INQUISITR.COM / Sports

NFL Week 3 Predictions: Picks For Every Game For Week 3 Of The 2016 NFL Season Against The Spread

By Jason Fletcher
Published on: 14:19 PST, Sep 23, 2016

Week 3 of the 2016 NFL Season kicked off on Thursday night with the New England Patriots destroying the Houston Texans 27-0, according to NJ.com, despite not having starting quarterback Tom Brady or backup Jimmy Garoppolo. Instead, rookie Jacoby Brissett played the game manager role well as running back LeGarrette Blount rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns.

For the gamblers and bettors out there, I’m here to help you win some money this week as I go through each NFL game for Week 3 and give you every winner against the spread.

Baltimore @ Jacksonville Line: BAL (-1)

The Ravens are 1-1 against the spread as favorites this year, while the Jaguars are 1-1 as underdogs. I really like the Jaguars to bounce back at home in this game as Gus Bradley faces the biggest game of his tenure in Jacksonville. Prediction: Jacksonville 27, Baltimore 23

Washington @ NY Giants Line: NYG (-3.5)

The Giants covered are 1-1 against the spread this season as they won as an even line against the Cowboys during Week 1, but missed covering the 5.5-point spread against the Saints last week. The Redskins were 3-point underdogs in Week 1 to the Steelers and got beat by 22 while the team was 3.5-point favorites last week against Dallas and lost at home.

The Giants’ defense looks much-improved in 2016, but the offense has struggled to run the ball and it sounds like Josh Norman could be shadowing Odell Beckham, Jr. in this game. I’ll take the points. Prediction: New York 26, Washington 24

Arizona @ Buffalo Line Line: ARI (-4)

The Bills are unlikely to have the services of Sammy Watkins in this game and they just fired their offensive coordinator two weeks into the season. It’s always difficult for a West Coast team to travel to the East Coast for a 1 p.m. ET start, but the Cardinals should be fine in this game with all their weapons on offense. After all, Ryan Fitzpatrick just torched the Bills for 374 yards last week. Prediction: Arizona 28, Buffalo 17

Denver @ Cincinnati Line: CIN (-3.5)

The Broncos are making their first road trip of the season which could spell trouble for first-year starter Trevor Siemian. The Bengals have a really good run defense which could spell problems for the former Northwestern quarterback. At the same time, the Broncos possess possibly the best defense in the NFL and the Bengals have had trouble scoring touchdowns. Give me the points. Prediction: Cincinnati 21, Denver 20

Cleveland @ Miami Line: MIA (-10)

The Dolphins tend to play down to their competition which could be troublesome as they should blow the Browns out of the water this week with Cody Kessler making his first career start at quarterback. Miami desperately needs this win after losing to the Seahawks and Patriots in the first two weeks and while I think they’ll get it, I’m not too confident that they’ll cover the 10 points. Prediction: Miami 27, Cleveland 20

Oakland @ Tennessee Line: TEN (-1)

The Raiders had a great opportunity to push their record to 2-0 last week with a home game against the Atlanta Falcons. Unfortunately, they squandered that opportunity as the defense got shredded for the second week in a row. With the Titans’ ability to run the ball and play defense, I’ll take Tennessee to cover in this matchup. Prediction: Tennessee 19, Oakland 17

Minnesota @ Carolina Line: CAR (-7)

The Panthers are extremely tough to beat at home and the Vikings come into this game without Teddy Bridgewater, Matt Kalil, and Adrian Peterson. That being said, Minnesota can really play defense and the Panthers have played sloppy through two games this season. I think Carolina wins, but doesn’t cover. Prediction: Carolina 23, Minnesota 20

Detroit @ Green Bay Line: GB (-7)

The Packers have really struggled offensively through two games in 2016 which has been shocking. The good news is that they’re about to get a very average Lions’ defense in the friendly confines of Lambeau Field. I have faith that Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy will figure things out for at least one week. Prediction: Green Bay 31, Detroit 21

San Francisco @ Seattle Line: SEA (9.5)

Typically, this would be an easy pick of Seattle and just lay the points, but the Seahawks’ offensive line has really struggled this year and the 49ers’ defensive line isn’t that bad. Doug Baldwin, Russell Wilson, and Thomas Rawls are all dealing with nagging injuries which could affect the explosiveness of the offense. I’ll still take Seattle, but not with very much confidence. Prediction: Seattle 20, San Francisco 10

Los Angeles @ Tampa Bay Line: TB (-5)

The Buccaneers went on the road and stunned the Falcons in Week 1 and then went out to Arizona and got shellacked in Week 2. Meanwhile, the Rams kind of did the opposite as they went on the road and got decimated by the 49ers in Week 1, but then returned home to shock the Seahawks in Week 2. This should be a relatively competitive game so I’ll take the points with the Rams. Prediction: Tampa Bay 26, Los Angeles 23

Pittsburgh @ Philadelphia Line: PIT (-3.5)

Both Pennsylvania teams have opened the season at 2-0 with the Eagles being the more surprising of the two teams. Carson Wentz has looked great in his first two career starts and the Eagles’ defense has played tremendously. All of that being said, I believe the Steelers are the best team in football and they’ll beat Philadelphia by more than a touchdown. Prediction: Pittsburgh 33, Philadelphia 24

San Diego @ Indianapolis Line: IND (-2)

The Colts desperately need to win this game if they’re going to make any noise in the AFC this year. Unfortunately, they’ll be without Donte Moncrief for a few weeks which leaves Andrew Luck with a banged up T.Y. Hilton and Phillip Dorsett to throw to. The good thing for the Colts is that the Chargers are just as banged up and are probably missing an even larger part of their offense without Keenan Allen and Danny Woodhead. Give me the home team and lay the points. Prediction: Indianapolis 38, San Diego 27

NY Jets @ Kansas City Line: KC (-3)

It sounds like the Chiefs will be without Jamaal Charles once again this week which could be a problem if Darrelle Revis can shut down Jeremy Maclin. The Jets could also be without Brandon Marshall, who is a gametime decision, but is expected to play. Ryan Fitzpatrick looked great last week against the Bills, but the Chiefs are a different animal defensively. I’ll take the Chiefs, but I wouldn’t touch this game with any of my money. Prediction: Kansas City 24, NY Jets 20

Chicago @ Dallas Line: DAL (-7)

The Cowboys rebounded from a lackluster showing against the Giants in Week 1 to take down the Redskins on the road last week. The Bears, on the other hand, got destroyed by the Eagles at home and will travel to Dallas without Jay Cutler. With Alshon Jeffery also nursing an injury that could have him at less than 100 percent, the Cowboys have to be the pick here. Prediction: Dallas 31, Chicago 13

Atlanta @ New Orleans Line: NO (-3)

Both of these are becoming increasingly difficult to figure out. The Falcons followed up a home loss to the Buccaneers with a road win against the Raiders while the Saints lost at home to the Raiders and then nearly beat the Giants on the road and held New York without an offensive touchdown. Expect a high-scoring affair when these two teams get together, but I’ll take the Saints and lay the points. Prediction: New Orleans 38, Atlanta 34

[Featured Image via Rob Carr/Getty Images]

Share this article: NFL Week 3 Predictions: Picks For Every Game For Week 3 Of The 2016 NFL Season Against The Spread
nfl
More from Inquisitr