NFL Game Picks: Week 3
Week 2 is in the books and 10 NFL teams are still undefeated, while nine are looking for their first win. Let’s take a look ahead at Week 3.
Los Angeles Rams (1-1) @ San Francisco 49ers (0-2)
Both these teams are coming off strange losses. The Rams were beaten by the Redskins a week after dominating the Colts, and the 49ers kept it close with Seattle until the very end. Overall, Los Angeles has the better team. Todd Gurley is returning to form, and Jared Goff is beginning to find his stride.
The pick: Los Angeles, 27-9.
Baltimore Ravens (2-0) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)
This week’s London game may seem like an obvious choice. After all, Baltimore has been playing very well, and Jacksonville just got stomped by Tennessee. Still, the Jaguars’ defense can keep it close. But, in the end, their inconsistent offense is a mismatch against the stout Ravens defense.
The pick: Baltimore, 29-22.
Denver Broncos (2-0) @ Buffalo Bills (1-1)
Trevor Siemian may have just proven that he’s for real. The Dallas defense that absolutely shut down the Giants in Week 1 was completely picked apart by Siemian and his four touchdowns. Meanwhile, Buffalo couldn’t do a thing in Carolina. Denver really should win this one.
The pick: Denver, 32-17.
New Orleans Saints (0-2) @ Carolina Panthers (2-0)
There’s more than meets the eye to this game. The Saints defense couldn’t stop Tom Brady last week, but the offense was able to put up some numbers this time. Carolina’s defense kept the Bills to a field goal, but Cam Newton and the offense still look a little shaky. Expect this one to be close.
The pick: New Orleans, 21-19.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0) @ Chicago Bears (0-2)
Whatever was holding down the Pittsburgh offense in Cleveland disappeared against Minnesota, as the Steelers won big. They now head to Chicago to face a struggling Bears team. It wouldn’t be a surprise at all if Pittsburgh grabs another decisive victory.
The pick: Pittsburgh, 33-14.
Atlanta Falcons (2-0) @ Detroit Lions (2-0)
This is one of the week’s best games. Detroit’s offense has been excellent, and the defense proved its worth by shutting down New York on Monday night. However, as good as the Lions look, The Falcons look even better. Atlanta dominated Green Bay for most of Sunday night thanks to an excellent defensive performance. They have the slight edge in this stellar matchup.
The pick: Atlanta, 31-28.
Cleveland Browns (0-2) @ Indianapolis Colts (0-2)
Neither DeShone Kizer nor Kevin Hogan played too well against Baltimore last Sunday. Jacoby Brissett actually kept the Colts competitive against Arizona, losing by only three points. With Andrew Luck ruled out for Week 3, Brissett is set to start again for Indianapolis. If last week is any indication of what to expect, the Colts are the favorites here.
The pick: Indianapolis, 17-10.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) @ Minnesota Vikings (1-1)
The result of this game could very well hinge on the health of Sam Bradford. Bradford slaughtered the Saints defense in Week 1, but was sidelined for Week 2 while the Vikings were crushed in Pittsburgh. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, demolished the Bears in their opener. This could be a close one, but only if Bradford is playing quarterback for Minnesota.
The pick: Minnesota, 24-20.
Houston Texans (1-1) @ New England Patriots (1-1)
There’s definitely blowout potential here. Houston barely snuck past a terrible Bengals team. Tom Brady threw for 447 yards and three touchdowns en route to a victory over the Saints. The Texans defense may be good, but the Patriots’ offense is better.
The pick: New England, 38-14.
Miami Dolphins (1-0) @ New York Jets (0-2)
The Jets may have lost by 25 points to Oakland last week, but they played better than the score suggests. Josh McCown was surprisingly decent at quarterback. The Dolphins slipped by the Chargers thanks to a missed field goal, but also played fine nonetheless. Miami is the safe pick here, but honestly, it could go either way.
The pick: Miami, 20-13.
New York Giants (0-2) @ Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)
The Giants are a mess right now. The offense has been absolutely pitiful, even with Odell Beckham playing, and the defense doesn’t look much better. Philadelphia, on the other hand, played a hard-fought game in Kansas City, almost completing the comeback. New York needs to turn it around now to have a chance, but it’s looking unlikely at this point.
The pick: Philadelphia, 27-16.
Seattle Seahawks (1-1) @ Tennessee Titans (1-1)
This one might be tricky to predict. Tennessee turned around its uninspiring Week 1 performance against Oakland into a massive win over Jacksonville, and the Seahawks narrowly escaped defeat to San Francisco at home. Both teams have showed some inconsistency thus far, but both teams also have stacked rosters. Here’s hoping for an exciting showdown on Sunday.
The pick: Seattle, 30-26.
Cincinnati Bengals (0-2) @ Green Bay Packers (1-1)
Here’s another game that looks rather lopsided. Cincinnati has played two home games without scoring a touchdown. Green Bay may have lost to Atlanta, but the Falcons are a much better team than the Bengals are. Cincinnati will struggle again in Lambeau.
The pick: Green Bay, 35-12.
Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) @ Los Angeles Chargers (0-2)
Tough luck for the Chargers, who have now lost two straight games thanks to missed potentially game-winning field goals. Los Angeles’ otherwise adequate performance against Miami proves they can play, but it’s going to be hard to stop the tank that is the Kansas City Chiefs.
The pick: Kansas City, 30-20.
Oakland Raiders (2-0) @ Washington Redskins (1-1)
To the surprise of no one, Oakland beat up on the Jets last Sunday. The Redskins, on the other hand, turned a few heads by beating the Rams in Los Angeles. Kirk Cousins is starting to get back into the hang of things, but Derek Carr has already arrived. Overall, the Raiders just have the better team.
The pick: Oakland, 33-22.
Dallas Cowboys (1-1) @ Arizona Cardinals (1-1)
Neither of these teams showed a lot to love last Sunday. Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott were totally shut down by Denver, and the David Johnson-less Cardinals snuck past a weak Colts team in overtime. Dallas’ embarrassment may have just been a fluke, but we’ll find out for sure when they play Arizona on Monday night.
The pick: Dallas, 24-14.
DJ Bauer is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email him at metakoopa99@gmail.com.
