Prisco's Week 3 NFL picks: Vikings high Texans to stay unbeaten, Chargers upend Steelers

It was a strong Week 2 for me — a minimum of in opposition to the unfold.

You’d suppose I would be higher selecting the video games straight up, however that wasn’t the case final week. I went 7-9 straight up for a 17-15 total document and I used to be 9-6-1 ATS for a 17-12-3 document. I’ll make my standard declare of the correct pick-wrong-result gripe with the Giants. If they’ve a kicker, they beat the Commanders and I’ve one other victory.

Ah, heck with it. On to this week. 

There are 4 groups enjoying consecutive street video games this week, which is at all times a problem. Maintain that in thoughts when selecting your video games.

A number of the supposed energy groups, just like the 49ers, Ravens and Cowboys, should get again on monitor this week. One in every of them will probably be a winner — until there’s a tie — because the Ravens play at Dallas in opposition to the Cowboys in one of many marquee video games.

The Ravens are 0-2 and Dallas is 1-1. The loser has main points.

Desperation could be key within the NFL. See Atlanta Monday evening as they beat the Eagles on the street as an enormous canine. The Ravens look like the extra determined workforce in opposition to the Cowboys since they’re with out a victory. So what is the decide? Learn on for all of them.

New England Patriots at New York Jets (-6.5)

Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET (Prime Video)

This can be a sport that includes two 1-1 groups with the Jets enjoying at dwelling for the primary time this season. The Jets offense confirmed some life within the second half final week in opposition to the Titans. That would carry over in opposition to a Pats protection that gave up plenty of massive performs final week. I additionally search for a greater exhibiting by the Jets protection. Jets take it, however the Pats grasp round.

Decide: Jets 20, Pats 16

New York Giants at Cleveland Browns (-6.5)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)

The Giants are enjoying consecutive street video games and they’re going through a very good protection with a suspect offense. That is by no means a very good factor. The Browns gained behind that protection final week at Jacksonville and may discover a option to restrict this Giants offense this week. Browns take it. 

Decide: Browns 21, Giants 10

Chicago Bears at Indianapolis Colts (-1.5)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

The Bears are on the street for a second straight week and they’re going through a determined 0-2 workforce. The Colts have been gashed within the run sport the previous few weeks, which may imply plenty of D’Andre Swift. Each Anthony Richardson and Caleb Williams should play higher, however it is a powerful spot for Richardson. Even so, I believe he performs the higher of the 2. 

Decide: Colts 23, Bears 20

Which picks are you able to make with confidence, and which three must-see underdogs must you lock in now? Visit SportsLine to see which teams win and cover the spread, all from a proven computer model that has returned well over $7,000, and discover out.

Houston Texans (-2.5) at Minnesota Vikings

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

This can be a massive sport between two undefeated groups. The Vikings are a shock workforce, whereas the Texans had been anticipated to be good. The Minnesota protection has been actually good. They are going to throw a ton of seems to be at C.J. Stroud. I believe that would be the distinction within the sport. They are going to pressure a turnover and get plenty of stress. The Vikings win a detailed one. 

Decide: Vikings 24, Texans 21

Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints (-1.5)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)

The Eagles must be rolling in at 2-0, however coach Nick Sirianni price them Monday’s sport with the Falcons with a foul determination late. The most important downside ,although, is the protection. They’ve been terrible in opposition to the run, whereas the Saints have been good operating it. Search for the Saints to get to 3-0 behind their run sport. 

Decide: Saints 27, Eagles 20

Los Angeles Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers (-2)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

This can be a sport that includes two 2-0 groups, each with bodily kinds that can present up every Sunday. The Steelers have the higher protection, however the Chargers are higher on offense with Justin Herbert. They’re enjoying consecutive street video games, nevertheless it will not matter. They win it on the street. 

Decide: Chargers 21, Steelers 17

Denver Broncos at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-6.5)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)

The Bucs are driving excessive, whereas the Broncos are having main offensive points with Bo Nix. The Tampa Bay protection is enjoying nicely, even undermanned, which is able to carry over right here. Baker Mayfield can even play nicely. The Bucs hold rolling. 

Decide: Bucs 26, Broncos 13

Inexperienced Bay Packers at Tennessee Titans (-3)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)

Will Levis has made two bonehead performs of their two video games to maintain the Titans from a victory. He needs to be higher. For the Packers, this can once more possible be Malik Willis at a quarterback in opposition to his former workforce. Willis was strong final week, nevertheless it was the run sport that helped Inexperienced Bay beat the Colts. That will probably be harder right here in opposition to a very good Titans protection. Search for a defensive battle gained by the Titans. 

Decide: Titans 21, Packers 17

Carolina Panthers at Las Vegas Raiders (-5.5)

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

Andy Dalton is in because the starter for the benched Bryce Younger for the Panthers. He cannot be any worse, however it is a good Raiders protection. Gardner Minshew has performed nicely, particularly final week. The Raiders will win this behind the protection and Minshew to get to 2-1. 

Decide: Raiders 24, Panthers 10

Miami Dolphins at Seattle Seahawks (-5)

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

This can be a powerful first begin for Skylar Thompson instead of Tua Tagovailoa. Seattle is as powerful because it will get for a street venue and the Seahawks are enjoying nicely. The Seattle offense has appeared good in two video games, which is able to proceed right here. Search for an enormous sport from Geno Smith. Seahawks go to 3-0. 

Decide: Seahawks 31, Dolphins 16

Detroit Lions (-3) at Arizona Cardinals

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)

The Lions are out on the street for the primary time, whereas the Cardinals are coming off a formidable dwelling victory over the Rams. Arizona was excellent on offense with Kyler Murray, which is able to stress the Lions protection. Search for Arizona to win a shootout that might get every workforce into the 30s. 

Decide: Cardinals 31, Lions 29

Baltimore Ravens (-1) at Dallas Cowboys 

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)

This sport has misplaced some luster with the Ravens at 0-2 and the Cowboys getting blown out final week. Each groups have points, however the greatest is the Ravens offensive line. After watching what the Saints did to the Dallas protection, they may overcome that and run Derrick Henry. The Ravens will get their first victory on the street in opposition to the Cowboys.

Decide: Ravens 27, Cowboys 24

San Francisco 49ers (-7.5) at Los Angeles Rams

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)

The 49ers are enjoying a second straight street sport after shedding to the Vikings, whereas the Rams are enjoying their dwelling opener. That is a tricky mixture. Each groups are hurting with high stars out of the lineup. The 49ers are deeper and that can present up. They take it behind a very good sport from Brock Purdy.

Decide: 49ers 27, Rams 18

Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (-4) at Atlanta Falcons

Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC, fubo)

The Falcons are enjoying on a brief week after beating the Eagles with a last-minute landing. The Atlanta offense was a lot improved from Week One, which is an efficient factor. The Chiefs appeared sluggish on offense in opposition to the Bengals, however they may get it gong right here. Their pace reveals up on the quick monitor. 

Decide: Chiefs 32 Falcons 23

Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Payments (-5.5)

Monday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN, fubo)

The Payments are enjoying with plenty of relaxation, whereas the 0-2 Jaguars are coming off two shut losses. That is an enormous edge for the Payments, as is a house Monday evening sport. However the greatest edge is their protection in opposition to the Jacksonville offense, which is struggling. The Payments hold rolling. 

Decide: Payments 28, Jaguars 17

Washington Commanders at Cincinnati Bengals (-8)

Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET (ABC, fubo)

The Commanders gained for the primary time final week, whereas the Bengals are nonetheless looking for their first one. They performed nicely at Kansas Metropolis and possibly ought to have gained the sport. That can proceed right here as they play significantly better and  get one of the best of the Commanders with Joe Burrow having an enormous sport. 

Decide: Bengals 29, Commanders 16