NFL Week 3 Picks and Predictions

Week 3 of the NFL will get started on Thursday night and is set to feature the pro debut of a promising young rookie, some nail-biting late games, and what should be some blowouts thanks to some of the best teams in the league.

Let's begin with the matchup between AFC South rivals.

Titans at Jaguars

Even when these two teams are good, every year they combine for some unwatchable garbage on Thursday Night Football. Even though Tennessee has to go on the road in what could be Jalen Ramsey's last game with the Jaguars, the Titans have the advantage. Marcus Mariota has started off a make-or-break 2019 in fine form, while their Top-10 defense should present more than enough trouble for a rookie quarterback in Gardner Minshew.

Titans 21, Jaguars 13

Dolphins at Cowboys

What's the point in doing previews for Dolphins games anymore? We all know the result, it's just a matter of how bad it's going to get. Going into Dallas against a Cowboys team that's not only far superior on paper, but is riding an unreal hot streak thanks to Dak Prescott's newfound vigor under offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, this could get ugly fast. I dread anyone who has to go up against Ezekiel Elliott in fantasy this week.

Cowboys 41, Dolphins 13

Bengals at Bills

The 0-2 Bengals will face the 2-0 Bills before Josh Allen and Buffalo tussle with the Patriots, so this game SCREAMS trap. While Allen has had his moments in his second season, he still has four turnovers in two games, and Buffalo's defense will have their hands full with a Bengals team that has really clicked offensively under Zac Taylor. Andy Dalton, John Ross, and Cincinnati could shock quite a few by grabbing win No. 1 on the season in Orchard Park.

Bengals 17, Bills 14

Lions at Eagles

The Lions pulled off one of the most surprising upsets of the season to this point when they knocked off Philip Rivers and the Chargers at home. A road matchup against Carson Wentz and that offense, however, could be a little bit more problematic for Matt Patricia. Given the struggles of both secondaries, there will be plenty of points on the board, but Doug Pederson's crew should end up with a W.

Eagles 34, Lions 20

Jets at Patriots

It's a battle of No. 199 overall picks as Tom Brady takes on Luke Falk in Foxborough. The Patriots are 2-0 and have destroyed their competition this year to the tune of 76-3, while the Jets are a mess that have four good players and 49 tire fires to go along with a head coach who's in over his head and a quarterback making his first start. Who do you think will win?

Patriots 34, Jets 10

Falcons at Colts

Matt Ryan and the Falcons weren't terribly impressive in their win over the Eagles, but the new NFC South favorites did pull out a close win, and head into a matchup against Jacoby Brissett and Indianapolis with some momentum. While Marlon Mack and the Colts almost took down the Chargers and did beat the Titans on the road, Atlanta's offensive firepower against a defense that might be without Darius Leonard is ultimately going to be too much to overcome.

Falcons 28, Colts 27

Raiders at Vikings

The Vikings are now just realizing what most around the NFL figured out a while ago -- Kirk Cousins is not worth $84 million. While their defense is still great and Dalvin Cook looks like prime Adrian Peterson, Cousins and his struggles could gift a win to the Raiders, who beat up on the Broncos and were one Patrick Mahomes god mode second quarter away from giving the Chiefs a run for their money. A close one, but Oakland gets win No. 2.

Raiders 23, Vikings 20

Ravens at Chiefs

Statistically, the two best quarterbacks in the league through two games have been Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes, who have ripped opposing defenses apart on their way to 2-0 starts. Last week, Jackson became the first QB in regular season history to throw for 250 yards an rush for 120 in one game. While the loss of Eric Fisher against Baltimore's defense will be concerning, Mahomes' arm and Kansas City's bevy of receivers could and should be enough for a close win over Jackson, who should be in line for another stellar game in his own right, and the Ravens.

Chiefs 31, Ravens 24

Broncos at Packers

Vic Fangio and the Broncos will have trouble getting points on the board against a much-revamped and extremely impressive Green Bay defense with Joe Flacco under center. Aaron Rodgers has been great, but not "Aaron Rodgers" through two games. Nonetheless, that shouldn't matter much against Denver. With a win, Green Bay would move to 3-0 on the season.

Packers 27, Broncos 17

Panthers at Cardinals

Kyler Murray has performed pretty well through two games in Kliff Kingsbury's Air Raid offense, and he'll finally have an opportunity to pick up win No. 1 against a beaten, broken Carolina team. The Panthers will either trot out one of Kyle Allen, Will Grier or a clearly injured Cam Newton. The quarterback uncertainty mixed with a lackluster secondary is a recipe for Murray beating up on the Panthers to get him and Kingsbury their first win in the NFL.

Cardinals 28, Panthers 20

Giants at Buccaneers

Daniel Jones is finally the starting quarterback for the Giants, and boy does he get a nasty challenge in his first start. Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles has been known to get very aggressive and blitz heavily, which could be problematic for a rookie quarterback who could get happy feet in the pocket. Tampa Bay could move to 2-1 on the season provided Jameis Winston doesn't screw things up with some turnovers against a horrid Giants defense.

Buccaneers 27, Giants 16

Saints at Seahawks

Teddy Bridgewater had to face the Rams on the road in his first game action, and now will go on the road to play Seattle. Talk about some bad luck. Bridgewater, Michael Thomas, and Alvin Kamara should be enough to get the Saints some points at CenturyLink Field, but Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll at home would have been a tough ask for Drew Brees, let alone, Bridgewater.

Seahawks 27, Saints 20

Texans at Chargers

These two potential playoff teams come into this game 1-1, with the Texans barely beating the Jaguars and the Chargers having fallen on the road to the Lions. While Philip Rivers and Deshaun Watson will both light up the scoreboard, Los Angeles will ultimately end with winning in this one because their deep pass rush against Houston's college offensive line is a recipe for disaster that might get Watson killed.

Chargers 34, Texans 31

Steelers at 49ers

Mason Rudolph, who threw two touchdowns in relief of Ben Roethlisberger, will make his first start against San Francisco, who has ridden a very impressive Jimmy Garoppolo to two wins over the Bucs and Bengals. The Steelers' demise has been greatly exaggerated, and the addition of Minkah Fitzpatrick to what just a week ago was an awful defense should help reinforce that unit. Rudolph could make just enough plays to give the Steelers their first win of the season.

Steelers 17, 49ers 16

Rams at Browns

After demolishing the pitiful Jets on Monday Night Football, Cleveland's attention now shifts to Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams, who have won their first two games as they look to defend the NFC title. While the Browns and Rams are two equally-talented teams, the Rams are a more disciplined, well-coached bunch. McVay, Jared Goff, and Todd Gurley will be in for a shootout with Baker Mayfield, Odell Beckham, and the Browns, but LA's coaching will prevail and give them a win.

Rams 31, Browns 28

Bears at Redskins

Matt Nagy and Chicago picked up win No. 1 on the season after Eddy Piñeiro drilled a wild game-winning kick against the Broncos. The Bears will try to carry that momentum into Week 3. While Case Keenum has been red hot to start the year (5 TDs, no picks), Chuck Pagano's defense will feast on Keenum and the O-line. If Mitchell Trubisky can avoid making the big mistake, the Bears should be able to win this one comfortably.

Bears 21, Redskins 10