Welcome back, football fans! Week 3 of the NFL season is upon us, and we’ve got some exciting matchups, fantasy predictions, and player breakdowns. Let’s dive into each game and analyze what’s in store.
San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings
I was a fan of the 49ers defense until last week’s struggles against the Vikings. Despite that hiccup, I’m picking the 49ers for this week. Both teams are coming off losses, but the 49ers defense should have the upper hand here.
Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys
Both teams are looking for redemption after tough losses last week. The Ravens are 0-2, while the Cowboys are 1-1, recovering from an embarrassing loss to the Saints. We thought both of these teams would be undefeated by now, but here we are.
The Ravens have had a rough start, especially after losing close games to the Chiefs and the Raiders. Lamar Jackson could have a big day, especially considering the Cowboys’ defense allowed Alvin Kamara to dominate last week. Can Jackson exploit those same holes? On the flip side, CD Lamb is overdue for a breakout game, and with Jake Ferguson still nursing injuries, Dallas may struggle to spread the field and limit their offensive options.
This game could go either way, but until Baltimore shows they can reach the end zone, I’m going with the Cowboys.
Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals
Here’s a fun one with offensive fireworks expected! The Lions are 1-1, while the Cardinals are also 1-1 and coming off a big win. This game carries a 51.5 over-under with Detroit favored by 3, but Arizona is playing at home, and they dominated last week.
Detroit might look to control the game with their running backs, but the Cardinals will aim for explosive plays, with Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. leading the charge. The Lions’ defense has allowed big days to receivers like Cooper Kupp and Chris Godwin, so they may struggle to contain Arizona’s playmakers.
Amon-Ra St. Brown’s status is a question mark after last week’s injury, but if he plays, he’ll be key to keeping the Lions in the game. However, I’m leaning towards Arizona for this one, especially with Detroit traveling coast-to-coast.
Kansas City Chiefs at Atlanta Falcons (Sunday Night Football)
This Sunday night matchup feels a bit strange with the Chiefs facing the Falcons. Atlanta’s offense has underwhelmed so far, with Bijan Robinson still searching for his first 100-yard game. Meanwhile, Kansas City’s defense has looked solid, though they’ve had some issues with mobile quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson.
The Chiefs are missing some key players, with Isaiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire on IR, and rookie Carson Steele will need to step up. Even with injuries, Kansas City’s offense is far superior to what Atlanta has shown so far, and I don’t think the Falcons’ defense can keep up. As much as I want to root for Atlanta, I’m picking Kansas City to win this one.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills (Monday Night Football)
Buffalo is tough to beat at home, especially on a Monday night. The Bills should roll in this game, with running back James Cook coming off a great performance last week. While Jacksonville’s defense gave up 239 yards to Tyreek Hill and Jalen Waddle in Week 1, Josh Allen will look to exploit that secondary.
On the Jacksonville side, can Travis Etienne lead the Jaguars to an upset? I don’t think so. Buffalo’s offense is too powerful, and I think they’ll easily cover the spread. Bills win.
Washington Commanders at Cincinnati Bengals (Monday Night Football)
This game has a 7.5-point spread favoring the Bengals, but I’m not sure they’ve done enough to justify that margin. The Bengals are coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Chiefs, but their defense has been solid, not allowing more than 20 fantasy points to any player.
Jamar Chase and Joe Burrow have yet to fully click this season, and with Tee Higgins potentially coming back, this could be the game where the Bengals’ offense finally gets rolling. The Commanders’ defense isn’t as strong, and I think Cincinnati gets back on track with a win here.
Final Thoughts
Week 3 should be packed with excitement, and we’ve given you plenty of matchups to analyze. From fantasy insights to game-day predictions, there’s no shortage of action on the field. Be sure to check out Fan Girl Football for more updates, and don’t forget to join our free contests or daily fantasy leagues!
Good luck with your picks, and enjoy the games!
