Only two weeks of the 2022 NFL season are in the books, and it’s already been a wild ride. We’ve witnessed a number of crazy comebacks, baffling upsets, and embarrassing blowouts. There’s more to come in Week 3, and with it, we’re serving up a fresh batch of NFL picks.
As will be the case every week this season, we’ve got you covered with the Week 3 edition of NFL picks and score predictions. Obviously, I’ll never claim to know what the future holds. Realistically, odds are high that at least a few of my NFL picks will be completely wrong on a weekly basis. I will, however, make my selections based on research, experience, and careful consideration.
It wasn’t a huge improvement, but I’ll take anything I can get at this point in the season. When all was said and done in Week 2, my NFL picks had tallied up to a 10-6 record. That moves me to 19-12-1 on the year, which is neither great nor terrible.
This is football — if there were a crystal ball that told the future, it wouldn’t be worth watching.
Now that we’ve gotten all of that out of the way, here are my NFL picks and score predictions for Week 3. Keep in mind that I assume no responsibility if you choose to place wagers based on my picks — that’s your decision, not mine.
NFL picks and predictions for Week 3
Week 3 Byes: None
Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) at Cleveland Browns (1-1)
Thursday, September 22, 8:20PM ET
Through two weeks, my hopes aren’t high for either of these teams. The Pittsburgh Steelers got more credit than they deserved after Week 1, and the Cleveland Browns are going to be erratic, even when Deshaun Watson returns. There’s just no telling with these two AFC North clubs.
In this case, I’m giving the edge to the Browns. They’ve got home-field advantage against a divisional rival, and have looked like the more balanced team thus far. If it wasn’t for some poor clock management at the end of its Week 2 game, Cleveland would be sitting at 2-0.
All they need to do in this one is run the ball and wear down the clock. As long as Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are touching the pigskin on a regular basis, they’ll be golden. The Pittsburgh defense is hobbled and can’t stand up against the talent the Browns’ ground game carries. Expect to see at least three rushing touchdowns on the day for Cleveland.
Mitchell Trubisky has a rough go of things, as the Browns unleash their pass rushers on him and force him into making difficult throws. After a key turnover late in the game, Cleveland takes possession and smartly runs out the clock to seal the victory.
Prediction: Browns win 27-24
New Orleans Saints (1-1) at Carolina Panthers (0-2)
Sunday, September 25, 1PM ET
Is anyone surprised the Carolina Panthers have limped out of the gates to an 0-2 start? Not I. Chances are they end up with one of the worst records in the NFL in 2022, and they’ll take one step closer to that fate in Week 3 when they host the New Orleans Saints.
That’s not to say the Saints are a Super Bowl contender either. They’re much closer to that category than Carolina is, but there are still some serious concerns — especially after their Week 2 loss. Jameis Winston isn’t the answer, and he’ll continue to cost New Orleans games as long as he’s the man under center.
Regardless, I’m confident the Saints get the W against the Panthers. Their defense should make life extremely difficult for Baker Mayfield, Christian McCaffrey, and the Carolina offense, just as they did with Tom Brady this past Sunday. A couple of key turnovers keep the Panthers from ever pulling ahead.
Don’t get too excited — the Saints are still a ways away from “contender” status. However, another win here at least puts them in an early position to make a playoff push. That is, assuming Winston’s questionable decision-making doesn’t drag them too deep.
Prediction: Saints win 20-17
Houston Texans (0-1-1) at Chicago Bears (1-1)
Sunday, September 25, 1PM ET
Personally, I’m not feeling the Chicago Bears this season. I know they won a sloppy mess of a game in Week 1, but they got blown away in Week 2 and just look like an incomplete team. Maybe it’ll be a different story in another year or two, but for now, ehh.
With that said, I’m picking them over the Houston Texans, predicting they’ll be 2-1 by the time Week 3 is in the books. Seems odd considering my initial statement regarding the state of the team, but you have to also take the opponent into consideration. And when you do that, it’s easy to understand my take.
There’s just not much to like about the Houston Texans right now. I’m rooting for Davis Mills to develop into a quality starter, but that Houston defense is a dumpster fire. Despite Justin Fields’ lack of polish and the lack of a clear-cut No. 1 receiver, the Bears have enough offensive talent to find the end zone at least a few times on the Texans.
Mills does his best to keep Houston in the game, but their defense dooms them from the get-go. Fields throws at least a couple of touchdowns, and David Montgomery has a big day on the ground. Yet another example of why Lovie Smith was not the right choice for the Texans’ head coaching job.
Prediction: Bears win 26-17
Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) at Indianapolis Colts (0-1-1)
Sunday, September 25, 1PM ET
Through the first three weeks of the 2022 NFL season, this may be the safest pick. The Kansas City Chiefs have looked outstanding through their first two games and are coming off an extended week, while the Indianapolis Colts have been miserable in their first two outings.
The Colts can’t protect Matt Ryan, who clearly is already on the decline and can’t take too many more of these beatings. Jonathan Taylor also isn’t getting the blocking he needs to help put points on the board. And with the Indianapolis offense failing to make plays, there’s far too much pressure on the defense.
You think Patrick Mahomes is going to have any trouble moving the ball against the Colts? Unlikely. If Trevor Lawrence can carve up their secondary and score 24 points, there’s a good chance Mahomes and the Chiefs will eclipse the 40-point mark — or be comfortable enough to put in the backups before all is said and done.
It’s been an ugly start to the campaign for the Colts, and it’s probably going to get worse before it gets better. It’s extremely unlucky for them to have pulled a Week 3 matchup against the dangerous Chiefs, but it’s the reality they must deal with.
Prediction: Chiefs win 37-10
Buffalo Bills (2-0) at Miami Dolphins (2-0)
Sunday, September 25, 1PM ET
I’ll start this off by saying that I am a firm believer in the Miami Dolphins’ ability to make a legitimate run at the Super Bowl this season. They spent big money this offseason to upgrade the roster and put weapons around Tua Tagovailoa, and it’s paying early dividends.
Unfortunately, I don’t think they’ll be replicating their undefeated 1972 season in the process. That’s because they’ll be receiving their first tally in the loss column in Week 3, when the Buffalo Bills come to town and show them what a true contender looks like.
I’m sorry, but there’s just no way around it — the Bills look nearly unstoppable. Yes, it’s very early, but they’ve already taken down the defending Super Bowl champions and a quality Tennessee Titans team. And they did it in blowout fashion in both games. Heck, their MNF win over the Titans looked like Alabama playing against a team from the Sun Belt.
Right now, Buffalo is just on a different level. Josh Allen is playing some of the best ball of his career, the Bills’ defense is tenacious and thirsty for blood, and the coaching staff has this team running like a well-oiled machine.
Tagovailoa has a few highlights, but the Bills come away with another decisive victory.
Prediction: Bills win 35-23
Detroit Lions (1-1) at Minnesota Vikings (1-1)
Sunday, September 25, 1PM ET
Foot, say “hello” to mouth. I’m sorry — I let my biases get the best of me in claiming that the Minnesota Vikings were on the precipice of greatness. I can admit my mistakes, though, and I admit that the Vikings aren’t as invincible as I wish they were.
Unfortunately, I still feel it necessary to pick them to win in Week 2. Maybe that seems like I haven’t learned my lesson, but this is the NFL and predictability is already at a minimum. Both of these teams have looked solid (at times) through two games and should put on quite a show in Week 3.
However, I’m still giving the edge to the Vikings, largely due to their vast array of offensive weapons and slight advantage on the defensive end. That’s not to say the Detroit Lions aren’t capable of making stops and putting up their own points, but it just feels like they’re having a hard time slowing anyone down.
The same can’t be said for the Vikings, who have won eight of their last nine games against the Lions. There’s a good chance I’ll end up regretting this pick, but I’m rolling with it. Kirk Cousins has a bounce-back game now that he’s not playing on Monday night.
Prediction: Vikings win 31-28
Baltimore Ravens (1-1) at New England Patriots (1-1)
Sunday, September 25, 1PM ET
The Baltimore Ravens absolutely deserve criticism for that fourth-quarter meltdown that cost them a win in Week 2. They also deserve credit for the fact they were beating the Dolphins by 21 in the fourth quarter — now they just need to learn to not put it in cruise control.
There’s no denying this Ravens team is a force to be reckoned with. Lamar Jackson appears to have returned to his MVP form, and the Baltimore defense is one of the best in the NFL. When all of the pieces are working in sync, the Ravens have the look of a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
The same cannot be said for the New England Patriots, who mustered a win in Week 2 against an overrated Steelers team missing its best player. The hype surrounding Mac Jones is quickly abating, as we begin to see more of the flaws in the young gunslinger’s game. There are too many holes in this New England roster for even Bill Belichick to hide.
The Ravens show up to Foxborough ready to rumble, allowing their electric offense to run circles around the New England defense from the opening snap. It doesn’t look like a blowout right away, but the Patriots aren’t even within striking distance when the final grain of sand has fallen.
Prediction: Ravens win 37-16
Cincinnati Bengals (0-2) at New York Jets (1-1)
Sunday, September 25, 1PM ET
What is going on with the Cincinnati Bengals? After making it to the Super Bowl, they appear to be on a downward spiral towards the bottom of the standings. Joe Burrow isn’t getting the protection he needs, which is stifling an offense that has the potential to be unstoppable.
Can they turn it around in Week 3 against a New York Jets team that is doing its best to convince the league of its worthiness? If it’s going to happen, it needs to be this week. So I’m putting the last sliver of confidence I have in Zac Taylor and this Bengals team to right the ship against Gang Green.
It won’t be easy though. The Jets have played some surprisingly solid football so far this season, nearly taking down the Ravens and then pulling off a come-from-behind win against the Browns. It’s clear they’re not ready to lie down and accept defeat in 2022 and are going to give the Bengals everything they’ve got on Sunday.
I believe we finally see the Cincinnati coaching staff finally figure out a way to keep Burrow from getting pummeled all game long, and he throws a few touchdowns to help keep the Bengals’ playoff hopes from going down the drain too early.
Prediction: Bengals win 37-23
Las Vegas Raiders (0-2) at Tennessee Titans (0-2)
Sunday, September 25, 1PM ET
Well, we’re two weeks into the 2022 season, and both of these teams have combined for a whopping zero wins. That’s a bit of a shocker considering both were in the playoffs a season ago, but again — the predictability of the NFL is extremely low.
Luckily for one of these squads, someone’s gotta win this one. And I’m taking the Las Vegas Raiders, who have pushed their opponents to the limit in each of their first two early-season showdowns. The same can definitely not be said for the Tennessee Titans, who are coming off a Monday-night shellacking.
The only thing that concerns me for the Raiders is their offense, oddly enough. Derek Carr has looked good at times this season, but he still feels inconsistent — even with Davante Adams in town. Las Vegas also hasn’t been able to get the ground game going, which has forced too much of the burden onto Carr’s shoulders.
With that said, the Titans don’t look much better on the offensive end. Even Derrick Henry has had a tough time moving the ball this season. Which is why I’m leaning on the Raiders to secure their first win of 2022 and inch the Titans’ campaign that much closer to doom.
Prediction: Raiders win 27-23
Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) at Washington Commanders (1-1)
Sunday, September 25, 1PM ET
Well after that performance on Monday Night Football, how can I pick against the Philadelphia Eagles? They not only look like the top team in the NFC East but potentially one of the top teams in the entire NFC. I guess it’s time to start taking them seriously.
My concern has always been with Jalen Hurts, who looks like a superstar one week (Week 2 being a good example) and then a slouch the next. Maybe the young gunslinger is finally finding some consistency in his game, but it’s too early in the season to make that claim.
It helps the Eagles’ chances that they’re going against a middle-of-the-road Washington Commanders squad. Sure, they beat the disorganized Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1 — they got roughed up by the Lions the next week. I don’t have much confidence in Carson Wentz, and too much of the pressure falls on Washington’s defense to win games.
If Philadelphia can put together another complete performance like they did in Week 2, they’ll be well on their way to 3-0. And seeing as the Commanders likely aren’t ready to rise to that level of competitiveness, it’s looking like 1-2 is in their immediate future.
Prediction: Eagles win 30-14
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) at Los Angeles Chargers (1-1)
Sunday, September 25, 4:25PM ET
Kudos to the Jacksonville Jaguars for embarrassing their division rivals in Week 2. It was a strong performance from Lawrence, and definitely injected some confidence into a rebuilding franchise. Unfortunately, the high won’t be long-lived with the Los Angeles Chargers next in line.
Yes, Justin Herbert is hobbled after suffering a rib injury last Thursday. As we saw in that game, though, Herbert seemed more than capable of overcoming the pain and throwing darts to his receivers. We should see more of the same in Week 3 against a solid-but-beatable Jacksonville secondary.
More importantly, I’d expect the Chargers to give Lawrence and Co. a much bigger challenge with their defense. With Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa hunting the young quarterback, expect to see a handful of sacks and a couple of costly turnovers.
The Jaguars don’t get blown out like the Colts did in Week 2, but they’re trailing by at least two scores when the clock strikes zero. Herbert shows and relies on his wide array of playmakers to put consistent points on the board. The Chargers bounce back from the tough TNF loss to notch their second victory of 2022.
Prediction: Chargers win 32-19
Los Angeles Rams (1-1) at Arizona Cardinals (1-1)
Sunday, September 25, 4:25PM ET
It’s getting hard to put too much weight behind the Los Angeles Rams right now. I know they were forced to run up against the Bills in Week 1, but they nearly choked it away against a beatable Atlanta Falcons team in Week 2. Can they really handle the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3?
I don’t think so. Matthew Stafford hasn’t been himself so far this season, and the Los Angeles defense decided not to show up after winning a Lombardi Trophy. Jalen Ramsey looks lost out there, and Aaron Donald can’t do it all on his own. Stopping Kyler Murray and Co. will be no easy feat.
Based on the magic the Cardinals’ signal caller was able to muster last weekend, I’m thinking we see more of the same against the Rams. It ends up being a close game, but that’s often the situation in which Murray thrives. Los Angeles leaves the door open, and Murray scrambles around for about 20 seconds before shimmying his way through it.
It’s another tough loss for the Rams, who appear to be suffering from a massive Super Bowl hangover. Meanwhile, the Cardinals get another quality win as they look to prove they can battle with the big boys in the NFC.
Prediction: Cardinals win 27-25
Atlanta Falcons (0-2) at Seattle Seahawks (1-1)
Sunday, September 25, 4:25PM ET
I can’t help but feel that, after their performance in Week 2, the Seattle Seahawks’ opening win against Wilson and the Broncos was a fluke. They had extra motivation to come out victorious, and that motivation no longer exists now that their former franchise quarterback isn’t on the other side of the field.
I’ll probably regret it, but that’s why I’m going with the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3.
Despite their 0-2 record, the Falcons have played some quality football this season. Marcus Mariota is playing well back in a starting role and is utilizing all of the weapons around him to put points on the board. He’s helped keep the Falcons alive in both of their two losses, and I think that resilience pays off against the Seahawks.
I knew Geno Smith playing excellent football wouldn’t last long. While he wasn’t terrible against the 49ers, he also didn’t do anything to elevate the Seattle offense beyond serviceable. The fact that the running game failed to gain any traction didn’t help either.
The Seahawks’ opening win was fool’s gold. As I called before the season began, they’re going to be one of the more uninspiring clubs of the 2022 campaign. The Falcons come to Seattle and earn their first victory.
Prediction: Falcons win 30-24
Green Bay Packers (1-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)
Sunday, September 25, 4:25PM ET
I’ll admit the Green Bay Packers saved face in Week 2, following up their ugly Week 1 loss with a dominant victory against a divisional foe. Then again, Aaron Rodgers owns the Bears, so was the Packers’ win really that surprising?
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have looked nearly dominant through two games. Sure, their second win wasn’t quite as clean as the first, but their defense kept the Saints from doing much damage of their own. And, sooner or later, Tom Brady is going to get the offense moving.
Even if it doesn’t, the defense will find a way to seal the deal. They did just that in Week 2, and figure to do so again at least a few times this season. I’m not sure that’ll be the case against the Packers, but chances are the Tampa Bay D will at least pitch some turnovers and sacks to make life as difficult as possible for Green Bay.
Rodgers and Brady duel in the battle of the aging future Hall of Famers, and the latter comes out on top. Although, again, the credit for the win ultimately goes more to the Buccaneers’ outstanding defense, which seems to be even stingier than it was a season ago.
Prediction: Buccaneers win 24-22
San Francisco 49ers (1-1) at Denver Broncos (1-1)
Sunday, September 25, 8:20PM ET
Well Jimmy Garoppolo is no longer available for any quarterback-needy teams out there. Trey Lance is done for the year with an ankle injury, which means that Garoppolo is back in the driver’s seat for the San Francisco 49ers. Honestly, I think that’s for the best.
Yes, Garoppolo isn’t a superstar but he’s a proven starter who is more than capable of leading the 49ers to wins — he’s done it before. Even though the Denver Broncos have a quality defense and their own exceptional talent under center, I’m giving the 49ers the nod in this Week 3 showdown.
Honestly, I’m just not confident in the Broncos’ offense right now. We’re seeing the Russell Wilson that returned from injury last season and wasn’t himself. Denver is doing everything they can to let him cook, but the chef isn’t showing up. That’s limiting the Broncos’ competitiveness and will continue to do so against the 49ers.
Garoppolo plays well, relying on Deebo Samuel and his bevy of running backs to help him move the ball. It’s not an offensive onslaught by any means, but they produce more than Wilson. That’s all it’ll take to win the game if my understanding is correct.
Prediction: 49ers win 23-17
Dallas Cowboys (1-1) at New York Giants (2-0)
Monday, September 26, 8:15PM ET
It appears we didn’t give Cooper Rush enough credit. Not only did he play well in his sudden start under center for the Dallas Cowboys, but he was actually a catalyst for the offense. The Dallas defense obviously played a big part in the Week 2 win, but still…
Now the Cowboys move on to a matchup with the New York Giants, a team that has quietly gotten off to a great start. A new head coach has served them well, and Daniel Jones is doing his best to prove he can still be the future for the franchise. Having Saquon Barkley back helps too.
Unfortunately, I have a feeling the streak will end at two for the Giants. While I’m still not ready to jump on the Rush bandwagon just yet, it’s clear he’s capable of running the show for Dallas. And when the pressure falls on Jones and the New York offense to deliver, the Cowboys (and more specifically, Micah Parsons) are going to pin their ears back and hunt the youngster.
It’s an excellent game, with both teams coming up with big plays and giving their fans something to cheer about. It comes down to the final possession, but a big sack on fourth down helps them improve to 2-1 while handing the G-Men their first loss of the season.
Prediction: Cowboys win 19-16