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NFL Preseason Pick – Week 3

Game Overview

Arizona has already played three preseason games counting the Hall of Fame Game and it looks more and more likely that John Skelton will be the team’s starting quarterback on opening day against Seattle. Skelton has clearly outplayed Kevin Kolb so far and should get a chance to cement his chances with a strong performance against Tennessee.

The Cardinals come into Week 3 of the preseason at 1-2 straight-up and 0-3 against the spread. Last Friday night they outlasted Oakland 31-27 as 4.5-point home favorites after losing to Kansas City 27-17 the week before as two-point road underdogs. Arizona lost to New Orleans 17-10 as a three-point underdog in the game in Canton. The total has gone ‘over’ in the last two games. Look for the starters to play well into the third quarter against the Titans in what should be the Cardinals final dress rehearsal before the start of the regular season.

There is no quarterback controversy in Tennessee with Jake Locker named as the starter for opening day against San Diego. Veteran signal-caller Matt Hasselbeck will be waiting in the wings but new head coach Mike Munchak has made it very clear that it is Locker’s job to lose. So far he has gone just 11-for-24 for 101 yards in two previous preseason games, but the future is now for the second-year vet.

The Titans come into Thursday night with a preseason record of 1-1 both SU and ATS after losing to Seattle 27-17 in Week 1 and routing Tampa Bay 30-7 last Friday as three-point road underdogs in each game. The total went ‘over’ in both contests. Look for Tennessee to also play the majority of its starters into the second half as it tries to build some consistency for a struggling first-team offense. The Titans’ defense already looks in midseason form with a strong performance last week against Tampa Bay.

NFL Prediction:

Tennessee’s starters have a significant edge over an Arizona team that looks like it could use a few more weeks of practice, but the strongest play in this matchup could be the ‘under’ as both team’s defense is miles ahead of the opposing team’s offense. Tennessee 17 Arizona 13