NFL Analysis
9/19/24
13 min read
2024 NFL Week 3: Expert Picks, Predictions For Every Game
The Week 3 slate of NFL games is one of the best weeks on the schedule. There are several fascinating contests on Sunday afternoon, with multiple playoff teams from a year ago needing wins to avoid a 0-3 start.
And there are teams like the Saints, Steelers, and Buccaneers, who are looking to start the season with impressive three-game winning streaks. Here is our preview and picks for another fantastic slate of games:
>> READ MORE: Latest NFL Power Rankings
Week 3 Expert Picks, Predictions
New England Patriots (1-1) vs. New York Jets (1-1)
Spread: Jets -6.5
Total: 38.5
The New York Jets looked much better on offense in Week 2, but they still aren’t quite there. This won’t be an easy matchup against one of the league’s best secondaries, but the Jets are the more talented team, and the crowd should be electric in their first home game of the season.
It’s hard to imagine the New England Patriots scoring more than 17 points in this game, but don’t expect the Jets to light up the scoreboard, either. It is worth mentioning that the Patriots are 16-1 in their last 17 games against the Jets. But that was with Bill Belichick on the sideline. Expect that trend to stop.
Score Prediction: Jets 20, Patriots 16
Los Angeles Chargers (2-0) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0)
Spread: Steelers -1.5
Total: 35.5
After back-to-back impressive road games, the Pittsburgh Steelers return home to take on the 2-0 Los Angeles Chargers. Everything points to this being a close game, but with Justin Herbert dealing with some sort of ankle injury, don’t expect the Chargers to put up many points on offense. There is even a small chance that he doesn't play, which would put Easton Stick in the starting lineup.
Pittsburgh’s defense has allowed just 16 points through two games, and it is 100 percent healthy. Justin Fields has been solid, but he doesn't need to do much with the defense playing at this level. Look for the Steelers to win this game on defense and create a few big turnovers. Take Pittsburgh with confidence in Week 3.
Score Prediction: Steelers 20, Chargers, 14
Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) vs. New Orleans Saints (2-0)
Spread: Saints -2.5
Total: 49.5
No team in the NFL has been more surprising than the New Orleans Saints. They are the league’s highest-scoring offense and will now take on the Philadelphia Eagles, coming off a tough home loss to the Falcons. Philadelphia's defense couldn't get a stop at the end of the game against a banged-up Kirk Cousins and will now face the No. 1 ranked offense in the NFL.
The common pick will be to bet on the Saints to take care of business at home, but look for the Eagles to lean on Saquon Barkley and get the win in Week 3. This should be a high-scoring game, even if A.J. Brown doesn’t suit up. The Eagles desperately need this win, or else things could start to go haywire in Philadelphia.
Score Prediction: Eagles 27, Saints 24
Houston Texans (2-0) vs. Minnesota Vikings (2-0)
Spread: Texans -2.5
Total: 46
The Houston Texans have taken care of business in the first two weeks of the season, even if they haven’t been overly impressive. The offense still has another level to hit, but it might be difficult with all of its injuries at running back. Still, they are one of the league's best teams and could be the top contender with the Chiefs in the AFC.
However, this could be a really tough spot for them, as they are taking on one of the best coaching staffs in the league. Brian Flores will give C.J. Stroud a lot of different looks, and he’ll be relentless with the blitz. Assuming Justin Jefferson plays, this is a game the Minnesota Vikings could steal at home. Can Sam Darnold avoid turning the ball over? If the answer is yes, Minnesota can win outright despite being a home underdog.
Score Prediction: Vikings 23, Texans 21
Chicago Bears (1-1) vs. Indianapolis Colts (0-2)
Spread: Colts -1
Total: 43.5
The Indianapolis Colts are a bit of a mystery right now despite being 0-2. They have been in both games that they lost, and they have a very talented roster. Yet, they haven't closed out games. Anthony Richardson remains a fascinating talent, but his play-to-play consistency isn’t there.
With DeForest Bucker (ankle) landing on the injured reserve list, the Colts lack the defensive tackles to stop the run. It's also worth mentioning that Latiatu Latu is dealing with a hip injury that could cause him to miss this contest. This should be another low-scoring game, but take the Chicago Bears to win on the road in Week 3.
Score Prediction: Bears 21, Colts 18
Green Bay Packers (1-1) vs. Tennessee Titans (0-2)
Spread: Titans -2.5
Total: 36.5
If there is one thing that we have learned in the first two weeks of the season, it’s that we shouldn’t trust Will Levis. The Tennessee Titans have been competitive, but the decision-making of Levis has cost them both games. The roster has talent, but they aren’t good enough to overcome their quarterback.
The Green Bay Packers just won a game with Malik Willis at quarterback and might have to do it again this week. Expect Matt LaFleur to come up with a creative game plan to win again in Week 3.
Score Prediction: Packers 19, Titans 17
New York Giants (0-2) vs. Cleveland Browns (1-1)
Spread: Browns -6
Total: 38.5
It’s hard to imagine that the New York Giants will have any success on offense in this game. The Cleveland Browns have one of the league's best defenses, and the numbers they posted at home in the last calendar year are ridiculous. The only question is, will Cleveland’s offense fare much better?
Deshaun Watson looked improved in Week 2, but he still is playing at a below-average level. Turnovers will dictate this game, but it’s hard to imagine the Browns not taking care of business in Cleveland in Week 3.
Score Prediction: Browns 21, Giants 13
Denver Broncos (0-2) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)
Spread: Buccaneers -6.5
Total: 39.5
The Denver Broncos offense looks like a total mess right now, with Bo Nix struggling to complete anything down the field. The good news is that Denver’s defense has been solid in the first two games of the season. Don’t be shocked if they put up a strong fight in Week 3 and keep Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers in check.
Unless the Broncos force multiple turnovers, they will have a hard time winning this game. They just don't have the offensive firepower to keep up with good teams at this stage of the season. Keep an eye on the injury report for this contest, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be without as many as five starters.
Score Prediction: Buccaneers 23, Broncos 17
Miami Dolphins (1-1) vs. Seattle Seahawks (2-0)
Spread: Seahawks -4.5
Total: 41.5
There were some rumblings earlier in the week that Tua Tagovailoa might try to play in this game after suffering a concussion in Week 2 against the Bills. But the Miami Dolphins took that decision out of his hands after placing him on the injured reserve list on Tuesday. That means that Skylar Thompson will start, and he’ll have 10 days to prepare for this game.
Surely, Mike McDaniel will do everything in his power to get the offense moving, and he’ll be creative in the plays that he calls. However, it’s hard to see the Dolphins generating enough offense to keep up with Geno Smith and the Seattle Seahawks. Take the Seahawks to win, but don’t be surprised if Miami puts up a good fight here in Week 3.
Score Prediction: Seahawks 26, Dolphins 20
Carolina Panthers (0-2) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (1-1)
Spread: Raiders -5.5
Total: 41
The Carolina Panthers have a new starting quarterback after benching the 2023 No. 1 overall pick, Bryce Young. Andy Dalton will start for Carolina and the line for this game immediately moved from Raiders -7 to -5.5. That’s a pretty damning sign for Young that a 36-year-old Dalton is clearly an upgrade at this stage of his career.
While this was a needed move for Carolina, it still doesn’t make them a good team. But you can bet they will get a boost on offense, especially in their passing game. The Las Vegas Raiders are a bit of a knuckleball team, as they rely on a lot of short passes on offense and a strong defense. However, this is a game where they should be able to take care of business, even if it’s ugly.
Score Prediction: Raiders 19, Panthers 16
San Franciso 49ers (1-1) vs. Los Angeles Rams (0-2)
Spread: 49ers -7
Total: 43.5
No team has suffered more key injuries to start the season than the Los Angeles Rams. Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp will miss this contest, and the Rams will be without several starting offensive linemen. The San Francisco 49ers have their fair share of injuries,,, with Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel ruled out for Week 3. The difference is they still have playmakers galore on offense.
After a rough Week 2 loss in Minnesota, you can bet on the 49ers bouncing back in a huge way in Week 3. Look for them to lean heavily on Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle in the passing game, which shouldn’t be a problem at all. Division games can be difficult to predict, but take the 49ers with confidence in Week 3.
Score Prediction: 49ers 31, Rams 13
Baltimore Ravens (0-2) vs. Dallas Cowboys (1-1)
Spread: Ravens -1.5
Total: 48.5
The most important game of the week might be in Dallas in Week 3 when the Dallas Cowboys host the 0-2 Baltimore Ravens. Dallas needs to bounce back after an embarrassing showing to the Saints in Week 2, when they allowed six-straight touchdown drives to open the game. The Cowboys have been excellent at home during the last two seasons, so you can bet they will play much better this week.
But this game is so important because the Ravens have a real chance to start the season 0-3 after finishing as the AFC's No. 1 seed last season. The Ravens lost only four regular-season games last year, and one of those losses came in Week 18 with all of their backups on the field.
The good news for Baltimore is that Lamar Jackson has a career record of 20-3 against NFC opponents, throwing 34 passing touchdowns and only eight interceptions. You would think this would be a perfect spot for him in a dome against a shaky run defense. However, Baltimore's offensive line remains a massive concern.
The smart bet is to take the Ravens, as they are the more desperate team and need this win more. Look for Baltimore to lean heavily on Jackson's legs to win in Dallas.
Score Prediction: Ravens 27, Cowboys 23
Detroit Lions (1-1) vs. Arizona Cardinals (1-1)
Spread: Lions -3
Total: 52.5
There might not be a quarterback in the NFL playing at a higher level than Kyler Murray. He’s been fantastic through two games. Now that Marvin Harrison Jr. has broken out, the Arizona Cardinals are one of the league's top offenses. Is their defense ready for the challenge of the Detroit Lions in Week 3? That is a pretty tall task.
The Lions are one of the league’s most talented teams and will want to bounce back after a tough loss to the Buccaneers in Week 2. Look for Detroit to lean heavily on its run game, hoping that it doesn't need Jared Goff to throw 55 times. This should be the highest-scoring contest of the weekend, but look for the Lions to ultimately get the win and cover in Arizona.
Score Prediction: Lions 28, Cardinals 24
Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) vs. Atlanta Falcons (1-1)
Spread: Chiefs -3.5
Total: 46.5
The good news for the Atlanta Falcons is that Kirk Cousins looked better in Week 2, and they pulled off a miracle win against the Eagles in dramatic fashion. The bad news is that they will now face Patrick Mahomes on a short week in primetime.
Atlanta has some good pieces on both sides of the ball, but this is a tough spot. Cousins still can’t move well in the pocket, and the Kansas City Chiefs have one of the league’s top pass-rush units.
Plus, Mahomes is a career 10-0 in the regular season in domes with a passer rating of 105.4. Kansas City will certainly miss Isaih Pacheco in the ground game, but it still has enough weapons in the passing game to win.
Score Prediction: Chiefs 24, Falcons 17
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2) vs. Buffalo Bills (2-0)
Spread: Bills -5
Total: 45.5
It’s hard to believe, but the Jacksonville Jaguars have now lost their last seven games with Trevor Lawrence under center. While it’s certainly not all his fault, something about this team just feels off. They clearly have talent on both sides of the ball, but it has yet to come together.
But this feels like a good spot for Jacksonville despite the Buffalo Bills coming off 11 days of rest. The Jaguars need this game to save their season, and they do have the weapons on offense to challenge the Bills.
Buffalo is getting five points at home, and that’s probably the right number, but expect this to be a field goal game that comes down to the last possession. Let’s take the upset here with the expectation that Doug Pedersen throws out the kitchen sink to get a win.
Score Prediction: Jaguars 23, Bills 20
Washington Commanders (1-1) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (0-2)
Spread: Bengals -7.5
Total: 48.5
This is the second of two Monday Night Football games (who asked for this?) in Week 3, and the Cincinnati Bengals desperately need a win after starting the season at 0-2 once again. There is a chance we see a bit of a hangover after their brutal loss to the Chiefs in walk-off fashion, but expect Joe Burrow and the Bengals to play with a sense of urgency with their season on the line.
Jayden Daniels is the type of quarterback who could give Cinnannati fits with his athleticism and ability to make plays downfield. Expect the Washington Commanders to lean on Brian Robinson Jr. in the run game and limit the number of hits that Daniels has to take in this game.
The Bengals are huge favorites in this game but stay far away from the spread. Until the Bengals can finish these contests, they will continue to be a wild card each week.
Score Prediction: Bengals 23, Commanders 21
