NFL Week 3 predictions: Vikings struggle, Packers dominate Bengals

The Vikings will struggle in week 3 while the Packers cruise. See these picks and predictions from Week 3 of the NFL season, key performances, and more!

Last week wasn’t a good week for my predictions. Week 2 of the NFL season found me going 8-8 straight up, which isn’t something to be proud of, but is better than ending the week with a losing record…but what should I have expected picking the Vikings to beat the Steelers?

Hopefully, my picks for Week 3 of the season will be an improvement for me, as I attempt to break out of mediocrity and show that my ability to choose the winner of football games before they are played is better than the .500 I currently sit at for the season.

Here are my picks and predictions for every game from Week 3 of the NFL season:

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

The 49ers break a few big plays, Jared Goff continues to show Rams fans why they should be confident in the development of his play in a game that ends up much closer than it should have been.

KEY STAT: WR Cooper Kupp – 6 catches for 83 yards and 1 TD

Sunday Morning

Live from London, this game is watched by many people in highlights only since it will air at 8:30 am in the Central time zone. But those who do tune in to watch the game will get treated to some funky Buck Allen action!

KEY STAT: RB Buck Allen – 23 carries for 102 yards and 1 TD

Noon Games

The Broncos are looking like a strong playoff team and the Bills have to be taken seriously, but they shouldn’t be able to keep this game close for too long because of some smothering defense and a strong Broncos run game to close the game.

KEY STAT: RB C.J. Anderson – 122 rushing yards and 2 TDs

This is going to be a massacre, but garbage time to close the game will result in the Bears looking better than they really were during this contest. The Steelers defense will swarm Chicago, making their offense look more inept than it really is.

KEY STAT: LB Von Miller – 8 tackles, 2 sacks

This was the most difficult game for me to pick this week. In the end, it was the home field advantage for Carolina and picking disciplined defense over an explosive offense that made this pick for me. However, the Panthers will really miss tight end Greg Olsen.

KEY STAT: RB Christian McCaffrey – 102 total yards, 2 TDs

Once again, Sam Bradford will be a game-time decision that ends up finding the Vikings quarterback on the bench. The Tampa Bay defense makes things tough again for the offense, and the Vikings struggle to get things done in the passing game.

KEY STAT: LB Lavonte David – 10 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss

Strangely enough, this could be the game to watch of the week. While neither team will light the scoreboard on fire, it will be a hard-fought back and forth game with the home team getting the edge by a field goal.

KEY STAT: WR Seth DeValve – 7 catches for 112 yards and 1 TD

This season, it would be foolish to pick the Jets to defeat any team…and I’m especially not going to choose them to defeat a Dolphins team with a strong passing attack balanced with a dynamic runner.

KEY STAT: RB Jay Ajayi – 111 rushing yards and 1 TD

New England looked defeated in Week 1 against the Chiefs but rebounded to make short work of the Saints in Week 2. Now, they will face off against a Houston team that is struggling to find an identity on offense, which is never good against a team as strong as the Patriots.

KEY STAT: QB Tom Brady – 337 passing yards and 2 TDs

An unbeaten team falls as Matt Stafford does his best to keep the team in the running, but a 4th quarter interception that Atlanta turns into a touchdown puts the game out of reach despite the Lions cutting the lead to one score in the final moments and failing the onside kick.

KEY STAT: QB Matt Stafford – 364 passing yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs

The Giants can’t get their offense clicking and the big bodies of the Eagles defense aren’t going to help to make that happen. On the other hand, Philadelphia’s offense moves the ball efficiently and eats up the time of possession against New York.

KEY STAT: Eagles Time of Possession – 36:05

Sunday Evening Games

The Seahawks get their running game going against a defense that is middle of the road at stopping it. This allows Seattle to open up some passes and play the field position game in what feels like more of a chess match than a football game.

Key Stat: Seahawks – 156 total rushing yards

Who would have thought that Kansas City’s offense would be such a powerhouse this year. Losing Berry hurts the defense, but not enough to make that unit a weakness. Meanwhile, Rivers struggles to get going and the Chargers slow start dooms them into passing most of the day.

KEY STAT: RB Kareem Hunt – 168 total yards of offense and 2 TDs

Seriously, this game should be a massacre. Although I do predict that the Bengals get their first touchdown of the NFL season against Green Bay, there is little reason to see them putting up any kind of fight against the Packers to make this contest anywhere near close.

KEY STAT: QB Aaron Rodgers – 352 passing yards and 3 TDs

Sunday Night Football

Hopefully, this game will be shown in your area because it looks like it’s going to be a classic. This game needs overtime to be decided, and with the Raiders winning the coin flip they drive down the field to score a touchdown and put the game to an end.

KEY STAT: WR Amari Cooper – 11 catches for 144 yards and 2 TDs

Monday Night Football

The Cowboys won’t be embarrassed again as they make the most of their Monday Night Football contest to show they are better than what they put on display against the Broncos. Elliott runs all over Arizona, leaving only a trail of dust in his path.

KEY STAT: RB Ezekiel Elliott – 132 yards rushing and 2 TDs

Next: Review Week 2's disappointing predictions

What do you think of these predictions from every Week 3 game during the 2017 NFL season? Are there any games you would choose differently? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.