NFL Week 3 picks, predictions: 'Must-win' games for Patriots, Vikings, Chargers, Bengals
We're just entering the third week of the 2023 NFL season, so it's too early to call any games "must-win" games with 14 regular season games remaining for each team after the NFL Week 3 schedule.
But some teams really, really need to win in Week 3 to avoid trying to climb out of an 0-3 hole to start the season.
The Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Chargers, who both entered the season with Super Bowl aspirations, face off on Sunday, meaning that one of those teams will be 0-3 after the game (barring a tie).
The New England Patriots face the New York Jets in desperate need of a win to stay close in the AFC East and avoid an 0-3 start.
And the Cincinnati Bengals, who were 12-4 last season, face the Los Angeles Rams in a game, seeking to avoid an 0-3 start after also beginning 0-2 a year ago.
The Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers are also all looking to avoid 0-3 starts.
Which of those winless teams will get those wins they desperately need in Week 3?
Check out our NFL picks and predictions for the Week 3 NFL schedule, which includes some very intriguing games, beginning with the New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football and concluding with the Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Rams at Bengals in a Monday Night Football doubleheader.
Click on each game for more picks and predictions, as well as odds for that NFL Week 3 matchup.
All times MST.
NFL Week 3 picks: Giants at 49ers | Colts at Ravens | Titans at Browns | Falcons at Lions | Saints at Packers | Texans at Jaguars | Broncos at Dolphins | Chargers at Vikings | Patriots at Jets | Bills at Commanders | Panthers at Seahawks | Cowboys at Cardinals | Bears at Chiefs | Steelers at Raiders | Eagles at Buccaneers | Rams at Bengals
NFL Week 3 predictions: ESPN Matchup Predictor's picks, win probabilities for games
Thursday Night Football prediction
New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers, 5:15 p.m., Amazon Prime Video (stream with Amazon Prime Video)
The Giants finally got something going in the second half against the Cardinals, but the 49ers are not the Cardinals. San Francisco will win big.
Prediction: 49ers 30, Giants 13
NOTE: Every Sunday and Monday NFL game can be streamed locally on FUBO, click here for a free trial
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Sunday early football games predictions
Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens, 10 a.m., CBS (stream with free trial from FUBO)
The Colts have look improved this season, but they won't be able to keep up on the scoreboard with Lamar Jackson, who really seems to shine with Mark Andrews in the lineup.
Prediction: Ravens 27, Colts 17
Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns, 10 a.m., CBS (stream with free trial from FUBO)
Maybe we're too high on the Titans for beating the Chargers, but Tennessee really impressed us in that overtime win at home. We think Ryan Tannehill can lead the Titans to a win in Cleveland.
Prediction: Titans 24, Browns 21
Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions, 10 a.m., FOX (stream with free trial from FUBO)
The Falcons have impressed during a 2-0 start, but Desmond Ridder and the offense will have a hard time keeping up with Jared Goff and the Lions.
Prediction: Lions 28, Falcons 20
New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers, 10 a.m., FOX (stream with free trial from FUBO)
We're still not quite sure about either of these teams, or their quarterbacks, so we'll give the edge to the home team in their home opener.
Prediction: Packers 23, Saints 20
Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars, 10 a.m., FOX (stream with free trial from FUBO)
It looks like the Jaguars will feast on their division rivals this season. We don't think Trevor Lawrence will have any problems with the Texans' defense.
Prediction: Jaguars 27, Texans 18
Denver Broncos at Miami Dolphins, 10 a.m., CBS (stream with free trial from FUBO)
The Broncos have only been outscored by three points in their two losses this season. This game won't be that close.
Prediction: Dolphins 31, Broncos 17
Los Angeles Chargers at Minnesota Vikings, 10 a.m., FOX (stream with free trial from FUBO)
Barring a tie, one of these teams will start the season 0-3. We think this one could be a classic, with the home team finding a way to hold on late.
Prediction: Vikings 30, Chargers 27
New England Patriots at New York Jets, 10 a.m., CBS (stream with free trial from FUBO)
It's a shame we will never know what might have been with the Jets and Aaron Rodgers this season. We do know that Zach Wilson is not Rodgers, however.
Prediction: Patriots 24, Jets 20
Buffalo Bills at Washington Commanders, 10 a.m., CBS (stream with free trial from FUBO)
The Commanders are 2-0 after two close wins, but they have played the Cardinals and Broncos. The Bills represent a much tougher test.
Prediction: Bills 30, Commanders 20
NFL Week 3 odds: Point spreads, moneylines, over/unders for betting on games
Sunday late football games predictions
Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks, 1:05 p.m., CBS (stream with free trial from FUBO)
Some think the Seahawks could challenge the 49ers in the NFC West this season. We're not ready to go there, but we do think they'll get a win at home in Week 3.
Prediction: Seahawks 24, Panthers 13
Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals, 1:25 p.m., FOX (stream with free trial from FUBO)
The Cardinals looked really good for a half against the Giants, before falling apart. The Cowboys have looked dominant in two games. We don't think that will stop Sunday.
Prediction: Cowboys 38, Cardinals 20
Chicago Bears at Kansas City Chiefs, 1:25 p.m., FOX (stream with free trial from FUBO)
The Bears represent a perfect chance for the Chiefs to get rolling on offense at home. And roll Patrick Mahomes and company will.
Prediction: Chiefs 32, Bears 17
NFL Week 3 schedule: Television channels, how to watch, stream games
Sunday Night Football prediction
Pittsburgh Steelers at Las Vegas Raiders, 5:20 p.m., NBC (stream with free trial from FUBO)
Maybe Derek Carr wasn't so bad after all, Raiders? Jimmy Garoppolo isn't exactly making Las Vegas fans forget their former QB.
Prediction: Steelers 23, Raiders 20
NFL Week 3 announcers: Television broadcasters, announcing crews for Week 3 NFL schedule
Monday Night Football predictions
Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:15 p.m., ABC, ESPN+ (stream with free trial from FUBO)
The Buccaneers are one of the biggest surprises early in the 2023 NFL season, but a win over the Eagles would really surprise us.
Prediction: Eagles 24, Buccaneers 20
Los Angeles Rams at Cincinnati Bengals, 5:15 p.m., ESPN (stream with free trial from FUBO)
The Bengals started 0-2 last season and finished 12-4 in the regular season. We're not saying they will go 12-4 again, but we think they should be 1-2 after this game.
Prediction: Bengals 27, Rams 20
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: NFL Week 3 picks, predictions: 'Must-win' games fill schedule
