Prisco’s NFL Predictions for Week 3: Vikings beat Texans to remain undefeated, Chargers topple Steelers
It was a solid week 2 for me, at least relative to the spread.
You would think I would be better off picking games straight, but that wasn’t the case last week. I’m 7-9 for a 17-15 overall record and 9-6-1 ATS for a 17-12-3 record. I’m going to do my usual right-wrong pick with the Giants. If they have a kicker, they beat the Commanders and I have another win.
Oh, never mind. Let’s move on to this week.
This week, four teams are playing back-to-back away games, which is always a challenge. Keep that in mind when picking your games.
Some of the teams that seem to be the most powerful, like the 49ers, Ravens and Cowboys, need to get back on track this week. One of them will win, unless there is a tie, since the Ravens play the Cowboys in Dallas in one of the marquee games.
The Ravens are 0-2 and Dallas is 1-1. The loser is in big trouble.
Desperation can be key in the NFL. Look at Atlanta on Monday night as they beat the Eagles on the road as the big dog. The Ravens seem to be the most desperate team against the Cowboys as they are winless. So what’s the pick? Read on for all the picks.
New England Patriots vs. New York Jets (-6.5)
Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET (Prime Video)
This is a 1-1 game with the Jets playing at home for the first time this season. The Jets offense showed some life in the second half last week against the Titans. That could continue against a Pats defense that gave up a lot of big plays last week. I also expect the Jets defense to perform better. Jets win, but Pats stay in the game.
Take: Jets 20, Patriots 16
New York Giants vs. Cleveland Browns (-6.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)
The Giants are playing two straight road games and they’re facing a good defense with a suspect offense. That’s never a good thing. The Browns won with that defense last week in Jacksonville and should find a way to limit the Giants’ offense this week. The Browns win.
Take: Browns 21, Giants 10
Chicago Bears vs. Indianapolis Colts (-1.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
The Bears are on the road for the second week in a row and they’re facing a desperate team that’s 0-2. The Colts have been gashed in the run game in recent weeks, which could mean a lot of work for D’Andre Swift. Anthony Richardson and Caleb Williams both need to play better, but this is a tough situation for Richardson. Still, I think he’s playing better than either of them.
Take: Foals 23, Bears 20
What predictions can you make with confidence, and which three must-win underdogs should you buy right now? Visit SportsLine to see which teams are winning and covering the spread, all from a proven computer model that has returned well over $7,000, and find out.
Houston Texans (-2.5) vs. Minnesota Vikings
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
This is a big game between two undefeated teams. The Vikings are a surprise team, while the Texans were expected to be good. Minnesota’s defense has been really good. They’re going to throw a ton of shots at CJ Stroud. I think that’s going to be the difference in the game. They’re going to force a turnover and put a lot of pressure on. The Vikings win a close game.
Take: Vikings 24, Texans 21
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints (-1.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)
The Eagles should be 2-0, but coach Nick Sirianni cost them Monday’s game against the Falcons with a bad call late in the game. The biggest problem, though, is the defense. They’ve been horrible against the run, while the Saints have been good against the run. Expect the Saints to get to 3-0 with their running game.
Take: Saints 27, Eagles 20
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
This is a game between two 2-0 teams, both with physical styles that will be on display every Sunday. The Steelers have the better defense, but the Chargers are better on offense with Justin Herbert. They play back-to-back road games, but that won’t matter. They’ll win it on the road.
Take: Chargers 21, Steelers 17
Denver Broncos at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-6.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)
The Bucs are in great shape, while the Broncos have major offensive issues with Bo Nix. Tampa Bay’s defense is playing well, even if it is undermanned, which will be reflected here. Baker Mayfield will also play well. The Bucs continue to improve.
Take: Bucs 26, Broncos 13
Green Bay Packers vs. Tennessee Titans (-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)
Will Levis made two stupid plays in their two games to keep the Titans from winning. He needs to be better. For the Packers, it will likely be Malik Willis at quarterback again against his former team. Willis was solid last week, but it was the running game that helped Green Bay beat the Colts. It will be tougher here against a good Titans defense. Expect a defensive battle won by the Titans.
Take: Titans 21, Packers 17
Carolina Panthers vs. Las Vegas Raiders (-5.5)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Andy Dalton starts to replace Bryce Young, who is benched for the Panthers. He can’t be any worse, but this is a good Raiders defense. Gardner Minshew has played well, especially last week. The Raiders will win this game on defense and Minshew to get to 2-1.
Take: Raiders 24, Panthers 10
Miami Dolphins vs. Seattle Seahawks (-5)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
It’s a tough start to the season for Skylar Thompson in place of Tua Tagovailoa. Seattle is a tough place to play on the road and the Seahawks are playing well. Seattle’s offense has been strong in two games, and that will continue here. Expect a big game from Geno Smith. The Seahawks move to 3-0.
Take: Seahawks 31, Dolphins 16
Detroit Lions (-3) vs. Arizona Cardinals
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)
The Lions are on the road for the first time, while the Cardinals are coming off an impressive home win over the Rams. Arizona has been exceptional on offense with Kyler Murray, which will test the Lions’ defense. Expect Arizona to win a shootout that could see either team reach the 30-point mark.
Take: Cardinals 31, Lions 29
Baltimore Ravens (-1) vs. Dallas Cowboys
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)
This game has lost some of its luster with the Ravens at 0-2 and the Cowboys getting crushed last week. Both teams have issues, but the biggest one is the Ravens offensive line. After seeing what the Saints did to Dallas’ defense, they’re going to overcome that and get Derrick Henry going. The Ravens will get their first road win against the Cowboys.
Take: Ravens 27, Cowboys 24
San Francisco 49ers (-7.5) vs. Los Angeles Rams
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)
The 49ers are playing their second straight road game after losing to the Vikings, while the Rams are playing their first home game. It’s a tough combination. Both teams are struggling with stars out of their lineups. The 49ers have more depth and it’s going to show. They’re getting through this thanks to a good game from Brock Purdy.
Take: 49ers 27, Rams 18
Kansas City Chiefs (-4) vs. Atlanta Falcons
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC, fubo)
The Falcons are playing on a short week after beating the Eagles with a last-minute touchdown. Atlanta’s offense has improved a lot since Week 1, which is a good thing. The Chiefs looked sluggish on offense against the Bengals, but they’ll get there here. Their speed shows on the fast track.
Take: Chiefs 32 Falcons 23
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills (-5.5)
Monday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN, fubo)
The Bills are playing with plenty of rest, while the Jaguars (0-2) are coming off two close losses. That’s a big advantage for the Bills, as is a home game on Monday night. But the biggest advantage is their defense against Jacksonville’s struggling offense. The Bills continue to roll.
Take: Bills 28, Jaguars 17
Washington Commanders vs. Cincinnati Bengals (-8)
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET (ABC, fubo)
The Commanders won for the first time last week, while the Bengals are still looking for their first win. They played well in Kansas City and probably should have won the game. That will continue here as they are playing much better and are getting the better of the Commanders with Joe Burrow having a big game.
Take: Bengals 29, Commanders 16
