By Ed Morrone
When new picks addition Dave Diamond gave me his record so far through three weeks of football, he was coincidentally already up five games in the standings. That’s all right, I’ll let him have it. Dave is a life-long Jets fan and will soon have his soul crushed during the inevitable Mets playoff collapse, so he needs this more than I do. With that being said, here are the five things I learned in Week 3:1) The Giants are unaware that football games consist of four quarters, not one.2) After dominating the Falcons on Monday Night Football in their return to New Orleans, the Saints proved they are a legitimate contender in the NFC.3) The Jaguars are good, but they aren’t on the Colts’ level yet.4) The Jets could be a surprise team in the very weak AFC East.5) Shaun Alexander showed us all the “Madden curse” is alive and well for another year.GAMES OF THE WEEKSan Diego (3-0) -2.5 at Baltimore (3-0): The only chance the Chargers have is to give the ball to LaDainian Tominson – a lot. I trust L.T. more than any other back in this league, but he has been known to struggle when the focus is solely placed on stopping him. To add insult to injury, Baltimore is great at stuffing the run and Philip Rivers is not ready to pass the test that is Baltimore’s defense. Pick: Ravens
Seattle (3-0) +3.5 at Chicago (3-0): Sorry, Seattle. Not in Chicago and not without Alexander. Pick: Bears
THE RESTArizona (1-2) +7 at Atlanta (2-1): For another year it appears that Arizona has the tools on offense but nothing on defense. Dennis Green should start Matt Leinart immediately, but either way, Atlanta won’t drop this one at home after being embarrased so badly in the Big Easy on Monday night. Pick: Falcons
Dallas (1-1) -9.5 at Tennessee (0-3): How will the Terrell Owens suicide report this week affect Dallas? Things are already so mysterious down in Big D involving Owens that even I’m puzzled, and I’ve lived with his antics for two years with the Eagles. Your guess is as good as mine. Pick: Cowboys
Indianapolis (3-0) -9 at N.Y. Jets (2-1): Call me crazy, but as I said, I think the Jets will compete in the AFC East and I feel like they have a shot to keep this one close. Indy is riddled with injuries and Reggie Wayne might not play due to his brother’s sudden death, so if the Jets ever had a shot to compete with Indy, this is it. Pick: Jets
Miami (1-2) -3.5 at Houston (0-3): Daunte Culpepper has been a complete and utter disaster for the Dolphins, who barely eeked out a win against the lowly Titans at home on Sunday. Still, I can’t justify picking Houston two weeks in a row. Pick: Dolphins
Minnesota (2-1) +1 at Buffalo (1-2): As Mr. Diamond so eloquently said to me, Buffalo is a few mistakes away from being 3-0. But J.P. Losman is still their quarterback, and Minnesota was that close to beating Chicago on Sunday, so…Pick: Vikings
New Orleans (3-0) +7.5 at Carolina (1-2): The Saints are a great story and I think they have a shot to still be in it come December, but Carolina is slowly starting to come out of hibernation. Watch out, NFC. Pick: Panthers
San Francisco (1-2) +7 at Kansas City (0-2): I guess now’s a good a time as any for Herm to get his first win in K.C., even though your guess is as good as mine for who is playing quarterback for that team. HELLO! YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME! Pick: Chiefs
Detroit (0-3) +5.5 at St. Louis (2-1): The city of Detroit better hope the Tigers go far into October so the NFL season goes by faster. Another dead end season for the Lions is in the works. Pick: Rams
Cleveland (0-3) -3 at Oakland (0-3): HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! OK, I’m finished. No, wait…HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Wow. That was just too funny. Pick: Browns
Jacksonville (2-1) -3 at Washington (1-2): I dare Mark Brunell to complete 22 straight passes against Jacksonville’s defense. Pick: Jaguars
New England (2-1) +6 at Cincinnati (3-0): Tom Brady is good, but he isn’t this good, and he showed Sunday night that even he is human and can’t do it all by himself. The Bengals will be fine as long as they don’t let Odell Thurman near the stadium for any important drives! Wow, I crack myself up sometimes. Pick: Bengals
Green Bay (1-2) +11 at Philadelphia (2-1): For Philly fans, this game was originally known as the one to get everybody charged up before Mr. Owens comes to town. With that lunatic outdoing himself once again down in Dallas, who knows. Either way, chalk up an easy one in Prime Time for the Birds. Pick: Eagles