NFL Predictions Week 3: Picks and Projections for Top Underdogs' Upset Bids

The Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Washington Redskins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders all won football games last week.

Circle back to some preseason NFL power rankings, and all six squads will regularly reside comfortably below No. 20. After Week 1, the latter three were considered top candidates to land next year's No. 1 draft pick.

Meanwhile, four of the nine 0-2 teams made the playoffs last season. That doesn't include the Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans, who barely missed out despite boasting winning records. This is now a universe where the Raiders edged out the Baltimore Ravens in a shootout and the Jets dominated the Indianapolis Colts offense. 

How can Week 3 shock everyone as much as last week's stunning outcomes? It probably won't. (If the Jaguars beat the New England Patriots, let's all agree never to make another NFL prediction again.) Let's take a look at a couple of underdogs, per Odds Shark, poised to maintain the league's chaos.

Date	Away	Prediction	Home	Spread*
Thurs., Sept 24	Washington Redskins	20-27	New York Giants	NYG -4
Sun., Sept. 27	Atlanta Falcons	20-16	Dallas Cowboys	ATL -1.5
Sun., Sept. 27	Indianapolis Colts	30-23	Tennessee Titans	IND -3
Sun., Sept. 27	Oakland Raiders	14-17	Cleveland Browns	CLE -3
Sun., Sept. 27	Cincinnati Bengals	28-30	Baltimore Ravens	BAL -2.5
Sun., Sept. 27	Jacksonville Jaguars	17-38	New England Patriots	NE -14.5
Sun., Sept. 27	New Orleans Saints	13-19	Carolina Panthers	CAR -3
Sun., Sept. 27	Philadelphia Eagles	24-23	New York Jets	NYJ -1
Sun., Sept. 27	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	16-23	Houston Texans	HOU -7
Sun., Sept. 27	San Diego Chargers	27-23	Minnesota Vikings	MIN -1
Sun., Sept. 27	Pittsburgh Steelers	31-24	St. Louis Rams	PIT -1
Sun., Sept. 27	San Francisco 49ers	13-27	Arizona Cardinals	ARI -7
Sun., Sept. 27	Buffalo Bills	21-20	Miami Dolphins	MIA -2.5
Sun., Sept. 27	Chicago Bears	6-23	Seattle Seahawks	SEA -16
Sun., Sept. 27	Denver Broncos	23-17	Detroit Lions	DEN -2.5
Mon., Sept. 28	Kansas City Chiefs	27-26	Green Bay Packers	GB -7.5

San Diego Chargers at Minnesota Vikings

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Both 1-1 with victories over the Detroit Lions, the San Diego Chargers and Minnesota Vikings will engage in a battle of fringe postseason contenders. Given the home-field edge and perceived momentum of a Week 2 victory, Minnesota opened the week with a two-point advantage on Odds Shark.

Following a brutal opener against the San Francisco 49ers, the Vikings brandished their sleeper potential. Demolished by Carlos Hyde in Week 1, the defense stuffed Detroit to 38 rushing yards, 20 from quarterback Matthew Stafford.

"We went to basic football," nose tackle Linval Joseph told ESPN.com's Ben Goessling. "The goal is to tackle the guy with the ball—get two or three guys on the ball, and try to get the ball out. That's what we did (Sunday). We tried to get turnovers and made some." (They forced two fumbles.)

Much like last year, San Diego looks firmly stuck in the middle. Just like last season, it has scored the same amount of points (52) as it allowed after losing an evenly matched clash with the 2-0 Cincinnati Bengals. 

While one club suffered its loss in humiliating fashion to the depleted 49ers, the other fell slightly to a healthy, perennial playoff participant. Adrian Peterson returned to form last weekend, but San Diego still boasts a more balanced attack. Rookie Melvin Gordon and Danny Woodhead complement each other perfectly in the backfield behind Philip Rivers, who leads the NFL with an 89.6 accuracy percentage. 

Expect an even bout between two solid clubs, but the Chargers are playing a bit crisper on both ends. The Vikings will need another monster performance from Peterson, and that still may not prove enough if Gordon builds on last week's strong showing.

Kansas City Chiefs at Green Bay Packers

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

With better ball security on Thursday night, the Kansas City Chiefs knock off the Denver Broncos and set up a battle of 2-0 squads labeled a possible Super Bowl preview. Instead, they dished up five turnovers—including a late Jamaal Charles fumble on a meaningless draw—to squander their early two-touchdown lead.

As a result, the Green Bay Packers are comfortable favorites heading into Monday night. And they should be. Sunday night's victory over the Seattle Seahawks gives them a 10-game winning streak at Lambeau Field. Aaron Rodgers remains Aaron Rodgers, completing 76.8 percent (43-of-56) of his passes without turning the ball over this season.

Here's everyone's weekly reminder of how well the reigning MVP plays at home, per the team's official Twitter page:

Yet the Chiefs represent a dangerous opponent capable of squeaking out an upset. Having already collected eight sacks and 24 quarterback hurries, their front seven can infiltrate an offensive line missing Bryan Bulaga and possessing negative grades in both pass and run blocking.

Of course, they won't shut down Rodgers completely. Few can. It's a matter of keeping Green Bay's offense in line enough, which they did against Denver if not for the other unit's giveaways. Turnovers fluctuate, so last week isn't predictive of more mishaps.

After throwing three picks during Week 1 last year, Alex Smith surrendered three during his remaining 14 games. In each of his two seasons in Kansas City, he endured one multi-interception game all year. While fumbling persists as an issue for Jamaal Charles, Green Bay's 5.3 yards allowed per carry presents a bigger concern.

That average has come against Matt Forte and Marshawn Lynch, but the Packers rated No. 23 in run defense last year. If Charles secures the football, he'll have a massive day, which will keep Rodgers where the Chiefs want him—on the sidelines.

All advanced statistics are courtesy of Pro Football Focus.