NFL Week 3 Picks: Teams That Are Locks to Win Tough Matchups

There were plenty of big matchups in the NFL last week, and the Green Bay Packers are one of the teams that are locks to win tough games in Week 3.

Several games this week are between teams that made the playoffs a season ago. There are plenty of postseason implications this weekend, so keep an eye on this week's games.

Great defenses will be on display, and it will be up to the quarterbacks to make smart decisions.

Below is the full schedule for Week 3 along with a group of teams that are locks to win big showdowns.

Green Bay Packers (at Cincinnati Bengals)

Two teams that are expected to win their divisions will clash in Cincinnati on Sunday. It will be a showdown of a prolific offense and a dominant defense.

The Bengals have the best defensive line in the league. Geno Atkins the best interior lineman in the NFL, and Michael Johnson and Carlos Dunlap are athletic defensive ends who can get to the quarterback. Leon Hall is a great cornerback.

A.J. Green is an elite receiver who should be able to keep his team in the game. However, quarterback Andy Dalton isn't talented enough to keep up with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.

Green Bay has so many playmakers on offense. The Packers have already lit up two teams that made the playoffs last season, and they will be able to pick apart the Bengals defense.

Randall Cobb, James Jones and Jordy Nelson are all capable of taking over games. With Rodgers throwing the football, this offense will put up points. He has thrown for 813 yards, and he has seven touchdowns to only one interception this season.

Cincinnati's defense is strong, but great offenses have been able to move the ball against it. Rodgers will be too much for the Bengals to handle. 

San Francisco 49ers (vs. Indianapolis Colts)

Both teams are coming off losses, so they will both be looking to rebound. The game is in San Francisco, so the 49ers will have the advantage from the start.

Colin Kaepernick is coming off an underwhelming performance against the Seattle Seahawks. He completed 13 of 28 passes for 127 yards with three interceptions in a blowout loss. 

Anquan Boldin and Vernon Davis will have their way with the Colts, and Frank Gore will be able to help out on the ground. The Indianapolis defense ranked 29th against the run last season, so it will have a hard time containing Kaepernick and Gore.

San Francisco has an explosive offense, and the Colts don't have the firepower to keep up.

This will be a battle of two young quarterbacks. The Colts struggled to beat the Oakland Raiders and lost to the Miami Dolphins, and the 49ers are a much better team than either of their previous opponents. 

Kaepernick will rebound to have a strong game and lead his team to a win.

Chicago Bears (at Pittsburgh Steelers)

Jay Cutler has led his team to fourth-quarter comebacks in each of the first two weeks, but he won't need one on Sunday night.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have an inexperienced offensive line, and they have issues at running back. The Bears ranked fifth in total defense and eighth in pass defense last season. They already beat the Bengals, so another AFC North opponent will go down this weekend.

Cutler will be going up against the No. 1 pass defense from a season ago. The quarterback has Brandon Marshall, who is one of the NFL's elite receivers, and Alshon Jeffery to work with. Both are tall receivers who are dangerous in the end zone.

Chicago has a tough defense and a dynamic offense. Cutler has been clutch this season, and he will take on a Steelers team that is trying to put everything together.

The balance on offense and defense will lead the Bears to a 3-0 start.

*All stats are courtesy of NFL.com.