NFL Week 3 Predictions: Picks and Analysis for Every Football Game

September 21, 2025

Free NFL betting picks for every Week 3 matchup in 2025. Expert analysis and predictions for NFL Week 3. Who should you bet in Week 3? Analysis for every game on the slate.

Week 3 of the NFL season is here, and things are heating up fast. Just ask the teams that enter this week with 0-2 records...

One such squad is Mike McDaniel's Miami Dolphins, who will kick things off on Thursday night against the undefeated Buffalo Bills. Things do get better as the weekend progresses, with intriguing matchups such as the Rams vs. Eagles and the Lions vs. Ravens.

From the good to the bad and the ugly, we'll dive into all the unique spots on this slate, as we go through every Week 3 game in this article, offering picks, predictions, and analysis for each and every one. Thanks for joining us here at RotoBaller; let's dive in!

Buffalo Bills 31, Miami Dolphins 16 (Thursday Night)

We open Week 3 with a Thursday night meeting between two AFC East teams that appear to be heading in different directions. Buffalo followed a season-opening comeback win over Baltimore with a rout of the Jets last week, while Miami showed a bit of fight in a close home loss to New England in Week 2 following a disastrous start to the year against Indy.

.@JoshAllenQB has had some success in the regular season against Miami 😳 pic.twitter.com/JyurAoZgRJ

— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) September 18, 2025

On the surface, this is a mismatch, and after digging deeper, this is a mismatch. Josh Allen and James Cook are very capable of taking advantage of a Dolphins defense that's allowing the league's second-most points per game through the season's first two weeks, and will again field a secondary comprised of players who would fall on the borderline of making most NFL rosters. Defensively, the Bills pressure should heavily disrupt Tua Tagovailoa behind an injury-ravaged Miami offensive line.

Indianapolis Colts 28, Tennessee Titans 20

The 2-0 Colts stand out as one of the NFL's most surprising teams through the weeks first two seasons. A beatdown of Miami in the opener was followed by a surprising (and somewhat lucky) upset of Denver last week. However, little about Indy's start feels especially flukey, as this offense leads the NFL in total yards per game on the strength of stellar play from Daniel Jones and Jonathan Taylor.

Conversely, Tennessee's 0-2 start is anything but a surprise, as they've opened against two quality opponents in the Broncos and Rams with a rookie QB under center. 2025's No. 1 overall draft pick, Cam Ward, has shown flashes of why the Titans believe he's the future, but Ward has yet to find much success, as Tennessee ranks dead last in the NFL with an average of just 102.5 passing yards per game through their first two. Look for the Colts to keep the rookie contained and pick up a divisional win on the road.

Pittsburgh Steelers 24, New England Patriots 23

Both Pittsburgh and New England heavily retooled their roster during the offseason, and through the regular season's first two weeks, I'm not sure we yet realize who either team really is, as matching 1-1 records and bipolar performances cloud the outlook for both squads.

What we do know is that the normally-stout Pittsburgh defense isn't playing to the level we've seen in the past. Across the year's first two games the Steelers rank 29th in the league in both total yards and points allowed per game. While Drake Maye and the Pats' offense looked improved in last week's win over Miami, it's clear that Mike Vrabel's team is still not close to being a finished product.

This is a classic coin-flip spot with an ever-so-small lean towards a Pittsburgh squad that has a track record of pulling off close wins in Mike Tomlin's tenure.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27, New York Jets 17

Thanks to gritty, come-from-behind efforts in the first two weeks of the season, Baker Mayfield's Bucs head into their home opener with a 2-0 record. Things haven't been perfect for Tampa's high-octane offense against an improved Falcons defense and an elite Texans unit, but they could well find their stride against a Jets defense that's coughing up an average of 32 points per game through their first two.

Jets HC Aaron Glenn rules out QB Justin Fields in Week 3 vs. Buccaneers. pic.twitter.com/PH2U1ucr2H

— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2025

First-year head coach Aaron Glenn's group is undoubtedly experiencing growing pains following a heartbreaking loss to Pittsburgh in the opener and a blowout defeat at the hands of the Bills.

Quarterback Justin Fields is out with Tyrod Taylor expected to get the start. With Taylor under center, it's tough to envision the Bucs dropping one at home to a shaky Gang Green squad.

Washington Commanders 21, Las Vegas Raiders 17

It's tough to dive too deep here, as Commanders' quarterback Jayden Daniels is questionable to suit up against the Raiders with knee injury as of this writing.

For a second straight day today, Jayden Daniels isn’t practicing.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 18, 2025

Obviously, Washington's chances of taking care of business dramatically increase with the dynamic Daniels under center, though veteran Marcus Mariota should provide a stabilizing presence if forced to play against a Silver and Black squad that's off to a 1-1 start in the Pete Carroll era.

Philadelphia Eagles 27, Los Angeles Rams 23

Both of these NFC contenders are off to undefeated starts, which sets up this rematch of a snow-covered classic in last year's NFL Divisional Round of the Playoffs - a game the Eagles escaped with a 28-22 win.

While the Rams are certainly a capable team - and gave the 2024 Philly juggernaut their toughest test of last year's postseason - this remains a daunting matchup against an Eagles roster that's stacked with talent. The L.A. pass rush has been excellent this season, though they've faced the offensive lines of Houston and Tennessee.

The going will be much tougher against Philly's elite unit this week, and I look for the Eagles to dominate this matchup on the ground against a Rams front they gashed for 8.4 yards per carry in last year's playoff classic.

Atlanta Falcons 24, Carolina Panthers 17

For years, the Falcons have been like a box of chocolates in that you never quite know what you're going to get. That's even been true against the lowly Panthers, as these NFC South rivals have split their last four meetings.

Despite those mixed results in recent years, we should expect Atlanta to have their act together in this one against a Carolina squad that's looked largely inept over the season's first two games - outings that include a 26-10 beatdown at the hands of Jacksonville in the opener, as well as a 27-22 loss to Arizona last week in a game they trailed 27-3 at one point.

Bijan Robinson should feast on a Panthers defensive front that's been gashed for 5.7 yards per carry over their first two, while Atlanta's improved defense will likely pester a shaky Bryce Young into some mistakes.

Cincinnati Bengals 21, Minnesota Vikings 20

It's the Battle of the Backups in this matchup, as both Minnesota and Cincinnati will be without their starting quarterbacks in Week 3. The loss of Joe Burrow for up to three months with a turf toe injury is undoubtedly a blow to the Bengals, but Jake Browning has proven himself to be a serviceable NFL back-up.

He started seven games in relief of Burrow in 2023, posting a 4-3 record with a 70.4% completion rate and 12 TDs to 7 INTs across that stretch.

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy has an ankle sprain and likely will not play Week 3, per Kevin O'Connell.

Carson Wentz will face Jake Browning on Sunday pic.twitter.com/HcAZWUHkQI

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) September 15, 2025

The same can't necessarily be said of Minnesota's Carson Wentz, a player who is on his fifth team in as many years and last saw notable action with Washington in 2022. In addition to the absence of J.J. McCarthy, the Vikings will also be without running back Aaron Jones, who was recently placed on injured reserve.

Both of these squads possess elite talent at the wide receiver position, so we'll see some points scored. We'll give the slightest of edges to the Bengals due to Browning's competency.

Houston Texans 20, Jacksonville Jaguars 17

The Texans come into this divisional matchup on the heels of a heartbreaking loss to the Bucs on Monday night - a defeat that dropped them to 0-2 on the year. Despite an attempt to overhaul one of 2024's worst offensive lines during the offseason, it remains clear that Houston's front five is still massively struggling both in pass protection and run blocking.

Meanwhile, Jacksonville's revamped offense is averaging 26.5 points and 394 total yards per game under new head coach Liam Coen. However, those numbers might be deceptive when considering that the Jags have faced a pair of abysmal defenses in the Panthers and Bengals.

For all their offensive shortcomings, Houston does have an elite defense that's led by Will Anderson Jr. and Derek Stingley. Desperate to avoid an 0-3 start, I look for that excellent defensive unit to drag the Texans to a win in a low-scoring game.

Green Bay Packers 27, Cleveland Browns 14

Though we're only two weeks into the season, the Green Bay Packers look to be serious Super Bowl contenders following dominant wins over Detroit and Washington. The injection of Micah Parsons has supercharged an already-good Packers defense into a wrecking crew group that's allowing the NFL's third-fewest yards per game.

Parsons and company should have little trouble against a hodge-podge Browns offense that's mustered point totals of just 17 and 16 in their first two games. Cleveland's defense isn't without talent, and despite their 0-2 record, is allowing the league's fewest total yards per game. Myles Garrett and company will likely fight to keep them in this one early, but Green Bay should ultimately pull away with their superior roster.

Los Angeles Chargers 23, Denver Broncos 20

Justin Herbert and the Chargers have been one of the league's most impressive teams to start the year. L.A. logged a hard-fought win over the Chiefs in Brazil to open the season before handling the Raiders with ease on Monday night. Herbert has been nearly flawless to this point, throwing to an improved group of pass catchers.

The same can't be said of Bo Nix. Denver's second-year QB has yet to find the positive momentum he ended his rookie campaign with, as he's thrown three INTs and lost a fumble across this season's first two games against the Titans and Colts. While Nix and the Broncos defense have the talent to get things figured out, we'll go with the hotter team in the Bolts.

Seattle Seahawks 26, New Orleans Saints 14

With Sam Darnold still working his way into the Seattle offense, Mike Macdonald's young, talented defense will need to hold down the fort. They've been largely successful, allowing just 17 points in each of their first two games.

Despite some notable injuries on the defensive side of the ball, the up-and-coming Seahawks should have little trouble handling second-year Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler and a winless New Orleans squad at Lumen Field.

San Francisco 49ers 24, Arizona Cardinals 20

The Niners are seemingly snakebit with injuries on an annual basis, but despite the absence of such key personnel as Brock Purdy and George Kittle in Week 2, San Francisco topped New Orleans 26-21. Mac Jones will again be at the helm of Kyle Shanahan's offense in this Week 3 NFC West tilt with the also-undefeated Cardinals.

FINAL: @49ers win in Mac Jones' SF debut! #SFvsNO pic.twitter.com/CbqTgzyoiX

— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2025

Jones looked comfortable en route to 279 yards and three TDs in his Niners debut. He'll face a retooled Arizona defense that's allowed just 17.5 points per game across their first two. It's Arizona hit-and-miss offense that is cause for concern, as Kyler Murray has consistently struggled to get on the same page with Marvin Harrison Jr. in an offense that's averaged just 305.5 total yards per game despite matchups against New Orleans and Carolina to open the season.

Dallas Cowboys 35, Chicago Bears 30

It's not likely to be a defensive struggle in this matchup, as the Bears & Cowboys defenses have relinquished a combined 140 points over the first two weeks of the season. Both of these defensive units rank bottom-five in the NFL in both total yards and points allowed per game thus far.

So, with expectations at rock bottom of these defenses, conditions should favor the more competent Dallas offense. Across the 'Boys first two, Dak Prescott has thrown for 549 yards and 2 TDs, while Javonte Williams has been surprisingly solid on the ground with an average of 4.58 yards per carry. As Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams continue to get things figured out, look for the Cowboys to simply outscore them in this one.

Kansas City Chiefs 23, New York Giants 14 (Sunday Night)

It feels strange to say "the 0-2 Chiefs", but the 0-2 Chiefs head to the Big Apple for a primetime matchup with the also-winless Giants on Sunday Night Football. Both things can be true, in that the Kansas City offense is not as explosive as it once was and that Andy Reid's squad has faced a tough gauntlet in the Eagles and Chargers to open the season.

Patrick Mahomes and company will have a chance to get back on track against a NY defense that's fresh off allowing a 40-burger to the Dallas Cowboys. Through the first two weeks of the season, the Giants are coughing up a massive average of 474.5 total yards per game - a mark that ranks them dead last in the NFL.

While Russell Wilson and the NY passing attack were able to light up Dallas' swiss-cheese secondary in Week 2, yards will be much tougher to come by against this solid Chiefs defense.

Baltimore Ravens 31, Detroit Lions 27 (Monday Night)

We close out the Week 3 slate with arguably the best matchup of the week, as the Lions travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens. Both of these Super Bowl hopefuls bounced back from Week 1 losses to dominate their Week 2 opponents by a combined score of 93-38.

These are two of the most physical teams in the NFL, but both squads possess offenses capable of scoring in bunches when things are clicking, as we witnessed last week.

“I’m ready to go.” @Lj_era8 pic.twitter.com/a1GiM8jnS8

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 18, 2025

While Jared Goff and the Detroit offense looked like the 2024 version of themselves against Chicago, this talented Ravens defense has the potential to get Goff off his spots, and force him into either errant throws or taking sacks like we saw against the Green Bay Packers did in Week 1. Lamar Jackson keeps doing Lamar Jackson-type things, so we shouldn't be surprised to see him find success against a Lions defense that could miss departed defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn in this matchup.

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