The third week of the NFL season is upon us, and we're already starting to draw some conclusions about quite a few teams.
We'll get even more clarity regarding the trajectories these squads are on in Week 3 this weekend, and the slate contains quite a few intriguing matchups. On Thursday Night Football, the Packers look for their second straight win as they host the Atlanta Falcons with Michael Penix Jr. set to make his season debut.
In the early slot Sunday, we have matchups between a pair of AFC playoff teams from a year ago as the Patriots face the Jaguars as well as an AFC North showdown between the Bengals and the Steelers. Also on Sunday as an interesting matchup between 1-1 squads as the Cowboys host the Ravens.
In the primetime slots, Denver
looks for another win as it faces the Rams on Sunday Night Football, while the Eagles face a Bears team that could be starting Case Keenum at quarterback in Monday Night Football.
Our panel of experts is back to give you their picks against the spread for every matchup on the docket in Week 3.
All odds via BetMGM
Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers (Thursday Night Football)
Opening Line: Packers -7.5
Grimes: Packers -5
I could see a world where the Falcons make strides with Michael Penix back and still lose by a touchdown because they couldn't stop Jordan Love.
Curtis: Packers -5
Probably should take the points but I also don't trust Michael Penix.
Zeglinski: Falcons +5
The Packers lack a killer instinct and have a porous offensive line. That's enough to let the Falcons hang around more than they should.
D'Andrea: Falcons +5
The Packers struggle to put teams away and needed a double-digit fourth quarter comeback just to beat the Jets. I don't care how bad the Falcons are, that's a rough scene.
Nettuno: Packers -5
I don't think Michael Penix is saving this.
New England Patriots at Jacksonville Jaguars
Opening Line: Jaguars -1.5
Grimes: Jaguars -3
Rolling with the home side. The Pats offense may not click until AJ Brown is back.
Curtis: Jaguars -3
The Jags are contenders, the Pats are not.
Zeglinski: Jaguars -3
The Patriots' offense is kind of listless compared to what Liam Coen and Trevor Lawrence have cooking in Jacksonville.
D'Andrea: Jaguars -3
The Patriots defense has risen up, but the offense still looks aimless.
Nettuno: Jaguars -3
Trusting that the Jags can score more than three points in the second half this time around.
Tennessee Titans at New York Giants
Opening Line: Giants -3
Grimes: Giants -3
Jameis with a full week of prep should be able to beat the Titans.
Curtis: Giants -3
Last week was truly rough but the Giants should cover here.
Zeglinski: Giants +3
There's no way I'm ever riding with the Titans as constituted. They could lose to anyone on any Sunday, as far as I'm concerned.
D'Andrea: Giants -3
Even Jameis Winston should be able to beat the Titans.
Nettuno: Giants +3
Probably disrespecting the Titans slightly here but I don't care.
Kansas City Chiefs at Miami Dolphins
Opening Line: Chiefs -7.5
Grimes: Chiefs -11
Worst team in the NFL versus... maybe the best?
Curtis: Chiefs -11
Normally I'd be nervous about a spread this large. Not here.
Zeglinski: Chiefs -11
The Chiefs' stars get to take a second half off against what might be the NFL's worst team ahead of a pivotal upcoming two-game divisional slate.
D'Andrea: Chiefs -11
It's gonna be bad.
Nettuno: Chiefs -11
We're going to get definitive proof this week that the Dolphins are the worst team in the NFL.
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers
Opening Line: Bengals -1.5
Grimes: Bengals -3.5
Why is Aaron Rodgers still doing this?
Curtis: Bengals -3.5
Can't bet on the Steelers with that offense right now.
Zeglinski: Bengals +3.5
Dexter Lawrence has really changed that Cincinnati defense. It should be another long afternoon for Aaron Rodgers.
D'Andrea: Bengals +3.5
Cincinnati finally has a pass rush. The Steelers have a quarterback too old to get hit.
Nettuno: Bengals -3.5
Cincy is simply going to score a lot more points than the Steelers.
Seattle Seahawks at Washington Commanders
Opening Line: Seahawks -3.5
Grimes: Seahawks -7
I'm stunned this spread isn't bigger with Jayden Daniels out.
Curtis: Seahawks -7
Godspeed, Marcus Mariota.
Zeglinski: Seahawks -7
Good lord, the Seahawks are probably eyeing Marcus Mariota like a dog watches red meat dangling from a stick.
D'Andrea: Seahawks -7
The Commanders' defensive additions have yet to bear fruit, and now the offense is stuck with Marcus Mariota. Who is fine in many situations but not against the Seattle defense.
Nettuno: Seahawks -7
Cardinals and Jayden Daniels-less Commanders in back-to-back weeks? The Seahawks are feasting right now.
Los Angeles Chargers at Buffalo Bills
Opening Line: Bills -3
Grimes: Bills -7
How many points over 30 will Buffalo score this week?
Curtis: Bills -7
Man, the Chargers are in trouble.
Zeglinski: Bills -7
The Chargers blew not one but two golden opportunities at wins ahead of what looks like one of the most difficult midseason schedules I've ever seen. Josh Allen and Co. should revel in pouring salt into their wounds.
D'Andrea: Bills -7
Los Angeles might start the season 0-7.
Nettuno: Bills -7
How are the Chargers this bad?
Carolina Panthers at Cleveland Browns
Opening Line: Panthers -1.5
Grimes: Panthers -2.5
I'm still not buying the Panthers as a good team, but they're better than Cleveland.
Curtis: Panthers -2.5
It's time to trust Bryce Young a little more.
Zeglinski: Panthers -2.5
This is less about me buying into the Panthers and more about fading the Browns because, well, with all due respect to Todd Monken, they are the Browns.
D'Andrea: Panthers -2.5
I'm not buying the hype after the Browns' average pass in Week 2 went all of 3.7 yards downfield.
Nettuno: Panthers -2.5
Sure, sure, the Browns won, but Carolina may actually be good.
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts
Opening Line: Texans -1.5
Grimes: Colts +3
I'm not sure the Colts win, but Jonathan Taylor is the best offensive player in this game. I'll take the points with a home dog.
Curtis: Colts +3
I don't have a ton of faith in either team, so take the points.
Zeglinski: Texans -3
I like the fight Indy showed in Kansas City, but Houston is a more complete team with a better coach and will avoid the dreaded 0-3 start.
D'Andrea: Texans -3
Daniel Jones is still rounding into form and is now without his top deep threat. Laquon Treadwell is not a proper replacement for Alec Pierce
Nettuno: Texans -3
Both of these teams are probably better than 0-2, but I think it's Houston that's going to get in the win column this weekend.
New York Jets at Detroit Lions
Opening Line: Lions -6.5
Grimes: Lions -6.5
It won't be a blowout, but the Lions should be able to win by 7.
Curtis: Lions -6.5
This pick is shaky...kind of like the Lions look right now.
Zeglinski: Jets +6.5
My colleagues' confidence in the Lions makes me weary. They are better than the surprisingly feisty Jets, but not a full touchdown better.
D'Andrea: Lions -6.5
Geno Smith should be able to find opportunities against the Detroit secondary, but the Lions have too much firepower.
Nettuno: Lions -6.5
The Jets are feisty but the Lions should still be able to take care of business.
Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Opening Line: Buccaneers -1.5
Grimes: Vikings -1.5
I planted my Vikings as good flag before the season started. And now the quarterback who gave me that optimism is back in the lineup.
Curtis: Vikings -1.5
Kyler Murray (assuming he plays) over Baker Mayfield? Yep. not happy with what I see in Baker.
Zeglinski: Buccaneers +1.5
Carson Wentz still stinks and at a certain point someone will make Brian Flores pay for his relentless blitzing. The Buccaneers are already fighting for their season and I think they will be that "someone."
D'Andrea: Buccaneers +1.5
The Vikings have the better team. Tampa Bay needs this win so much more.
Nettuno: Vikings -1.5
I'm all the way out on what the Bucs are bringing to the table in 2026.
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
Opening Line: 49ers -11.5
Grimes: 49ers -8.5
The 49ers are so much better than the Cards.
Curtis: 49ers -8.5
The Niners look legit.
Zeglinski: 49ers -8.5
We should take the Cardinals a LITTLE more seriously, but not this much.
D'Andrea: 49ers -8.5
The Cardinals are competent, but the Niners have looked like a true contender -- at least for this stretch before injuries catch up to them (more so than they already have).
Nettuno: 49ers -8.5
This line has moved just enough for me to confidently take San Francisco.
Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys
Opening Line: Ravens -2.5
Grimes: Ravens -3.5
As much as I worry about Baltimore's secondary against these receivers, Derrick Henry should be the X-factor in this game.
Curtis: Ravens -3.5
This might be a shootout but I'll back the Ravens' offense.
Zeglinski: Ravens -3.5
This Cowboys defense against ... Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry? Lol. Lmao. Rofl. Things of that nature.
D'Andrea: Ravens -3.5
Lamar Jackson's gonna be eating good, even if Zay Flowers is still hurt.
Nettuno: Ravens -3.5
I expect a bounce-back here from Baltimore.
Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints
Opening Line: Saints -3.5
Grimes: Saints -3.5
The Saints have played much tougher teams to start the year. That should pay off in this one.
Curtis: Raiders +3.5
I do like the Saints' offense but I could see the Raiders keeping it close.
Zeglinski: Raiders +3.5
Let's not get too crazy about the Saints' rise just yet.
D'Andrea: Raiders +3.5
New Orleans' slow starts and Kirk Cousins regained competence suggests this will be another one the Saints pull out late and dramatically.
Nettuno: Saints -3.5
Two teams that are better than expected, but New Orleans has been more impressive against better competition.
Los Angeles Rams at Denver Broncos
Opening Line: Rams -3
Grimes: Rams -2.5
I don't know. Maybe I'm scarred from what the Rams did to my Giants.
Curtis: Rams -2.5
Wouldn't bet this in real life but I think Rams by a field goal sounds about right.
Zeglinski: Broncos +2.5
Denver's defense is enough to make Matthew Stafford think twice about standing in the pocket and delivering strikes just before getting smashed. L.A. might be better, but beating a good Broncos team in a night game is no easy task.
D'Andrea: Broncos +2.5
Denver's pass rush can do enough to keep Matthew Stafford from torching them, and homefield advantage will help Bo Nix escape with a win -- or, at least, a really close loss.
Nettuno: Broncos +2.5
That Denver defense is something else. Signed, a Jaguars fan.
Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears
Opening Line: Bears -1.5
Grimes: Eagles -4.5
We're only giving Case Keenum 4.5 points?
Curtis: Eagles -4.5
Case Keenum will not turn back the clock.
Zeglinski: Bears +4.5
The Eagles are getting by on previous rep here a bit because they're ... not that good. They may well still win, but they're gonna be sloppy enough to let Chicago hang around with a chance to the end.
D'Andrea: Eagles -4.5
A Case Keenum offense and a defense that gave up 478 yards in Week 1. Not ideal.
Nettuno: Eagles -4.5
I think Philly wins fairly easily if Caleb Williams is indeed out.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: NFL picks against the spread for Week 3 from our expert staff
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.
