After two weeks, the New Orleans Saints find themselves with a 1-1 record that feels a lot like a 2-0 record. Two difficult road challenges stood in front of the Saints to start the 2026 season and they faced them better than most expected, now they finally come home to the Superdome to face the Las Vegas Raiders. The excitement for the Saints in New Orleans is at a level we haven’t seen in over half a decade, and the atmosphere in the Dome will be absolutely electric. Finally, the Saints are home,
and there’s no place like it.
Last week, I went 13-3
I told you so: Bills over Lions!
What do I know: Ravens over Saints?!
***
WEEK 3
Thursday, September 24th – Thursday Night Football
Falcons(0-2) at Packers(1-1)
Green Bay makes their home debut following a bad loss in Minnesota and an overtime win at the Jets, now they get just what they need in the Atlanta Falcons, the worst team in the NFC. Green Bay wins 34-16.
Pick: Packers
***
Sunday, September 27th – Early Games
Chargers(0-2) at Bills(2-0)
Josh Allen and the Buffalo offense has been on an absolute tear to start the season, and now their defense gets just the break they need in the Los Angeles Chargers, the worst team in the AFC. Buffalo wins 30-7.
Pick: Bills
***
Panthers(1-1) at Browns(1-1)
Carolina’s offense has been looking as good as it has in a very long time to start this season, and they will continue that against a Cleveland team fresh off victory in Tampa last week. Carolina wins 26-21.
Pick: Panthers
***
Jets(1-1) at Lions(1-1)
Detroit has faced a difficult slate to open the season, but now their defense will get a bit of a break against the Jets. Detroit wins 28-17.
Pick: Lions
***
Texans(0-2) at Colts(0-2)
No team in the NFL has suffered a more disappointing start than the Texans, but Houston will finally get themselves in the win column this week against their division rivals in Indy. Houston wins 29-23.
Pick: Texans
***
Patriots(1-1) at Jaguars(1-1)
The New England defense has impressed so far this season, but this week their offense finally steps up against a very good opponent. New England wins 33-21.
Pick: Patriots
***
Chiefs(2-0) at Dolphins(0-2)
This mismatch will go just about how everyone expects it will. Kansas City wins 24-10.
Pick: Chiefs
***
Titans(0-2) at Giants(1-1)
It may already be crisis time for the Giants, with Jaxson Dart out for the season, but their defense will carry the day against Tennessee this week. New York wins 19-10.
Pick: Giants
***
Bengals(2-0) at Steelers(1-1)
Joe Burrow and the Bengals will make short work of Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers in this one. Cincinnati wins 33-12.
Pick: Bengals
***
Seahawks(2-0) at Commanders(1-1)
Whether Sam Darnold returns this week or not, the Seattle offense will dominate this game. Seattle wins 34-20.
Pick: Seahawks
***
Sunday, September 21st – Late Games
Cardinals(1-1) at 49ers(2-0)
Unsurprisingly, San Francisco will handle Arizona with relative ease in this one. San Francisco 29-19.
Pick: 49ers
***
Vikings(2-0) at Buccaneers(0-2)
The undefeated Vikings will beat the winless Bucs on a game-winning kick in the closing moments in Tampa. Minnesota wins 23-20.
Pick: Vikings
***
Ravens(1-1) at* Cowboys(1-1) – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Baltimore will rebound from their Week 2 loss at home with a brilliant offensive performance against Dallas in Rio. Baltimore wins 31-21.
Pick: Ravens
***
Raiders(2-0) at Saints(1-1)
The Raiders come into this game undefeated, under new head coach Klint Kubiak, but those wins came against the two worst teams in the AFC, and both were at home (yes folks, Los Angeles is Raiders Country). Now the Silver and Black gets their first road game in a hostile environment against the Black and Gold in New Orleans. Rob Leonard’s defense will face their toughest competition in Kellen Moore’s never-say-die Saints.
Tyler Shough and the Saints’ offense has gotten a lot of credit early this season for their second-half heroics, and deservedly so, but it has been the Saints defense that has made these heroic comebacks possible over the last two weeks. Ultimately it will be the chess match of Kubiak’s offense against Brandon Staley’s defense that will tell the tale of this matchup, and Staley’s defense will rise to the occasion once again. Saints win 27-21.
Pick: Saints
***
Sunday Night Football
Rams(1-1) at Broncos(1-1) – Game of the Week
This game could easily be a Game of the Year candidate or a Super Bowl preview. Expect some fireworks in this one, as the atmosphere will be electric. This is certainly a premier matchup of two of the NFL’s very best head coaches, but unfortunately Sean McVay has always had Sean Payton’s number. Los Angeles wins 37-34.
Pick: Rams
***
Monday, September 28th – Monday Night Football
Eagles(2-0) at Bears(1-1)
A litany of injuries at the quarterback position for Chicago truly takes the steam out of this primetime matchup. Philadelphia wins 24-13.
Pick: Eagles
***
That’s how I see it, tell us how you see Week 3 playing out. Leave your comments and insight below!
