NFL Week 3 Picks
Photo Credit: AthlonSports.com
We are on to Week 3 in the NFL! As heard on the Tymeless Sunday Brunch with TP Tymeless and the crew, the Chefs made their picks on who will come out on top. Listen to the latest episode and you can see our picks below.
Chargers (1-1) at Chiefs (1-1)
Photo Credit: Lineups.com
1 p.m. ET | CBS
Matchup rating: 67.6 | Spread: KC -6.5 (54.5)
What to watch for: Chargers QB Justin Herbert carved up the Chiefs twice last season, throwing for more than 300 yards in each game and combining for four touchdown passes with one interception. He might find the going even easier this time around against a Chiefs defense that is allowing opponents to complete 72% of their passes and is winning in the pass rush at a league-low rate of 26.2%. The Chiefs need a big game from pass-rushers Chris Jones and Frank Clark, or it could be a long day. -- Adam Teicher
Chef's Picks:
TP Tymeless: Kansas City Chefs
Da Villain: Los Angeles Chargers
Serious: Kansas City Chefs
Mr. Controversy: Kansas City Chefs
Mr. Harvey: Kansas City Chefs
Saints (1-1) at Patriots (1-1)
Photo Credit: Lineups.com
1 p.m. ET | FOX
Matchup rating: 65.5 | Spread: NE -3 (42)
What to watch for: The Patriots' run defense has been shaky -- the Jets totaled 152 yards on 31 carries with a 4.9-yard average -- and the Saints want to get running back Alvin Kamara going after eight carries for 5 yards vs. the Panthers in Week 2. So this is the matchup within the matchup. "If you were trying to build a perfect back, he essentially gives you everything you need," Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower said of Kamara. -- Mike Reiss
Chef's Picks:
TP Tymeless: New England Patriots
Da Villain: New England Patriots
Serious:
Mr. Controversy: New England Patriots
Mr. Harvey: New Orleans Saints
Washington (1-1) at Bills (1-1)
Photo Credit: Lineups.com
1 p.m. ET | FOX
Matchup rating: 64.2 | Spread: BUF -7.5 (45.5)
What to watch for: The Washington defense came into the season with high expectations but has started the year ranked No. 25 in yards allowed and No. 17 in points allowed. Against a Bills offensive line that is still improving, the defensive front should have an opportunity to take a step forward. With Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen still getting into a rhythm, making his day difficult -- as the Steelers did in Week 1 -- would go a long way toward a potential upset. If the Bills' offense has its way, however, Washington could be in for a long day. -- Alaina Getzenberg
Chef's Picks:
TP Tymeless: Buffalo Bills
Da Villain: Buffalo Bills
Serious:
Mr. Controversy: Buffalo Bills
Mr. Harvey: Buffalo Bills
Bears (1-1) at Browns (1-1)
Photo Credit: Lineups.com
1 p.m. ET | FOX
Matchup rating: 50.1 | Spread: CLE -7 (45.5)
What to watch for: How will Bears rookie QB Justin Fields perform in his first career start? Chicago's future at quarterback has arrived, as the former Ohio State star returns to the Buckeye State. He is the Bears' 36th different starting quarterback since 1989 -- the second most in the NFL over that span behind the Browns (37). -- Jake Trotter
Chef's Picks:
TP Tymeless: Buffalo Bills
Da Villain: Buffalo Bills
Serious:
Mr. Controversy: Buffalo Bills
Mr. Harvey: Buffalo Bills
Ravens (1-1) at Lions (0-2)
Photo Credit: Lineups.com
1 p.m. ET | CBS
Matchup rating: 43.1 | Spread: BAL -8 (50)
What to watch for: Can the Lions fix their mistakes and put together a complete game? Against San Francisco in Week 1, they started poor before ending strong. Then against Green Bay in Week 2, they got off to a hot start and folded late. This weekend, they're up against one of the league's most dynamic stars in Ravens QB Lamar Jackson. The Lions are looking to avoid an 0-3 start for first time since 2015, while this Baltimore team enters Ford Field with 41 straight games with 100 rushing yards -- the second-longest streak in NFL history. -- Eric Woodyard
Chef's Picks:
TP Tymeless: Detroit Lions
Da Villain: Detroit Lions
Serious: Detroit Lions
Mr. Controversy: Baltimore Ravens
Mr. Harvey: Baltimore Ravens
Bengals (1-1) at Steelers (1-1)
Photo Credit: Lineups.com
1 p.m. ET | CBS
Matchup rating: 42.0 | Spread: PIT -3 (43.5)
What to watch for: Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger are banged up entering Sunday's AFC North matchup. Roethlisberger, who is 24-8 against the Bengals, might be able to play through the pain of the left pec injury, but if the Steelers' embattled offensive line can't withstand a pass rush led by Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson, it could be another long day for the QB. Defensively, the Steelers have a rash of injuries that could make it difficult to defend the deep ball from Bengals signal-caller Joe Burrow -- something Pittsburgh didn't do well in the loss against the Raiders. -- Brooke Pryor
TP Tymeless: Pittsburgh Steelers
Da Villain: Cincinnati Bengals
Serious: Pittsburgh Steelers
Mr. Controversy: Cincinnati Bengals
Mr. Harvey: Pittsburgh Steelers
Colts (0-2) at Titans (1-1)
Photo Credit: Lineups.com
1 p.m. ET | CBS
Matchup rating: 41.3 | Spread: TEN -5 (48)
What to watch for: The Titans' banged-up offensive line is facing a Colts run defense that is allowing an uncharacteristic 120 yards per game on the ground. Over the past three seasons, the Colts' run defense allowed 100 or more rushing yards only three times. Regardless of who is blocking, expect the Titans to give running back Derrick Henry the ball early and often. Henry picked up 100 or more yards in each of his past three games facing the Colts. -- Turron Davenport
TP Tymeless: Tennessee Titans
Da Villain: Tennessee Titans
Mr. Controversy: Indianapolis Colts
Mr. Harvey: Tennessee Titans
Cardinals (2-0) at Jaguars (0-2)
Photo Credit: Lineups.com
1 p.m. ET | FOX
Matchup rating: 35.0 | Spread: ARI -7.5 (51.5)
What to watch for: This is not a good matchup for the Jaguars. They've given up 619 yards and four passing touchdowns, and they haven't created a turnover in their two losses. The quarterbacks they have faced? Tyrod Taylor and Teddy Bridgewater. Solid players but not upper echelon QBs. Now comes Arizona's Kyler Murray, who has thrown for 689 yards and seven touchdowns (with three interceptions) in victories over Tennessee and Minnesota. -- Mike DiRocco
TP Tymeless: Arizona Cardinals
Da Villain: Arizona Cardinals
Mr. Controversy: Arizona Cardinals
Mr. Harvey: Arizona Cardinals
Falcons (0-2) at Giants (0-2)
Photo Credit: Lineups.com
1 p.m. ET | FOX
Matchup rating: 25.1 | Spread: NYG -3 (47.5)
What to watch for: It's a battle of 0-2 teams, and it's getting late early for these two teams. Who at least wants to pretend they are going to be a playoff contender this season? Neither team can afford to lose this one. Atlanta is seeking to avoid eight straight losses for the first time since 1996, while New York is attempting to prevent consecutive 0-3 starts for the second time in franchise history (1995-96). It's one of those games. -- Jordan Raanan
TP Tymeless: New York Giants
Da Villain: New York Giants
Mr. Controversy: Atlanta Falcons
Mr. Harvey: New York Giants
Dolphins (1-1) at Raiders (2-0)
Photo Credit: Lineups.com
4:05 p.m. ET | CBS
Matchup rating: 43.2 | Spread: LV -4 (44)
What to watch for: The Raiders' suddenly fierce pass rush faces a leaky Dolphins offensive line and backup QB Jacoby Brissett. Brissett is not only 11-19 and among the worst in QBR (47.3) and yards per attempt (6.5) over the past five seasons, but he is also the only QB in the league with at least 25 starts to complete less than 60% of his passes. Plus, he has been pressured on 34% of his dropbacks since 2017. Enter Raiders edge rushers Maxx Crosby and Yannick Ngakoue, who had 11 combined pressures last week at Pittsburgh and each forced a fumble. -- Paul Gutierrez
TP Tymeless: Las Vegas Raiders
Da Villain: Las Vegas Raiders
Mr. Controversy: Las Vegas Raiders
Mr. Harvey: Las Vegas Raiders
Jets (0-2) at Broncos (2-0)
Photo Credit: Lineups.com
4:05 p.m. ET | CBS
Matchup rating: 40.8 | Spread: DEN -10.5 (41.5)
What to watch for: How will Jets rookie quarterback Zach Wilson navigate Vic Fangio's defensive scheme? With upgrades to the Broncos' secondary, head coach Fangio has deployed a bigger variety of coverages than the team did in the previous two seasons. Outside linebacker Von Miller has also come out of the gate strong with three sacks and five tackles for loss. Wilson, meanwhile, is tied for the league lead in interceptions with five and has been sacked more than any other quarterback (10). -- Jeff Legwold
TP Tymeless: Denver Broncos
Da Villain: Denver Broncos
Mr. Controversy: Denver Broncos
Mr. Harvey: Denver Broncos
Buccaneers (2-0) at Rams (2-0)
4:25 p.m. ET | FOX
Matchup rating: 82.2 | Spread: TB -1 (55.5)
What to watch for: The undefeated Rams have Super Bowl aspirations, which means a Week 3 matchup against the defending Super Bowl champion Bucs can provide a barometer of how they measure up. Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady is off to hot start with nine passing touchdowns, and Rams QB Matthew Stafford has quickly settled into L.A. after 12 seasons in Detroit, providing an expected spark in the offense. His 599 passing yards are the second most through two games by a Rams QB over past 20 seasons (Sam Bradford had 651 in 2013). This matchup could be a preview of the NFC championship game. -- Lindsey Thiry
TP Tymeless: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Da Villain: Los Angels Rams
Mr. Controversy: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mr. Harvey: Los Angels Rams
Seahawks (1-1) at Vikings (0-2)
Photo Credit: Lineups.com
4:25 p.m. ET | FOX
Matchup rating: 63.8 | Spread: SEA -1 (55.5)
What to watch for: The Seahawks and Vikings might as well be in the same division, considering this is the fourth meeting between the two teams in the regular season since 2018. Seattle QB Russell Wilson has a 7-0 record against Minnesota, tied for second best by any active QB against any one opponent. The winless Vikings are at a critical juncture as they begin a stretch that could decide the direction of the season. Fortunately for Minnesota, these next two are at home, the first time in 636 days that fans will pack into U.S. Bank Stadium. -- Courtney Cronin
TP Tymeless: Seattle Seahawks
Da Villain: Seattle Seahawks
Mr. Controversy: Seattle Seahawks
Mr. Harvey: Seattle Seahawks
Serious: Minnesota Vikings
Packers (1-1) at 49ers (2-0)
Photo Credit: Lineups.com
8:20 p.m. ET | NBC
Matchup rating: 63.1 | Spread: SF -3.5 (50)
What to watch for: Can the 49ers' pass rush do enough to help their cornerbacks in a difficult matchup? The Niners are thin at corner after losing Jason Verrett for the season, and the Packers bring the stiffest test yet with QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Davante Adams and Co. coming to town. The best coverage for San Francisco might actually be a dominant pass rush, which seems possible given the Niners are fifth in the league in pass rush wins and Green Bay has allowed five sacks through the first two games and is still without star left tackle David Bakhtiari. -- Nick Wagoner
TP Tymeless: Green Bay Packers
Da Villain: Green Bay Packers
Mr. Controversy: San Francisco 49ers
Mr. Harvey: San Francisco 49ers
Eagles (1-1) at Cowboys (1-1)
Photo Credit: Lineups.com
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN
Matchup rating: 53.0 | Spread: DAL -4 (52)
What to watch for: Can the Cowboys continue to make the explosive play on offense? Through two games, the Cowboys have 35 plays of 10 or more yards, the third most in the NFL. But the Eagles' defense has not allowed many big plays in its first two games, with just 19 against going for 10 yards or more, which is the third fewest. It's also worth noting that Cowboys QB Dak Prescott has seven interceptions in eight games against the Eagles, his most against any opponent. -- Todd Archer
TP Tymeless: Dallas Cowboys
Da Villain: Dallas Cowboys
Mr. Controversy: Dallas Cowboys
Mr. Harvey: Philadelphia Eagles
Serious: Dallas Cowboys
