NFL Week 3 predictions, odds for every matchup
49ers turn to Mac Jones, Caleb Williams remains under fire
USA TODAY Sports’ Joe Rivera and Chris Bumbaca break down some of the most notable overreactions from Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season.
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The drama is already unfolding during the 2025 NFL season, with unexpected thrillers and consequential injuries creating ripple effects throughout the league heading into Week 3 on the schedule.
There are 10 teams with 2-0 records (including three in the NFC West) that could stamp themselves as legitimate contenders with another win. There are also 10 teams with an 0-2 record, including Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, in danger of falling out of the playoff race with another loss before October.
The Week 3 docket features an AFC East tilt featuring reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills and the struggling Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night Football. There’s a playoff rematch between the Los Angeles Rams and the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles during the early Sunday kickoff window and a matchup of winless teams with the Chiefs and New York Giants on Sunday Night Football. It all wraps up with a marquee NFC showdown in which the Baltimore Ravens host the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football.
Here is an early look at picks, predictions and odds for all of the Week 3 games on the 2025 NFL schedule:
NFL Week 3 game predictions, picks
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 12 p.m. ET.
- Date: Thursday, Sept. 18
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
- Location: Highmark Stadium (Orchard Park, New York)
- TV: None
- Streaming: Amazon Prime, NFL+
- Spread: Bills (-12.5)
Sporting News: Bills 34, Dolphins 15
“Mike McDaniel’s hot seat will be a topic of conversation here, but the issue at Buffalo will be generating a running game. Miami ranks 29th with 69.5 rushing yards per game – and that comes with a -4 turnover ratio. That’s not a recipe for success against Buffalo – which averages 35.5 points per game.”
Rotowire: Bills win comfortably
“This is a must-win for Mike McDaniel and the Miami Dolphins. Chances are they’re not getting it against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. After getting torched by Baltimore on the ground, Buffalo proved it can handle the run in Week 2. The Bills held Breece Hall and Braelon Allen to 40 yards on 12 carries. The speed of De’Von Achane will cause problems for the Bills’ slower linebackers, but it won’t be enough to make this much of a game.”
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 21
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
- Spread: Falcons (-5)
ESPN: Falcons roll past beat-up Panthers
“The Falcons look well-equipped to handle the Panthers and cover the spread. Their running game dominated the Vikings, with Bijan Robinson rushing for 143 yards, and their defense recorded six sacks. Injuries to the Panthers’ offensive line ‒ Austin Corbett hurt his left knee Sunday and Robert Hunt suffered a biceps injury ‒ could make matters worse for the Panthers. … Atlanta is 2-4 against the spread in its past six games against the Panthers, but the Falcons have the edge in this matchup thanks to a well-rounded offense and what looks to be an emerging defense.”
Arizona Republic: Falcons 27, Panthers 20
“Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier are starting to form one of the NFL’s best 1-2 running back punches for the Falcons.. They will prove too much for the Panthers to handle, dropping Carolina to 0-3.”
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 21
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Huntington Bank Field (Cleveland)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
- Spread: Packers (-8)
Sports Illustrated: Packers cover
“The Packers lead the NFL in net yards per play (+2.4) through the first two weeks, +0.4 more than the next best team. … This is all while having one of the most difficult starts to the season, facing the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders in their first two games. Now, they get to finally face a bad team, and this could end up being a blowout win. The Browns‘ offense has looked bad with Joe Flacco.”
Rotowire: Packers 24, Browns 14
“This is a straight-up mismatch. Green Bay will suffocate the Browns’ offense, leading to another easy win for Matt LaFleur and the Packers.”
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- Date: Sunday, Sept. 21
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Everbank Stadium (Jacksonville, Florida)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
- Spread: Jaguars (-1)
Arizona Republic: Texans 23, Jaguars 20
“These teams are already chasing the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South, making it a pivotal game. The Texans edged the Jaguars in both of their meetings last season, and C.J. Stroud and company will do the same in NFL Week 3.”
Sporting News: Texans 22, Jaguars 19
“C.J. Stroud and Trevor Lawrence will renew an AFC South rivalry defined by close games. The Texans have won three of the last four meetings, including a pair by four points or less last season. Stroud has 7 TDs, 0 interceptions and a 110.1 passer rating against the Jaguars.”
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 21
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: U.S. Bank Stadium (Minneapolis)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
- Spread: Vikings (-3)
CBS Sports: Bengals 23, Vikings 20
“It’s going to be a battle of the backups in Minnesota this week … The Bengals are three plays away from being 0-2, but somehow, they seem to find a way to win every week and they’re playing a Vikings team that still hasn’t scored a first-quarter touchdown, a second-quarter touchdown or a third-quarter touchdown this year.”
Sports Illustrated: Bengals cover
“People are low on the Cincinnati Bengals due to the Joe Burrow injury, but the step down from Burrow to Jake Browning isn’t as significant as some people think. People forget that when Burrow went down in 2023, Browning went 4-3 as a starter, including completing 70.4% of his passes for a quarterback rating of 98.4 and a QBR of 60.1.”
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 21
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
- Spread: Steelers (-1.5)
Arizona Republic: Patriots 20, Steelers 17
“The Steelers were favored by a point in the early NFL Week 3 odds for this game. We don’t see it. Drake Maye and the Patriots will move above .500 with a close victory at home.”
Sporting News: Steelers 27, Patriots 20
“The Steelers have been all over the place through two weeks, but an inability to run the ball hasn’t helped. Aaron Rodgers should have success against a New England defense that has allowed a league-high 315 passing yards per game. On the other side, Pittsburgh’s run defense has not been good. Which teams will patch that up enough in a toss-up game?”
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 21
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
- Spread: Eagles (-3.5)
BetMGM: Rams spread is the pick
“If Philadelphia’s Week 1 result against the Cowboys is any indicator, Los Angeles should feast on offense. The Eagles defense features a glaring weakness. Whoever plays opposite Quinyon Mitchell at CB2 presents a liability for the defense. Bettors saw that on full display as the Cowboys moved the ball efficiently. For the Eagles defense, worry about a matchup against a Puka Nacua-Davante Adams tandem.”
Rotowire: Rams 24, Eagles 17
“A rematch of one of the best games of the 2024 NFL Playoffs … The Eagles passing attack just can’t seem to get going. While Saquon (Barkley) looks as good as ever, can’t say the same for the run game as a whole. On the other side of the ball, Sean McVay will find ways to get Puka Nacua and Davante Adams matched up against Adoree Jackson – matchups LAR will dominate. Rams pull off an upset on the road.”
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 21
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
- Spread: Buccaneers (-7)
BetMGM: Jets cover
“The time has come to buy low on the Jets after a blowout loss against the Bills, a clear Super Bowl contender. … Justin Fields provides a rushing threat on a team that possesses decent skill players. Against the Steelers and Bills, New York combined to average 4.75 yards per rush attempt. If that success continues, it gives a chance to keep Tampa Bay’s offense off the field.”
Arizona Republic: Buccaneers 30, Jets 14
“The New York Jets have given up 32 points and 30 points in their two games this season. We don’t see that changing against Baker Mayfield and a solid Tampa Bay offense.”
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 21
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Nissan Stadium (Nashville, Tennessee)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
- Spread: Colts (-3.5)
CBS Sports: Colts 23, Titans 16
“A classic move by the Colts would be for them to lose this game and that’s not entirely impossible. The Titans have actually played well at times this year, especially on defense. Although they’re 0-2, they held a second half lead against both the Broncos and Rams before eventually losing. The problem for the Titans is that Cam Ward always seems to be running for his life.”
ESPN: Colts cover
“Through two games, Daniel Jones’ QBR of 80.9 ranks sixth in the NFL. Jones has been efficient with the ball, too, completing 71.4% of his throws, and the run game with Jonathan Taylor provides both balance and explosive play ability. Give the points here as the Colts get to 3-0 with a win over the Titans.”
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 21
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Northwest Stadium (Landover, Maryland)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
- Spread: Commanders (-3.5)
ESPN: Pick the Commanders
“Vegas will enter this Week 3 matchup on five days rest. The Commanders, meanwhile, will be back home in D.C. on 10 days rest. That’s a massive advantage for Washington.”
Sports Illustrated: Take the Raiders
“Jayden Daniels has had a less-than-stellar start to the season, ranking amongst the bottom of the league in advanced metrics, an area he thrived last year. If he’s kept out of this game due to the injury he suffered in Week 2, the Commanders are in an even worse spot. … Geno Smith has a high floor, and the Raiders’ defense could cause some issues for Washington.”
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 21
- Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
- Location: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
- Spread: Chargers (-2.5)
Sporting News: Chargers 21, Broncos 18
“The Chargers are coming off a short week, and the Broncos missed an opportunity at Indianapolis. Los Angeles beat Denver in a pair of one-score games last year. Justin Herbert averaged 260.5 yards with three TDs and one interception in those two games. Los Angeles is 5-1 against the spread as a home favorite under Jim Harbaugh.”
Rotowire: Broncos 20, Chargers 17
“Through two weeks, the Chargers haven’t really faced a pass-rushing unit capable of exploiting this offensive line. That will change in Week 3. Denver led the league in just about every pass-rushing category imaginable last year, and they (had) a league-high 6 sacks against Cam Ward in Week 3. The loss of (Chargers offensive tackle) Rashawn Slater will finally rear its head in this low-scoring affair.”
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 21
- Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
- Location: Lumen Field (Seattle)
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
- Spread: Seahawks (-7.5)
BetMGM: Saints spread is the play
“Against Arizona and San Francisco, (New Orleans Saints QB Spencer Rattler) stayed within this number both times and has yet to throw an interception. Against San Francisco: 307 yards and three touchdown passes with a 118.1 rating. Can he replicate it against an outstanding Seattle defense?”
Arizona Republic: Seahawks 24, Saints 20
“The Saints suffered losses to the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers. Moral victories don’t count in the win column, but Spencer Rattler and New Orleans will stay close to the Seahawks in Seattle as well.”
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 21
- Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Location: Soldier Field (Chicago)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
- Spread: Cowboys (-1)
ESPN: Take the Bears
“Not ready to give up on the Caleb Williams-Ben Johnson combination. … Williams’ accuracy issues over his pro career have been outside the numbers, more than anywhere else. However, Johnson loved to have his passing game run between the numbers in Detroit. They should be a good match, and it’s very possible that they’ll have more success once they start playing opponents outside the NFC North.”
BetMGM: Pick the Bears
“Question how the Bears limit Dallas’ offense without their All-Pro cornerback (Jaylon Johnson) … Some of Chicago’s record can be attributed to playing a potent Lions offense. However, Week 3 poses a similar challenge for Chicago’s defense, which allowed 334 passing yards. Historically, Dallas produces strong results when the offense succeeds.”
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 21
- Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Location: Levi’s Field (Santa Clara, California)
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
- Spread: 49ers (-1.5)
CBS Sports: 49ers 20, Cardinals 16
“As good as the 49ers’ offense has been, the reason they’re winning games is because of the defense. The return of Robert Saleh has given the unit a huge boost: The 49ers have surrendered the sixth-fewest yards in the NFL this year.”
Sports Illustrated: 49ers are the pick
“Mac Jones looked solid in his first start for the 49ers in place of Brock Purdy. … Before you rush to bet on the Cardinals in this spot, let’s remember they played the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers in the first two weeks, which are two of the worst teams in the NFL, and they didn’t look ultra-impressive in either of them.”
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 21
- Time: 8:20 p.m.
- Location: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
- TV: NBC
- Streaming: Peacock, Fubo, NFL+
- Spread: Chiefs (-6.5)
CBS Sports: Chiefs 27, Giants 24
“Due to the Chiefs lack of weapons, the Giants actually match up somewhat well with them. The only question here is what version of the Giants’ offense will be showing up … at 0-2, the Chiefs are going to be desperate. The Giants will also be desperate, but in a situation like this, take the team that has been to the Super Bowl in five of the past six years.”
ESPN: Chiefs win, cover
“The lone matchup of winless teams takes place in New Jersey. … Hard to believe the Chiefs are going to lose to the Giants ‒ even with the current state of wide receivers ‒ even on the road. The Chiefs might not pile on points, but something like 16-10 is still a cover.”
- Date: Monday, Sept. 22
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
- Location: M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore)
- TV: ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 (Manningcast)
- Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
- Spread: Ravens (-5.5)
CBS Sports: Ravens 41, Lions 31
“Although (Derrick) Henry struggled against the Browns in Week 2, the Ravens still managed to score 41 points. Since there is clearly no way of stopping the Ravens’ offense, the only question is whether the Lions will be able to keep up.”
Sporting News: Ravens 34, Lions 31
“Baltimore beat Detroit 38-6 in their last meeting in 2023. We expect the offenses to put on a show, and the coaches will be on the spot for a few fourth-down decisions. The Lions are 4 of 5 on fourth down this season. Still taking the home team in a close one. The Ravens are 6-3-1 against the spread as a home favorite since last season.”
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