NFL Week 3 Picks

After a half-decent Week 1, I staggered with my Week 2 picks, going 5-10-1 to bring my season total to 13-17-2. Picking Week 2 games can be even harder than Week 1 games, in my opinion. While opening week games may seem like blind picks, Week 2 picks become difficult as we begin to play the "who beats who" game.

In Week 3 that will either make it difficult again, or make a little more sense as we begin to see who these teams really are. Week 3 definitely has a lot of matchups that seem close to even on paper, so this could be another rough week, or a potentially rewarding one.

Thursday Night
New York Jets (1-1) at Cleveland Browns (0-1-1)

This is actually one of the most pain-staking picks of the week. The Browns have played to a nearly even -3 margin through two weeks, battling the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints. At home, against a rookie quarterback, could they finally break through with a win? The Jets have looked up and down through two games against the Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins, but I think Sam Darnold does enough to improve to 2-0 on the road, and 2-0 in prime time.


Sunday
New Orleans Saints (1-1) at Atlanta Falcons (1-1)

The Saints were my darkhorse Super Bowl pick, but questions linger after a narrow victory over the Browns. I'll take Matt Ryan at home for the second straight week against an NFC South opponent.

San Francisco 49ers (1-1) at Kansas City Chiefs (2-0)

Which young quarterback will steal the show on Sunday? Patrick Mahommes can't keep playing at an All-Pro level can he? The Chiefs and their offense improve to 3-0 over Jimmy G and the 49ers.

Oakland Raiders (0-2) at Miami Dolphins (2-0)

I don't think the Dolphins are that good and I don't think the Raiders are that bad, so something has to give as each team gets their first win and loss of the season respectively.

Buffalo Bills (0-2) at Minnesota Vikings (1-0-1)

The Vikings open as 16.5 point home favorites, so anything short of a blowout will be a surprise when the struggling Bills come to town.

Indianapolis Colts (1-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)

Carson Wentz vs. Andrew Luck could be a fun show. The Colts looked good in a win over the Redskins, but I have the Eagles getting back on track behind their quarterback at home.


Green Bay Packers (1-0-1) at Washington Redskins (1-1)

I almost don't want to pick the Packers, as I don't think they'll be an incredible, 12+ win team as some are predicting. But after a win, the Redskins struggles in Week 2 worried me and I would rather take an "undefeated" Aaron Rodgers on the road.

Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) at Carolina Panthers (1-1)

Tough one here. While I could see the Bengals getting to 3-0, can we ever rely on Andy Dalton to pull through when expected? While I don't trust Cam Newton much more, the defense at home helps the Panthers to victory.

Tennessee Titans (1-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars (2-0)

The Jaguars are looking like one of the best teams in the NFL, so there's no reason they shouldn't improve to 3-0 over the visiting Titans.

Denver Broncos (2-0) at Baltimore Ravens (1-1)

While Case Keenum has impressed through two weeks, the Ravens will be his first challenge on the road this season. While the Ravens haven't really found an identity yet, they get a solid win to improve to 2-1.


New York Giants (0-2) at Houston Texans (0-2)

Both teams here could be 2-0, as their games ended with a score within a touchdown of their opponents. Both offenses are capable if not inconsistent; the same largely true for the defenses. Someone gets a win here: give me DeShaun Watson and the Texans at home.

Los Angeles Chargers (1-1) at Los Angeles Rams (2-0)

Like the Jaguars, the Rams have an early case for best team in the NFL. The Chargers have a win under their belt against the Bills, but the Rams offense will be too much in this battle for LA.

Chicago Bears (1-1) at Arizona Cardinals (0-2)

Mitchell Trubisky already appears to be making strides in Year 2, and after a gritty Monday Night Football win over the Seahawks, Mitch keeps the Bears hit with a win over the stagnant Arizona Cardinals, who have a case for worst team in the NFL.

Dallas Cowboys (1-1) at Seattle Seahawks (0-2)

For the third straight week I'm picking the Seattle Seahawks, even though they've let me down twice. The Cowboys have been inconsistent and Russell Wilson is too good to let the Seahawks fall to 0-3. This is also Seattle's first home game of the season.


Sunday Night
New England Patriots (1-1) at Detroit Lions (0-2)

I guess on paper, this matchup looked good to the NFL. Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford duking it out while former New England coach Matt Patricia leads the Lions. While the Lions offense improved in Week 2, and the Patriots looked stunningly human against the Jaguars, this is still a mismatch. Tom Brady takes care of business even if it isn't the prettiest of wins.

Monday Night
Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)

Even with the latest Antonio Brown fiasco the Steelers seemed in trouble; now they seem fully dysfunctional. The Buccaneers can't stay hot forever, but Ryan Fitzpatrick exploits the defense that just faced the only QB with more touchdowns than himself: Patrick Mahommes.

Header photo courtesy of Associated Press

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Carson Wentz photo courtesy of Jeff Gross/Getty Images