Week 3 NFL game picks, schedule guide, fantasy football tips and more

The Week 3 NFL slate is stacked with great matchups. Our NFL Nation reporters bring us the keys to every game, a bold prediction for each matchup and final score predictions.

Additionally, ESPN Stats & Information research provides a stat to know, and the Football Power Index (FPI) goes inside the numbers with a matchup rating (on a scale of 1 to 100) and a game projection. ESPN Fantasy‘s Kyle Soppe and ESPN Chalk‘s Mackenzie Kraemer hand out helpful nuggets as well. It’s all here to help get you ready for a loaded weekend of NFL football.

Let’s get into the full Week 3 schedule, starting with a Patrick Mahomes–Lamar Jackson showdown at Arrowhead.

Jump to a matchup:
BAL-KC | ATL-IND | DET-PHI
DEN-GB | NYJ-NE | OAK-MIN
MIA-DAL | CIN-BUF | NYG-TB
CAR-ARI | HOU-LAC | NO-SEA
PIT-SF | LAR-CLE | CHI-WSH

Thursday: JAX 20-TEN 7

1 p.m. ET | CBS
Matchup rating: 80.3 | Spread: KC -6.5 (52)

What to watch for: The Ravens defended Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs about as well as any opponent did last season. Can Baltimore give Mahomes fits again? The Chiefs, who didn’t score in the second half of their Week 2 game against the Raiders, are depleted, facing the Ravens without wide receiver Tyreek Hill, left tackle Eric Fisher and potentially running back Damien Williams. — Adam Teicher

Bold prediction: Mahomes throws for five touchdowns. Baltimore was able to contain Mahomes last season because of its pass rush, but the Ravens won’t be able to get consistent pressure on Mahomes, who will make Baltimore pay this time. — Jamison Hensley

Stat to know: Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has completed 57% of his passes thrown 15-plus yards downfield, up from 39% last season.

What to know for fantasy: Since 2014, Mahomes (2018) and Jackson (2019) are responsible for two of the four best QB performances through their teams’ first two games. See Week 3 rankings.

Betting nugget: Kansas City has covered nine consecutive September games. Read more.

Hensley’s pick: Chiefs 48, Ravens 41
Teicher’s pick: Chiefs 31, Ravens 27
FPI prediction: KC, 71.8% (by an average of 8.1 points)

Matchup must-reads: From tantrums to tears: Lamar Jackson absolutely hates losing … Mahomes picks Demarcus Robinson as his latest flavor of the week

1 p.m. ET | CBS
Matchup rating: 62.2 | Spread: IND -1 (47)

What to watch for: All eyes will be on Adam Vinatieri to see if the Colts’ veteran kicker has figured out the “demons” in his head. The NFL’s all-time leading scorer, he has missed seven kicks in the past three games (including a playoff loss to Kansas City last season). He said there’s no added pressure on him Sunday, but the Colts might view that differently, considering they worked out six kickers on Tuesday. — Mike Wells

Bold prediction: Falcons QB Matt Ryan will throw four touchdown passes without an interception — including two to Calvin Ridley — as he silences the talk about him throwing five interceptions over the first two games. — Vaughn McClure

Stat to know: The Colts are 14-2 all time against the Falcons, the best record by one team versus a single opponent in the Super Bowl era (minimum 15 meetings). But the Colts have also lost five consecutive home openers.

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Rob Ninkovich expects the Colts will win a close game against the Falcons, but Victor Cruz disagrees.

What to know for fantasy: Indianapolis running back Marlon Mack has at least 20 carries in three straight games, but he has just 11 receiving yards in those games. See Week 3 rankings.

Betting nugget: Atlanta is 0-11 against the spread (ATS) in its past 11 games against AFC opponents, including Super Bowl LI. And since 2013, Atlanta is 5-20 ATS against AFC teams. Read more.

McClure’s pick: Falcons 28, Colts 17
Wells’ pick: Falcons 27, Colts 20
FPI prediction: IND, 55.8% (by an average of 2.1 points)

Matchup must-reads: Inside Julio Jones’ first NFL touchdown that was almost taken away … Adam Vinatieri: Trying to get ‘demons’ out of my head … Falcons unconcerned with key injuries to NFC South foes

1 p.m. ET | Fox
Matchup rating: 56.3 | Spread: PHI -6 (46)

What to watch for: The Eagles are likely to be without top receivers DeSean Jackson (abdominal strain) and Alshon Jeffery (calf), meaning Nelson Agholor steps into the role of lead receiver. Expect the Eagles to lean on Jordan Howard, Miles Sanders and the ground attack more than usual. And look for Detroit’s receivers to have big days against a secondary that has yielded six touchdown passes through two games. — Tim McManus

Bold prediction: Despite that depleted receiving corps, Carson Wentz throws two touchdown passes, including the winner with under five minutes remaining. — Michael Rothstein

Stat to know: The Eagles have allowed 680 yards passing through two games, second most in the NFL. And Matthew Stafford‘s 630 passing yards is the league’s fifth most. His 8.40 yards per pass attempt would be highest in his career.

What to know for fantasy: After going scoreless in his final five games of 2018, Kenny Golladay has scored in both games this season. See Week 3 rankings.

Betting nugget: Since the start of last season, Philadelphia is 3-10 ATS with Wentz as its starter, including 1-6 ATS at home. Read more.

Rothstein’s pick: Eagles 24, Lions 20
McManus’ pick: Eagles 23, Lions 20
FPI prediction: PHI, 65.1% (by an average of 5.5 points)

Matchup must-reads: Carson Wentz shows he’s up for any style of fight … Lions’ offense is a work in progress, but the signs are pointing up … Eagles are looking into Jalen Ramsey, but there’s much to weigh

1 p.m. ET | Fox
Matchup rating: 55.6 | Spread: GB -7.5 (44)

What to watch for: It’s Vic Fangio versus Aaron Rodgers. Fangio is a first-year head coach, but he beat Rodgers all four times he faced him as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator (including two playoff games). However, Rodgers did get the better of him over the past four years that Fangio ran the Bears’ D. While Rodgers is still figuring out new coach Matt LaFleur’s offense, he should have a good idea of what Fangio’s defense will try to do against him. — Rob Demovsky

Bold prediction: Despite having zero sacks or forced turnovers in their first two games — the first time that’s happened since 2007 — the Broncos drop Rodgers at least four times and force two turnovers. The Bears got Rodgers five times in Week 1, and if Denver does that, it’ll have a chance for its first victory of the season. — Jeff Legwold

Stat to know: Rodgers has a 36.1 Total QBR so far this season (24th in the NFL), but he did post 408 passing yards and four touchdowns through the air in his only career home game against Denver (Week 4, 2011).

What to know for fantasy: Packers running back Aaron Jones is coming off of his first career 20-plus-carry game and his second game with 30 receiving yards. See Week 3 rankings.

Betting nugget: Each of the past 10 Denver games has gone under the total. Read more.

Legwold’s pick: Packers 21, Broncos 13
Demovsky’s pick: Packers 27, Broncos 16
FPI prediction: GB, 67.8% (by an average of 6.5 points)

Matchup must-reads: Aaron Jones offers Packers more than one way to cure offensive blahs … Elway calls out OT Garett Bolles for holding penalties … The Smiths go to Green Bay: Preston, Za’Darius thrive with Packers … No sacks or turnovers? Broncos’ defense searching for answers

1 p.m. ET | CBS
Matchup rating: 51.4 | Spread: NE -22 (43.5)

What to watch for: How do the Patriots configure their offensive line without starting left tackle Isaiah Wynn and starting center David Andrews? One possibility is moving left guard Joe Thuney to left tackle, but that could weaken the line in two spots. This is the Jets’ best chance to make it a game, with their strong defensive line winning the matchup up front. — Mike Reiss

Bold prediction: The Jets, with third-string quarterback Luke Falk making his first NFL start, will fail to score a touchdown for the second consecutive game. Truth be told, the offense wasn’t functioning well with Sam Darnold and Trevor Siemian, so it’s unreasonable to expect a former practice-squad QB to provide the spark. Le’Veon Bell will get 30 touches, but coach Bill Belichick won’t let the run game beat him. — Rich Cimini

Stat to know: Bell has just one touchdown in four career games against the Patriots, including the playoffs. Considering New York’s QB situation, the Patriots could become the first team since the 1937 Bears to allow zero touchdowns in each of the first three games of the season, per Elias Sports Bureau research.

What to know for fantasy: Patriots RB Sony Michel has scored in each of his past five games in which he got at least 15 carries (playoffs included). See Week 3 rankings.

Betting nugget: New England is 0-4 ATS in the Belichick era as a favorite of at least 20 points. The most recent such game happened in 2011. Read more.

Cimini’s pick: Patriots 35, Jets 6
Reiss’ pick: Patriots 30, Jets 9
FPI prediction: NE, 90.2% (by an average of 18.1 points)

Matchup must-reads: Patriots’ D could match 1937 Bears by holding Jets without a TD … Gase tries to set new culture even if it means upsetting players … Party like it’s 2007? Barnwell’s case for 16-0

1 p.m. ET | Fox
Matchup rating: 50.9 | Spread: MIN -8 (43.5)

What to watch for: Quarterback Kirk Cousins said his future with the Vikings is on the line after one of the worst performances of his career in Green Bay. Meanwhile, the Raiders’ pass defense gave up 249 yards and a touchdown to Denver in Week 1, and 443 yards and four passing touchdowns to Patrick Mahomes in Week 2. So if there’s a time for Cousins to earn a bounce-back victory, Week 3 presents the best chance. — Courtney Cronin

Bold prediction: Kicker Daniel Carlson, a former Vikings fifth-round draft pick who was cut in 2018, will drill a game winner for the Raiders. Carlson is 19-of-20 on field goal attempts since signing with Oakland last Oct. 23. “That was some tough times, obviously, getting cut early on in my NFL career, but it’s been fun just seeing how it’s all worked out,” Carlson said this week. “I think I’m in a great spot here in Oakland … it’s not some personal vendetta for me.” — Paul Gutierrez

Stat to know: Derek Carr has thrown multiple touchdown passes in just one of his past 15 road games (14 TDs, 15 interceptions in those games). And the Raiders have lost 10 of their past 11 road games.

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Victor Cruz is confident in the Vikings winning at home, but Rob Ninkovich isn’t sold and goes with the Raiders.

What to know for fantasy: There were 234 instances in which a quarterback completed at least 23 passes in a game last season. Cousins has completed just 22 combined through two weeks. See Week 3 rankings.

Betting nugget: Mike Zimmer is 30-12-1 ATS at home as Minnesota’s head coach. Read more.

Gutierrez’s pick: Raiders 23, Vikings 21
Cronin’s pick: Vikings 28, Raiders 17
FPI prediction: MIN, 77.9% (by an average of 10.8 points)

Matchup must-reads: Vikings have ‘utmost confidence’ in struggling Kirk Cousins … Rookie Josh Jacobs: ‘I don’t want to be labeled as a soft back’ … Dalvin Cook carrying Vikings, but challenge is to preserve him for season … Raiders’ in-flux secondary taking positives from torching by Chiefs

1 p.m. ET | Fox
Matchup rating: 47.1 | Spread: DAL -22.5 (47.5)

What to watch for: The Cowboys will look to continue their fast start offensively, even without their leading receiver, Michael Gallup. The Dolphins’ defense has allowed 12 touchdowns in two games, while the Cowboys have scored touchdowns on nine of 19 possessions in two games. — Todd Archer

Bold prediction: After scoring just one touchdown through the first two weeks, the Dolphins double up, scoring two to slightly cover the 21.5-point spread. Miami’s offense has been abysmal, but we are getting bold. Even so, Dallas still wins easily. — Cameron Wolfe

Stat to know: Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott is 22-of-24 for 318 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions on play-action passes this season.

What to know for fantasy: With Gallup out, it’s worth noting that since 2017, Amari Cooper is averaging 22.3 points per game when seeing at least eight targets. See Week 3 rankings.

Betting nugget: Teams that are underdogs by at least 20 points have covered all five games in the past 15 seasons. Read more.

Wolfe’s pick: Cowboys 38, Dolphins 17
Archer’s pick: Cowboys 33, Dolphins 13
FPI prediction: DAL, 93.7% (by an average of 21.4 points)

Matchup must-reads: How are the Dolphins handling 0-2? ‘Want light at end of tunnel’ … With Robert Quinn’s return, Cowboys’ D-line deeper, stronger … The worst NFL starts ever, and the Dolphins’ chances of going 0-16 … With three first-round draft picks in 2020, pressure is on Dolphins GM

1 p.m. ET | CBS
Matchup rating: 28.4 | Spread: BUF -6 (44)

What to watch for: The Bengals average the second-most passing yards per game in the NFL this season but are dead last in rushing yards. Meanwhile, the Bills’ defense ranks in the top 10 against both the pass and the run. If Cincy can’t get its run game going, it could be a long Sunday in Buffalo’s home opener. — Marcel Louis-Jacques

Bold prediction: Joe Mixon will get 75 yards from scrimmage. This doesn’t seem like a bold prediction, but as Marcel pointed out, the Bengals do have the worst ground attack in the NFL, and Mixon has been stifled through two games. Look for the running back to get the ball in various ways against the Bills. — Ben Baby

Stat to know: Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen has at least one passing touchdown and one rushing touchdown in three consecutive games dating back to last season. The only player since the 1970 merger to both rush and pass for a score in four consecutive games was Michael Vick with the Eagles in 2010.

What to know for fantasy: Cincinnati’s John Ross is the only player in football with a 50-plus-yard reception in both weeks this season, but opponents have completed just one deep pass (15-plus air yards) against Buffalo this season. See Week 3 rankings.

Betting nugget: Since 2017, 0-2 teams are 12-4 ATS and 11-2 as underdogs. Read more.

Baby’s pick: Bills 24, Bengals 17
Louis-Jacques’ pick: Bills 28, Bengals 13
FPI prediction: BUF, 67.9% (by an average of 6.5 points)

Matchup must-reads: Bills’ D dominating, but you have to look beyond sack totals … What numbers say about Andy Dalton’s uneven start under Zac Taylor … Bills’ odd schedule provides huge opportunity to build momentum

4:05 p.m. ET | Fox
Matchup rating: 31.5 | Spread: TB -6 (48)

What to watch for: In Week 2, the Bucs held Christian McCaffrey to a career-low 2.9 yards per touch and no touchdowns. But they believe the Giants’ Saquon Barkley is an even bigger test. “They’re on different planets,” Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians said of McCaffrey versus Barkley. “Saquon’s bigger, stronger, faster. He’s got more 50-yard runs than anybody I’ve seen in a long time.” — Jenna Laine

Bold prediction: New Giants starting quarterback Daniel Jones throws for 300-plus yards in his NFL debut. The first-rounder will show that the preseason was not a fluke and that the future isn’t so bleak for the Giants, experiencing more success against the Bucs than most anticipate. — Jordan Raanan

Stat to know: Jones was 7-of-8 with two passing touchdowns on throws 15-plus yards downfield and outside the numbers in the preseason.

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Victor Cruz explains why it’s important for the Giants to beat the Buccaneers, but Rob Ninkovich thinks New York has already moved on to next season and likes Tampa Bay to win.

What to know for fantasy: Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans has only 14.9 points this season. He finished 2018 as WR9, and he had a two-game stretch in Weeks 9-10 when he scored just 10.7 points. See Week 3 rankings.

Betting nugget: New York is 7-2 ATS in road games under Pat Shurmur, including 7-0 ATS in games against teams other than Dallas. Read more.

Raanan’s pick: Bucs 26, Giants 23
Laine’s pick: Bucs 24, Giants 13
FPI prediction: TB, 74.1% (by an average of 9.1 points)

Matchup must-reads: Daniel Jones brings new dimensions to Giants’ offense … Bucs need a win at Raymond James before five-game, 49-day, 18,000-mile journey … Eli Manning’s legacy through the eyes of those who know him best

4:05 p.m. ET | Fox
Matchup rating: 23.4 | Spread: ARI -2.5 (43.5)

What to watch for: How the Cardinals perform in the red zone will determine whether they win this game. Quarterback Kyler Murray will continue to pile up yards between the 20s, but this weekend might be different. Coach Kliff Kingsbury has shown he can adapt as a playcaller, and Week 3 will be another chance for him to adjust to the NFL. — Josh Weinfuss

Bold prediction: Undrafted second-year quarterback Kyle Allen will be more productive than former Texas A&M teammate Murray. He’ll throw for more than 250 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions to run his record as an NFL starter to 2-0. — David Newton

Stat to know: The Cardinals have run the fifth-most plays on offense (136) through two games. They average 23.4 seconds per play, the second-fastest time of possession per play behind … the Panthers (23.1 seconds).

What to know for fantasy: Arizona receiver Larry Fitzgerald is the only player with 10 targets and 100 receiving yards in each of the first two weeks this season. See Week 3 rankings.

Betting nugget: Carolina is 2-8 ATS in its past 10 games (1-9 outright). Read more.

Newton’s pick: Panthers 24, Cardinals 17
Weinfuss’ pick: Cardinals 31, Panthers 17
FPI prediction: ARI, 55.9% (by an average of 2.1 points)

Matchup must-reads: Kyler Murray has Larry Fitzgerald off to the best start of his career … Don’t overlook Kyle Allen if he faces former nemesis Murray

4:25 p.m. ET | CBS
Matchup rating: 67.6 | Spread: LAC -3 (48)

What to watch for: This game features two of the best receivers in the game in Houston’s DeAndre Hopkins and Los Angeles’ Keenan Allen. Hopkins and Allen are second and third in the NFL in receptions (224 and 215, respectively) since the start of the 2017 season. Hopkins’ fellow Clemson product Mike Williams is averaging an impressive 22.4 yards per reception through two games. — Eric D. Williams