NFL Week 3 Pick’em Pool Advice, Picks & Predictions (2023)
Week 3 features a couple of lopsided matchups, such as 49ers- Giants and Cowboys-Cardinals. But there are also a slew of tight games on the schedule, including six games with spreads of three or fewer points. Below, we take a look at four of those contests.
Here is our NFL pick’em advice for Week 3.
NFL Week 3 Pick’Em Pool Advice
New England Patriots vs. New York Jets
The Jets looked terrible on Sunday. Granted, they played the Cowboys, but they looked completely unprepared on both sides of the ball. Meanwhile, the Patriots had another comeback fall short, and they are now 0-2 with both losses coming at home.
This is one of the better matchups of the week because we still don’t really know how good either team is. Will Breece Hall see more than four touches in Week 3, and will the Patriots avoid digging themselves a two-possession hole?
Last season, the Patriots won both meetings between these two teams, winning by a combined 12 points. This game is going to be close, and it will likely come down to quarterback play. The Patriots have a clear advantage there. The Patriots are 0-2, but you could argue they’ve only lost to top five teams. With Zach Wilson under center, the Jets do not fit that category.
The Pick: New England Patriots
New Orleans Saints vs. Green Bay Packers
Though this game doesn’t have the smallest spread of the week, it’s the hardest game to pick. Through two games, Aaron Jones is the Packers leading receiver. Remember, he only played in one game, and he has just two catches on the year. Yet, Jordan Love has still managed to throw for 396 yards and six touchdowns by spreading the ball around.
We have no idea if Jones or Christian Watson will see the field in Week 3, and if they don’t, then it’s going to be tough going for Love against the Saints defense. Through two weeks, the Saints have allowed just 32 points, and eight of them came in garbage time against the Carolina Panthers. The defense is allowing just 277.5 yards per game thus far.
Derek Carr may be forced into a bigger role this week with running backs Jamaal Williams and Kendre Miller both potentially out. The question then becomes can he out-duel Love if both Jones and Watson play? Maybe, but the advantage definitely goes to Green Bay in that situation. If Jones and Watson are out again, then the Saints probably have the edge in this game. But if even one of them plays, then the Packers are the play.
The Pick: Green Bay Packers
Tennessee Titans vs. Cleveland Browns
When it comes to yards allowed, the Browns have the second-best defense in football. Yet, they’re just 1-1 after their offense repeatedly let them down on Monday night. To make matters worse, Nick Chubb needs knee surgery which leaves the offense without their best player.
On paper, the Titans leave a lot to be desired. They’re allowing 370 yards per game, while the offense is averaging just 344.5. The passing game has struggled to get going, as Ryan Tannehill has just 444 yards through two weeks, and DeAndre Hopkins leads the team with only 105 yards receiving.
Yet, the Titans always manage to stay in games. They lost in Week 1 by a single point despite Tannehill’s three interceptions, then defeated the Los Angeles Chargers by three points in Week 2. The defense makes plays when they need to, and they force teams to be one-dimensional with their phenomenal rush defense. They’re going to force Deshaun Watson to beat them this week, and right now, Watson doesn’t look like he can be the reason for any Browns’ wins.
The Pick: Tennessee Titans
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Minnesota Vikings
It’s hard to believe that one of these electric offenses is about to fall to 0-3. While many expected a step back for the Vikings in 2023, the Chargers’ rough start is pretty shocking. Without Austin Ekeler in Week 2, they managed just 61 rushing yards, while the defense gave up 141.
This is going to be a high-scoring affair, as neither one of these defenses has shown the ability to stop top-tier or mid-tier players this season. With all that in mind, we’re giving the advantage to the home team.
If Justin Jefferson doesn’t fumble into the end zone, the Vikings very well could have left last Thursday night with a win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Plus, the Vikings are generally healthy, especially on the offensive side. The same can’t be said of the Chargers, as the return of Ekeler this week remains far from a sure thing.
The Pick: Minnesota Vikings
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Wednesday:
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- NFL Week 3 Odds, Picks & Predictions: Best Futures Bets (2023)
- College Football Week 4 Odds, Picks & Predictions: Long Shot Bets (2023)
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Phil Wood is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Phil, check out his archive and follow him @Phil_Wood_Jr.