titans beat the Jets? Clearly the home team gets at least +3 points, so in reality Jets are the UNDER DOG at -1.

I've never heard of you until I saw this article, obviously the article got mentioned because you bashed Vick left and right.

Sad way to draw attention, as you can see NOT ONE person agreed with you, on most of your statements, because they are nothing more than "Name Calling" and negative attitude.

Focus more on picking winners, instead of picking on players.

For the record I' not black and I don't like Michael Vick, but he served his time, got signed and is on a team.- Let it be.

Ashton_Grewal
Ashton_Grewal says:
09/27/09 08:45AM

Hey fellas,

Looks like I've drawn some heat this week. A couple things I wanted to touch on. First, I never said Vick doesn't deserve to be in the league. I think he served his time in the can and that should be good enough. Second, I never said he was the worst person in the league.

Now, this is a column, so I am supposed to deliver an opinion or two. If you don't like where I'm going in the lead you can always just skip down to the picks section (It's okay. I know must of you do).

I watched the interview with James Brown and if you look at the quote, Vick isn't saying anything about how he dreamed about coming back into the league. He said this isn't the way he thought it would play out.

I think Vick understood playing behind a proven talent like Donovan McNabb. But asking him to hold the clipboard with the immortal Kevin Kolb on the field... I think that's when he got a sick feeling in his stomach.

I understand there are people playing in this league that have done some terrible things (Mr. Little and Mr. Lewis come to mind right away). The thing that gets me about Vick is that this wasn't just a one day of bad judgement. He woke up every morning knowing he was going to fund and direct a dog fighting ring.

There's a difference between that and what a guy like Donte Stallworth did. Stallworth didn't wake up that morning and say to himself, "I'm going to kill someone today."

He was probably thinking to himself, "I am going to get so f@#$ing wasted today... it's going to be great."

Okay that's all I got. It seems like my picks aren't so popular today either. I know that the Jets on a neutral field would be an underdog. My guess is that if you're playing the Jets, you must think they are the better team. I can't be convinced of that... not at this moment anyway. If Rex Ryan's boys come away with another win today, well I'll be eating my words. But that stuff happens.

Outside of my three underdog picks, I really like the Giants to kick the crap out of Bucs.

Anyway guys good luck today let's make some money.

Chaas
Chaas says:
09/27/09 09:52AM

I'll take the ML on the Titans and Detroit...matter of fact...I'll parlay them..

Along with the 49ers....yeah I'm crazy but the pay out is far to great not to chance a lil change on it...plus the 49ers have Mt. PAIN on there side..haha

and Favre is going to start blowing it again soon.

Chaas
Chaas says:
09/27/09 09:57AM

Another Easy Ml parlay IMO...is the Colts.

+125....normal bet with a little exta...but taking the Over might just be the smarter play

TimTowner
TimTowner says:
09/27/09 10:23AM

Vick is a douche if he said that. He is lucky he isn't playing in Europe or something.

I actually like all 3 of your dawg picks this week.

TRISTANS
TRISTANS says:
09/27/09 10:42AM

Eagles D dominates after a lack of effort last week. KC is horrible!! Vick goes NUTS against a sub par defense....If it were the Bears or Steelers he'd be doomed!!!

Here are ur money picks:

Titans ML

Giants -6.5 Bucs are terrible on both sides of the ball!!!

Bears-2 Going against my HOME DAWG theory here but Seattle has way less weapons on offense than the Steelers do!!!

Cards -2 Colts Defense will be tired and weary after playing a short week and the entire game the other night..........

Good Luck to all!!!! Let's Get This Money!!!

Histprof71
Histprof71 says:
09/27/09 10:43AM

Ashton,

Like your picks. 2-1 or even 3-0 wouldn't surprise me. Don't listen to the critics; cyberspace clowns just like to hear themselves talking tough.

Best of luck.

swinyeju
swinyeju says:
09/27/09 11:17AM

Ashton,

Clearly you are probably right with almost everyone disagreeing with you on your picks. Most people bet and most people lose, I like Titans and LOVE Detroit, Miami im iffy but could use them in a teaser. lets go pats!!!

WinsNow999
WinsNow999 says:
09/27/09 11:26AM

Guys...

I have Brian Westbrook benched this week in my fantasy because of M. Vick will starting this game. Assumming that this Dawg will take all running game off from Brain Westbrook.

As for your UnderDogs picks. Gotta go with those teams are on risen as Jets-Jets- Jets

I like only Detroit Lions pick...I don't know about Titans and Dolphins.

Good Luck! all

PoGoat
PoGoat says:
09/27/09 11:57AM

Aston-

Entertaining every week, after all...that's the point right! All you Haters need to get a life.

Love Detroit and Tenn.

BTW, IF Dallas wins, they will not win by 9. Believe it.

tjj300
tjj300 says:
09/27/09 12:01PM

Vick is a very good running back. As a QB, however, he is below average. Contain his legs, and you have nothing to worry about.

Ashton_Grewal
Ashton_Grewal says:
09/27/09 12:14PM

Thanks for the kind words guys.

A few other picks I like today outside of the dogs:

The Ravens - they're to make the Browns black and blue.

The Bears - Seattle's always tough at home, but I think Seneca Wallace is overrated as an NFL backup.

Good luck everyone.

sandonesports
sandonesports says:
09/27/09 12:21PM

"you're article doesn't even make sense."

-worldchamps08

perhaps you should work on some aspects of our language before criticizing another...

otherwise, this author isn't a journalist but neither is anyone that responded...therefore, by suggesting the article doesn't discuss football, and then perpetuating it by calling the author names seems like a lack of progression...

also, supporting different sides of the argument is what this is about...rather than ridiculing others, maybe we'll just suggest who'll win and why or why not...

sandonesports
sandonesports says:
09/27/09 12:28PM

SF +7...turf and travel will impact SF but smashmouth defenses dominate w/ winner by a fg...

GB/STL Over 42.5...GB should bring it early and often after last week's debacle...STL are ideal opponents here and points should come in bunches on offense and defense...

BOL!

doobiebrother
doobiebrother says:
09/27/09 01:53PM

Still working on writeups for my 2 late plays. Her's the early games.

3* Ravens (-13.5) over Browns – Based solely on the 2 games played so far, this is the NFL’s best team vs. the worst. Cleveland has dropped their L6 ATS and the ineptitude of their offense is startling, scoring just 57 points in L7 (8.1 PPG). They will be without RB Lewis, RG Womack, and K Dawson (22-24 FG vs. Ravens). Baltimore “D” will be pumped to atone for poor performance LW at SD and they allowed no more than 13 in any home game LY. KC’s 24 in opener TY a fluke (188 total yards). New Baltimore OC Cam Cameron always produces points and Ravens have scored 7 TDs in 8 trips inside the red zone. Baltimore 6-1 HF 12.5> and L6 home wins are by 14>. Browns 1-4 vs. division and 1-4 RD 9>.

2* Texans (-3.5) over Jaguars – Yes, Houston has been gashed by running game and now they face Jones-Drew, but their offense is explosive enough to make it a moot point. Jags are just 2-10 SU in L12 and 1-6 ATS all-time at Houston (1-5 SU L6). Texans play best inside the division (6-0 L6, 6-1 H).

2* Titans/Jets Under (37) – Jets “D” has been playing lights out shutting down Texans and Pats. Titans have allowed 14< in 8 of 9 away and under 9-2 in their L11 road games. NYJ will play close to the vest with rookie QB vs. dominant Tennessee DL. Under 5-0 Titans away Sept., 4-0 Jets L4, and 6-1 Jets as F 6<.

2* Giants (-6.5) over Bucs – Lines maker having trouble catching up to seriously downgraded Tampa team (1-6 ATS L7). Bucs will contend with Lions for worst NFL “D” and have already surrendered big numbers to Dallas (462) and Buffalo (438). Giants have found the answer at WR with Manningham, and combined with their running game have become explosive with 11 plays of 20 yards or more already TY. They should stick a big number here and TB will have much tougher time responding than they did vs. porous Dallas “D”. Giants 15-2 SU away and 6-0 RF 7<. My power rankings say NYG by 11 as they rank #1 and Bucs #29.

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