The NFL schedule is continuing to bring the fire in Week 3 with some incredible matchups. The first 2 weeks of the year will be hard to live up to, but I have no doubt that this week’s games will be just as good, if not better than some of the premier matches we’ve already seen so far in 2021. I can’t wait to watch them. I went 11-5 in Week 2 to bring my season total to 19-13. It was a better week than Week 1, but we can still do much better. Let’s get into this week’s picks:
Panthers 27-17 Texans 
Thursday, 8:20 PM EST, NFL Network
Week 3 kicks off with a bit of a dud of a matchup on Thursday Night Football. There’s not a lot to say with this one. The Texans were already one of the worst teams in football, but now they have to turn to 3rd string QB Davis Mills, a rookie out of Stanford, to lead the team after Tyrod Taylor hurt his hamstring last week. This will be a tough opening test against a young Carolina defense that has been extremely solid. The Panthers offense has also done its thing, and the Texans defense will be easy pickings for them. No need to overthink this.
Bills 30-20 Washington 
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX
Josh Allen hasn’t exactly regressed, but his inaccuracy problems from earlier in his career is certainly rearing its head through 2 games. Luckily for him, he gets a Washington defense this week that cannot stop anybody worth a damn. While WFT QB Taylor Heinicke looked very good last week, that was against the Giants. This is against a real team (that actually plays in the state of New York), and it is going to be much rougher sledding. Unless Washington’s defense returns to form, I don’t foresee this one being very close. It’s going to take another massive performance from Heinicke if the WFT want to stay in it.
Browns 28-24 Bears 
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX
It’s almost poetic that the Justin Fields debut is in the state where he made his claim to fame. Fields and the Bears travel to Cleveland for what should be a very good, but very difficult matchup with the Browns. I have faith in Justin, but this is quite a tall task in his first professional start. The only thing going his way is that the Browns defense hasn’t exactly been the greatest early in the season. There are still a lot of moving parts on that side of the ball, and it could open up some nice opportunities for the Bears offense, which has struggled mightily through two weeks. But, it won’t matter as long as the Browns offense is doing their thing. While they’re dealing with injuries galore at the WR position, their running game is good enough to win them any game. That will be the difference in my opinion. But, don’t be surprised if Fields is able to make this interesting.
Ravens 38-23 Lions 
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS
This one should have the potential to get ugly. The only reason I have it this “close” is because I have seen the Ravens defense get shredded for 2 weeks in a row. Moreover, the Lions offense has looked somewhat nice. They have enough talent on that side of the football to at least put some points on the board. This one won’t be close, but it won’t be a complete wash. I’d also keep an eye on Lamar Jackson’s status for this game. He’s been dealing with an illness, and while all signs are pointing towards him playing, if he doesn’t, the Ravens could be in trouble. If he does, it should be an easy one.
Titans 24-23 Colts 
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS
This is about as imperative of a divisional game as you can have this early in the season. The Colts absolutely cannot afford a loss to drop to 0-3. Even in the weakest division in football, an 0-3 start to the season is virtually insurmountable. Unfortunately for them, they’re staring right down that barrel. Injuries to both of QB Carson Wentz’s ankles have his status in question for this game. Even if he plays, you have to question how effective he’ll be. In addition to the questions at QB, the Colts defense hasn’t played up to their potential thus far, and now they have to deal with a Titans offense that was on fire last week in Seattle. If Derrick Henry gets going on the ground even slightly, it could be curtains. I think this will be a close one from wire to wire, because I understand the intensity of divisional games, but I just like what I’m seeing from Tennessee a lot more than what Indy has shown me, so I’m sticking with them.
Chiefs 31-27 Chargers 
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS
If there’s anything we’ve learned in the young career of Justin Herbert, it’s that he doesn’t back down from a challenge. Both of his games last year against the Chiefs showed that (although the second one was against mostly backups). That’s the only reason I think this one is going to be close. Last week was a rough loss for the Bolts, and getting the Chiefs this week only makes matters worse. This is still Kansas City, it’s still Patrick Mahomes, and the calendar still says September. They are going to be a fired up bunch after a wakeup call last week, and I think they should take care of business in this one. But I also expect Herbert and the Chargers to give it their all and keep things close for most, if not all of this game.
Patriots 20-17 Saints 
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX
In the past, this game would be a lot more high-profile than it is now. These teams obviously aren’t what they once were. However, the Patriots are a lot closer to their previous selves than the Saints are. New England is still winning games with their patented formula: being smart with the football, running it down your throat, and letting the defense do the rest. Mac Jones has been very solid at QB, and the rest of the team is doing its thing to propel this team to a 2-0 record. The Saints, on the other hand, appear to still be figuring themselves out. Their first two performances have been polar opposites of one another, and I just don’t know what to make of them. Trying to predict how Jameis Winston will perform at QB in any given week is harder than multivariable calculus. Against a very stout defense, and a generally more consistent team, I’ll easily take the Patriots.
Giants 26-24 Falcons 
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX
Against all odds, someone has to win this game. Will it be the team that refuses to improve and win games or the other team that refuses to improve and win games? In all seriousness, this is a very tough one to pick. Both of these teams are just so underwhelming and disappointing. The only thing differentiating them is that the Giants have actually come close to a win this season. That’s enough for me to stick with them. Their defense might get picked apart, but considering the Falcons only scored 6 on the Eagles in Week 1, I’m not sure what the likelihood of that is. I just think they have the better players on that side of the football to be able to make plays when necessary to win it. That being said, I’d be better off picking this game by flipping a coin.
Steelers 23-20 Bengals 
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS
This is likely Week 3’s most boring game on paper. On one hand, you have the injury-riddled, problem plagued Steelers, and on the other, you have the incompetent and lifeless Bengals. What an exciting matchup we have on our hands! The Steelers will win this game simply due to a talent gap, but they never make it easy for themselves, especially considering the injuries they have on the defensive side of the ball. Cincy’s offense isn’t performing up to their caliber thus far, but they certainly have the talent to put up points. With T.J. Watt’s status for this game in question, Joe Burrow might actually find himself with some time to throw and make some plays to give his team a chance to win it. The Bengals defense, however, will ensure that a win is out of reach.
Cardinals 40-19 Jaguars 
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX
Nothing to see here. Just an insanely stacked team that is playing with their wings on fire against the worst team in football that is so dysfunctional that they might go on a fire sale before their bye week. The question in this game isn’t who will win, but rather, how much will Arizona win by? Vegas says a touchdown. I say it will be several.
Broncos 28-10 Jets 
Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, CBS
This is a similar matchup to the one above it, but the Broncos obviously don’t have the explosive ability that the Cardinals do. However, their offense is plenty good to put up points, and their defense has been lockdown thus far. This team has the highest yardage differential in football, and now they’re going up against one of the NFL’s worst offenses. Don’t be surprised if Zach Wilson lays another stinker in this one. What an ugly scene.
Raiders 27-14 Dolphins 
Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, CBS
Tua Tagovailoa will be out for this game with an injury to his ribs, so it will be Jacoby Brissett at QB for the Dolphins out west. It already wasn’t very promising with Tua under center, but somehow, we’ve stooped even lower. The Raiders have been one of the pleasant surprises of September, and considering how lethargic the Fins looked with Brissett last week, this one should be another wash. I don’t think it will be a shutout, but it won’t be close. I thought Miami’s defense was good enough to limit scoring, but that was not the case last week. Now they get the current most prolific passing offense in football. Even with a few injuries, Vegas has no excuse not to blow this team out.
Rams 29-27 Buccaneers 
Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX
Game of the Week. Game of the Year potentially. This was my prediction for the NFC Championship Game, and it still is. These are my current top 2 teams in my power rankings. It’s only Week 3, but I can’t think of many bigger games than this. There are storylines everywhere, hype as far as the eye can see, and nerves settling in all across the board. It almost feels impossible to try and predict a game of this magnitude. Even Vegas seems to be flip-flopping on this game. For me, this game comes down to one factor: defense. Who has had the better defense so far this season? Easily Los Angeles. In both of their games, the Bucs defense has been shredded, especially through the air. Facing Matt Stafford and a plethora of offensive weapons in this game could make for another poor showing. Meanwhile, the Rams’ defense has done a great job in both of their games, albeit against worse offenses than this one. Just last year, this defense did enough to beat the exact same offense they’ll see on Sunday afternoon. So, based on precedent and what these teams are explicitly showing me, I have to rock with the Rams. But man, this one should be a doozy. I can’t wait to watch it.
Seahawks 31-30 Vikings 
Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX
Points, points, points. That will be the story of this game. Both of these offenses are stacked with talent across the board. Whatever the over is, take it. It’s not only that these offenses are so good, but the defenses are severely lacking in Seattle and Minnesota. It’s a situation that these teams aren’t necessarily accustomed to, but it has been the story for the last year or so. So, what separates these two almost identical teams in a game like this? My answer is whoever has the better QB. So, you tell me: would you rather have Russell Wilson or Kirk Cousins? Easy answer. While Kirk has been very good so far this year, he’s not Russ. Wilson has been excellent, and I’ve seen him win his team too many shootouts for me to pick against him in a situation like this. The Vikings might be the unluckiest 0-3 team ever by the time this one is over.
49ers 27-20 Packers 
Sunday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC
It doesn’t get any better than a meeting between these two iconic franchises on Sunday Night Football. Well, maybe it does. Especially when you consider the fact that this Packers team still has a ton of questions. Yes, Aaron Rodgers and the offense returned to form last week, but that was against the Lions. This is one of the toughest tests they’ll face all season long, and whether or not they’ll be up to it is a question that is yet to be answered. I just don’t know what to expect from this team. The Niners aren’t without their questions either, as they are 2-0 with 2 wins over very bad teams that should have been a lot more convincing than they actually were. They let the Lions and Eagles back into their games late in the 4th quarter, and they will not get away with that against an offense as talented as Green Bay’s. However, I don’t think it will get to that point. San Francisco is simply too talented all around to drop this game. I don’t think it will be a poor performance from the Packers, but I just don’t think they have it in them to win this one.
Cowboys 28-17 Eagles 
Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN
Nothing like a primetime NFC East game to get everybody hyped up! The one last week was great, so why can’t this one be? Well, you see, the Eagles are playing in this game. And they’re not a very good team. Additionally, the Cowboys are pretty good. It’s not like Washington and New York, who were 2 bad teams seeing who wanted to lose the game harder. This one is just a gap in talent, especially offensively. The Cowboys are seeming to find their groove on that side of the ball, although last week’s performance wasn’t as good as they would have liked it to be. Against a significantly worse defense this week, they should be just fine. I was much more impressed with Dallas’ defense last week, and I think that will also be a defining factor in this game. Jalen Hurts is good enough to make plays, but this one could be rough for him.
All stats taken from ESPN.
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