The NFL heads into Week 3 with major storylines, with some of the league’s biggest quarterbacks sidelined with injuries, which could significantly shape outcomes.
The action kicks off on "Thursday Night Football," where the Green Bay Packers enter as the early favorite against the Atlanta Falcons, who are desperate for their first win and have turned to quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
in hopes of changing their fortunes.Sunday’s full slate of games includes the Seattle Seahawks traveling to face the Washington Commanders. The Seahawks are slight favorites, but the Commanders’ quarterback situation is in flux after Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow in last week’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Marcus Mariota will step in as the starter, hoping
to lead Washington to its first win of the season.
Week 3 concludes with a "Monday Night Football" matchup between the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles and the 1-1 Chicago Bears. The Eagles are favored to win, but the Bears’ quarterback situation remains uncertain as Caleb Williams is considered week-to-week with a right hamstring injury sustained during a 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2. Williams hasn’t been ruled out, leaving the door open for a possible return.
Below is a look at the full slate of predictions and odds for every Week 3 matchup.
NFL Week 3 game predictions, picks
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 8 a.m. ET.
Atlanta Falcons vs Green Bay Packers
- Date: Thursday, Sept. 24
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
- Location: Lambeau Field (Green Bay, Wisconsin)
- TV: None
- Streaming: Prime Video, NFL+
- Spread: Packers -7.5
Watch Thursday Night Football with Prime Video
USA Today: Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: Packers 27, Falcons 7
Does it even matter that Michael Penix Jr. will be back for Atlanta? Maybe at least a little, as starting Cooper Rush is almost an open concession for the offense. But the Falcons will still be hard-pressed to get much going against a Packers defense that last week showed signs of putting things together. And it's equally unreasonable to expect a shorthanded defense to create enough disruption to contain Jordan Love or throw him off his game.
CBS Sports: Expect the numbers to move
Green Bay narrowly escaped MetLife Stadium with a win, outlasting the Jets in overtime. Now, they'll head back to Lambeau Field for the home opener on Thursday night. There, they'll be a 7-point favorite, which is up from the 6.5 points they were laying at the open. ... (With Michael Penix Jr. starting at QB for the Falcons) you should expect to see this number move again.
Los Angeles Chargers vs Buffalo Bills
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 27
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Highmark Stadium (Orchard Park, New York)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: NFL Sunday Ticket (YouTube), Fubo
- Spread: Bills -2.5
The Arizona Republic: Bills 33, Chargers17
Jeremy Cluff writes: "Justin Herbert and the Chargers opened the season with losses to the Cardinals and Raiders at home and now face the Bills on the road. Josh Allen and Buffalo will roll to 3-0.
Sportsnaut: Bills 31, Chargers 21
Matt Johnson writes: "The Los Angeles Chargers will be taking the field in Week 3 with their backs against the proverbial wall thanks to a daunting schedule early in the season. Unfortunately for Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert, this is a rough matchup for Los Angeles. We haven’t seen enough from the Chargers pass rush this season to have any real confidence in their ability to make Josh Allen uncomfortable and he’s put up MVP-caliber numbers against better defenses. On the other side of the ball, Buffalo will be able to exploit the interior of the Chargers offensive line. Buffalo will demonstrate why it’s the superior team, winning at home by multiple scores."
Kansas City Chiefs vs Miami Dolphins
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 27
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: NFL Sunday Ticket (YouTube), Fubo
- Spread: Chiefs -7
The Arizona Republic: Chiefs 30, Dolphins 16
Jeremy Cluff writes: "The 0-2 Dolphins have been outscored 62-26 in their two road games to open the season. Malik Willis and Miami finally get to play at Hard Rock Stadium, but the results won't be much better against the Chiefs."
Covers.com: Pick Chiefs
Joe Osborne writes: "A rejuvenated Kansas City Chiefs team has been shot out of a cannon to open the season. Patrick Mahomes hasn’t missed a beat in his return from injury, coming off a 382-yard passing performance, while Kenneth Walker III looks like the missing piece to get them back into Super Bowl contention after piling up an insane 369 total yards through two games.
"These guys are fresh, hungry again, and still establishing what this offense can become. I don’t expect the foot to come off the gas as they look to remain consistent early in the season. This spread is high, but it's not high enough."
New England Patriots vs Jacksonville Jaguars
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 27
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Everbank Stadium (Jacksonville, Florida)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: NFL Sunday Ticket (YouTube), Fubo
- Spread: Jaguars -2.5 to -3
Watch live NFL games with Fubo
CBS Sports: Jaguars remain favorite
Tyler Sullivan writes: "The Jaguars have remained a 2.5-point favorite over New England coming out of Week 2, despite falling to the Broncos in Denver. Jacksonville was one of the best home teams to back against the spread last season, owning an NFL-best 7-2 ATS record. They also covered their home opener in Week 1. As for the Patriots, injuries are starting to pile up. After losing A.J. Brown (ankle) in the opener, Week 2 saw them lose starting offensive lineman Mike Onwenu (ankle). The total for this game has dipped to 44.5 after opening at 45.5."
The Arizona Republic: Patriots 31, Jaguars 27
Jeremy Cluff writes: "Drake Maye and the Patriots still haven't gotten going offensively. This game could be a shootout, with New England finding another gear in a road win over Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars."
New York Jets vs Detroit Lions
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 27
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Ford Field (Detroit)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: FOX One, Fubo, NFL+
- Spread: Lions -9.5
Bookies.com: Bet the Jets with the points vs Lions
Bill Speros writes: "Gang Green saw its hope for a 20-0 season crash in a 20-17 overtime loss at home to Green Bay at MetLife. The Jets outplayed the Packers throughout and led 14-7 late in the third quarter, before remembering they were the Jets. This sets up as a bounce-back spot for Detroit at home. The Lions come off the mini-bye and that ugly 41-31 loss at Buffalo. And the Jets defense leads the league – allowing just 197 yards per game. Gang Green is 2-0 ATS. Let it ride."
CBS Sports: Detroit could be a challenge
Tyler Sullivan writes: "The Lions are a 6.5-point home favorite against the Jets, which is down from the full touchdown at the initial option. The total has held firm at 47.5. New York is 2-0 ATS this season after beating the Titans in Week 1 and then covering against the Packers on Sunday. However, keeping it within the number against Detroit could be a challenge, especially as they'll have the rest advantage after playing last Thursday."
Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 27
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: Paramount+, Fubo, NFL+
- Spread: Bengals -1.5
NBC Sports: Leaning towards Bengals
"The Total has dropped substantially but the UNDER may still be in play. With Joey Porter Jr. out and the Steelers’ secondary already ranked 31st in passing yards allowed, the Bengals should be able to score, but can Pittsburgh? And it’s a divisional game which often means a little more of an attempt at ball control which translates into fewer possessions."
Sports Illustrated: This should be a fight
Ryan Gilbert writes: "I’ve been impressed with the Bengals through two weeks, and you can’t really say the same about the Steelers after Sunday’s showing. Cincinnati went into Houston and held the Texans to six points, while Pittsburgh mustered just a field goal in New England.
"The Steelers have been able to play Pittsburgh football to limit the opposition’s ceiling, though, allowing just 16 points through two games. This should be a dog fight with the first team to 20 coming out on top."
Carolina Panthers vs Cleveland Browns
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 27
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Huntington Bank Field (Cleveland)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: NFL Sunday Ticket (YouTube), Fubo
- Spread: Panthers -3
The Arizona Republic: Panthers 28, Browns 17
Jeremy Cluff writes: "The Browns got a surprise win in Week 2 over the Buccaneers, but Bryce Young and the Panthers' offense is putting up points this season. Deshaun Watson and Cleveland won't be able to keep up."
CBS Sports: Carolina opened as favorite
Tyler Sullivan writes: "Carolina opened as a 2.5-point favorite, but that has since bumped up to the full field goal. Both the Panthers and Browns notched their first wins of the season on Sunday. For Cleveland, that very well may have saved Deshaun Watson's job, as the Browns may have looked to make a change for the home opener had they fallen to the Bucs. The total for this head-to-head has bumped up to 41.5 after opening at 40.5. The Over is 2-0 in Browns games this season."
Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 27
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: NFL Sunday Ticket (YouTube), Fubo
- Spread: Texans -2.5
The Arizona Republic: Texans 23, Colts 20
Jeremy Cluff writes: "The Texans made the playoffs in 2025 after starting the season 0-3. They don't want to try to have to repeat that feat in 2026. Some big defensive plays and key David Montgomery runs will help them avoid it."
Sportsnaut: Texans 21, Colts 14
Matt Johnson writes: "The Indianapolis Colts offensive line looks below-average right now, and we’ve seen enough of Daniel Jones’ career to know what happens when he spends most of the game under pressure. For the Houston Texans, Week 3 provides Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. a showcase to demonstrate why this defense can be so suffocating. Jones will take multiple sacks and throw an interception, all the while the tandem of Woody Marks and David Montgomery can take advantage of a shoddy Colts run defense at Lucas Oil Stadium."
Tennessee Titans vs New York Giants
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 27
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: NFL Sunday Ticket (YouTube), Fubo
- Spread: Giants -3
The Arizona Republic: Giants 27, Titans 20
Jeremy Cluff writes: "The Titans are going to win a game this season; we just don't think it will be against Jaxson Dart and the Giants in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in NFL Week 3. The MetLife Stadium crowd will be into this game."
ESPN: Giants have a 69.3% chance to beat Titans
"The site gives the Titans a 30.5% shot at winning the NFL Week 3 game, with the remaining percentage accounting for a tie."
Seattle Seahawks vs Washington Commanders
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 27
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Northwest Stadium (Landover, Maryland)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: NFL Sunday Ticket (YouTube), Fubo
- Spread: Seahawks -3.5
The Arizona Republic: Seahawks 28, Commanders 17
Jeremy Cluff writes: "The Seahawks' defense is still elite. That's bad news for Washington, which will be without injured quarterback Jayden Daniels. Seattle will continue to look strong in its Super Bowl defense."
Dimers: Seahawks 22, Commanders 18
"The numbers give the Seahawks a win probability of 63.2%, while the Commanders have a win probability of 36.8%."
Minnesota Vikings vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 27
- Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
- Location: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: NFL Sunday Ticket (YouTube), Fubo
- Spread: Buccaneers -1.5
CBS Sports: Vikings are favorite
Tyler Sullivan writes: "The Vikings are up to a 2.5-point favorite after initially opening as a slim 1.5-point favorite. Minnesota moved to 2-0 despite having to turn to Carson Wentz. However, there is some optimism that Kyler Murray (concussion protocol) will be ready to return for Week 3, which is likely why they are the road favorites. It's also because the Bucs have struggled dramatically this season, including a Week 2 loss to the Browns. Baker Mayfield has committed 17 turnovers over his last 13 games played and will now face a tough Vikings defense led by Brian Flores."
Covers.com: Under 42.5
Dustin Saracini writes: "We're seeing two mediocre offenses against two top-10 defenses in Week 3. The Vikings have had to play mistake-free football on both sides of the ball – their defense has allowed an average of just 12.5 points per game as a result. It's also one of the best red-zone defenses this year, allowing a touchdown on just 12% of trips inside the 20.
"With positive regression looming for the Bucs' defense against Murray and Co. I'm projecting this total to close closer to 40.5."
Arizona Cardinals vs San Francisco 49ers
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 27
- Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
- Location: Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: NFL Sunday Ticket (YouTube), Fubo
- Spread: 49ers -11.5
Sports Illustrated: Ride with the 49ers
Ryan Gilbert writes: "San Francisco hasn’t had much trouble putting points on the board thus far. After a slower start in Australia, they scored 17 points in the second half of Week 1 and then 35 points against the Dolphins last week.
"Meanwhile, the Cardinals just allowed 31 points to Seattle, and their upset win over the Chargers doesn’t look as impressive given Los Angeles’ home loss to the Raiders in Week 2. I’ll ride the 49ers against an up-and-down Cardinals team, with the San Francisco team total as a possible play as well."
The Arizona Republic: 49ers 31, Cardinals 17
Jeremy Cluff writes: "The Cardinals fell back to Earth in their Week 2 loss to the Seahawks. We have a feeling more humble pie is coming. Brock Purdy and San Francisco have looked really good through two weeks."
Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 27
- Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Location: Maracana Stadium (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: Paramount+, Fubo, NFL+
- Spread: Ravens -3
BetMGM: Ravens over 28.5 points
Nick Hennion writes: "If Zay Flowers and Ronnie Stanley return from injury on Sunday, my Cowboys vs Ravens prediction is the Baltimore Ravens Over 28.5 Points. While it’s a high number to clear for an international game, I remain faithless in the Cowboys’ defense. Dallas surrendered 20 points to the Commanders at home. Jayden Daniels missed the entire second half in a game where the total could have been higher. The Commanders generated three trips to the red zone. Daniels led only one touchdown drive under those circumstances."
Covers.com: Cowboys
Neil Parker writes: "Baltimore allowed Saints quarterback Tyler Shough to throw for 7.4 yards per attempt with a 79.4 completion percentage in Week 2, so I’m confident Cowboys QB Dak Prescott can hang enough points on the board to keep pace Sunday. Prescott is second in success rate ahead of 'Monday Night Football' in Week 2, after all."
Las Vegas Raiders vs. New Orleans Saints
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 27
- Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Location: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: NFL Sunday Ticket (YouTube), Fubo
- Spread: Saints -3
Watch Sunday Night Football with Peacock
CBS: Over 44.5 total
Tyler Sullivan writes: "The Saints are laying a field goal and the hook (3.5) as they gear up for their home opener against the Raiders. The offense has been the story for New Orleans through two games, namely Tyler Shough impressing. He led a fourth-quarter comeback against the Ravens and will now look to get his team over .500 with a win in Week 3. However, if Kirk Cousins plays as he did in Week 2, this could be a high-scoring game, making the Over on the 44.5 total intriguing."
The Arizona Republic: Saints 24, Raiders 23
Jeremy Cluff writes: "The Raiders are 2-0 and the Saints are a two-point conversion away from being 2-0. Tyler Shough's development has been quick for New Orleans. He'll outduel Kirk Cousins at home."
Los Angeles Rams vs. Denver Broncos
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 27
- Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
- Location: Empower Field at Mile High (Denver)
- TV: NBC
- Streaming: Peacock, Fubo, NFL+
- Spread: Rams -2.5
Yahoo Sports: Surprised Rams are favorites
Tim Lynch writes: "Why the Rams are 2.5-point favorites right now is beyond me. They got their butts handed to them every bit as badly in Week 1 as Denver did. They play the New York Giants on 'Monday Night Football' and we'll have to see if they turn things around then. That said, there is no reason they should be favored on the road against a team like Denver after the egg they laid themselves last week."
CBS Sports: Broncos as home underdogs
Tyler Sullivan writes: "The Rams still have their Week 2 matchup with the Giants to play on Monday night, so this line could shift. That said, they are laying 2.5 points as a road favorite against the Broncos. Denver notched its first win of the season on Sunday, rallying in the fourth quarter to defeat the Jaguars. Last season, the Broncos were 3-0 ATS as a home underdog."
Philadelphia Eagles vs Chicago Bears
- Date: Monday, Sept. 28
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
- Location: Soldier Field (Chicago)
- TV: ABC, ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN Unlimited, Fubo, NFL+
- Spread: Bears -1.5
BetMGM: Bears spread
Nick Hennion writes: "If Saquon Barkley misses Monday’s game against the Bears, my Bears vs Eagles prediction is the Chicago Bears Spread (+3.5, -115). For right now, the best action in this game is to wait on injury news. If Barkley misses the game, it could severely limit Philadelphia’s ability to score points and cover above a key number. I’m assuming Tyson Bagent starts for the Bears. Ultimately, the game is likely decided by whether Chicago can run the ball with no real passing threat."
The Arizona Republic: Eagles 24, Bears 17
Jeremy Cluff writes: "The Bears went from scoring 59 points in Week 1 to putting up 3 in Week 2, and losing Caleb Williams to injury for at least some time. Can Tyson Bagent beat Philadelphia? We have doubts."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL Week 3 game picks: Odds and expert predictions for every matchup
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
Advertiser disclosure: USA TODAY may earn a commission when you sign up through links on this page. Commissions never influence our editorial coverage or rankings. Offers and odds were accurate at publication and are subject to change; terms apply — see the operator’s site. This is general information, not betting, legal or financial advice. To the fullest extent permitted by law, USA TODAY is not liable for losses arising from your use of it.
Must be 21+ (18+ where permitted). Sports betting and casino gaming are not legal everywhere; complying with the laws where you are located is your responsibility. Gamble only with funds you can afford to lose. Gambling problem? Help is available 24/7 — call or text 1-800-GAMBLER, or call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET. State helplines and responsible gaming resources.
