NFL picks, predictions towards unfold Week 3: Bucs burn Rams, Packers edge 49ers, Cowboys clip Eagles

Week 2 was weak sauce for the picks towards the unfold. It was the basic wild, unpredictable slate of video games with mid-game accidents and unbelievable finishes wreaking havoc on the outcomes. Turnovers, penalties and inconsistent home-field benefits even with followers again even have served to make issues more difficult.

There’s just one method to rebound from one dangerous week: Stand up on that horse and decide our favourite ponies once more. Week 3 affords extra 16 possibilities to get video games proper, so it is time to concentrate on the positives and never take into consideration the alternate options.

With out additional ado and overthinking, listed below are this week’s Sporting Information predictions for how each upcoming matchup will play out, from this Thursday night time to subsequent Monday night time:

(Sport odds courtesy of FanDuel)

NFL POWER RANKINGS:
49ers, Cowboys, Broncos climb; Steelers, Seahawks, Saints slide into Week 3

NFL picks towards the unfold for Week 3

• Sport of the Week: Buccaneers (-1.5, 55.5 o/u) at Rams

Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox

May this recreation be a NFC championship recreation preview? Ought to the Rams win the NFC West, then the reply may be very a lot sure. Final November, Tom Brady struggled towards the Rams protection at house in a 27-24 loss. He is much more locked into his loaded weapons lower than a 12 months later, with convention title and Tremendous Bowl 55 ring in hand since.

Matthew Stafford had an incredible first recreation and a fairly good second one to make sure his new workforce would begin 2-0. However it is a totally different type of measuring stick towards an lively protection that may shut down the run and are available after him. He additionally should out-duel Brady with out the identical type of depth at receiver and tight finish. Brady will keep in mind how the Rams obtained the most effective of him final 12 months and will not let it occur once more. Stafford’s long-time profile means he does not assist his workforce win video games like this.

Decide: Buccaneers win 30-27 and canopy the unfold.

• Sport of Midweek: Panthers (-7, 43.5 o/u) at Texans

Thursday 8:20 p.m. ET, NFL Community

The Panthers have gotten a lot from their aggressive younger protection, fueled by a boosted cross rush. That is the large purpose why they’re 2-0, on high of Christian McCaffrey facilitating Sam Darnold as a runner and receiver to open up the remainder of the offense. They give the impression of being well-coached and put-together in Yr 2 of Matt Rhule and Joe Brady.

Darnold and the D are overachieving, however that may proceed in Houston with a very good likelihood of dealing with one other workforce with QB likelihood and a second rookie (Davis Mills) in three video games. McCaffrey has an enormous night time to open Week and the Texans are restricted with their rockets to tug the upset towards a red-hot NFC foe.

Decide: Panthers win 26-16 and canopy the unfold.

Consequence: Panthers win 24-9

• Rivalry of the Week: Eagles at Cowboys (-3, 51.5 o/u)

Monday 8:15 p.m. ET,  ESPN/ESPN2

The Eagles appeared dominant towards the Falcons after which could not rating on the 49ers. Jalen Hurts has performed properly, however their offense has been in any other case inconsistent with protection being the early energy. The Cowboys have proven loads of various offense with Dak Prescott in two video games and their protection is making up for large points with well-timed takeaways and stops. Prescott and Hurts will duel properly, with Dallas getting the important thing final possession at house. The Cowboys will likely be place to run properly once more and their expertise edge at receiver over the Eagles pays off in a well-recognized NFC East marquee shootout.

Decide: Cowboys win 31-28 however fail to cowl the unfold.

• Lock of the Week: Broncos (-10.5, 42 o/u) over Jets

Sunday 4:05 p.m. ET,  CBS

The Broncos’ protection has thrown down the best way Vic Fangio needs towards the lowly Giants and Jaguars. Right here again at house for the primary time this season, Denver will take down one other overmatched offense in a loud house surroundings. Denver just isn’t removed from Utah, the place Zach Wilson hails and performed his school ball at BYU. That will not assist a lot with Von Miller within the neighborhood towards a weakened offensive line.

The Jets additionally will face a Broncos’ secondary that performed significantly better in Week 2 resulting in extra errors from Wilson. Teddy Bridgewater will hold taking part in properly to use a weak cross protection with tons of assist from working backs Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams. The Jags have proved to be messy to belief to be aggressive below City Meyer within the quick time period.

Decide: Broncos win 30-14 and canopy the unfold.

• Upset of the Week: Packers over 49ers (-3, 50.5 o/u)

Sunday 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

The 49ers have owned the Packers in latest conferences, whether or not it has been Colin Kaepernick working everywhere in the protection or the 2019 model dispatching Aaron Rodgers twice. However final November, the injury-riddled 49ers allowed the Packers to show the tables in prime time in San Francisco. The 49ers are struggling to maintain working backs wholesome and their passing recreation has extra limitations than anticipated round Jimmy Garoppolo. Their defensive again seven additionally will be picked aside by Rodgers with respectable safety.

The 49ers will attempt to get sufficient huge cross performs to allow them to run to win, however the Packers must be impressed to compensate for the Week 1 highway debacle towards the Saints. Rodgers has one other completely happy return to the Bay Space, whereas Garoppolo struggles to fnish the comeback towards a troublesome cross protection.

Decide: Packers win 27-24.

• Colts at Titans (-4.5, 47.5 o/u)

Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS

The Colts could also be with out Carson Wentz and want to show to Jacob Eason at quarterback. At this level, it does not really feel like a lot of a downgrade or curveball to a run-heavy recreation plan. The Colts’ protection additionally has been wilting greater than anticipated, giving huge cross performs and never being as sturdy towards the run. The Titans ought to like that mixture as they will arrange play-action for Ryan Tannehill properly to play off a scorching Derrick Henry. However Indianapolis will likely be determined to keep away from 0-3 and put up a good battle by digging deeper of their passing recreation.

Decide: Titans win 24-20 however fail to cowl the unfold. 

MORE: Who’re NFL’s contenders, pretenders after Week 2?

• Falcons at Giants (-2.5, 47.5 o/u)

Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox

The Giants are in search of their first win and can get it whereas denying the Falcons an opportunity at theirs. It is a get-well recreation for your entire Giants’ offense to come back out and take stress off Daniel Jones to hold the workforce as a passer and runner. The Falcons’ cross safety is in shambles and Matt Ryan is being compelled into dangerous errors. This additionally seems like a possibility for the actual Saquon Barkley to point out up within the speeding assault, coming off long-week relaxation.

Decide: Giants win 30-24 and canopy the unfold. 

• Chargers at Chiefs (-7, 54.5 o/u)

Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS

The Chargers held off Washington however could not end off Dallas. Right here comes Patrick Mahomes and Kansas Metropolis so that they want Justin Herbert to shake off some turnovers woes and be able to duel. The Chargers’ receiving versatility at wideout, tight finish and the backfield due to Austin Ekeler will drive the Chiefs’ defensive backs and linebackers batty. L.A. has been performed good bend-but-don’t-break protection for Brandon Staley and can keep within the recreation there vs. Patrick Mahomes. However within the hand, stopping each Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce in key moments will likely be powerful.

Decide: Chiefs win 28-24 however fail to cowl the unfold.

• Bengals at Steelers (-2.5, 43.5 o/u)

Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS

These 1-1 NFC North rivals every had shock wins in Week 1 over Minnesota and Buffalo, respectively. Week 2 got here with a variety of regrets because the Bengals made too many offensive errors with Joe Burrow in Chicago and the Steelers could not generate constant passing with Ben Roehtlisberger vs. Las Vegas. It is unsure what number of key bodes will likely be lacking for the Steelers’ protection, however there isn’t any doubt the offensive line is the most important concern. Burrow could have some Derek Carr-like success on the Steelers, however Roehtlisberger ought to give you the chance to lean extra on rookie working again Najee Harris right here. It is a shut recreation determined by a Heinz Subject aim by Chris Boswell.

Decide: Steelers win 23-20 however fail to cowl the unfold.

• Bears at Browns (-7.5, 44.5 o/u)

Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox

The Bears’ protection confirmed its high kind forcing turnovers towards the Bengals at house. That situation will likely be laborious to repeat on the highway because the Browns ought to push them round within the working recreation to open up extra comfy, environment friendly passing from Baker Mayfield. He’s prone to duel with Justin Fields, the Ohio State product who will give this recreation a bit additional native aptitude. Fields will face a troublesome cross rush whereas trailing within the second half and might solely do a lot working to get the Bears within the recreation.

Decide: Browns win 27-14 and canopy the unfold.

• Ravens (-7.5, 50.5 o/u) at Lions

Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS

Lamar Jackson has appeared clean along with his working and passing when the blocking is there. The complementary conventional working recreation is rolling and the protection continues to be stopping the run regardless of its depletion and duct-taping vs. the cross. Jackson, his backs, huge receiver Marquise Brown and tight finish Mark Andrews can all do no matter they need on this matchup to remain properly forward of Jared Goff. Search for a return to bringing stress and befuddling Goff.

Decide: Ravens win 38-23 and canopy the unfold.

• Saints at Patriots (-3, 42.5 o/u)

Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox

The Patriots are proving they’re a power working the ball behind a stout line and their two most dependable backs, Damien Harris and James White. Mac Jones has been set as much as be comfy with low-risk, high-efficiency passing with the concentrate on ball safety. The Saints are attempting to deal with Jameis Winston the identical manner and win round him with the working of Alvin Kamara main the best way. New England’s recreation plan will likely be to zone in on Kamara and take their possibilities with the Saints’ in any other case restricted talent gamers.

Decide: Patriots win 17-13 and canopy the unfold.

MORE: Grading the NFL’s rookie QBs in Week 2

• Cardinals (-7.5, 51.5 o/u) at Jaguars

Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox

Kyler Murray, No. 1 total decide from 2019, takes on Trevor Lawrence, this 12 months’s No. 1 total decide. Murray hasn’t been disappointing in Yr 3 with final season’s shoulder concern behind him. He ran and handed to huge issues everywhere in the subject towards the Titans on the highway and Vikings at house. He simply must be cautious about making huge errors that offset huge performs. There is not any good sense that the Jaguars will cease Murray or any of the speedy playmakers round him. Additionally they must be anxious in regards to the offensive line crumbling big-time once more. Till as soon as can determine what City Meyer is doing, steer clear of trusting his workforce.

Decide: Cardinals win 34-17 and canopy the unfold.

• Washington Soccer Staff at Payments (-7, 45.5 o/u)

Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox

WFT will put together Taylor Heinicke higher for his second begin of the season, however it is a powerful place to play on the highway towards a Payments’ protection that appears extra full and harmful. Josh Allen might want to fear about Chase Younger and Washington’s protection taking part in rather a lot higher than Week 2 TNF. Josh Allen wants a get-well recreation; this simply might not be it because the Payments are higher suited to maintain up the run-heavy method vs. WFT.  The Payments put all of it collectively and remind everybody they’re nonetheless sturdy AFC title contenders.

Decide: Payments win 27-17 and canopy the unfold.

• Dolphins at Raiders (-3.5, 44 o/u)

Sunday 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS

The Raiders have red-hot Derek Carr driving throughout everybody, making good use of top-flight inside-outside field-stretching weapons Darren Waller and Henry Ruggs III. However their working recreation and protection must be higher complementary items for any shot at holding on to a wild-card spot. This was a pleasant Saturday night time duel within the desert with Carr battling Tua Tagovailoa and Ryan Fitzpatrick late final season. Carr has the large edge over Tagovailoa or Jacoby Brissett right here. Additionally search for additional juice within the Raiders speeding assault, with former Dolphin Kenyan Drake getting after it as the important thing short-to-intermediate receiver in a “revenge” recreation.

Decide: Raiders win 23-13 and canopy the unfold.

• Seahawks (-2.5, 54.5 o/u) at Vikings

Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox

The Seahawks and Vikings had been on different sides of field-goal drama in Week 2, however a make and a miss make them every in search of a rebound victory in Week 3. Russell Wilson shouldn’t have any issues roasting Minnesota’s secondary along with his wideouts and Kirk Cousins must be recreation to maintain up in his workforce’s house opener. Dalvin Prepare dinner being a query mark hurts, as a result of any much less pop may make the distinction. it is merely simpler to belief a red-hot Wilson wherever vs. Cousins at house. This seems like one other wild one-possession contest for each groups, perhaps coming all the way down to a second time beyond regulation recreation for every.

Decide: Seahawks win 34-31 and canopy the unfold

Vinnie Iyer’s 2021 picks:

• Week 2 document towards the unfold: 5-11
• Week 2 document straight up: 10-6
• Season ATS: 13-19
• Season straight up: 19-13