Week three of the NFL season gets underway on Thursday night as the Miami Dolphins face the Buffalo Bills. Other marquee matchups include the Los Angeles Rams going up against the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles, Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers facing the New England Patriots, and finally a must see Monday night showdown between Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions facing Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. Who are my picks for this week? Find out now!!
(Thursday Night Football) Miami Dolphins (0-2) @ Buffalo Bills (2-0): Bills
I’m picking the Buffalo Bills to easily beat the Dolphins. Miami is 0-2 and are dysfunctional from top to bottom: coaching staff and players.
Although they played better in week two against the New England Patriots, they still lost 33-27. The Dolphins aren’t expected to do much this season and changes will likely be made at the end of the season if not sooner.
The Bills on the other hand are 2-0 and have scored 70 points over the first two weeks. Quarterback Josh Allen is playing like an MVP and there’s no reason to see that changing. Bills get the W this week.
Green Bay Packers (2-0) @ Cleveland Browns (0-2): Packers
I will admit, the Packers have played like a championship team after two dominant wins at home over the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders respectively to reach 2-0.
The acquisition of linebacker Micah Parsons two weeks ago completely changed the mindset of the entire team. It signals they are serious about trying to win a Super Bowl. Green Bay has given up an average of 16.5 points over the first two weeks. They are playing inspired football.
Offensively, there have been some inconsistencies, but the key is quarterback Jordan Love not turning the ball over. Since week 12 of last season, he has not thrown an interception, so that’s nine straight games.
If he protects the football, this offense will be dangerous for weeks and months to come, despite losing wide receiver Jayden Reed indefinitely due to two separate surgeries. But they have plenty of weapons to work with, led by running back Josh Jacobs. Give me Green Bay to win quite comfortably.
Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) @ Minnesota Vikings (1-1): Vikings
This game was supposed to be a matchup between superstar quarterback Joe Burrow and JJ McCarthy. Unfortunately, both of them are out with injuries. Burrow will be out for at least three months after undergoing toe surgery. McCarthy has an ankle injury. With all that said, I’m picking the Vikings to win at home.
Minnesota is coming off a disappointing loss at home to the Atlanta Falcons and McCarthy getting injured. He’s expected to be out at least two weeks. However, their defense is what will carry them to a win.
Atlanta Falcons (1-1) @ Carolina Panthers (0-2): Falcons
The Falcons are coming off a dominant win on Sunday night over the Minnesota Vikings. Their defense led the way, forcing four turnovers and getting six sacks. If the defense can keep being productive and give their offense more possessions like they did last week, watch out. I like Atlanta to keep the momentum going.
Houston Texans (0-2) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1): Texans
The Texans are in desperate need of a win this week. After losing last Monday night’s game to the Bucs in heartbreaking fashion, they are up against the wall and I believe they get a much needed win this Sunday against the Jaguars.
Through two games, the offense has been hanging by a thread because of injuries suffered by running back Joe Mixon and wide receiver Tank Dell last season. Dell suffered a broken leg and Mixon suffered a foot injury in the offseason. Not to mention wide receiver Christian Kirk missed the first two weeks due to a hamstring injury. However, despite all of that I believe the offense can do just enough to win this weekend.
Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) @ New England Patriots (1-1): Steelers
I’m picking the Steelers on Sunday. They are coming off a disappointing loss at home against the Seahawks, 31-17. The offense is still trying to find its consistency, led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers. That’s to be expected. If he even plays average football and not try to play hero ball, the Steelers will always have a chance to win. What’s been the bigger surprise is the defense.
Through two weeks, Pittsburgh’s defense has given up 63 points which is so unlike them. The Patriots are no slouch, but I think the Steelers can get back on track with TJ Watt (pictured above) and their defense leading the way.
Los Angeles Rams (2-0) @ Philadelphia Eagles (2-0): Eagles
In what could be a potential playoff showdown, Matthew Stafford and the Rams take on Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles. Both teams are Super Bowl contenders in my mind and this will be an exciting game. I’m picking the Eagles in this heavyweight fight.
The last time the Eagles played the Rams was in last year’s NFC Divisional Playoff game and Saquon Barkley went off: 205 yards on 26 carries and two touchdowns. His two touchdown runs were of 62 and 78 yards respectively. Expect another big game from him.
New York Jets (1-1) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0): Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are my pick this week as they face the Jets. Tampa is coming off a gutsy win last Monday night against the Houston Texans, 20-19.
They are a team that is getting overshadowed due to how great the Packers and Eagles have played. However, Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield is playing elite football throwing five touchdowns and no interceptions the first two games. Watch out for Tampa.
Indianapolis Colts (2-0) @ Tennessee Titans (0-2): Colts
Perhaps the most surprising 2-0 team is the Indianapolis Colts, who are led by quarterback Daniel Jones. Jones has played outstanding football the first two weeks, particularly last Sunday against the Broncos when he led them to a last second win, 29-28.
If he limits his mistakes and just plays within the structure of the offense which primarily involves running back Johnathon Taylor, Indianapolis could be a big surprise to people as the season progresses. I expect the Colts to carry their momentum and get the win in Tennessee.
Las Vegas Raiders (1-1) @ Washington Commanders (1-1): Commanders
I’m picking the Commanders to beat the Raiders this weekend after a tough defeat at Lambeau Field last Thursday night. There is one thing to monitor however.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels has a knee injury that he apparently suffered against the Green Bay Packers last week and he will not practice until Friday. Even if he can’t play, they have a very capable backup in Marcus Mariota. I expect Washington to win this game regardless of Daniels status.
Denver Broncos (1-1) @ Los Angeles Chargers (2-0): Chargers
The Chargers are on a roll right now, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. It is for that reason I’m picking them to beat the Broncos. They’ve accumulated five sacks in the first two games and forced three turnovers last Monday night against the Las Vegas Raiders. Look for them to wreak havoc.
Offensively, they’ve looked as dynamic as ever, led by quarterback Justin Herbert. He’s thrown five touchdowns over the first two games and has no interceptions.
New Orleans Saints (0-2) @ Seattle Seahawks (1-1): Seahawks
I’ll be short, sweet and to the point: this is an easy one for me to pick. Give me the Seahawks to steamroll the Saints. Seattle is coming off a huge win in Pittsburgh last week. Their defense has allowed 17 points and had two interceptions in each of the first two weeks.
The Saints have averaged 17 points per game. Plain and simple, this is a game that the Seahawks need to come out and handle business especially at home.
Dallas Cowboys (1-1) @ Chicago Bears (0-2): Cowboys
Looking at this game, I personally would rather watch paint dry. But, since I have to choose one of these two teams, I’m picking the Cowboys.
Dallas is coming off a thrilling overtime victory over the New York Giants, 40-37. Their offense can put up points in bunches. They’ve averaged 30 points a game the first two weeks. So that’s not the problem.
Their defense can’t stop a nosebleed after the Micah Parsons trade. We’ll see if that changes this week against a below average Bears offense. Ironically enough, Matt Eberflus is the Cowboys defensive coordinator after getting fired by the Bears last Thanksgiving. However, this week I think they do just enough to get the job done.
Arizona Cardinals (2-0) @ San Francisco 49ers (2-0): Cardinals
This game is a tricky one, but I’m picking the Cardinals. Arizona had a nailbiting win last Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. Obviously this game in San Francisco is a step up in class but there is a huge story looming that could give Arizona an advantage.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is dealing with a shoulder and a toe injury. If he’s not 100%, the Cardinals have a great chance to win this game. Let’s see what happens.
Sunday Night Football- Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) @ New York Giants (0-2) : Chiefs
For the first time in Patrick Mahomes’ career, he has started a season 0-2. They lost at home last week to the Philadelphia Eagles in a Super Bowl rematch 20-17. It’s rare that Kansas City has “must win” games, but this is as close as it gets.
Teams that start 0-2 only make the playoffs 10% of the time. Granted, if any team has what it takes to bounce back, it’s the Chiefs. I am picking them to get their first win of the season.
Monday Night Football- Detroit Lions (1-1) @ Baltimore Ravens (1-1): Ravens
Both the Lions and Ravens rebounded from losses in week one to get to 1-1. Detroit ran over the Chicago Bears, 52-21. The Ravens did the same to the Cleveland Browns, 41-17.
This is a very intriguing game from the standpoint of which defense can show up. Both offenses are going to put up points with how explosive they are. Detroit has two dynamic running backs in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, a scary wide receiver duo in Amon-Ra St Brown and Jameson Williams.
Baltimore of course has superstar running back Derrick Henry and dual threat quarterback Lamar Jackson. If the Ravens defense can find a way to slow down the Lions high powered offense, they should win comfortably. I’m picking the Ravens.
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