Two weeks of the 2025 regular season are now complete. After starting off the season with twelve picks correct with 75-percent accuracy, I was hoping to sustain similar success heading into Week 2. The results? Thirteen correct picks to bring my season total to 25-7. I’m quite pleased with those results. Let’s see if I can keep my hot streak going with my Week 3 NFL picks.
Hart’s Week 3 NFL Picks
Thursday Night Football — Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills
Winner: Bills
Thursday Night Football this week features an AFC East matchup
between the Dolphins and Bills. The Dolphins have lost two in a row to start the season, while the Bills once again appear to be title contenders. I’ll take Buffalo at home in this one.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — New York Jets at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Winner: Buccaneers
The Buccaneers were able amount a last drive comeback against the Texans on Monday Night Football while the Jets were pummeled by the Bills. I expect Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers to get to 3-0 on the season with a win at home, subsequently putting the Jets at 0-3 to start their ‘25 season.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots
Winner: Steelers
Both the Steelers and Patriots are 1-1 to start the season. The Steelers are coming off a brutal loss to the Seattle Seahawks and the Patriots were able to topple the Dolphins. I think Mike Tomlin gets his team heading in the right direction with a big victory on the road at Foxborough.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Las Vegas Raiders at Washington Commanders
Winner: Commanders
Despite these two teams having even records, I think it’s safe to say the Commanders are the much better team. That’s even with their injuries to start the season. I can’t think of any legitimate argument to pick the Raiders coming away with an upset victory on the road.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars
Winner: Texans
The Texans are 0-2 to start the season while the Jaguars are 1-1. This AFC South matchup is one that Texans can’t afford to lose. C.J. Stroud and the offense continue to struggle. Will they be able to buck that trend in Florida? They better hope so or their divisional and playoff hopes could come to a screeching halt fast.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles
Winner: Eagles
Both these teams are 2-0 to start the year. The Rams offense finally exploded last week while the Eagles did enough to hold of the Kansas City Chiefs in their Super Bowl rematch. I expect this to be a close game, but believe Philadelphia can pull out the dub at home.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans
Winner: Colts
It’s pretty wild to see how well Danny Dimes and the Colts are doing on offense to start the season. If they are able to beat the Colts on the road, they will be 3-0 and the clear AFC South favorites if my other predictions pan out. Who would have guessed that to start the year?
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Cincinnati Bengals at Minnesota Vikings
Winner: Vikings
The Bengals may be 2-0 and atop the NFC North, but Joe Burrow will miss multiple months with a turf toe and ligament injury. The Vikings will be without J.J. McCarthy this game as he is recovering from a high ankle sprain. It’ll be Jake Browning versus Carson Wentz in this one. I’ll take the Vikings at home.
Sunday Football (Early Game) —Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers
Winner: Falcons
The Falcons and Panthers square off in a key NFC South battle to start the season. It’s a must-win game for the Panthers who can’t afford to spiral to 0-3 on the season. Nevertheless, I believe Michael Penix Jr. and the Falcons will find a way to take care of business on the road. Atlanta’s defense is playing good football.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Green Bay Packers at Cleveland Browns
Winner: Packers
One team playing in this game is good while the other is quite bad. I expect the Packers to easily handle the Browns on the road. That’ll give them a 3-0 start to start the season and a comfortable lead in the NFC North. This will drop the Browns to 0-3.
Sunday Football (Late Game) — New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks
Winner: Seahawks
The Seahawks looked impressive with their win over the Steelers to avenge their Week 1 loss. The Saints continue to improve on offense with Spencer Rattler leading the way, but that defense has a lot of issues. I believe Seattle is poised to take care of business at home.
Sunday Football (Late Game) — Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers
Winner: Chargers
The Broncos lost a heartbreaker to the Colts, and the Chargers took care of business against the Raiders. This game will decide control atop the AFC West. If the Broncos want a chance at winning this game, their defense will have to play a lot better, and their offense has to play mistake free football. That will be a tough task, and I’m not confident they will be able to do so.
Sunday Football (Late Game) —Dallas Cowboys at Chicago Bears
Winner: Cowboys
The Cowboys won an overtime thriller over the New York Giants while the Bears continue their descent into the bottom of the NFC North. Their defense has already given up 79 points in two games and lost star cornerback Jaylon Johnson due to injury. I don’t think they are going to be able to beat Dak Prescott and the Cowboys. Expect CeeDee Lamb to have a huge game.
Sunday Football (Late Game) — Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
Winner: Cardinals
This is a battle to see what team can go to 3-0 and become the top dog of the NFC West. With Brock Purdy out and the 49ers facing a handful of other injuries, I’m going to bet on Kyler Murray and the Cardinals coming away with a big victory in the Bay Area.
Sunday Night Football — Kansas City Chiefs at New York Giants
Winner: Chiefs
The Chiefs have started off 0-2 for the first time since 2014. They need to come away with a victory on the road to avoid losing more ground in the AFC West. I’d be shocked if Andy Reid didn’t have his team ready to rock in roll against Russell Wilson and the Giants. I’m taking Kansas City on the road.
Monday Night Football —Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens
Winner: Ravens
This is probably the most exciting matchup of Week 3. Both the Lions and Ravens scored a lot of points in Week 2. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if this game turns out to be a barnburner as well. At the end of the day, I think Lamar Jackson and the Ravens will hold off Jared Goff and the Lions. Regardless of who wins, this should be one of the best games of the week.
