NFL Game Picks: Week Three

After an interesting second week provided us with a lot of nail-biters in this early NFL season, week three has some matchups that will have the league on notice. Here are our picks.

Matt’s Picks:

New York Giants (1-1) @ San Francisco 49ers (2-0) 8:15 p.m.

The San Francisco 49ers are off to a strong start to their 2023 campaign. Despite giving up 23 points to their division rival Los Angeles Rams, the Niners look to take control of Thursday night's game in their home opener welcoming New York.

The New York Giants are off to a shaky start following a playoff victory in 2022. After an embarrassing week one loss to Dallas, they erased a 21-point deficit at half, beating the Arizona Cardinals in week two. They look to bring that momentum to the Bay Area Thursday night.

My Pick: 49ers 31, Giants 17

Buffalo Bills (1-1) @ Washington Commanders (2-0) 1:00 p.m.

The Bills had a great week two win dominating the Las Vegas Raiders at home. After Vegas was held to 10 points at half, the Bills’ defense turned on the second half holding Vegas scoreless.

While the Commanders have surprised everyone by winning their first two games, they were just able to survive week two in Denver. The Commanders' defense will have to stay with the Bills’ strong offense.

My Pick: Bills 35, Commanders 18

Denver Broncos (0-2) @ Miami Dolphins (2-0) 1:00 p.m.

The Denver Broncos have had a rough start for their first season with Sean Payton. While they dropped their first two, they staged a comeback showing life in Denver in their home opener. The Dolphins offense may be out of their touch.

For the Dolphins they are off to a hot start offensively, Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill have been dangerous for defenses as they look to torch Denver’s defense.

My Pick: Miami Dolphins 33, Denver Broncos 14

Jameson’s Picks:

Dallas Cowboys (2-0) @ Arizona Cardinals (0-2) Sunday 4:25 p.m.

The Dallas Cowboys are off to one of the greatest starts in franchise history, racking up a +60-point differential through the first two games of the season.

The Cardinals have put up fights in the first two weeks, but at the end of the day, it’s Josh Dobbs against the league's best defense, not much to think about here.

My Pick: Cowboys 34, Cardinals 9

New Orleans Saints (2-0) @ Green Bay Packers (1-1) Sunday 1:00 p.m.

Both of these teams had similar expectations coming into the year, and both have probably slightly exceeded those expectations through the first two games.

The Saints’ defense has carried them to two wins, and they should do a good job confusing Jordan Love this week. That being said, the game is at Lambeau and I just can’t see the Saints starting off 3-0.

My Pick: Packers 20, Saints 17

Indianapolis Colts (1-1) @ Baltimore Ravens (2-0) Sunday 1:00 p.m.

Rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson exited the victory against the Texans last week with a concussion, and his status for Sunday remains in doubt.

Gardner Minshew should be able to fill in nicely, but the Ravens are too talented to lose this game at home. Give me Lamar to put on a show and announce his arrival this season.

My Pick: Ravens 31, Colts 20

Carolina Panthers (0-2) @ Seattle Seahawks (1-1) Sunday 4:05 p.m.

After a disappointing week 1, the Seahawks came back and faced not only a tough environment in Detroit but a tough team, and came out on top in overtime.

Rookie quarterback Bryce Young has shown flashes, but he is not on the level yet where he can carry his team to a win over a superior opponent, give me the Seahawks with the 12th man behind them.

My Pick: Seahawks 27, Panthers 16

Kenny’s Picks:

Los Angeles Chargers (0-2) @ Minnesota Vikings (0-2) Sunday 1:00 p.m.

These are two teams that expect to finish in the top half of their respective divisions but have not been able to get in the win column. Both have lost to a weaker opponent and were not able to beat a stronger one.

Expect great quarterback play with there being two defenses that are mediocre at best.

Starting 0-2 can hinder playoff aspirations but one of these teams will finally get in the win column and the other will fall 0-3. The Vikings got the better of them in the last matchup but that was when they had a run game. However, that is nonexistent this year.

My Pick: Chargers 30, Vikings 28

Atlanta Falcons (2-0) @ Detroit Lions (1-1) Sunday 1:00 p.m.

Detroit has not won a division title since 1993 but they have a legit shot at it this year with Green Bay’s quarterback downgrade and the Vikings struggles. Detroit comes off an overtime loss despite having three more turnovers than their opponent.

The Falcons have a two-headed monster in the backfield. Last year, the Lions would have got steamrolled in the run game but so far they have been really good at stopping it. For Atlanta, they have been solid to start off when it comes to slowing down opposing passing offenses.

Atlanta are the underdogs going in, and Detroit may look better on paper. However, Bijan Robinson has a chance to establish himself as a premiere back in the league and he can do it this Sunday. The Falcons defense may get a bit greedy.

My Pick: Falcons 27, Lions 21

Tennessee Titans (1-1) @ Cleveland Browns (1-1) Sunday 1:00 p.m.

Tennessee comes off of a great win versus a respected opponent. On the other hand, Cleveland lost a tough battle in Pittsburgh that they really shouldn’t have lost. To add salt to the wound, they lost Nick Chubb, who is one of the best running backs in the league, for the season.

Deshaun Watson has not looked good to start off the season and the Titans defense under Mike Vrabel has always been stout. Watson has not been taking care of the ball. The big guys protecting him have not been great to start off as well. Expect that to roll over into this game as Tennessee turns them over multiple times.

My Pick: Titans 17, Browns 12

Declan’s Picks:

Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) @ Las Vegas Raiders (1-1) Sunday 8:20 p.m.

After a poor performance against Buffalo, Las Vegas will get a chance to rebound on Sunday Night Football when they host Pittsburgh for their home opener.

I see the Raiders coming back strong in front of a home crowd that hasn’t seen their team play since January. The Steelers’ offense will likely continue to struggle in the team’s first road trip.

My Pick: Raiders 23, Steelers 13

New England Patriots (0-2) @ New York Jets (1-1) Sunday 1:00 p.m.

New England will be looking to pick up their first win of the season against a Jets team that looked helpless with Zach Wilson under center.

The Patriots were in a position to win each of their previous games, but couldn’t convert on late-game drives. Although the Jets boast a strong defense, they’ll likely wear out if their offense can’t keep them off the field.

My Pick: Patriots 27, Jets 10

Houston Texans (0-2) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)

Jacksonville is aiming to bounce back after losing a low-scoring game against the Chiefs, and a weak Texans defense should provide the perfect opportunity to do so.

If Houston can’t stop a Colts team led by Gardner Minshew, it’s hard to imagine them putting up much of a fight against Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars. Look for C.J. Stroud to struggle against Jacksonville’s playmaking defense.

My Pick: Jaguars 38, Texans 6

Luke’s Picks:

Chicago Bears (0-2) @ Kansas City Chiefs (1-1) Sunday 4:25 p.m.

Kansas City comes home after a win against the Jaguars to face Justin Fields and the Bears.

Patrick Mahomes is coming off a huge 300+ yard passing game and is looking more comfortable in the pocket after getting his favorite target Travis Kelce back in the lineup.

I expect to see the Chiefs return to their normal dominance after winning last week. Justin Fields would have to run, pass and ultimately put his team on his back for the Bears to get a win.

My Pick: Chiefs 35, Bears 17

Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0) Monday 7:15 p.m.

This is going to be a tough road matchup for Jalen Hurts and the Eagles. The Buccaneers are coming off a huge road win against the Minnesota Vikings and are coming home to play the Eagles.

The Eagles are going to have to utilize their two elite wide receivers in Devonta Smith and A.J. Brown and give Hurts some time in the pocket. The Buccaneers have the ninth-highest-rated passing defense and are looking to attack Hurts in the pocket.

I believe the Eagles are going to come out on top and beat the Buccaneers through a mix of play-action-pass plays and passing the ball down the field.

My Pick: Eagles 24, Buccaneers 17

Los Angeles Rams (1-1) @ Cincinnati Bengals (0-1) Monday 8:15 p.m.

This is a week where Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and the Bengals are going to have to show up and play like they did last year. The first two weeks have been ugly for them and the Rams know it.

Aaron Donald and the Rams are going to be coming after a freshly injured Burrow who has not been playing well these last two weeks. The Rams are going to be looking to come after the Bengals on all areas of the field.

Matthew Stafford is going to be finding his new favorite receiver in Puka Nacua and hoping to trample down on an already beat-down Bengals team.

My Pick: Rams 17, Bengals 10

Matt Cabram is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email

mwc5817@psu.edu

Jameson Kramer is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jek5650@psu.edu.

Kenneth Ojeikere is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email kvo5183@psu.edu

Luke Panzer is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email lzp5281@psu.edu.

Declan Stablow is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email djs7159@psu.edu