It’s already Week 3. And the best thing about a new slate of games is that it brings another chance to do a better job at guessing the outcomes of the games.
Which is also a reminder that — especially in the early stages of the season — it’s virtually impossible to know what will happen. Which is another reminder that, if you’re going to yield to the nonstop advertising and put any of your hard-earned money on the line, be careful. It should come from your entertainment budget. Any money you make is found money, which eventually will be lost money if/when you persuade yourself that you’re the next Jimmy the Greek.
Here’s another reminder. Don’t rely on me when you’re figuring out how you want to go about turning your found money into your lost money. Last week, I was a pathetic 9-7.
Best pick: None of them. Worst pick: Texans over Bengals. Flew-to-close-to-the-sun-on-wings-of-pastrami pick: Giants over Rams.
For the year, I’m 19-13.
So here we go for Week 3. The goal is 16-0. The fear is 0-16.
Falcons at Packers (Thursday night)
The Packers get a homecoming game for their home opener, against a Falcons team that will be trotting out its third quarterback in three games, with the hope that he’s ready to go after his most recent ACL tear. Green Bay will need to show a little more consistency — and a flash or two of dominance — in order to keep the boo birds at bay after a sluggish 1-1 start to the season.
Packers 27, Falcons 13.
Chargers at Bills
It would be fitting for the Chargers to dig deep and to stun the Bills, especially as the pressure to get a win increases. But the Bills are still basking in the glow of their new building, and the Chargers have done little to inspire confidence that they can fly across the country to beat a team that had three extra days to prepare.
Bills 34, Chargers 20.
Panthers at Browns
For Deshaun Watson, it will be easier to win the game than it will be to win the crowd. And it won’t be easy to win the game.
Panthers 28, Browns 20.
Jets at Lions
Aaron Glenn returns to Detroit, where he did well enough as the defensive coordinator to become a head coach. He may wish he never left. And if he pulls off the upset, Dan Campbell may say to Glenn, “Take me with you.”
Lions 30, Jets 22.
Texans at Colts
It’s not an elimination game, only because the AFC South suddenly doesn’t seem to be poised to become one of the toughest divisions in the league. Still, 0-3 becomes a much more difficult hole to emerge from. The Texans seem to be better equipped to pull it off.
Texans 20, Colts 10.
Patriots at Jaguars
The Patriots need 2026 Drake Maye to start playing like 2025 Drake Maye. And the Jaguars need Week 2 Trevor Lawrence to play more like Week 1 Trevor Lawrence.
Jaguars 23, Patriots 16.
Chiefs at Dolphins
In 1971, these two teams played the longest game in NFL history. For Dolphins fans who attend this one, it will feel even longer.
Chiefs 27, Dolphins 9.
Titans at Giants
The absence of Jaxson Dart gives John Harbaugh a chance to do some of the best coaching of his career. It helps that, for the next couple of weeks, the schedule complies. Even if Titans offensive coordinator Brian Daboll knows the personnel well enough to help Robert Saleh and company devise an effective game plan.
Giants 16, Titans 13.
Bengals at Steelers
If Mike Tomlin were still the coach, this would be a find-a-way game for the Steelers. Sunday’s game could be the most tangible evidence yet of the fact that Mike Tomlin is no longer the coach.
Bengals 24, Steelers 14.
Seahawks at Commanders
Once upon a time, Dan Quinn was the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator. Those days are gone forever. (Although he could be a defensive coordinator again, as soon as next year.)
Seahawks 24, Commanders 7.
Cardinals at 49ers
As long as they stay healthy, the 49ers will keep rolling.
49ers 30, Cardinals 13.
Vikings at Buccaneers
It’s even harder to envision the Vikings as 3-0 as it is to picture the Bucs at 0-3. If that’s the way it goes, the Vikings may be for real. And the stadium in Tampa may be empty (except for Packers fans) in Week 4.
Buccaneers 23, Vikings 20.
Ravens at Cowboys (in Brazil)
A sloppy field could benefit the guys who know where they’re going, to the detriment of those who are trying to keep up.
Ravens 34, Cowboys 30.
Raiders at Saints
Could this be a preview of a Super Bowl of the not-too-distant future? (Probably not, but both teams are better than expected.)
Saints 24, Raiders 20.
Rams at Broncos (Sunday night)
The Broncos presumably will have a plan for covering Davante Adams. The noise at Mile High Stadium will help, too.
Broncos 27, Rams 24.
Eagles at Bears (Monday night)
The Eagles catch a break, if they end up facing Case Keenum. Who last threw a regular-season pass in 2023.
Eagles 24, Bears 20.
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