2011 NFL Picks Week 3: Paul Brown Stadium will be the site for an interesting Week 3 battle between the (1-1) San Francisco 49ers [+3] taking on the NFL Point Spreads favorite (1-1) Cincinnati Bengals [-3]. Kickoff for this inter-conference matchup is scheduled for 1 PM ET live on FOX. The OVER/UNDER between the Niners and Bengals is set at a combined total of 40.5 points scored.
For the visiting 49ers, this team could easily be 2-0 right now. With a 10-point lead halfway through the fourth quarter, Tony Romo led a furious comeback for the Dallas Cowboys, despite suffering a fractured rib and a punctured lung. Surrendering the final 13 points of the ballgame, San Fran was defeated in overtime, 27-24.
“We have to be mentally tough. We have to keep looking each other in the eye, keep preparing,” said 49ers first-year head coach, Jim Harbaugh said. “This is not going to defeat us.”
Making matters worse for Frisco was the fact that Braylon Edwards was forced to undergo surgery in his right knee and will be out for an indefinite period of time. With the Niners running game struggling in the early going, Edwards’ absence is sure to be felt. “He's going to be out for a little bit,” Harbaugh said.
A bit of good news for Alex Smith is that he will get one of his favorite targets back this week, as Michael Crabtree is set to return after missing last week’s game with a foot injury.
My 2011 NFL Picks Week 3 for the 49ers vs Bengals: I see an upset all over this one! I simply don’t think that the Bengals youth will do them any favors against a team that I see getting better week in and week out. The fact that Frank Gore has been so bad after two weeks gives me the confidence to expect a breakout game from him against the Bengals. I like San Fran to win its Division this year! Therefore, I really like them to come out on top in this one, or at worst case scenario, lose by less then the projected 3-point line.
