NFL picks, predictions for Week 3: Saints hand Raiders first loss, Vikings beat Bucs in road test image
The Las Vegas Raiders and Minnesota Vikings are the two most-surprising 2-0 teams heading into Week 3.
Will they make it 3-0 against NFC South opponents?
Kirk Cousins has taken hold of the starting job with the Raiders, which means No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza will get more time to learn from the sideline. Ashton Jeanty is carrying a heavy early-season workload, and the defense has generated eight sacks. Las Vegas hasn't had a 3-0 start since 2021 under Jon Gruden, who resigned later that season. The opportunity is there in Week 3 against New Orleans.
Minnesota – where Cousins played from 2018-23 – has made it work at quarterback with Carson Wentz after Kyler Murray suffered an injury in Week 1. The Vikings beat NFC rivals Green Bay and Detroit in the first two weeks, and an aggressive defense led by Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel. Minnesota travels to Tampa Bay in Week 3.
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We have one of those teams improving to 3-0 heading into a week that features a showdown between the Ravens and Cowboys and a Sunday Night Football matchup between the Rams and Broncos.
Sporting News picks the NFL matchups each week. A look at our track record this season:
S/U: 23-9 (11-5 in Week 2)
ATS: 15-17 (7-9 in Week 2)
Here are our picks for Week 3: (Odds courtesy of FanDuel):
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NFL picks, predictions for Week 3
Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers (-6.5)
Thursday, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video
This could be ugly Thursday. The Falcons' QB situation is messy, but the Packers aren't exactly in a great spot. Jordan Love has a 52.1% completion percentage, which is worse than Cooper Rush (56.4%) and Jack Strand (53.3%). Will Michael Penix Jr. be back? Green Bay leads the NFL with 26 penalties for 231 yards and ranks last in rushing offense (64.5 yards per game). That needs to improve in the home opener at Lambeau Field.
Pick: Packers 24, Falcons 17
Los Angeles Chargers at Buffalo Bills (-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
What's wrong with the Chargers? The early returns under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel have not been great. Los Angeles has a minus-4 turnover ratio – and it will be a challenge slowing down Josh Allen, who has nine total TDs in two games. Los Angeles will play with desperation, and this is a candidate for the over.
Pick:Bills 31, Chargers 26
Carolina Panthers (-2.5) at Cleveland Browns
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
The Browns weathered a storm for a Week 2 victory at Tampa Bay, and Deshaun Watson answered the critics with 280 passing yards and two TDs. Carolina is 2-1 S/U as an away favorite under coach Dave Canales, and Bryce Young is 5-20 on the road as a starter. As of now, weather won't be a factor in Cleveland.
Pick: Panthers 24, Browns 16
New York Jets at Detroit Lions (-6.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
The Lions' defense has allowed 31 points and three passing TDs in each of its first two games heading into a matchup against the Jets and former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. The Jets' defense has improved and allows 65.5 rushing yards per game – but Jahmyr Gibbs will cut through that. Detroit takes control in the second half.
Pick: Lions 33, Jets 16
Houston Texans (-2.5) at Indianapolis Colts
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
Both teams are playing with desperation after 0-2 starts. The Texans have won the last five meetings, and four of those matchups have been decided by four points or less. Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud has taken seven sacks, but he should be free against a Colts defense that has allowed 1,029 yards in the first two weeks of the season.
MORE:Patrick Mahomes sets NFL record that proves he's as lethal in OT as any QB in history
Pick: Texans 26, Colts 21
Kansas City Chiefs (-10.5) at Miami Dolphins
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Chiefs will be a popular pick here. The Dolphins are a double-digit underdog for the second straight week heading into the home opener with Malik Willis, who has taken nine sacks in two starts. Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes against a Dolphins defense that doesn't have a sack, especially with Kenneth Walker III, who leads the NFL with 290 rushing yards. This feels too easy.
Pick: Chiefs 27, Dolphins 17
Tennessee Titans at New York Giants (-6.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Giants are coming off a short week, and the Titans showed improvement in Week 2. Tennessee showed improvement in Week 2 with Cam Ward, but the Giants have a better rushing attack with Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo, and those third-down conversions will pile up in the second half.
Pick: Giants 21, Titans 18
Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5) at Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Bengals are generating Super Bowl buzz with a defense that generated eight sacks in its first two games. Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen is off to a fast start with two sacks. The Steelers have seven sacks, led by T.J. Watt at 3.5 sacks. Joe Burrow, however, has been more efficient than Aaron Rodgers at this point, and that's the difference in this always-chippy AFC North rivalry.
MORE:Which 2-0, 0-2 teams are contenders or pretenders in NFL?
Pick: Bengals 24, Steelers 17
Seattle Seahawks (-6.5) at Washington Commanders
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
It's a backup quarterback battle. Who had Seattle quarterback Drew Lock among the league leaders in passer rating through two weeks? Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba still has a league-best 277 receiving yards, and Seattle's defense will harass Marcus Mariota, who is pressed into action with the injury to Jayden Daniels. The Seahawks are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games as a road favorite.
Pick: Seahawks 24, Commanders 15
New England Patriots at Jacksonville Jaguars (-2.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Pats and Jaguars enter this matchup with equal 1-1 records. Drake Maye has four interceptions through two games, but the Patriots are content to run the ball with TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson and lean on a defense that should give Trevor Lawrence some issues. It's a light upset in a one-score game. The Patriots are 4-0-1 ATS as a road underdog under Mike Vrabel.
Pick: New England 20, Jaguars 19
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers (-8.5)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m., Fox
The 49ers have the look of a Super Bowl contender with a healthy offense around Brock Purdy, who has a league-high 80.4% completion percentage. The Cardinals managed just 151 total yards in Week 2. That's a chunky spread, and the last two meetings at San Francisco have been decided by one point.
Pick: 49ers 28, Cardinals 16
Minnesota Vikings (-2.5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sunday, 4:05 p.m., Fox
The Vikings have eight sacks and are allowing 12.5 points per game through two weeks under defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and Baker Mayfield has struggled with turnovers through an 0-2 start. It's a desperation spot for the Buccaneers at home, and Kyler Murray is expected to return from a concussion just in time for the game.
MORE:Kyler Murray exits concussion protocol ahead of Week 3 game vs. Bucs
Pick: Vikings 21, Buccaneers 19
Baltimore Ravens (-3) at Dallas Cowboys
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS
A pair of 1-1 teams in what should be a high-scoring showcase for Dak Prescott and Lamar Jackson. Derrick Henry (212 yards, 4 TDs) averages 5.3 yards per carry and will test a Dallas defense still progressing under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. Prescott is coming off a four-TD performance in Week 2. Will Baltimore's secondary hold up against CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens? Baltimore won the last meeting at Dallas 28-25 in 2024. A similar game could break out here. Watch for the line to hook.
Pick: Ravens 31, Cowboys 27
Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints (-3)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS
The Raiders and Saints are two pleasant surprises in the early season. Kirk Cousins has three TDs in his first two starts – and that's without tight end Brock Bowers. Tyler Shough led the Saints to a road upset against the Ravens with 15 fourth-quarter points in Week 2. This is a fun coaching matchup between Klint Kubiak and Kellen Moore. Las Vegas has forced five turnovers in two games, but New Orleans will play clean enough to win.
Pick: Saints 26, Raiders 24
Los Angeles Rams (-2.5) at Denver Broncos
Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC
It's a tough road game for the Rams. Denver's pass defense ranks seventh in the NFL, and Bo Nix is 15-3 at home as a starter. With Los Angeles coming off a short week, this is a tough assignment for Matthew Stafford with injuries to Puka Nacua and Myles Garrett, who is out. The Broncos are 5-1-1 ATS as an underdog since last season.
MORE:Full timeline of Aaron Donald's road from the couch back to the NFL
Pick: Broncos 23, Rams 21
Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5) at Chicago Bears
Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Caleb Williams' injury changes the nature of this game for the Bears, who will turn to Tyler Bagent in his place. Chicago rushed for 281 yards in a 24-15 victory against the Eagles last season and are first in the NFL with 212.5 ypg. It's still a road game, and the Eagles are 0-2 ATS as a favorite this season. This line could move up during the week, but it's tough without Wiliams in the game.
Pick: Eagles 28, Bears 18