Three weeks into the season and the parity around the NFL is shocking. Only the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins remain undefeated, while only the Las Vegas Raiders and Houston Texans remain without a win. This parity has us sitting with a 24-23 record on the year. With another exciting slate of games to predict, let’s work to right the ship in week 4.
Thursday, September 29th (8:15 PM):
Miami Dolphins (3-0) @ Cincinnati Bengals (1-2)
The Bengals finally got back in the win column in week three with their 27-12 victory over the New York Jets. They host the Miami Dolphins in week four coming off an important win against the Buffalo Bills. This game is one of the better Thursday Night Football matchups we have seen recently and promises to provide entertaining football. The Bengals need this game more than Miami and will come out fighting to knock the Dolphins off for the first time this season.
Prediction: Bengals win 34-30
Sunday, October 2nd (9:30 AM):
Minnesota Vikings (2-1) @ New Orleans Saints (1-2)
The NFL International series starts on Sunday with the Vikings and Saints heading to London. The New Orleans’ offense has struggled with Jameis Winston playing through injury to start the season, while the Vikings got back on track against the Lions in a comeback win. Kirk Cousins always plays his best against the Saints and will do so again in the early morning this week.
Prediction: Vikings win 24-17
Sunday, October 2nd (1:00 PM):
Cleveland Browns (2-1) @ Atlanta Falcons (1-2)
The Falcons squeaked out their first win of the season against the Seahawks in week three and now play host to Jacoby Brissett and the Cleveland Browns. The Browns bounced back from their week two debacle with an impressive win over the Steelers. The Falcons have played better than expected early this season, but Nick Chubb and the Browns’ run game will be too much for them to handle.
Prediction: Browns win 27-13
Buffalo Bills (2-1) @ Baltimore Ravens (2-1)
Buffalo’s injuries caught up to them in their week three loss to the Dolphins, but they remain one of the top teams in the NFL and will bounce back. They face the Baltimore Ravens led by early season MVP Lamar Jackson in week four. Two depleted secondaries mean a shoot-out is inevitable in this exciting matchup. Josh Allen and the Bills get back in the win column in a hard-fought battle.
Prediction: Bills win 37-33
Washington Commanders (1-2) @ Dallas Cowboys (2-1)
Carson Wentz was sacked nine times by the Eagles in week three. The Cowboys lead the NFL in sacks through three weeks with 13. Washington has talent on their offense, but they have struggled due to their offensive line. Expect more of the same in a low-scoring battle that sees the Cowboys win their third consecutive game without starting quarterback Dak Prescott.
Prediction: Cowboys win 24-13
Seattle Seahawks (1-2) @ Detroit Lions (1-2)
Seattle and Detroit blew second-half leads in week three to fall to 1-2 on the season. Detroit’s defense will have to step up at home with their two most dynamic playmakers hobbled by injury. Their defense has played well, particularly in the secondary, which is imperative going against D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Expect a close, low-scoring game that favors the home team.
Prediction: Lions win 20-17
Los Angeles Chargers (1-2) @ Houston Texans (0-2-1)
The Chargers are dealing with several critical injuries across their roster. Joey Bosa and Rashawn Slater are on injured reserve, while Justin Herbert, J.C. Jackson, Corey Linsley, and Keenan Allen are limited in practice. They lost by 28 to Jacksonville last week and now travel to Houston. The Texans have looked bad through three weeks as one of the two winless teams remaining in the NFL. Despite their health struggles, the Chargers get to .500 on the season.
Prediction: Chargers win 30-14
Tennessee Titans (1-2) @ Indianapolis Colts (1-1-1)
Both of these teams are coming off their first wins of the year. Tennessee knocked the Raiders down to 0-3, while Indianapolis stunned the Chiefs to win their home opener. Neither team has looked that impressive through three games, but both are too talented to continue struggling. On the backs of their defense, the Colts win their second straight home game and pick up a much-needed divisional win.
Prediction: Colts win 21-20
Chicago Bears (2-1) @ New York Giants (2-1)
The Bears and Giants have not been playing good football yet are sitting at 2-1 through three weeks. Justin Fields has struggled to show development with the offense around him being subpar (aside from the running game), while Daniel Jones faced 17 pressures and five sacks against Dallas. This game will be an experience for fans and analysts alike. The Bears take their third win of the season in a snoozefest.
Prediction: Bears win 17-14
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1) @ Philadelphia Eagles (3-0)
The surprise of the early season has been the Jacksonville Jaguars. Coming off two straight wins by 24 and 28 points, they travel to Philadelphia to take on Jalen Hurts and the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles. While the Jaguars are a solid team that could win the AFC South this season, the Eagles have too much talent on both sides of the ball to overcome.
Prediction: Eagles win 27-24
New York Jets (1-2) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2)
Zach Wilson returns for the Jets after missing three weeks to a knee injury he suffered in the preseason. Though he will take a few quarters to get back into the swing of things, a matchup with Mitch Trubisky and the Pittsburgh Steelers is favorable for a tune-up. He won’t have to do that much to keep pace with a porous Steelers offense and won’t have to deal with T.J. Watt breathing down his neck. Jets win in the upset, knocking the Steelers to 1-3.
Prediction: Jets win 23-20 (Upset of the Week)
Sunday, October 2nd (4:05 PM)
Arizona Cardinals (1-2) @ Carolina Panthers (1-2)
The Cardinals have struggled out of the gate due to a stacked early season schedule. This week in Carolina is by far the easiest matchup they have faced through four weeks after bouts with the Chiefs, Raiders, and Rams. The Panthers beat the division rival Saints handily in week three despite a lackluster performance from Baker Mayfield. Their defense won’t fair as well against Kyler Murray as Arizona wins their second game of the season.
Prediction: Cardinals win 23-17
Sunday, October 2nd (4:25 PM)
New England Patriots (1-2) @ Green Bay Packers (2-1)
Mac Jones will likely miss this game after suffering an ankle injury against the Ravens, meaning Brian Hoyer will lead the Patriots into Lambeau Field. Aaron Rodgers has the Packers back on track with two straight wins, including week three’s victory over the Buccaneers. Take the Packers in your picks and your survivor pools. Green Bay rolls to 3-1.
Prediction: Packers win 34-14 (Lock of the Week)
Denver Broncos (2-1) @ Las Vegas Raiders (0-3)
The Raiders are the only 0-3 team in the NFL, but they have been close in all three games. The Broncos are 2-1 but have looked pitiful offensively even in their two wins. Divisional games are always hard to predict, but Derek Carr and Davante Adams aren’t going to keep losing close games. Unless Russell Wilson looks like a different player on Sunday, the Raiders grab their first win of the young season.
Prediction: Raiders win 24-14
Sunday, October 2nd (8:20 PM)
Kansas City Chiefs (2-1) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)
Sunday Night Football with Patrick Mahomes taking on Tom Brady for what may be the last time in the GOAT’s career? Yeah, the fireworks are going to be out in full force. Tampa’s defense has carried them this season, giving up just nine points per game through three games. Under the bright lights, expect Mahomes to get the upper hand early and make a depleted Buccaneers skill group beat him. Kansas City gets to 3-1 and wins their last matchup with Brady.
Prediction: Chiefs win 27-17
Monday, October 3rd (8:15 PM)
Los Angeles Rams (2-1) @ San Francisco 49ers (1-2)
Despite losing in the NFC Championship to Los Angeles, the 49ers have won six straight regular-season matchups between these two teams. However, Jimmy Garappolo struggled against the Broncos and now will have to operate with Aaron Donald coming after him. Matthew Stafford hasn’t put up the same numbers as a season ago but has played well in the team’s two wins. Los Angeles gets back in the win column against San Francisco with a monster game from Cooper Kupp.
Prediction: Rams win 30-17