NFL Week 3 Picks: Early Predictions for Every Game

Week 2 of the NFL season brought a much-needed transition from off-the-field turmoil to on-field action. After Sunday's games, yet another chapter in the 2014 season was written. With more injuries to take into consideration and more good and bad performances, we've compiled an early predictions list for the Week 3 slate.

Just below the table is a closer look at two of the more prominent games on the schedule.

Thursday, Sept. 18	Time (ET)	TV	Prediction	Location
Sunday, Sept. 21	Time (ET)	TV	Prediction	Location
Monday, Sept. 22	Time (ET)	TV	Prediction	Location
Tampa Bay at Atlanta	8:25 PM	CBS/NFL	Atlanta	Georgia Dome
San Diego at Buffalo	1:00 PM	CBS	Buffalo	Ralph Wilson Stadium
Dallas at St. Louis	1:00 PM	FOX	St. Louis	Edward Jones Dome
Washington at Philadelphia	1:00 PM	FOX	Washington	Lincoln Financial
Houston at NY Giants	1:00 PM	CBS	Houston	MetLife Stadium
Minnesota at New Orleans	1:00 PM	FOX	New Orleans	Mercedes-Benz Superdome
Tennessee at Cincinnati	1:00 PM	CBS	Cincinnati	Paul Brown Stadium
Baltimore at Cleveland	1:00 PM	CBS	Baltimore	FirstEnergy Stadium
Green Bay at Detroit	1:00 PM	FOX	Green Bay	Ford Field
Indianapolis at Jacksonville	1:00 PM	CBS	Jacksonville	EverBank Field
Oakland at New England	1:00 PM	CBS	New England	Gillette Stadium
San Francisco at Arizona	4:05 PM	FOX	San Francisco	U of Phoenix Stadium
Denver at Seattle	4:25 PM	CBS	Seattle	CenturyLink Field
Kansas City at Miami	4:25 PM	CBS	Miami	Sun Life Stadium
Pittsburgh at Carolina	8:30 PM	NBC	Carolina	Bank of America Stadium
Chicago at NY Jets	8:30 PM	ESPN	Chicago	MetLife Stadium

Seattle Will Win Super Bowl Rematch

USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Seahawks looked like world-beaters in Week 1 versus the Green Bay Packers, but in Week 2, the Super Bowl champions were bamboozled by a potent San Diego Chargers offense.

Philip Rivers tossed three touchdown passes against the Legion of Boom secondary to hand the champs their first loss.

Seattle is a good team on the road, but it is a different squad at home. When Seattle and Denver renew acquaintances, the Seahawks will be back at home, where they have been nearly unbeatable for the last two seasons.

Since 2012, the Seahawks are 17-1 at home. Still smarting from the Week 2 loss, the Seahawks will be ready to get back into the win column.

Washington Will Upset Philadelphia

USA TODAY Sports

Robert Griffin III went down with a dislocated ankle in Week 2, but Kirk Cousins was stellar in relief. Cousins threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns.

Washington was only playing the Jacksonville Jaguars, but Cousins outplayed RG3 during the preseason and there's belief that the team may play better with the Michigan State product under center.

Washington's coach Jay Gruden had this to say about Cousins, per The Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com):"He's handled being a backup like a pro. He's waited patiently, and now his time is going to come to really take this thing and run with it."

Philly will take on the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night, so we don't know yet if the team will be undefeated or 1-1. We also don't know whether it will suffer a significant injury of its own.

This prediction is being made under the assumption that the Eagles will be healthy. Even with an Eagles team at full strength, Washington will come away with the win.

With Cousins under center, Washington's offense runs more efficiently and he limits turnovers. That's exactly what teams must do to slow down the Eagles offense. Philly wants to keep a rhythm and run as many plays as possible.

In Week 1, Philly ran 85 plays from scrimmage. By establishing the run and taking care of the ball, Washington will limit Philadelphia's opportunities and grab the clutch road win.