NFL Predictions Week 3: Top Odds, Picks, Projections for Every Game on Schedule

The expectations have diminished for the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers.

The injuries to their starting quarterbacks have been reflected in the Week 3 lines, as both are road underdogs for their respective trips to Seattle and San Francisco.

According to ESPN Stats & Info, Week 3 will be the first time since Week 17 in 2004 that both Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger do not play.

The Saints are not in terrible shape in the NFC South, but a loss to the Seahawks could set them back. The Steelers are in a much different situation, as they need a win to end a two-game losing streak.

Teddy Bridgewater and Mason Rudolph face stiff competition from two of the three undefeated squads in the NFC West. While an upset is never out of the question, both squads could be in for a tough Sunday.

NFL Week 3 Schedule and Odds

All times Eastern

Odds via Caesars; projections against the spread in bold

Thursday, September 19

Tennessee (-1.5) at Jacksonville (Over/Under: 40) (8:20 p.m., NFL Network)

Sunday, September 22

Atlanta at Indianapolis (-2.5) (O/U: 47.5) (1 p.m., CBS)

Baltimore at Kansas City (-6.5) (O/U: 54.5) (1 p.m., CBS)

Cincinnati at Buffalo (-6) (O/U: 44) (1 p.m., CBS)

New York Jets at New England (-18) (1 p.m., CBS)

Denver at Green Bay (-8) (O/U: 43) (1 p.m., Fox)

Detroit at Philadelphia (-7.5) (O/U: 48) (1 p.m., Fox)

Miami at Dallas (-21) (O/U: 47.5) (1 p.m., Fox)

Oakland at Minnesota (-7.5) (O/U: 42) (1 p.m., Fox)

Carolina (-2.5) at Arizona (O/U: 46.5) (4:05 p.m., Fox)

New York Giants at Tampa Bay (-6.5) (O/U: 48) (4:05 p.m., Fox)

Houston at Los Angeles Chargers (-3) (O/U: 47.5) (4:25 p.m., CBS)

Pittsburgh at San Francisco (-6.5) (O/U: 43.5) (4:25 p.m., CBS)

New Orleans at Seattle (-5) (O/U:44.5) (4:25 p.m., CBS)

Los Angeles Rams (-2.5) at Cleveland (O/U: 50.5) (8:20 p.m., NBC)

Monday, September 23

Chicago (-4.5) at Washington (O/U: 41.5) (8:15 p.m., ESPN)

Pittsburgh at San Francisco (-6.5)

Gary Landers/Associated Press

The 49ers put together a pair of solid wins on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cincinnati Bengals to set themselves up nicely for Sunday's home opener at Levi's Stadium.

The Niners produced 572 total yards in Week 2, and a next-man-up mentality looks to have washed away their injury concerns at running back.

With Tevin Coleman out, Matt Breida, Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. combined for 238 rushing yards and two scores on 35 carries. Mostert also had 68 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan's running back trio could have more success in Week 3 against a Pittsburgh defense that has conceded the third-most receiving yards and ninth-most rushing yards to running backs.

The Steelers rank third-to-last in yards conceded to wide receivers, but they will have some secondary help with the addition of Minkah Fitzpatrick from Miami.

But the acquisition of the defensive back might not be enough for head coach Mike Tomlin's team to contain the 49ers, who have had 10 players catch a ball from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

In his three home starts for the Niners, the 27-year-old has 829 passing yards, five touchdowns and an interception.

If the Steelers can't contain the San Francisco offense, they will not be able to give Rudolph an opportunity to win the contest.

The Oklahoma State product put up 112 yards and two touchdowns on 12-of-19 passing in relief or Roethlisberger on Sunday.

The 24-year-old is familiar with the offensive scheme, but the biggest concern for him could be the production of his wide receivers.

Pittsburgh's receiving corps has 47 receptions on 81 targets, with James Washington and Donte Moncrief failing to catch over half of the passes thrown at them.

If San Francisco's secondary limits the production of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Rudolph could be out of reliable targets at receiver.

The 49ers were able to contain John Ross III for the most part Sunday, with his 66-yard touchdown catch coming in garbage time. In Week 1, they held all of Tampa Bay's receivers under 60 yards.

The Niners are the safe play with a 6.5-point spread because of their early production and pair of double-digit victories.

New Orleans at Seattle (-5)

Don Wright/Associated Press

Similar to Rudolph, Bridgewater is familiar with his offense after spending a season backing up Brees, but knowing the scheme and executing it are much different.

Bridgewater went 17-of-30 for 165 yards in relief of Brees against the Los Angeles Rams.

That was a decent start for the quarterback out of Louisville, but he needs to be better at CenturyLink Field, especially if Seattle continues to stop the run.

The Seahawks limited the Bengals and Steelers to 115 rushing yards, which is the fourth-best total in the NFL.

If head coach Pete Carroll's team takes away Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray from the New Orleans offense, the Saints could struggle.

In 2018, the Seahawks held opponents under 25 points at home in five of their six wins, and in Week 1, they limited the Bengals to 20.

If that trend continues, the NFC West side could open up a double-digit advantage against a defense that has conceded 6.6 yards per play and 55 points.

Chris Carson could be in for a big game, as New Orleans ranks 27th in rushing yards conceded. The Seattle running back received 15 carries in each of his first two games and averaged 88.6 rushing yards in his last five home games.

If Carson provides Russell Wilson, who has 495 passing yards and five touchdowns, with balance on offense, the Seahawks could move through the New Orleans defense and cover the five-point spread.

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.

Statistics obtained from Pro Football Reference.