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Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (left) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (right)

Bleacher Report's Expert Week 3 2026 NFL Picks and Predictions

B/R NFL Staff
Sep 24, 2026

If Week 2 in the NFL has taught us anything, it's that we still don't know much about these teams. Also, if everyone on an expert panel agrees, expect the unexpected.

Analysts Gary Davenport, Brad Gagnon, Kris Knox, Moe Moton, and Brent Sobleski, along with editors Wes O'Donnell and Ian Hanford, were all on the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week. The Eagles failed to cover, and the Buccaneers lost outright.

On the flip side, the group improved to 4-2 on its lone-wolf picks, so make sure to pay attention to the contrarian analysis.

This week, we have four lone-wolf picks and two unanimous ones, which means a lot of agreement across our panel. Though if the brave solo experts are right, we could see early separation in the standings below. Moton leads the group, but his colleagues can make up some ground on the upcoming slate.

ATS Standings

1. Moton: 20-12

T-2. Davenport: 15-17

T-2. Hanford: 15-17

T-4. Gagnon: 14-18 

T-4. Knox: 14-18

T-4. Sobleski: 14-18

7. O'Donnell: 12-20

Lone Wolf Picks: 4-2

Lines are from FanDuel as of Wednesday, Sept. 22, at 4 p.m. ET. Check FanDuel for the latest odds info. Information on public betting trends is courtesy of the Action Network. ATS records are provided by Team Rankings.

Atlanta Falcons (0-2) at Green Bay Packers (1-1)

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Packers Jets Football
AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love

Davenport: Packers (-6.5)

To be fair, the Green Bay Packers haven't looked great this year—Green Bay blew a sizable lead in Minnesota and would have lost to the Jets if Gang Green had a head coach who could tell time. But a rusty Michael Penix isn't going to fix the many things that are wrong with the Atlanta Falcons, so this is a (green and) golden opportunity for a get-right game at home. Let the Cheeseheads rejoice. 

O'Donnell: Falcons (+6.5)

The only things the Packers should be excited about is that they finally get to play at Lambeau Field after back-to-back road games, and that one of those road games was against the Jets; they're lucky to be 1-1 right now. Green Bay hosts a Falcons team that gets Michael Penix Jr. back from injury a week after scoring only three points against a Panthers defense that surrendered 59 points the week before that. 

Whether Penix's return is a good omen remains to be seen, but nonsensical things are happening around the NFL right now — I mean, Christian Watson is on pace to shatter career highs by the halfway point of the season, if he stays healthy, for goodness' sake — which means expect the unexpected. On paper, the Packers should blow the doors off the Falcons, so I'm taking the points.  

Predictions

Falcons: Moton, O'Donnell

Packers: Davenport, Gagnon, Hanford, Knox, Sobleski

Carolina Panthers (1-1) at Cleveland Browns (1-1)

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Panthers Falcons Football
AP Photo/Mike Stewart
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young

Hanford: Browns (+2.5)

The Cleveland Browns are playing their first home game against a Carolina Panthers team playing its second straight road game. It feels strange backing the Browns to cover a tight spread, but Cleveland's defense was solid against Tampa Bay, and I think the Panthers' attack has to come back to Earth at some point, as they've scored at least 34 points in each of their first two games. 

The Browns will look to turn this one into an uglier, lower-scoring affair, and I think they make it happen. Cleveland pulls the upset, and we finally get a Jared Verse sighting. 

Sobleski: Panthers (-2.5)

The Panthers are off to a hot start, at least offensively. Bryce Young and Co. are averaging over 400 yards per game through their first two contests. Conversely, the Browns find themselves among the bottom half of the league in total defense. Cleveland's offense surprised with its performance last week. Though that level of play shouldn't be expected. If things go wrong early, the Browns could easily lose home-field advantage thanks to a hostile fanbase.  

Predictions

Panthers: Davenport, Gagnon, Knox, Moton, O'Donnell, Sobleski

Browns: Hanford

Los Angeles Chargers (0-2) at Buffalo Bills (2-0)

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Bills Texans Football
AP Photo/Maria Lysaker
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17)

Gagnon: Bills (-7)

The Buffalo Bills' offense is unstoppable right now, and I sense Jim Leonhard's aggressive defense is on the verge of a breakout performance. Meanwhile, something still isn't right with the Los Angeles Chargers, who are quite banged up and less rested heading into this tough road game.  

O'Donnell: Chargers (+7)

It's only Week 3, but the Chargers are on the precipice of a lost season. A third straight defeat would leave L.A. in historically bad company, as fewer than three percent of 0-3 teams have made the postseason since 1990. 

While the Houston Texans actually accomplished this feat only a year ago, the AFC West is not the AFC South, and Jim Harbaugh's team looks completely flustered, if not entirely lost, and faces a brutal schedule through mid-November. Next on that schedule is the NFL's hottest team, the Bills, and current, overwhelming MVP front-runner Josh Allen (+185 at FanDuel). Are you for real, Justin Herbert? Last chance to prove it.  

Predictions

Chargers: O'Donnell

Bills: Davenport, Gagnon, Hanford, Knox, Moton,  Sobleski

Tennessee Titans (0-2) at New York Giants (1-1)

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Jets Titans Football
AP Photo/George Walker IV
Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons

Knox: Giants (-3)

The Tennessee Titans came close to upsetting the Eagles in Week 2, but I think that game says more about Philadelphia than it does about Tennessee. While I could see the Titans coming into New York and beating a Jaxson Dart-less Giants team, I don't think it'll actually happen.

I'm just not convinced we'll see Robert Saleh's squad put together back-to-back good games, and I don't think the Giants will hamper themselves quite like the Eagles did. While New York's offense didn't look good with Jameis Winston behind center on Monday night, we should see John Harbaugh adapt and bring a different approach with a week to prepare. 

O'Donnell: Titans (+3)

Rock meets hard place. The Giants experienced what may wind up being the biggest high-to-low of any team this entire season, and they did it in only five quarters. On the heels of a huge, emotional division win to open the John Harbaugh era, everything literally came crashing down for New York as Jaxson Dart crashed to the ground on the first drive of Week 2.

Big Blue could rally around that injury in this game, sure, but Jameis Winston's MNF performance makes Giants fans long for the days of Tommy DeVito as the unexpected starting QB. There's no trust in the Titans, either, but taking the points is the safest option here.  

Predictions

Titans: Gagnon, Hanford, O'Donnell, Sobleski

Giants: Davenport, Knox, Moton

Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) at Miami Dolphins (0-2)

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Broncos Chiefs Football
AP Photo/Charlie Riedel
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III

Hanford: Chiefs (-10.5)

The Kansas City Chiefs feel like they're back. Travis Kelce looks like he's turned back the clock. Kenneth Walker III leads a dominant run game. The defense is opportunistic. And they have Patrick Mahomes and a chip on their shoulder after a disappointing 2025 season. The Miami Dolphins have none of these things and are completely overmatched here. I usually hesitate to back heavy favorites, but I don't see this game being close. 

Sobleski: Chiefs (-10.5)

A double-digit spread is a lot this early in the process, but there's little reason to doubt whether the Chiefs are deserving of the number upon facing the Dolphins. Miami already lost its first two games by 14 or more points. The Dolphins also feature the league's worst roster. Meanwhile, K.C. once again looks like a major contender. The spread should probably be even larger than it is.  

Predictions

Chiefs: Davenport, Gagnon, Hanford, Knox, Moton, O'Donnell, Sobleski

Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) at Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)

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Bengals Texans Football
AP Photo/Maria Lysaker
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9)

Gagnon: Steelers (+3.5)

I don't know that I trust the Cincinnati Bengals enough yet to give up a hook in a divisional road game against a veteran opponent that needs the W. Watch for the Pittsburgh Steelers' pass rush to be the difference in a close victory against a Cincinnati team that hasn't started 3-0 in over a decade. 

Hanford: Bengals (-3.5)

The Steelers offense is a mess. Aaron Rodgers doesn't have it anymore, and Mike McCarthy hasn't had any noticeable impact through two weeks. But the real problem is the offensive line, which has allowed six sacks against a Bengals group that's leading the league with eight so far this year. Rodgers can't avoid pressure anymore, and Cincinnati will generate some. 

Pittsburgh's defense has done its job this season, but Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase are a different sort of challenge. This rivalry typically winds up being closer than expected no matter what it looks like on paper, so I'll say the Bengals win by four, but it could be more this time around.

Predictions

Bengals: Davenport, Hanford, Knox, Moton, Sobleski

Steelers: Gagnon, O'Donnell

New England Patriots (1-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)

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Jaguars Broncos Football
AP Photo/David Zalubowski
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11)

Knox: Patriots (+2.5)

Losing Mike Onwenu is a big blow for the New England Patriots, and I think it could lead to serious issues against the Jacksonville Jaguars' pass rush in Jacksonville. However, Mike Vrabel should have a plan for limiting the miscues after watching Drake Maye throw four interceptions in his first two games.

I'm less certain that Trevor Lawrence and the Jags will hold it together after melting down against the Broncos on Sunday. New England has one of the league's top defenses, and if Bo Nix can effectively blast holes in Jacksonville's so-so secondary, so can Maye.

Sobleski: Jaguars (-2.5)

Expect the Jaguars to bounce back at home after a disappointing loss to the Denver Broncos. Furthermore, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has made too many mistakes early in the season. Granted, Maye has been forced to press some due to A.J. Brown's injury. Comparatively, the Jags' offense fields more firepower to move the ball, even against a top-four defense.  

Predictions

Patriots: Knox

Jaguars: Davenport, Gagnon, Hanford, Moton, O'Donnell, Sobleski

Houston Texans (0-2) at Indianapolis Colts (0-2)

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Bengals Texans Football
AP Photo/Ashley Landis
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud

Moton: Texans (-2.5)

Don't hit the panic button on the Houston Texans. They've started the season 0-2 in three of the previous four seasons and made the playoffs with double-digit wins. For whatever reason, under head coach DeMeco Ryans, this team starts slowly and then gains steam as the season goes on.

The Texans won't have Nico Collins, which will make it more difficult for them to flip the switch, but the Indianapolis Colts won't have their most explosive receiver, Alec Pierce. 

With two 0-2 squads trying to shake off an early-season funk, take the team that's accustomed to doing it by at least a field goal.

Sobleski: Colts (+2.5)

Only two games into the season, the Colts already find themselves in a must-win scenario. Granted, the Texans also own an 0-2 record, but these situations are not the same.

Head coach Shane Steichen and his staff know their jobs are on the line. This team will be desperate for a win at home to prove this season isn't going to spiral out of control like it did last year. The offense is good enough to move the ball, even against the Texans defense. The question is whether Lou Anarumo's defense actually shows up and gets a stop or two. In truth, the unit can't be much worse than it's already been. 

Predictions

Texans: Davenport, Gagnon, Hanford, Knox, Moton

Colts: O'Donnell, Sobleski

New York Jets (1-1) at Detroit Lions (1-1)

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Lions Bills Football
AP Photo/Adrian Kraus
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0)

Moton: Lions (-6.5)

The Jets are still inconsistent and need an identity. Whereas the Detroit Lions know who they are: a high-scoring team that has defensive lapses. It's questionable as to whether Gang Green can take advantage of Detroit's defensive shortcomings without a foundational offensive approach.

Plus, the Lions had extra time to make defensive adjustments for a get-right home game. The Jets played two teams with limited/one dimensional offenses. Now, they have the tough task of trying to stop running back Jahmyr Gibbs, wideouts Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams and tight end Sam LaPorta. 

Forget the Aaron Glenn revenge narrative here; this may not end well for him. The Jets are averaging 20 points in two games, while the Lions have scored 31 in both of their outings.

O'Donnell: Jets (+6.5)

The Lions need to get right, but Jets coach Aaron Glenn knows the Lions pretty gorydamn well. New York has punched above its weight two weeks into the season, and this game is ripe for Detroit to make a statement — if it is any sort of legitimate playoff team, which remains to be seen — but I will not ignore an embattled coach returning to his former team and rallying a strong effort.

A 6.5 spread is too big a number for me to lay down right now. Jets cover in either a hard-fought game or silly circumstance.  

Predictions

Jets: O'Donnell, Sobleski

Lions: Davenport, Gagnon, Hanford, Knox, Moton

Seattle Seahawks (2-0) at Washington Commanders (0-2)

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Seahawks Cardinals Football
AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Davenport: Seahawks (-6.5)

Normally, a West Coast team making a cross-country trip to play at 1:00 p.m. Eastern, laying this many points, would be cause for concern. But the Washington Commanders just lost their starting quarterback, while the Seattle Seahawks haven't missed a beat without theirs. Seattle's defense looks like one of the NFL's best (again), while Washington's looks like one of the worst (again). No trap game. No upset. Just carnage. 

Knox: Seahawks (-6.5)

I'm not sure that this game will be as easy for Seattle as we all seem to expect. I expect that both teams will be playing with backup quarterbacks, and the Seahawks face a daunting cross-country trip and an early start time.

Marcus Mariota is one of the league's better backups, and if he plays well while the Seahawks come out sluggish, I could see Washington keeping this one extremely close. Ultimately, though, I'm not sure the Commanders can keep it close enough to cover without Jayden Daniels.

The Seahawks are better with Sam Darnold in the lineup, but they've been fine with Drew Lock.

Predictions

Seahawks: Davenport, Gagnon, Hanford, Knox, Moton, O'Donnell, Sobleski

Arizona Cardinals (1-1) at San Francisco 49ers (2-0)

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Dolphins 49ers Football
AP Photo/Kelley L. Cox
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy

Davenport: Cardinals (+8.5)

Ready for the amazing insight into how the Arizona Cardinals are going to keep this close and maybe even win outright? Are you sure you're ready? Absolutely sure? Totally, absolutely sure? 100 percent totally, absolutely sure? Are you sitting down? Ready to have your mind blown? Your world rocked? OK, here goes (hope you're ready)—there is zero chance the Cardinals win in Santa Clara. This call is all about a back-door cover. Like I have insight. Come on, fams. 

Hanford: 49ers (-8.5)

The San Francisco 49ers are quickly running out of healthy WRs, but San Francisco has looked excellent in each of its first two games with Brock Purdy playing at a high level. The Cardinals lost to a Drew Lock-led Seahawks team in Week 2, so it's hard to see them faring well on the road. Trey McBride is good. The rest of his team is not. 49ers win by double digits. 

Predictions

Cardinals: Davenport

49ers: Gagnon, Hanford, Knox, Moton, O'Donnell, Sobleski

Minnesota Vikings (2-0) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2)

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Packers Vikings Football
AP Photo/Stacy Bengs
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson

Gagnon: Vikings (-1.5)

The Bucs are now 2-9 in their last 11 games. It's time to accept that this team needs a rebuild. I expect them to struggle mightily against Minnesota's defense and Justin Jefferson in another home loss.  

Sobleski: Buccaneers (+1.5)

Baker Mayfield needs to get out of the current funk in which he finds himself. Brian Flores' ultra-aggressive defense certainly won't make matters any easier on Tampa Bay's recently re-signed quarterback. 

However, Mayfield tends to be at his worst when he's pressing. A week ago, the matchup against the Cleveland Browns was viewed as a revenge game. Clearly, the Bucs' QB was too amped up and made too many mistakes. As long as Mayfield makes the proper pre-snap determinations, Tampa should have enough offensively to pull out a victory, even with Kyler Murray back in the Vikings' lineup.  

Predictions

Vikings: Gagnon, Hanford, Knox, Moton, O'Donnell

Buccaneers: Davenport, Sobleski

Las Vegas Raiders (2-0) at New Orleans Saints (1-1)

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Saints Ravens Football
AP Photo/Nick Wass
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12)

Knox: Saints (-3)

The Las Vegas Raiders are sitting at 2-0, and while fans can argue that Las Vegas hasn't beaten a good team, so what? Learning how to beat the teams you're expected to beat is the first step in a rebuilding team's path to becoming a contender.

I just don't think that the New Orleans Saints are a team that the Raiders are supposed to beat. New Orleans is dangerous, and it should have a big crowd advantage in its home opener. I think we'll see a big discrepancy in quarterback play in this one, too.

Kirk Cousins is doing a nice job of being the Raiders' steady hand. Tyler Shough seems to be in the early stages of a Drake Maye-like Year 2 leap.

Moton: Raiders (+3)

The Raiders are a surprise 2-0 team that's played well without All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers, who's expected to be back on the field Sunday, per Ian Rapoport.

Without Bowers, the Raiders have scored 26 and 27 points in their double-digit wins over the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers. With him, their offense should be more potent.

On the flip side, the Saints could feed off the energy of the crowd in their season home opener, and they're averaging a league-high 21 points in the second half of games. However, the Saints lost left tackle Kelvin Banks, which creates a favorable matchup for the Raiders' pass rush.

If you anticipate a close game, like this analyst, take the points with Las Vegas.

Predictions

Raiders: Davenport, Moton, Sobleski

Saints: Gagnon, Hanford, Knox, O'Donnell

Baltimore Ravens (1-1) at Dallas Cowboys (1-1) in Rio De Janeiro

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Saints Ravens Football
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8)

Moton: Ravens (-3)

Keep in mind that these teams will play in Rio De Janeiro at Maracanã Stadium. This matters because, going back to last season, the Dallas Cowboys offense is more than a field goal better at home than it is away from AT&T Stadium. 

Furthermore, the Cowboys defense is still a leaky unit that's allowed close to 400 total yards in the team's first two games, ranking 29th in yards allowed. 

Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter told reporters that players dealing with injuries have a "good shot" of playing in Brazil, including wideout Zay Flowers and left tackle Ronnie Stanley. If both are trending in the right direction, Dallas will have a hard time slowing down Lamar Jackson and the Ravens' passing attack.

O'Donnell: Cowboys (+3)

I see this game coming down to the wire. The Ravens could absolutely open things up early and torch the Dallas defense if Zay Flowers is healthy enough to play near full fitness, but there's no guarantee he suits up (at the time of writing).

The Cowboys are struggling to run the ball, but Dak Prescott and the passing game can keep pace, and they haven't even gotten George Pickens going yet. This is a risky play, but the Ravens haven't shown me enough to trust them yet, and Big D is no stranger to shootouts.  

Predictions

Ravens: Davenport, Gagnon, Hanford, Knox, Moton

Cowboys: O'Donnell, Sobleski

Los Angeles Rams (1-1) at Denver Broncos (1-1)

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Giants Rams Football
AP Photo/Katie Chin
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams (17)

Davenport: Rams (-2.5)

This game is going to be a rockfight—both teams have outstanding defenses, offenses that found a rhythm last week and a Denver Broncos team that was the AFC's No. 1 seed last year can't be happy about being a home underdog. The status of Puka Nacua looms large here as well. Wait, why did I take the Los Angeles Rams? The same reason most of my colleagues did—they're a better team. 

Gagnon: Broncos (+2.5)

The New York Giants were much more forgiving to a banged-up Rams receiver corps than Denver will be, especially considering Los Angeles is now on the road. The Broncos are due for a breakout performance, and I think it comes here.  

Predictions

Rams: Davenport, Hanford, Knox, Moton, O'Donnell

Broncos: Gagnon, Sobleski

Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) at Chicago Bears (1-1)

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Eagles Titans Football
AP Photo/Stew Milne
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts

Hanford: Eagles (-4.5)

This was supposed to be Caleb Williams against the Philadelphia Eagles in a potential NFC Championship preview. Now, with Williams out and Tyson Bagent dealing with a concussion, it looks like Case Keenum against Jalen Hurts. Much less exciting.

With Williams playing, I'd have given the Chicago Bears a shot here. But I can't see Keenum or Bagent scoring enough points to make up for a porous Bears defense. I think the Eagles offense has a big game on the road, and the Eagles win by at least a touchdown. 

Moton: Bears (+4.5)

The Bears may roll with their third-string quarterback for this Monday Night Football matchup. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Tyson Bagent is in concussion protocol.

While it seems like Philadelphia is the easy play because of Chicago's quarterback situation, don't forget that Eagles running back Saquon Barkley suffered a stinger last week and played limited snaps. As of Wednesday, his status for this matchup remains unclear.

Expect the Bears to rely heavily on their ground game led by D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai against the Eagles' run defense, which has allowed 101 and 115 yards to the Washington Commanders' and Tennessee Titans' running backs, respectively. Chicago dominates time of possession and keeps this game within a field goal.

Predictions

Eagles: Davenport, Hanford, O'Donnell, Sobleski

Bears: Gagnon, Knox, Moton

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