
Week 3 of the NFL is upon us as some teams are looking to stay undefeated and some are looking for their very first win. Some feature games this week include New York Giants at Philadelphia, Atlanta at Detroit, and Dallas at Arizona.
Last week we went 12-3 heads up and 7-8 against the spread. For the season, through the first two weeks, our full record stands at 22-7 heads up and 15-12-2 against the spread. So let’s get onto the full slate of Week 3 games which feature some division rivals squaring off for the very first time this year. Here are my NFL picks and predictions and as always, these NFL lines are supplied by our partner Sports Book Review.
Baltimore (-3.5) at Jacksonville
Baltimore leads the league with eight interceptions through their first two games and they get to face Blake Bortles, who has thrown the most (53) since he entered the NFL back in 2014. Go with the Ravens in this one.
Pick: Baltimore 24 Jacksonville 7
New Orleans at Carolina (-5.5)
Carolina has won four of the past five meetings. New Orleans is last against the pass, giving up an average of 389 yards through the air while allowing teams to complete 80.3 percent of their passes thus far. Carolina is second against the pass. Saints also have not been able to stop the run while Carolina has. Carolina is also playing at home. The only advantage Saints have in this one is the Panthers will be without star tight end Greg Olsen.
Pick: Carolina 37 New Orleans 17
Tampa Bay at Minnesota (-1)
The Bucs have won their last six of seven against the Vikings. Tampa Bay held Chicago to just 20 yards rushing in their season opener. The Buccaneers will remain undefeated in a very tough NFC South division.
Pick: Tampa Bay 24 Minnesota 10
Denver (-3) at Buffalo
Denver has won their last six of eight against the Bills. Buffalo was held to just nine points last week in their loss to Carolina while Trevor Siemian and his league-leading six touchdown passes went on to dominate a very good Dallas Cowboys team 42-17. The Broncos shouldn’t have much difficulty in this one as they will remain undefeated at 3-0.
Pick: Denver 30 Buffalo 14
Pittsburgh (-8.5) at Chicago
Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell has yet to break out in a game. This will be the game it happens, as Chicago has its troubles against the pass which will open up the game we’ve all been waiting to see from All-Pro Bell.
Pick: Pittsburgh 28 Chicago 21
Next: More 1 p.m games

Miami (-7) at New York Jets
The Jets really do not have much going for themselves right now besides their field goal kicker Chandler Catanzaro, who is a perfect 4/4 on his attempts this year. Even their run defense has disappeared, giving up an average of 185 yards on the ground. The Jets-Dolphins game use to be one of the more entertaining games in the NFL. The only entertainment Jets fans might see will be next year, as the “Suck for Sam” campaign heats up.
Pick: Miami 31 New York Jets 13
New York Giants at Philadelphia (-7)
Eagles have won five of their last six against the Giants. Big Blue has no running game to take the pressure off an aging Eli Manning who has been sacked eight times through their first two games and it doesn’t get any easier for them. As they head to Philadelphia who arguably has one the best defensive fronts in the league and has sacked their opposing quarterbacks eight times, the Giants will fall to 0-3 in a tough NFC East.
Pick: Philadelphia 24 New York Giants 10
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Atlanta (-2.5) at Detroit
One of the best games on this week’s slate. Two of the leagues top quarterbacks face off in the motor city. Detroit’s defense has six sacks and four interceptions through their first two games. Having held opposing rushers to an average of 53 yards thus far and will do enough at home to upset the reigning NFC Champions.
Pick: Detroit 27 Atlanta 24
Houston at New England (-15)
New England has won eight of the nine times these teams have faced off. The one win Hoston has over the Patriots came back in 2010 and at home. Patriots are having one of their worst seasons injury-wise. Could it be the Madden curse? The point spread of 15 is just way too high in this one. New England has been struggling because of injuries this year. But they get one of their very key defenders back in this game, Dont’a Hightower. Houston rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will do enough to keep this one close and give the defending Super Bowl champions a scare in Foxborough.
Pick: New England 30 Houston 27
Cleveland at Indianapolis (Pick em)
Indianapolis has won seven of the last eight meetings. The battle of the winless. Browns rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer has been having a rough go at it in his first NFL season throwing just one touchdown to his four interceptions. Indianapolis has just a few more weapons and it will be a close one. No wonder why this game is a pick ’em.
Pick: Indianapolis 24 Cleveland 23
Next: 4 p.m games, Sunday Night and Monday Night
Seattle at Tennessee (-2.5)
Seattle has won their last six of seven against the Titans. The Seahawks are struggling to put points up on the board. They squeaked out a victory last week by putting up just 12 against the San Francisco 49ers. Meanwhile last week, Titans put up 37 in a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Titans running back DeMarco Murray might not play in this one but that just opens the doors up once again for the former Volunteers star back Derrick Henry who has 117 yards in 20 attempts with a touchdown. Titans roll over the Seahawks.
Pick: Tennessee 23 Seattle 10
Kansas City (-3) at Los Angeles Chargers
Chiefs have won their last six against the Chargers. The Chargers have had a tough time getting running back Melvin Gordon going while NFL defenses have yet to find a way to stop the two-dimensional running back Kareem Hunt. The Chiefs have also sacked opposing quarterbacks nine times thus far. Everything points to a Chiefs victory. Chiefs go 3-0 on the season while the Chargers drop to 0-3.
Pick: Kansas City 33 Los Angeles Chargers 27
Cincinnati at Green Bay (-10)
Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert will likely not suit up for this one and that leaves only wide receiver A.J. Green that the Packers need to worry about in this one. Cincy will remain winless.
Pick: Green Bay 27 Cincinnati 6
Oakland (-3) Washington [SNF]
The Raiders and Marshawn Lynch will dance away with a victory over the Redskins on Sunday Night Football. Key stat: Raiders lead the league in gaining yards after contact (263) while the Redskins are 26th in the league giving up yards after contact (172).
Pick: Oakland 27 Washington 21
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Dallas (-3) at Arizona [MNF]
When a team loses a massive amount of its total offense like Arizona has when they lost running back David Johnson, finding a new way to put up points is for sure going to take awhile. Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys wrap up Week 3 with a victory over the Johnson-less Cardinals on Monday Night.
Pick: Dallas 27 Arizona 13