NFL Week 3 Predictions

DISCLAIMER: These Are Not TECHTAKES.AI Certified Picks

September 19th, 2024

By: Jack Weisberg

Week 3 Predictions

Thursday Night Football

Patriots (+6) vs Jets

Score Prediction: 13-20

Give me the Jets to cover the spread. Even though picking this team is not as easy as I would’ve thought before the season, its tough to pick against Aaron Rodgers. While this is not a game I would bet on, the Jets have been underwhelming and the Patriots have been better than expected so for the Jets it would be wildly disappointing if they can’t win this divisional matchup.

Sunday's Slate

Giants (+6) vs Browns

Score Prediction: 9-24

Give me the Browns to win and cover the spread. Now it is definitely hard to pick a Deshawn Watson led team to win any game, but if there was a game I would pick the Browns with no hesitation it would have to be against the Giants. The Browns offense has a long way to go, but I think they find their stride in this one.

Bears (+1) vs Colts

Score Prediction: 16-23

Give me the Colts in this one winning against the spread. I think this will be one of the best games of the week. Possibly an overtime game, where either Anthony Richardson or Caleb Williams earns their team the victory. If the Bears can take advantage of the Colts weak run defense in pivotal moments that will be the difference, but I’m leaning towards the Colts getting the win in this one.

Texans (-2.5) vs Vikings

Score Prediction: 27-26

Give me the Texans, but man, this one will be close. The Vikings are coming off a convincing win vs the 49ers and could easily take this game. They are also the home team, and Minnesota is notoriously a tough place for opposing teams to play. However, the Texans will manage this game and run it out for the win. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has been on fire, and I trust CJ Stroud to lead the Texans to victory in a game like this.

Eagles (+3) vs. Saints

Score Prediction: 21-35

Give me the Saints to cover the spread. Now, hear me out. After seeing the Saints beat the Cowboys like they dismantled the Panthers, I’m convinced they are about to go on a run. The Saints are the hottest team in football, and on the other side, the Eagles are coming off a short week loss against the Falcons, where Hurts threw an interception to seal the loss. I think this Eagles team is going to have their struggles earlier in the season as opposed to later, as we have seen in recent years. I trust Derek Carr, the offensive scheme, and the Saints' defense to get this win. 

Chargers (+1.5) vs. Steelers

Score Prediction: 13-17

Give me the Steelers to cover the spread. This will be a defensive showcase of two of the best defensive teams in the first two weeks. I trust the Steelers to manage the game and narrowly win this one. However, don’t count out Justin Herbert and Coach Harborough to make this one interesting.

Broncos (+6.5) vs. Bucs

Score Prediction: 13-27

Give me the Bucs to cover this one. Even though this Bucs team is a little beat up, I still think they win this game convincingly. This Bucs team should smoke the Broncos on Sunday. I would be shocked if the Broncos went on to win this one. However, with injuries on the defense for the Bucs, this is the best chance Denver will get.

Packers (+2.5) vs. Titans

Score Prediction: 17-9

Malik Willis faces off against his old team in a pivotal game for the Packers' season. However, there is a caveat in Tennessee: Jordan Love has been practicing fully leading up to this Sunday's game. If Jordan Love plays in this one, I think the Packers win more convincingly. However, this all depends on Love’s ability to move in the pocket. With all that said, if Malik Willis plays I expect Josh Jacobs to find the end zone twice leading the Packers to victory.

Panthers (+5.5) vs. Raiders

Score Prediction: 16-34

Give me the Raiders to cover the spread. If this were the old version of the Raiders with Josh McDaniels, this one would be a loss, but I think Pierce will have his team locked in on becoming 2-1 heading into week 4. Andy Dalton starting for the Panthers does make this a more exciting matchup, as he is undefeated against the Raiders in this professional career, but with that being said, I don’t think it turns the tide for the outcome of this one.

Seahawks (-5.5) vs. Dolphins

Score Prediction: 31-24

I believe this Dolphins team can start to move the ball with Skylar Thompson at quarterback. However, I don’t think it’ll be enough to secure a win against the Seahawks, who are starting to figure it out on offense and are the clear favorite to win this matchup. Especially seeing how putrid this Dolphins' defense has been at stopping the run right now, there is no real path to victory.

Lions (-3) vs. Cardinals

Score Prediction: 23-20

Let me start off by saying I think the Cardinals are legit. If they can catch the Lions on their heels early on, this is a winnable game for them. Lions must run the ball effectively if they want to win this game. I have the Cardinals pulling this one out due to their dynamic offense, which will extend drives and pull off an upset win. 

Ravens (-1.5) vs. Cowboys

Score Prediction: 34-31

In the most anticipated matchup of the week, the Ravens must win week 3 to avoid starting 0-3. I believe the Ravens will do just that against a struggling Cowboys team. It’s not like the Ravens have looked bad in their two games vs. the Raiders and the Chiefs. Luckily, the Cowboys cannot stop the run, as we saw in their matchup against the Saints, and this sets up this Ravens offense to put on a show on Sunday.

It’s just a matter of time before this team puts it all together and becomes a force in the AFC. 

49ers (-7) vs. Rams

Score Prediction: 38-10

The Rams have looked really bad since Puka went down, and I don’t think they're going to look any prettier going up against a division rival who is coming off a huge loss to the Vikings. This one should be a blowout. However, the 49ers will not only be without Christian McCaffrey, but also Deebo Samuel. I think the Rams could surprise the masses in this one, but I’m staying safe and picking the 49ers to dominate.

Chiefs (-3.5) vs. Falcons

Score Prediction: 27-24

After the Falcons' Monday night victory vs the Eagles, the team has a newfound hope for the season. However, playing the Chiefs in week 3 is a great way to bring teams back down to earth. The Falcons will show out in this matchup and have a realistic chance to win. But when it's all said and done, a couple of flags will change this game to give another victory to the Chiefs. 

Monday Night Games

Jags (+5.5) vs. Bills

Score Prediction: 28-30

The Bills have looked Dominant since the third quarter of week 1, and I don’t think the Jags are enough to get in their way. This loss would make the Jags 0-3, leading to questions about this team's chances of making it to the playoffs. Don’t get me wrong, this is a very good Jags team, but I don’t think this is a favorable matchup to bring them to 1-2. That being said, Josh Allen has this one in the bag.

Bengals (-7) vs. Commanders

Score Prediction: 27-17

The Bengals try to avoid starting 0-3 on Monday Night, and you best believe they will avoid that feat. Despite being banged up on the O-Line, Joe Burrow and the Bengals tend to wake up around this point of the season. Jamar Chase will go off in this game. However, If the Bengals do lose to Jayden Daniels and the Commanders, their season will be over.