2025 NFL Previews: Matchups and Predictions For Week 3

     Two weeks into the NFL season, and a lot of surprising action has taken place. Russell Wilson returned to his prime self, but his Giants fell 40-37 in an all-time classic. Alongside that, Daniel Jones and the Colts are 2-0, while Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have begun 0-2. Before we get into the action, let’s take a look at some of my stats from these past 2 weeks. 

Week 2: 13-3 ; Avg Points Off per Team: 8.8

Overall: 22-10 ; Avg Points Off per Team: 8.75

3 Closest Perfect Games of Week 2:

My Picks: LAR 34 TEN 17, SF 27 NO 16, ARI 28 CAR 26

Real Scores: LAR 33 TEN 19, SF 26 NO 20, ARI 27 CAR 22

Closest Game So Far : (Prediction) LAR 34 TEN 17 ; LAR 33 TEN 19 (Score)

(+12.5) Dolphins (0-2) @ Bills (2-0) - Thursday Sept. 18th 8:15 PM ET | Prime Video

The Miami Dolphins and Tua Tagovailoa will head to Buffalo looking for their first win of the season. Tua bounced back from his disappointing week 1 performance, throwing for 315 yards and 2 touchdowns. However, the Dolphins fell to the New England Patriots 33-27. As for Buffalo, they were able to take down the New York Jets 30-10. 

Score Prediction

MIA 10 BUF 33

(-7.5) Packers (2-0) @ Browns (0-2) - Sunday Sept. 21st 1:00 PM ET | FOX

Micah Parsons and the Green Bay Packers will look to keep up their dominant run, as they take on the Joe Flacco led Browns. Parsons has recorded 1.5 sacks in his two games in green and gold. In contrast, the Browns got blown out 41-17 by Baltimore last week. There have been calls for a QB switch, as Dillon Gabriel looked solid in his lone possession. 

Score Prediction

GB 37 CLE 18

(-4.5) Colts (2-0) @ Titans (0-2) - Sunday Sept. 21st 1:00 PM ET | CBS

Daniel Jones has looked like a brand-new quarterback, as he leads the AFC with 588 yards through the air. The Colts are 2-0 behind him, and are showing no signs of slowing down. As for rookie QB Cam Ward and the Titans, the season hasn’t gotten off to the start they wanted it to. Tennessee is coming into this divisional matchup after falling 33-19 to the Los Angeles Rams. 

Score Prediction

IND 31 TEN 23

(+1.5) Texans (0-2) @ Jaguars (1-1) - Sunday Sept. 21st 1:00 PM ET | CBS

The Houston Texans will look to rebound after falling in a heartbreaker to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers score a game-ending touchdown with six seconds remaining, to secure a 20-19 victory. As for the Jaguars, they also lost in the last second, as Jake Browning ran in a game-winning touchdown with 18 seconds left to defeat Jacksonville 31-26. 

Score Prediction

HOU 23 JAX 21

(+2.5) Bengals (2-0) @ Vikings (1-1) - Sunday Sept. 21st 1:00 PM ET | CBS

The Cincinnati Bengals and Minnesota Vikings are both limping into this week 3 matchup. Joe Burrow is out for three months with Turf Toe, as Jake Browning will be the starting quarterback during that period. It may be worse for Minnesota, for starting quarterback JJ McCarthy is out for 2 to 4 weeks, and running back Aaron Jones was placed on IR. the Vikings will be starting Carson Wentz at quarterback and Jordan Mason will take over the duties in the backfield. 

Score Prediction

CIN 13 MIN 24

(-1.5) Steelers (1-1) @ Patriots (1-1) - Sunday Sept. 21st 1:00 PM ET | CBS

The New England Patriots were able to take down the Miami Dolphins in what turned out to be a wild game. In back-to-back plays, both teams returned a punt/kickoff to the house for a touchdown. Ultimately, New England’s defense was able to hold Tua Tagovailoa from converting a game-winning drive. As for Pittsburgh, they suffered their first loss in Seattle last weekend.

Score Prediction

PIT 34 (27) NE 30 (27) - OT

(+3.5) Rams (2-0) @ Eagles (2-0) - Sunday Sept. 21st 1:00 PM ET | FOX

The best matchup of the early slate is the Los Angeles Rams against the Philadelphia Eagles. Both teams are coming into this game 2-0, as Philadelphia was able to take down the Kansas City Chiefs en route to a 20-17 victory. The Rams were also able to pick up a victory, defeating rookie quarterback Cam Ward 33-19. 

Score Prediction

LAR 26 PHI 34

(+6.5) Jets (1-1) @ Buccaneers (2-0) - Sunday Sept. 21st 1:00 PM ET | FOX

The New York Jets will look to new quarterback, Tyrod Taylor, after Justin Fields left their game last week with a head injury. The Jets did not have a good performance, losing by 20 to the Buffalo Bills. Things have been going a lot better for Tampa Bay, as they are currently undefeated two weeks in the young season. The Buccaneers were able to pick up a victory on Monday Night in the last seconds, as they beat the Houston Texans 20-19. 

Score Prediction

NYJ 13 TB 30

(+3.5) Raiders (1-1) @ Commanders (1-1) - Sunday Sept. 21st 1:00 PM ET | FOX

The Las Vegas Raiders are coming off of their first loss of the season on Monday Night Football, as they fell to Justin Herbert and the Chargers. Geno Smith was unable to get the offense going at all, as still hasn't been able to find a role for Ashton Jeanty. Washington’s offense also hasn’t looked up to par, as they lost by nine points to Green Bay on Thursday night.

Score Prediction

LV 23 WSH 33

(-5.5) Falcons (1-1) @ Panthers (0-2) - Sunday Sept. 21st 1:00 PM ET | FOX

The Atlanta Falcons will look to keep their good momentum alive after defeating the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night. Michael Penix Jr. has looked good so far in this season, as the Falcons are hoping they have found their quarterback for the future. The Panthers and Young have not been amazing, but they were quite close to coming back last weekend against the Arizona Cardinals.

Score Prediction

ATL 28 CAR 20

(+2.5) Broncos (1-1) @ Chargers (2-0) - Sunday Sept. 21st 4:05 PM ET | CBS

The Denver Broncos and Bo Nix are looking to improve after falling to Daniel Jones and the Indianapolis Colts by one point last weekend. The Chargers are still undefeated, after two impressive victories over division rivals, including the Kansas City Chiefs and the Las Vegas Raiders. They will look to make it three in a row, as they host the Denver Broncos this weekend.

Score Prediction

DEN 30 LAC 33

(+7.5) Saints (0-2) @ Seahawks (1-1) - Sunday Sept. 21st 4:05 PM ET | CBS

The New Orleans Saints still have yet to get a victory this season, but last week wasn’t as bad as we expected. They only lost by five, as quarterback Spencer Rattler threw three touchdowns. The Seahawks were able to take down Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers, as a kickoff blunder helps change the momentum during the game.

Score Prediction

NO 7 SEA 37

(+2.5) Cardinals (2-0) @ 49ers (2-0) - Sunday Sept. 21st 4:25 PM ET | FOX

The Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers both come into this game with two victories. The 49ers will be starting quarterback, Mac Jones, as Brock Purdy, still injured. As for Arizona, they were able to take down the Panthers by 5, despite a late game scare. Trey McBride looked good, catching 6 passes for 78 yards. 

Score Prediction

ARI 19 SF 34

(-1.5) Cowboys (1-1) @ Bears (0-2) - Sunday Sept. 21st 4:25 PM ET | FOX

The Dallas Cowboys are coming off of an amazing victory over New York Giants last Sunday. Brandon Aubrey was able to nail a 64-yard field goal to send the game into overtime. As for the Bears, it was a very disappointing loss, in which they gave up 52 points. I expect this to be a better performance, but I think Dallas will be able to come out with the victory.

Score Prediction

DAL 27 CHI 24

(-6.5) Chiefs (0-2) @ Giants (0-2) - Sunday Sept. 21st 8:20 PM ET | NBC

The Kansas City Chiefs are in unknown territory for them, as they start this season 0-2. They lost to the Philadelphia Eagles last week, with the “tush push” having a large impact on the game. As for New York, they played in an all time thriller against the Cowboys. QB Russell Wilson looked like 2013 prime Wilson, throwing for a career high 450 passing yards

Score Prediction

NYG 20 KC 37

(+4.5) Lions (1-1) @ Ravens (1-1) - Monday Sept. 22nd 8:15 PM ET | ABC/ESPN

The Detroit Lions and the Baltimore Ravens will clash on a Monday night football matchup. The Lions scored 52 points against Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears. As for Baltimore, they were able to get back on the right footing, as they defeated the Cleveland Browns 41-17. I expect this to be a hard fought game, but think that the Lions will squeak out with a victory. 

Score Prediction

DET 34 BAL 27