Hello readers! The 3rd week of National Football League action is soon upon us. The week that is features some fun matchups to keep an eye for. I'll keep an eye on the Chargers-Chiefs, Seahawks-Vikings, and Buccaneers-Rams matchups for this week. In this post I'll do a preview of the week and the picks to the games. Let's get to work!
Week 3 Preview
Week 3 of the NFL's regular season starts in Houston, Texas and finishes up in Arlington, Texas. It will be a 16-game slate where all 32 teams will play. The week will have a Thursday night game, nine early games, four late games, a Sunday night game, and a Monday night game. FOX will have the doubleheader and CBS will have the single game this week. No teams are on a bye. Let's get to the picks!
Week 3 Picks
Note: TW is me, CV is Cardinal Viking is my former roommate. All times are in US Eastern.
Carolina (2-0) @ Houston (1-1) (NFL Network; 8:20 pm): TW: Panthers; CV: Panthers
The Panthers beat the Saints and the Texans lost to the Browns last week. Week 3 starts with an intriguing matchup in the running back position as you have Christian McCaffrey for Carolina and Mark Ingram for the Texans. Carolina seems to be the better team at stopping the run so far this season. I wouldn't underestimate Tyrod Taylor however as he has proven to play well so far in the year. I'll take Carolina on a whim.
Arizona (2-0) @ Jacksonville (0-2) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Cardinals; CV: Cardinals
The Cardinals beat the Vikings and the Jaguars lost to the Broncos. Kyler Murray and the Cardinals look like a tough team for the Jaguars to beat. Any indication of the Cards faltering would be slim but in any given Sunday, anything can happen. Trevor Lawrence has been so far a one-man show on offense with not a lot of help. It just seems like a lost cause for the Jags to win.
Atlanta (0-2) @ NY Giants (0-2) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Giants; CV: Falcons
Both teams lost last week as the Falcons lost to the Buccaneers and the Giants lost to the Football Team. The game just looks like a bad game on paper. Both teams don't really have great defenses as both seem to be willing to give up 30+ points a game. I trust the Giants a bit more as the aforementioned defense of New York doesn't seem to lay down a lot.
Baltimore (1-1) @ Detroit (0-2) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Ravens; CV: Ravens
The Ravens beat the Chiefs and the Lions lost to the Packers last week. Baltimore won a close game against Kansas City and this game should be a bit of an easier matchup for Lamar Jackson and company. The Lions just seem to have some things together but just can't play well enough to win games. Seems like a mismatch with the Ravens offense vs Lions defense.
Chicago (1-1) @ Cleveland (1-1) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Browns; CV: Browns
Both teams won last week as the Bears beat the Bengals and the Browns beat the Texans. Justin Fields would see more playtime last week than so far in his young career. He will get his official start against the Browns. Normally the Browns defense of past years has been a cakewalk but they have studs on the defensive line like Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney. Could be a better passing day for Fields but they're not gonna get on the field a lot if the Bears defense can't contain the Browns running attack.
Cincinnati (1-1) @ Pittsburgh (1-1) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Steelers; CV: Bengals
Both teams lost last week as the Bengals lost to the Bears and the Steelers lost to the Raiders. The health of TJ Watt and Ben Roethlisberger is in question for this one. The question remains is can a banged up Steelers team can overcome a relatively healthy Bengals team. It seems likely that Watt will play and it is possible that Big Ben will play as well. Cincy is decent at stopping the run. Joe Burrow could have a good day but I tend to lean not really in this one. I'll trust the Steelers.
Indianapolis (0-2) @ Tennessee (1-1) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Titans; CV: Titans
The Colts lost to the Rams and the Titans beat the Seahawks last week. It was looking like a good game of two AFC South giants (I could've gone with titans but that wouldn't be fair) but right now, it doesn't look that great. Carson Wentz is now playing on not just one roughed up ankle but two roughed up ankles. Ryan Tannehill isn't playing injured. It'll remain a contest between Jonathan Taylor and Derrick Henry. I feel Henry will win out that battle most times than not.
LA Chargers (1-1) @ Kansas City (1-1) (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs
Both teams lost last week as the Chargers lost to the Cowboys and the Chiefs lost to the Ravens. Other than the Raiders, this game seemed like the game to watch out for in the AFC West. With the resurgence of the Raiders and the Broncos, I'm not so sure. Ultimately, both quarterbacks are the stars of this game and it will come down to who can shut down the other. Hard to not take Patrick Mahomes as he can do things beyond the ordinary joe.
New Orleans (1-1) @ New England (1-1) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
The Saints lost to the Panthers and the Patriots beat the Jets last week. Jameis Winston had a good game in Week 1 but old habits die hard in Week 2. Mac Jones has been playing steady football for New England, not necessarily Tom Brady level but much more consistency than last year. New England's defense has gotten better than last year as well and that doesn't spell good news for the Saints.
Washington (1-1) @ Buffalo (1-1) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Bills; CV: Bills
Last week both teams picked up wins as the Football Team beat the Giants and the Bills beat the Dolphins. Intriguing matchup for Taylor Heinicke and Washington as it'll be a good test how well their offense can do against a very physical Bills defense. Washington's defense is good but can they make a few turnovers on the Bills offense. Doesn't seem likely.
Miami (1-1) @ Las Vegas (2-0) (CBS; 4:05 pm): TW: Raiders; CV: Raiders
The Dolphins lost to the Bills and the Raiders beat the Steelers last week. Tua Tagovailoa will not be available to play due to a rib injury suffered last week. Jacoby Brissett will start for the Dolphins. Las Vegas has been a pleasant surprise so far this season getting key wins against the Ravens and Steelers. It seems like a tough spot for Miami to be in after much hope that they'd do good things this year.
NY Jets (0-2) @ Denver (2-0) (CBS; 4:05 pm): TW: Broncos; CV: Broncos
The Jets lost to the Patriots and the Broncos beat the Jaguars last week. Teddy Bridgewater has done well and may have been the answer to John Elway's quarterback problems. Zach Wilson has shown promise if he has the help that his counterpart has. The Jets are set to have a horrid season and I just don't think they have a lot to hope for to beat Denver. Any given Sunday though.
Seattle (1-1) @ Minnesota (0-2) (FOX; 4:25 pm): TW: Vikings; CV: Vikings
Both teams lost last week as the Seahawks lost to the Titans and the Vikings lost to the Cardinals. Both of Minnesota's losses have come within three points. This game could very well come down to that once again. I think its high time for the Vikings to pick up their first win of the year. Greg Joseph needs to find the middle of the goalposts to get points though. I don't doubt the Seahawks in this one but if Dalvin Cook has a good game, this one could spell doom for the Seahawks.
Tampa Bay (2-0) @ LA Rams (2-0) (FOX; 4:25 pm): TW: Buccaneers; CV: Rams
Both teams won last week as the Buccaneers beat the Falcons and the Rams beat the Colts. The marquee game of the week features two unbeatens in the NFC. Tom Brady and company look to continue their quest for a repeat and the Matthew Stafford-led Rams. Good defense usually wins out against good offense. The Rams defense seems to be the better of the two by a slim margin but I like the Bucs as a road team.
Green Bay (1-1) @ San Francisco (2-0) (NBC; 8:20 pm): TW: 49ers; CV: 49ers
Both teams won last week as the Packers beat the Lions and the 49ers beat the Eagles. The last time both teams had meet was a Thursday night matchup and most of the 49ers starters were banged up and it ended up being a Green Bay blowout. This one is reminiscent of their contest in 2019 during the regular season. The Packers defense will need to shut down the many weapons of the 49ers if they have a shot to win. Aaron Rodgers struggled to get going in their game against the Lions during the first half. They'll need to put together a complete game.
Philadelphia (1-1) @ Dallas (1-1) (ESPN; 8:15 pm): TW: Cowboys; CV: Cowboys
The Eagles lost to the 49ers and the Cowboys beat the Chargers last week. Jalen Hurts has been a one-man offensive crew with his arm and legs. Philly's offense can hang around against the Dallas Cowboys but how long can they really hang around with Dak Prescott and company. Dallas has been alright on offense and much of the same on defense. It'll be a close one but I think the Cowboys pull it off.
Local TV Schedule (courtesy of 506sports.com):
CBS Single:
LA Chargers @ Kansas City
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo
FOX Early:
Chicago @ Cleveland
Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olson
FOX Late:
Seattle @ Minnesota
Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez
For more information on which game is being shown in your area, check out: NFL 2021: Week 3 Maps
2021 Pick'em Records:
My record:
Week 1: 7-9
Week 2: 10-6
Total: 17-15
Cardinal Viking's record:
Week 1: 6-10
Week 2: 12-4
Total: 18-14
Previous Picking Records:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 151-104-1
2020: 163-92-1
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