Jordan Asri is an independent reporter covering all NFL reports and transactions. Here are his Week 3 picks against the spread.
(Note: This article publishes on Thursday and the Sunday picks may be updated based on breaking news or injuries.)
Pittsburgh Steelers (+4.5) at Cleveland Browns
Thursday, September 22 at 8:15 p.m. ET
The Steelers’ offense has been struggling heavily to open up the season, and I don’t anticipate much of a change tonight against a stingy Cleveland Browns’ pass rush.
Score prediction: Browns 24, Steelers 17
Pick: Browns -4.5
Kansas City Chiefs (-6.5) at Indianapolis Colts
Sunday, September 25 at 1 p.m. ET
My lock of the week here is Chiefs -6.5, as Kansas City has been on an absolute tear to open the season. On the flip side, Indianapolis has been a complete disaster at 0-1-1, not being able to beat Jacksonville or Houston.
Score prediction: Chiefs 38, Colts 20
Pick: Chiefs -6.5
Buffalo Bills (-6) at Miami Dolphins
Sunday, September 25 at 1 p.m. ET
The Dolphins made a big statement in their win against Baltimore last week, with Tua Tagovailoa tossing 6 (!) touchdown passes. With that being said, I still think Buffalo is simply on a different level and will prove that this week.
Score prediction: Bills 31, Dolphins 24
Pick: Bills -6
Baltimore Ravens (-3) at New England Patriots
Sunday, September 25 at 1 p.m. ET
The Ravens will travel to New England after a disappointingly blown 35-14 fourth quarter lead. I don’t anticipate New England being able to keep up with Baltimore offensively.
Score prediction: Ravens 27, Patriots 17
Pick: Ravens -3
Philadelphia Eagles (-6.5) at Washington Commanders
Sunday, September 25 at 1 p.m. ET
This game has blowout written all over it. With Philadelphia’s offense on a roll and Washington’s defense struggling heavily, I think this has all the makings of a strong Eagles win and a 3-0 record for Philly.
Score prediction: Eagles 35, Commanders 21
Pick: Eagles -6.5
Cincinnati Bengals (-5) at New York Jets
Sunday, September 25 at 1 p.m. ET
The defending AFC Champion Bengals need a win desperately here to avoid an 0-3 start, Joe Burrow has struggled heavily thanks in large part to Cincinnati’s still ineffective offensive line. With that being said, I think Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase have big days to help lift Cincinnati to their first win of the season.
Score prediction: Bengals 24, Jets 17
Pick: Bengals -5
Detroit Lions (+6) at Minnesota Vikings
Sunday, September 25 at 1 p.m. ET
The Lions have been one of the hottest offenses in the entire NFL so far this year with an average of 37 points per game. Granted, it’s only been two games, but the offense has been explosive with Amon-Ra St Brown, TJ Hockenson and Deandre Swift leading the charge. I’ve got Detroit winning and I don’t even view it as an upset.
Score prediction: Lions 27, Vikings 24
Pick: Lions +6
Las Vegas Raiders (-2) at Tennessee Titans
Sunday, September 25 at 1 p.m. ET
The battle of the desperate 0-2 teams, I think Las Vegas simply has the more talented offense and is more urgently pressing for a win in their very talented division. The Titans offense lives and dies on the shoulders of Derrick Henry, even moreso without AJ Brown. Henry struggled to get anything going on Monday against Buffalo, and we all saw what happened due to it. Tennessee’s offense is rendered ineffective when Henry can’t run the ball.
Score prediction: Raiders 31, Titans 21
Pick: Raiders -2
New Orleans Saints (-2.5) at Carolina Panthers
Sunday, September 25 at 1 p.m. ET
I’ve got the Panthers here in an upset, after Jameis Winston’s disappointing performance, I think Christian McCaffrey has a strong performance that will help lead Carolina to a close win.
Score prediction: Panthers 20, Saints 17
Pick: Panthers +2.5
Houston Texans (+3) at Chicago Bears
Sunday, September 25 at 1 p.m. ET
The battle of 2021 QBs , I think Justin Fields has a strong performance and leads Chicago to a big win and a 2-1 record. The Bears defense will step up in a big way.
Score prediction: Bears 21, Texans 13
Pick: Bears -3
Jacksonville Jaguars (+7) at Los Angeles Chargers
Sunday, September 25 at 4:05 p.m. ET
The Jaguars steamrolled the Colts on Sunday, but I don’t see them being able to keep that performance up against the Justin Herbert-led Chargers. They simply don’t have the defensive personnel to contain all those weapons on the Chargers offense. Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and company will cause a lot of frustration for Jacksonville.
Score prediction: Chargers 34, Jaguars 20
Pick: Rams -7
Los Angeles Rams (-3.5) at Arizona Cardinals
Sunday, September 25 at 4:25 p.m. ET
The Cardinals made an impressive come-from-behind victory against the Raiders, with Kyler Murray proving why Arizona was smart to give him that massive contract. With that being said, the Rams have Kyler Murray’s number. I think we see an Arizona loss similar to last year when the Rams ended their season in the playoffs.
Score prediction: Rams 31, Cardinals 17
Pick: Rams -3.5
Green Bay Packers (+1.5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sunday, September 25 at 4:25 p.m. ET
Tampa Bay will be without Mike Evans on Sunday, a huge blow to an offense that has already been struggling without Chris Godwin and the retired Rob Gronkowski. I think Aaron Rodgers has one of his magic games and leads Green Bay to a huge statement victory on the road.
Score prediction: Packers 27, Bucs 20
Pick: Packers +1.5
Atlanta Falcons (+2) at Seattle Seahawks
Sunday, September 25 at 4:25 p.m. ET
The Falcons have battled nicely these first two weeks despite the 0-2 start. I think they are just about due for a win against a Seahawks team that has struggled to put points on the board so far this season.
Score prediction: Falcons 21, Seahawks 14
Pick: Falcons +2
San Francisco 49ers (-1.5) at Denver Broncos
Sunday, September 25 at 8:20 p.m. ET
The Broncos’ offense has been pretty disappointing to open up the season, but I think their talent is too strong for it to stay that way. Russell Wilson will let everyone know on the national stage that he has arrived, putting up three touchdown passes and leading the Broncos to a statement win.
Score prediction: Broncos 30, 49ers 20
Pick: Broncos +1.5
Dallas Cowboys (+1) at New York Giants
Monday, September 26 at 8:15 p.m. ET
This is a very intriguing matchup that I have been going back and forth about all week. My gut is leaning me towards the Cowboys because I just can’t see the Giants starting the season at 3-0. I think Dallas’ front seven will make scoring points very difficult for Daniel Jones. This will be a defensive battle.
Score prediction: Cowboys 17, Giants 14
Pick: Cowboys +1
