NFL Game Picks: Week 3
Seven undefeated teams remain through two weeks, as there have been some crazy games to start the season.
Let’s take a look at some predictions for this week's matchups.
Carolina Panthers (2-0) vs. Houston Texans (1-1)
Texans quarterback Tyrod Taylor went down with a hamstring injury in the Week 2 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Rookie Davis Mills will get the start Thursday night.
Look for the improved Panthers defense to feast on the rookie, and quarterback Sam Darnold to do enough for the Panthers to remain undefeated.
Prediction: Panthers 28, Texans 13
Washington Football Team (1-1) vs. Buffalo Bills (1-1)
Washington squeaked by the New York Giants in week 2, but now face a much better team in the Bills. Washington’s defense will play better, but Bills quarterback Josh Allen will outperform Taylor Heinicke.
Prediction: Bills 27, Washington 20
Chicago Bears (1-1) vs. Cleveland Browns (1-1)
Rookie quarterback Justin Fields will make his first career start on Sunday however, the Browns running game will be too much for the Bears defense.
Prediction: Browns 24, Bears 17
Baltimore Ravens (1-1) vs. Detroit Lions (0-2)
The Lions’ defense has struggled so far, and that will continue against an explosive Baltimore running game. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will continue to dominate with his legs as Baltimore wins easily.
Prediction: Ravens 33, Lions 17
Indianapolis Colts (0-2) vs. Tennessee Titans (1-1)
Colts quarterback Carson Wentz sprained both his ankles in last week’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Even if he plays, he will not be 100%. Expect the Titans to win easily and send the Colts to 0-3
Prediction: Titans 31, Colts 17
Los Angeles Chargers (1-1) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (1-1)
Expect a shootout between these two high-powered offenses. This game will be close due to Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, but Patrick Mahomes will not allow the Chiefs to lose two straight games.
Prediction: Chiefs 34, Chargers 30
New Orleans Saints (1-1) vs. New England Patriots (1-1)
Which Jameis Winston will we get on Sunday for the Saints? Winston’s play will be the key to this game. Expect Patriots coach Bill Belichick to scheme his way defensively to a win with rookie quarterback Mac Jones to do just enough.
Prediction: Patriots 24, Saints 21
Atlanta Falcons (0-2) vs. New York Giants (0-2)
The Falcons have played two tough defenses in the Eagles and Buccaneers. The Giants lost a heartbreaker last week in Washington and will try to bounce back. Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan will lead the Falcons to an upset.
Prediction: Falcons 26, Giants 24
Cincinnati Bengals (1-1) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)
The Steelers are banged up, as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, edge TJ Watt, linebacker Devin Bush, wide receiver Diontae Johnson and cornerback Joe Haden are all questionable. The already lackluster Pittsburgh offense will struggle again, as the Bengals get an upset win on the road behind quarterback Joe Burrow.
Prediction: Bengals 24, Steelers 23
Arizona Cardinals (2-0) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2)
The Jaguars have struggled so far under new head coach Urban Meyer, and they now face Kyler Murray and the Cardinals. Murray will dominate and Arizona will continue to roll.
Prediction: Cardinals 34, Jaguars 21
New York Jets (0-2) vs. Denver Broncos (2-0)
New Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has looked spectacular through two weeks, and that should continue against a Jets team that has not looked great. Denver should win comfortably.
Prediction: Broncos 28, Jets 13
Miami Dolphins (1-1) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (2-0)
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is injured as Jacoby Brissett will start this week. The Dolphins will struggle on offense and the Raiders will move to a surprise 3-0.
Prediction: Raiders 23, Dolphins 16
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0) vs. Los Angeles Rams (2-0)
This is the game of the week as new Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford dominated but now faces his toughest test in the defending Super Bowl champion Bucs. Bucs’ quarterback Tom Brady will continue to play well, but the Rams defense will make enough plays to get the win.
Prediction Rams 28, Buccaneers 27
Green Bay Packers (1-1) vs. San Francisco 49ers (2-0)
The Sunday night game features Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers against the stout defense of the 49ers. Packers running back Aaron Jones had four touchdowns last week, but expect the 49ers’ defense to present a tougher challenge. The 49ers do enough to come away with a win.
Prediction: 49ers 31, Packers 27
Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) vs. Dallas Cowboys (1-1)
The Cowboys’ offense led by quarterback Dak Prescott has performed well so far, but so has the Eagles’ defense. Philadelphia’s defense will have a great day, and the Eagles’ offense will do just enough to shock Dallas in primetime.
Prediction: Eagles 21, Cowboys 20
Jack Dempsky is a first-year majoring in Business Management. You can contact him at jmd7563@psu.edu
