Week 2 within the 2023 NFL common season gave us one thing good we did not have in Week 1 — some understanding about how good or dangerous each crew may be this season. That positively helped with the picks and predictions in opposition to the unfold. However it means nothing except we get higher in Week 3.
Trying on the early traces, there are a number of large favorites in Week 3, together with multiple double-digit level unfold. With that, the diploma of issue is re-raised with uncertainty concerning the underdogs.
Listed here are Sporting Information’ NFL picks in opposition to the unfold for Week 3:
(Odds courtesy of Sports activities Interplay)
POWER RANKINGS: Cowboys, Dolphins push into elite tier for Week 3
NFL picks in opposition to the unfold for Week 3
Recreation of Midweek: Giants at 49ers (-10.5, 45 o/u)
Thursday 8:15 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime Video
San Francisco has dealt with itself effectively twice on the highway and will get to open at residence in prime time on a brief week. New York is available in gassed, having received its first recreation on a livid comeback in Arizona. Now the Giants are with out Saquon Barkley, an irreplaceable a part of their restricted offense in opposition to an elite protection.
The quantity matches the lopsidedness of the matchup. After not stopping the Cowboys or Cardinals a lot in any section, the Giants will probably be totally outclassed by a way more various and deeper crew.
Choose: 49ers win 33-14 and canopy the unfold.
Recreation of the Week: Eagles (-5.5, 46.5 o/u) at Buccaneers
Monday 7:15 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN
The Eagles are checking out some points with lesser consistency within the passing recreation and extra holes within the cross protection, regardless of a sturdy cross rush. The Bucs are laborious crew on which to run and their again seven has been energetic behind some strain. Jalen Hurts will robust it out to make sufficient performs, however at residence in prime time, Baker Mayfield will probably be extra comfy than you suppose along with his inside and outside weapons.
Choose: Eagles win 24-20 however fail to cowl the unfold.
Lock of the Week: Dolphins (-6.5, 48 o/u) over Broncos
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Dolphins are sometimes teaching and enjoying at a special velocity of their opponent as Mike McDaniel strikes round his quick playmakers to get it performed with big-play passing or explosive operating. Denver is available in determined at 0-2 making an extended highway journey after flopping twice at residence in opposition to lesser groups. Sean Payton will not all of the sudden discover the offensive and defensive solutions right here in a foul general matchup for a up to now new identity-less crew.
Choose: Dolphins win 38-17 and canopy the unfold.
Upset of the Week: Jets (+3, 37 o/u) over Patriots
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Jets might want to just about win video games with the operating recreation and protection. They acquired solely half the method working to present Zach Wilson an opportunity in Dallas. Mac Jones and the Patriots have flashed effectively offensively early, however additionally they are mistake-prone in opposition to higher strain and protection defenses. Breece Corridor will get the appropriate workload after final week’s dangerous utilization and runs the Jets to a light upset in a battle of attrition.
Choose: Jets win 20-17
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Titans will do their finest to have an opportunity on this recreation in opposition to outdated AFC South foe Deshaun Watson by utilizing their stout run protection to decelerate the Browns’ Nick Chubb-less operating recreation. On the flip aspect, Tennessee will probably be relentless with is personal energy dashing champion, Derrick Henry, to attempt to put on down Myles Garrett and Cleveland’s cross rush. In the long run, Watson makes just a few extra affect improv operating performs in distinction to Ryan Tannehill.
Choose: Browns win 23-20.
Falcons at Lions (-3.5, 45.5 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The 2 defenses are improved with some important personnel investments and each groups excel at operating the ball behind two elite offensive traces. With no David Montgomery, it is an opportunity for en thrilling duel between rookie first-round operating backs Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson. Atlanta will attempt to keep grounded so long as doable to cover Desmond Ridder once more, whereas Jared Goff will discover extra that he likes throughout the board within the passing recreation at residence.
Choose: Lions win 27-20 and canopy the unfold.
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Packers are also enjoying their first residence of the season at Lambeau Subject. They get a break right here in opposition to a Saints’ operating recreation minus Alvin Kamara and extra pass-centric with Derek Carr, making it energy vs. energy in opposition to their protection. Jordan Love is sizzling and will get extra wholesome help to unfold the ball round effectively once more. The offenses are certain to begin gradual right here and the turnover battle will resolve it.
Choose: Packers win 24-21.
Chargers at Vikings (TBD)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
The Chargers prefer to blow shut video games late. The Vikings like to tug out shut video games late. Their respective pass-happy, high-scoring thriller types have put each groups at 0-2 because the defenses have been liabilities and the offenses cannot all the time do sufficient ultimately to compensate. Justin Herbert vs. Kirk Cousins will probably be stuffed with fireworks, and primarily based on the historical past and make-up of former Sean McVay ace assistants Brandon Staley and Kevin O’Connell, benefit Minnesota.
Choose: Vikings win 38-34.
Payments (-6.5, 44.5 o/u) at Commanders
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Commanders have performed effectively to take down the Cardinals and Broncos, however they face a way more useful crew with a a lot harder protection at residence within the quest to begin 3-0. Buffalo acquired again to its explosive offense final week at residence and Josh Allen ought to be licking his chops to assault Washington with the deep ball as a part of excessive passing quantity.
Choose: Payments win 31-17 and canopy the unfold.
Texans at Jaguars (-9.5, 44 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox
Houston appears to have Trevor Lawrence’s quantity with its defensive, and the scheming and personnel has improved to pressure him to change into extra affected person. The Texans’ protection, nevertheless, is horrible in opposition to the run so it is likelihood to get the Jaguars’ QB effectively with loads of Travis Etienne. The Texans will comprise some massive performs and have extra success throwing the ball downfield with C.J. Stroud.
Choose: Jaguars win 27-20 however fail to cowl the unfold.
Colts at Ravens (-8, 44 o/u)
Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Colts know that Anthony Richardson might miss the sport with a concussion however the important thing to beating Baltimore is throwing downfield effectively. Gardner Minshew could also be charged with doing that in a hostile highway surroundings. In the meantime, the Colts are prime to be picked aside within the Ravens’ new-look passing with Lamar Jackson. The Ravens additionally will erase the run to make it harder on the pocket-based Minshew.
Choose: Ravens win 30-17 and canopy the unfold.
Panthers at Seahawks (TBD)
Sunday 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
The Panthers have to show round and take an extended journey on a brief week. They are going to assault the Seahawks the appropriate method with a number of the operating recreation to take strain off Bryce Younger. However Geno Smith’s massive benefit along with his expertise at huge receiver and tight finish will present as much as higher help Kenneth Walker, whereas Younger might want to lean too closely on Miles Sanders.
Choose: Seahawks win 27-17
Bears at Chiefs (-13, 49 o/u)
Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
The Bears look horrible with offensive dysfunction tied to their play-calling, scheming and and poor passing play of Justin Fields. The Chiefs’ offense is coordinated by former Bears coach Matt Nagy, who may take slightly pleasure they nonetheless have not discovered that aspect of the ball whereas he will get to function with Patrick Mahomes. This quantity is massive as a result of that is an atrocious general matchup for the Bears’ protection and so they received”t get a lot performed within the passing recreation with Kansas Metropolis’s sound inside strain and outsidde protection.
Choose: Chiefs win 45-22 and canopy the unfold.
Cowboys (-12.5, 43.5 o/u) at Cardinals
Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
Dallas dealt with a barely smaller quantity at residence in opposition to the Jets and has began by outscoring its opponents 70-10. The Cardinals discovered some offensive sparks final week in opposition to the Giants, facilitated by some turnovers. The Cowboys are enjoying extra conservative round Dak Prescott and might comprise loads round Josh Dobbs after slowing James Conner on the bottom. Count on an enormous pro-Cowboys crowd to see these former NFC East rivals.
Choose: Cowboys win 27-10 and canopy the unfold.
Steelers (TBD) at Raiders
Sunday 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
The Steelers have seen Kenny Pickett take lumps however that modifications right here of their first favorable defensive matchup. Similar to the Cowboys’ followers in one other a part of the desert, there will probably be loads of Black nd Gold making this really feel like a away residence recreation. The Steelers nonetheless have too many efficient wholesome offensive ability weapons minus Diontae Johnson, whereas the Raiders’ pop appears to be shrinking round Jimmy Garoppolo.
Choose: Steelers win 27-20.
Rams at Bengals (-2, 43.5 o/u)
Monday 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
Will Joe Burrow play within the Tremendous Bowl 56 rematch? That is a significant query that can decide the result of the sport. The betting line, not even giving the Bengals the requisite residence field-goal edge, is worrisome. Jake Browning has by no means performed an NFL snap and there will probably be warmth on him to ship at residence at 0-2. Matthew Stafford and the Rams’ total offense are enjoying effectively and can increase the scoring burden on Cincy. That stated, this is feeling that Burrow will intestine this one out figuring out his crew wants him to avoid wasting the season. If he would not we are able to alter accordingly.
Choose: Bengals win 27-23 and canopy the unfold.
Stats of the Week
Week 2 straight up: 8-6
Week 2 in opposition to the unfold: 8-6