Dan Kohn's Week 3 NFL predictions

The Oakland Raiders have always gone rogue, and now is no different. The often thrifty Raiders have refused to paint the 50-yard line numbers gold at Oakland Coliseum in commemoration of the Super Bowl’s 50th anniversary.

But someone needs to remind owner Mark Davis that the paint doesn’t need to be made from real gold.

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Washington at New York Giants: The Giants have won 15 of the last 20 games in the series, including four straight. As in the first two games of the season, New York again will have the lead in the fourth quarter against Washington, but this time will find a way to hang on and win. The Redskins shocked St. Louis last week after giving Miami all it could handle in the opener, so this will go down to the wire. Giants 24, Redskins 21.

Tampa Bay at Houston: The Buccaneers are coming off an impressive win over the Saints, while Houston enters the game as one of nine winless teams. The Texans, who have aspirations to challenge the Colts for AFC South supremacy, get into the win column by giving rookie quarterback Jameis Winston fits. Texans 31, Buccaneers 19.

Oakland at Cleveland: It’s hard to believe, but one of these teams will have a two-game winning streak when the final seconds tick off the clock on Sunday. Cleveland has won six of the past eight games in the series, and Johnny Manziel may be becoming a serviceable NFL quarterback. Browns 20, Raiders 17.

Atlanta at Dallas: The Cowboys have lost their three best players from last year in DeMarco Murray (free agency), Tony Romo and Dez Bryant (both injured) and could be without all-world tight end Jason Witten (injury). No matter what kind of happy face owner Jerry Jones wants to paint, Dallas could be in trouble against unbeaten Atlanta. Falcons 30, Cowboys 23.

Indianapolis at Tennessee: The Colts have looked silly the past two weeks against tough AFC East foes. They catch a break against the Titans, who they have beaten seven straight times and in 12 of the past 13 meetings. Andrew Luck and the offense finally get things going this week. Colts 26, Titans 14.

Pittsburgh at St. Louis: The Steelers are an early-season Super Bowl pick by many and have been impressive the past two weeks in a loss at New England and a big win over visiting San Francisco. The Rams were impressive in a win over Seattle in the opener before falling apart against Washington. There can be no letdown this week. Steelers 23, Rams 16.

San Diego at Minnesota: The Vikings are coming off a win over visiting Detroit last week in a game in which they limited the Lions to 38 yards rushing and Matthew Stafford to 286 yards passing. They will need a similar effort against Philip Rivers and company, who are coming off a loss at Cincinnati. The Bengals held Rivers to 241 yards passing a week after he threw for 404 against Detroit. Vikings 30, Chargers 28.

Jacksonville at New England: This is your classic mismatch. The defending Super Bowl champion Patriots against the upstart Jaguars, who won three games last season. Jacksonville has never beaten New England in six tries. They won’t this week, either. Patriots 52, Jaguars 17.

Philadelphia at New York Jets: If the Eagles offense couldn’t move the ball last week against the Cowboys, how are they going to do it against possibly the NFL’s stingiest defense? The Jets are far from perfect, but they are 2-0 and do just enough on offense to get the job done. Jets 21, Eagles 14.

New Orleans at Carolina: If Drew Brees isn’t healthy, the Saints don’t have a chance. The Panthers defense will have a field day. Cam Newton may think he’s Superman and against the New Orleans’ defense, he may be right. Panthers 28, Saints 12.

Cincinnati at Baltimore: The unbeaten Bengals play the winless Ravens. Even though Cincinnati has won three straight in the series and four of five, it’s hard to believe Baltimore will start the year 0-3. This one comes down to the NFL being the great equalizer. Ravens 20, Bengals 16.

San Francisco at Arizona: The Cardinals have a chance to put some distance between themselves and the rest of the division in a key early-season NFC West showdown. They have a two-game lead over Seattle and a win over the 49ers, puts San Francisco down two as well. It’s hard to win on the road in the NFL and this will be no exception. Cardinals 28, 49ers 26.

Buffalo at Miami: Buffalo is much improved and has won three of the last four games in the series. After barely beating Washington in its opener, the Dolphins laid an egg against lowly Jacksonville. Look for the Bills to build off the positives from its loss to New England. Bills 28, Dolphins 24.

Chicago at Seattle: The Bears could be the NFL’s worst team. They are going into Seattle against a hungry Seahawks team that can’t afford another loss. It will mean another long day. Look for Russell Wilson to rebound with a big day. Seahawks 45, Bears 17.

Denver at Detroit: Stafford has been pedestrian so far this season and he enters the game banged up. Peyton Manning looks to be coming around in Denver’s new offense. Still, Detroit is a tough place to play. Lions 23, Broncos 20.

Kansas City at Green Bay: The Chiefs have owned the Packers, winning seven of the 10 regular-season meetings. One of those ended in a tie. Andy Reid-coached teams, however, haven’t had a lot of success at Lambeau Field. That lack of success continues against Aaron Rodgers and company, who are nearly unbeatable at home these days. Packers 31, Chiefs 21.

Last week: 6-10 (.375).

For the season: 15-17 (.469).

Picking the Packers: 2-0 (1.000).

Dan Kohn: 920-993-1000, ext. 305, or dkohn@postcrescent.com; on Twitter @PCDanKohn