NFL Week 3 schedule rankings and predictions
A giant start...well, not quite
The New York Giants will be without Saquon Barkley due to an ankle injury when they face the San Francisco 49ers in the start of Week 3. This makes a difficult task next to impossible. Prediction: 49ers 31, Giants 13
15. New England Patriots at New York Jets
Mac Jones against Zach Wilson doesn’t quite have the same lift that Bill Belichick trying to scheme against Aaron Rodgers would have. Prediction: Patriots 21, Jets 17
14. Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks
The Panthers’ offense is dull and will take time to come around under Bryce Young. Seattle got its game face back on against Detroit and the defense will finally step up against the rookie QB. Prediction: Seahawks 27, Panthers 9
13. Denver Broncos at Miami Dolphins
No insult to Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill & Co. but the Broncos aren’t going to fire anyone up. How long will Sean Payton stick with Russell Wilson if the season continues to sour. Prediction: Dolphins 34, Broncos 10
12. Chicago Bears at Kansas City Chiefs
Before the season, Justin Fields dueling Patrick Mahomes would have been intriguing. After two weeks of the NFL season, nothing about Chicago stirs. Prediction: Chiefs 28, Bears 11
11. Pittsburgh Steelers at Las Vegas Raiders
Many years ago this was the rivalry of rivalries. Both franchises have seen much better days, although the Raiders are far worse off than the Steelers. Prediction: Steelers 20, Raiders 16
10. Los Angeles Rams at Cincinnati Bengals
This was once a Super Bowl matchup. Now, the most interesting aspect of this game is if Joe Burrow will be able to go with his calf acting up. Prediction: Bengals 24, Rams 23
9. Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens
Anthony Richardson was dinged up against the Texans. Not sure he wants to test himself against the ferocious Ravens. Prediction: Ravens 31, Colts 7
8. Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals
The could be a bludgeoning. Prediction: Cowboys 40, Cardinals 3
7. Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars
A good time for the Jaguars to get back in the winning column and harass C.J. Stroud. Trevor Lawrence can remind the former Ohio State QB how he suffered with a former Ohio State coach as a rookie. Prediction: Jaguars 30, Texans 14
6. Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns
This one is intriguing. What will the Browns do to replace Nick Chubb? Kareem Hunt was visiting his former team on Tuesday. The Titans are not good on offense but play stellar defense. Prediction: Titans 17, Browns 16
5. New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers
Quietly, Dennis Allen has the Saints 2-0 for the first time in 10 seasons. Jordan Love will be tested by the New Orleans defense. This is a more interesting matchup than it might seem on the surface. Prediction: Packers 24, Saints 22
4. Los Angeles Chargers at Minnesota Vikings
Somebody is going to be 0-3 after this game. However, it is set up as a pinball machine for points and yardage. Great offenses against suspect defenses. Prediction: Vikings 35, Chargers 31
3. Buffalo Bills at Washington Commanders
The Bills look to go over .500 while the Commanders seek a 3-0 start. The Washington defense can create issues for Josh Allen. Sam Howell will need to come up huge in a big matchup. Prediction: Bills 27, Commanders 21
2. Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions
The main reason this game ranks so well is the Lions have a fun offense to watch, and the last thing Dan Campbell wants is for the team to go 1-2—with two losses in a row at home. Almost impossible to understand how Atlanta comes in 2-0. Prediction: Lions 30, Falcons 20
1. Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Former Oklahoma quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and Baker Mayfield have at it in a solid Monday night matchup. Everyone expected the Eagles to be 2-0 coming in, few thought the Bucs would have the same mark. Prediction: Eagles 27, Buccaneers 16
