The first two weeks of the NFL season have been fantastic – every year, football fans start gearing up for the season earlier and earlier, and often, the first few weeks of the season don’t live up to our heightened expectations. This year, however, has been an NFL fan’s dream thus far.

The Week 3 schedule has it share of barnburners, but what it mostly has is a slate that will start to determine the fortunes of several teams who rest on the borderline of contender and pretender.

Speaking of pretenders, Chris went a pedestrian 8-8 last week to fall three games behind for OTPB bragging rights. Will this be the week he makes a move? Let’s find out.

GAMES OF THE WEEK

Tennessee Titans at New York Jets, 10 a.m. Sunday, CBS
The line: Jets by 2.5

I was not sold on the Jets last week, but the way they completely dominated Tom Brady and Co. was an eye-opener. Now, they face a desperate Titans team trying to avoid a crushing 0-3 start. Tennessee will pull out all the stops to get this win, but what I like about the Jets this year is that they seem to pull out all the stops on defense on every play. That defensive pressure will rattle Kerry Collins, and Mark Sanchez, who has proven to be an effective game manager, will do enough to get New York another big win.

Elliott’s pick: Jets 27, Titans 23
Chris: Titans

Atlanta Falcons at New England Patriots, 10 a.m. Sunday, FOX
The line: Patriots by 4

No, you should never count Bill Belichick and Tom Brady out. But these guys almost lost their opener at home, winning only when Buffalo coughed it up on a kick return in the final minute. Then the Jets shut the Patriots’ offense down and won with a rookie QB last week. Well, Matt Ryan is no longer a rookie, and the Falcons’ defense, led by Mike Peterson and John Abraham, is playing better than last year. The Patriots, who expect to have Wes Welker back, will have their hands full just to stay in this one.

Chris’ pick: Falcons 27-20
Elliott: Patriots

San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings, 10 a.m. Sunday, FOX
The line: Vikings by 7

The Vikings are right where they figured to be, sitting atop the NFC North at 2-0. But they have struggled early in wins against bottomdwellers Cleveland and Detroit. If they start slow this week, they could be in trouble. Mike Singletary’s 49ers have won six of their past seven, including their first two to start this season. While the Vikings lead the NFC in total defense, as expected, the 49ers are third in the NFL in rushing defense. Frank Gore is coming off a 200-yard game against Seattle, and the Vikings’ run defense has not been as stout as usual in the early going. This will be a physical game, and the team that can run it will win. That said, the edge has to go to Adrian Peterson at home.

Chris’ pick: Vikings 20, 49ers 13
Elliott: Vikings

Indianapolis Colts at Arizona Cardinals, 5 p.m. Sunday, NBC
The line: Cardinals by 2.5

How weird will it be to see the Cardinals on Sunday Night Football? But those are the spoils of getting to the Super Bowl, and so they might actually get a sellout in the desert for this one. Arizona, and especially Kurt Warner, is coming off an impressive effort against Jacksonville, and will certainly try to utilize its passing game against a tired Colts defense. But as Peyton Manning proved last week against the Dolphins, he doesn’t need much time, top-notch weapons or a viable running game to get the job done.

Elliott: Colts 28, Cardinals 24
Chris: Cardinals

THE REST OF THE SLATE

Washington at Detroit
Elliott: Lions
Chris: Lions

Green Bay at St. Louis
Elliott: Packers
Chris: Packers

Kansas City at Philadelphia
Elliott: Eagles
Chris: Eagles

New York Giants at Tampa Bay
Elliott: Giants
Chris: Giants

Cleveland at Baltimore
Elliott: Ravens
Chris: Ravens

Jacksonville at Houston
Elliott: Texans
Chris: Texans

Chicago at Seattle
Elliott: Bears
Chris: Bears

New Orleans at Buffalo
Elliott: Saints
Chris: Saints

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
Elliott: Steelers
Chris: Bengals

Denver at Oakland
Elliott: Broncos
Chris: Broncos

Miami at San Diego
Elliott: Chargers
Chris: Chargers

Carolina at Dallas
Elliott: Cowboys
Chris: Cowboys

THE SCOREBOARD
Last week: Elliott 10-6, Chris 8-8
Season: Elliott 22-10, Chris 19-13