The dust has settled from Week 2, as overachievers and underachievers from Week 1 came out and showed us who they truly are. After an abysmal offensive performance, the Detroit Lions scored 52 points against the Chicago Bears, the New York Jets managed just 10 points after scoring 32 to start the season and the Minnesota Vikings managed just six points in J.J. McCarthy's second start. With key injuries to McCarthy, Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels plaguing this week's games, I dive into what are expected to be some of the closest games.
Here are my top NFL Week 3 pick’em pool predictions.
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NFL Week 3 Pick'em Pool Predictions (2025)
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Minnesota Vikings
Both teams will be without their starting quarterbacks, as the Bengals turn to Jake Browning and the Vikings look to veteran Carson Wentz. While Browning was able to lead his team to a win last week, he still threw three interceptions. If he makes those types of mistakes against the Vikings, I don't see any way that the Bengals win this game.
The Bengals are currently averaging a league-worst 47 rushing yards per game. While the Vikings' defense has been gashed on the ground, I don't expect Chase Brown and the Bengals to take advantage of this weakness. The Vikings will be able to focus on the run with Browning under center instead of Burrow, which will be all the difference in this game.
While Wentz is far from reliable at this point in his career, the Bengals' pass defense has been terrible this season. They're allowing 269.5 passing yards per game, which is fifth-most in the league. Look for Wentz to hook up with Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson plenty, as the more complete Vikings win a home game over a team that is in for a long season.
Pick: Minnesota Vikings
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New England Patriots
The Steelers have allowed at least 31 points in each of their first two games, and now they have to take on a Patriots team that just put up 33 against the Miami Dolphins. Drake Maye and the Patriots are going to score plenty in this game; the question is whether Aaron Rodgers and company can do enough to keep pace.
After an excellent Week 1, Rodgers completed just 54.6% of his passes and threw two interceptions against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2. The good news for Rodgers is that the Patriots are allowing the most passing yards per game this season. Rodgers is going to have plenty of opportunities to keep his team in this game, and as the more experienced quarterback in this matchup, I expect him to outplay Maye.
That said, the Patriots are the home team in this matchup. Oddsmakers essentially have this as a pick’em, with the Steelers favored by 1.5 at most major sportsbooks. Homefield advantage will be the difference in this game, as the Steelers look ahead to a long travel week and game next week in Dublin, Ireland.
Pick: New England Patriots
Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Two teams that gave away wins in Week 2 meet in Jacksonville on Sunday, and oddsmakers have the Jaguars favored by 1.5 points. While the talent is certainly there for the Jaguars' offense, the way they lost on Sunday was alarming. Though the defense made plenty of plays, the offense couldn't finish drives late, allowing the Bengals to hang around and win on a 15-play, 92-yard drive at the end of the game.
The Texans are now 0-2, after allowing Baker Mayfield to put together a heroic performance late. While many may be ready to write off the Texans, the Houston defense has been excellent through the first two weeks. They've allowed just 34 points, despite giving up a bunch of yards. They will have plenty of opportunities to force turnovers in this game, as the Jaguars have three already this season.
The Texans' offense needs to be better, but the run game finally started to show life late in the game against the Buccaneers. While Stroud hasn't been great this season, he is 3-1 against the Jaguars in his career. He has yet to lose in Jacksonville. That won't change this weekend.
Pick: Houston Texans
Detroit Lions vs. Baltimore Ravens
The marquee matchup of Week 3 will be played on Monday Night Football, as the Ravens host the Lions. Both teams destroyed lesser divisional opponents, as the Lions put up 52 points against the Bears, and the Ravens scored 41 against the Cleveland Browns.
The Ravens have scored 81 points this season. I expect Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry to do plenty of scoring in this game. But the Ravens' defense has shown some blemishes early in the season, especially in Week 1 when they gave up 41 points to the Buffalo Bills.
Two years ago, the Lions went to Baltimore and were destroyed 38-6. Jackson threw for 357 yards and three touchdowns in that game. While I expect this game to be much closer than that one, Jackson will be too much for the Lions to overcome. Look for Jackson to move his record against the NFC to an incredible 25-4.
Pick: Baltimore Ravens
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Phil Wood is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Phil, check out his archive and follow him @Phil_Wood_Jr.