Last week was a reminder that the 2018 NFL season can and will continue to be unpredictable. That's more inspiration and motivation for better prognostication going forward.
Some teams have emerged as dominant powerhouses to pick every week, while others are looking like reliable doormats to pick against every week.
Here is your fearless forecast for Week 3 — as usual, for entertainment purposes only. (Game lines courtesy of Bovada.)
MORE NFL PREDICTIONS:
Week 3 NFL picks straight up
Week 3 NFL picks against the spread
(All times ET)
NFC Game of the Week: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons (-3)
Sunday 1 p.m., Fox
The Saints needed a better defensive performance against the Browns last week, and they got it. The Falcons' offense woke up against the Panthers, but on defense, the effects of not having Deion Jones and Keanu Neal in the middle of the field almost cost them. Drew Brees will exploit that weakness and out-duel Matt Ryan.
PICK: Saints win 27-24.
Shootout of the Week: Pittsburgh Steelers (-1.5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Monday 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Bucs QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has been picking apart defenses with a deep passing attack, and the Steelers have shown no indication that they can slow down such an aggressive offense. But Tampa Bay also can't play defense or run the ball. The Pirate Ship will be ready to fire more cannons against another visiting team from Pennsylvania, but the Steelers will steal the thunder as Ben Roethlisberger comes through with a rare road gem.
PICK: Steelers win 38-27 and cover the spread.
Lock of the Week: New England Patriots (-7) at Detroit Lions
Sunday 8:20 p.m., NBC
New England has feasted in Detroit before, as its last trip to Ford Field, in 2010 on Thanksgiving, resulted in a 45-24 rout. Now former Michigan star Tom Brady has a new toy in Josh Gordon against a Lions defense that got ripped by former Patriot Jimmy Garoppolo and might be without top corner Darius Slay. Matt Patricia vs. Bill Belichick will be a fun storyline ... until they kick off and actually play.
PICK: Patriots win 51-21 and cover the spread.
Inside the numbers with TeamRankings.com
- Since 2003, the Patriots are 38-13 (74.5 percent) ATS after a loss and 38-28-1 (57.6 percent) ATS in games vs. the NFC
- Since Matthew Stafford was drafted by Detroit in 2009, the Lions are 33-42-2 (44.0 percent) ATS after a loss
- The Patriots have covered the spread vs. Detroit in six of eight matchups since 1985, including the past two matchups
Rest of the Week:
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings (-17)
Sunday 1 p.m., CBS
The Bills, after a couple clunkers against two good teams, keep seeing the spread against them grow. Their offense won't be able to do much of anything against a Vikings defense that can dominate them in all aspects. Kirk Cousins will keep letting the offense have fun, but really, a Dan Bailey field goal is all Minnesota needs to win this one.
PICK: Vikings win 38-0 and cover the spread.
Inside the numbers with TeamRankings.com
- Since 2003, NFL favorites of 16.5 points or more are 17-19-2 (47.2 percent) ATS
- Since 2003, the Bills are 70-55-4 (56 percent) ATS after a loss
- Since Mike Zimmer became head coach in 2014, the Vikings are 25-10 (70.4 percent) ATS at home and 13-3 (81.3 percent) ATS vs. the AFC
Green Bay Packers (-3) at Washington Redskins
Sunday 1 p.m., CBS
Aaron Rodgers has had some big games against the Redskins, including a playoff victory in Washington. The Packers’ offense is humming again, and the QB will find open targets all afternoon while spreading the ball around better than Alex Smith can. Green Bay's run defense will set the tone early to take control.
PICK: Packers win 27-20 and cover the spread.
Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens (-5)
Sunday 1 p.m., CBS
Other than the bright spots of Phillip Lindsay and Emmanuel Sanders, the Broncos’ offense has not looked great with Case Keenum; their defense has been saving the day during their 2-0 start. The Ravens are well rested, and Joe Flacco will outplay Keenum with plenty of help from Alex Collins and the power running game.
PICK: Ravens win 23-20 but fail to cover the spread.
Indianapolis Colts at Philadelphia Eagles (-6)
Sunday 1 p.m., Fox
Carson Wentz's return will get the Eagles' offense back to full capacity. Frank Reich will coach up the Colts on what to expect from the Philly QB, but Indy's limited defensive personnel will struggle. Philadelphia will look like the defending Super Bowl champion it is as the defense makes sure Andrew Luck can't lead a comeback.
PICK: Eagles win 30-20 and cover the spread.
San Francisco 49ers at Kansas City Chiefs (-6.5)
Sunday 1 p.m., Fox
The 49ers are still getting plenty of buzz with Jimmy Garoppolo, but the Chiefs are getting even more with Patrick Mahomes. San Francisco's improved secondary had trouble with Detroit's diverse receivers last week. Kansas City should improve defensively with Eric Berry's return, but it's on Mahomes and Kareem Hunt to bring home the Chiefs' Arrowhead opener.
PICK: Chiefs win 31-27 but fail to cover the spread.
New York Giants at Houston Texans (-6)
Sunday 1 p.m., Fox
The Giants and Texans have terrible offensive lines, so this games comes down to which QB can create something out of nothing more often. Eli Manning's dump-offs to Saquon Barkley and limited shots downfield to Odell Beckham Jr. won’t cut it. Deshaun Watson is back to his rookie self with DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller trading big plays downfield. Houston will not waste its home opener.
PICK: Texans win 27-17 and cover the spread.
Cincinnati Bengals at Carolina Panthers (-3)
Sunday 1 p.m., CBS
Cam Newton and Andy Dalton are the standout starting QBs from the 2011 draft, and the last time these teams played four seasons ago, they tied — fitting for cats of equal strength. The Bengals go in without Joe Mixon, a big break for the Panthers’ run defense. A.J. Green will have a nice game, but Dalton will get smacked around on the road while Newton uses his legs (and Christian McCaffrey) to get Carolina back above .500.
PICK: Panthers win 24-20 and cover the spread.
Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins (-3)
Sunday 1 p.m., CBS
Don’t look now, but the Dolphins have a chance to start the season 3-0. Don’t look now, but Raiders coach Jon Gruden is starting to figure out some things offensively despite an 0-2 start. The Dolphins beat the Titans and Jets in part because Tennessee and New York didn't have the QB competency to compete. Oakland’s blocking can wear down Miami. A red-hot Derek Carr will outplay Ryan Tannehill.
PICK: Raiders win 23-20.
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars (TBD)
Sunday 1 p.m., CBS
Blake Bortles is playing well, but this game should return to a heavy dose of Jacksonville's running game with Leonard Fournette expected to return. On the other side, Tennessee's strength in the ground game is hurting with injuries to Marcus Mariota, Delanie Walker and the offensive line. The Titans will still have some success in that part of the game, but the home team will pull away late.
PICK: Jaguars win 24-17.
Inside the numbers with TeamRankings.com
- Since 2015, the Jaguars are 11-6-1 ATS in division games
- Last season the Titans were 5-1 ATS in division games
- The Titans have covered the spread in four of the past five meetings, dating back to December 2015
Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Rams (-7)
Sunday 4:05 p.m., CBS
The Chargers, still dealing with key injuries, looked more like the Super Bowl contenders they're supposed to be, but that was against the lowly Bills. The Rams also have had it rather easy against the Raiders and Cardinals, but the other LA team is built to make this an interesting, higher-scoring affair. Phillip Rivers will work the middle of the field, but it won't be enough. Jared Goff and Todd Gurley will have more answers.
PICK: Rams win 27-24 but fail to cover the spread.
Inside the numbers with TeamRankings.com
- The Chargers are 25-13-2 (65.8 percent) ATS as road underdogs since 2012
- Since 2003, the Rams are 32-27-2 (54.2 percent) ATS in games vs. the AFC
- The Rams are 11-8 (57.9 percent) ATS since Sean McVay became head coach in 2017
Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks (-3)
Sunday 4:25 p.m., Fox
Dallas has had success in Seattle of late, and this time, the Cowboys will take advantage of having the better-protected mobile QB and the stronger running game. The Seahawks' defense is battling injuries and is in danger of getting run over by Ezekiel Elliott. Dallas' pass rush will keep the heat on Russell Wilson, and its linebackers will do the rest.
PICK: Cowboys win 20-17.
Inside the numbers with TeamRankings.com
- Coming off a win, Dallas is 28-33-1 (45.9 percent) ATS during the era of coach Jason Garrett era (since 2011)
- However, Garrett’s Cowboys teams are 18-13 ATS as road underdogs
- Seattle is 42-27-1 (60.9 percent) ATS in home games, and 29-17-1 (63.0 percent) ATS after a loss since Pete Carroll became head coach in 2010
Data provided by TeamRankings.com, the NFL bettor's most comprehensive resource for algorithmic betting predictions and matchup stats. For a limited time, Sporting News readers can get a free 3-Day All-Access subscription to TeamRankings. The free trial includes all NFL game predictions and picks, plus customized picks for your NFL pick 'em contests and survivor pools.
Chicago Bears (TBD) at Arizona Cardinals
Sunday 4:25 p.m., Fox
We can't help but think about Devin Hester and the late, great Dennis Green when these teams get together. Khalil Mack will drum up memories of Brian Urlacher playing in the desert with a big performance against a dysfunctional Cardinals offense. Mitchell Trubisky will take a few more lumps, but he'll do plenty to win.
PICK: Bears win 27-17.
Game of Midweek: New York Jets at Cleveland Browns (-3)
Thursday 8:20 p.m., NFL Network
The Browns have done some good things through two games, but, missed kicks included, they have failed to put it all together and end their winless streak. Coach Hue Jackson needs to win this game against another team trying to climb out of bottom-feeder status. Primetime emotions will do the trick. Tyrod Taylor will help Cleveland beat an AFC East foe with which he's familiar. Let the free beer flow.
PICK: Browns win 17-13 and cover the spread.
Last week’s record straight up: 9-6
Last week’s record against the spread: 5-10
Season record straight up: 17-13
Season record against the spread: 14-17
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