2018 NFL Week 3: Quick picks for every Sunday game

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KANSAS CITY, MO – AUGUST 11: Center Mitch Morse #61 and the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the San Francisco 49ers during the preseason game at Arrowhead Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

The 2018 NFL Week 3 Sunday games offer plenty of intrigues. Perhaps not high-profile contests but definitely a wealth of subplots.

Most notably a couple of new head coaches who are facing their former teams that they went to the Super Bowl with just last year. There could be a couple shootouts coming as well with some hot young quarterbacks preparing to face off. All that is left is to assess every game and the likely outcomes to follow. Here is a quick breakdown of them all from the early action all the way to Sunday Night.

EARLY

New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons

This divisional rivalry never disappoints as the two teams almost always put up a close game. Atlanta has the advantage at home but there’s a problem. Their defense is riddled with injuries. Deion Jones, Keanu Neal, and Takkarist McKinley will not play. Considering the ever-dangerous Drew Brees and that Saints offense is looming, the timing of this could not be worse.

NO 28, ATL 24

Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens

It’s hard to get a feel for what these two teams are. It’s clear both are defensively-driven and can run the ball well. The key lay with their unpredictable quarterbacks in Case Keenum and Joe Flacco. One week they can put up some impressive numbers and the next they’re turning it over a lot. Often in such games, it’s the home team that should be given the slight edge.

DEN 19, BAL 23

Cincinnati Bengals at Carolina Panthers

A lot of people were ready to bury the Bengals after last season but now they’re 2-0 and leading the AFC North. The question is whether that’s for real or an early mirage. The Carolina Panthers are always a team that has a way of revealing who you really are. They have a well-coached defense and an offense boasting plenty of firepower. Can Cincinnati match up?

CIN 17, CAR 24

New York Giants at Houston Texans

Two desperate 0-2 teams who know they’re not playing well right now. Another loss would all but cripple their season. The New York Giants continue to look lost on offense as Eli Manning has simply not rediscovered his old magic. Meanwhile, Deshaun Watson has looked ordinary as well, nothing like what he was last year. Give the nod to the home team in this one.

NYG 14, HOU 30

Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville has had a hard time against the Titans for whatever reason. Tennessee swept them last year. The Jaguars know if they’re going to maintain a grip on the AFC, this is a hump they need to get over. Marcus Mariota may not play due to injury and the Titans offense has struggled. That raised the odds of that Jaguars defense having a big day.

TEN 12, JAX 20

San Francisco 49ers at Kansas City Chiefs

Nobody has been able to stop Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense yet. It doesn’t feel like the 49ers defense will be up to the challenge either. That said, Kansas City’s defense has been a second-class citizen this year. Kyle Shanahan and Jimmy Garoppolo could have a big day of their own against them. This game has shootout written all over it.

SF 31, KC 35

Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins

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Jon Gruden is still answering questions about why he sabotaged the Raiders pass rush by trading Khalil Mack. Odds are he won’t find any new solutions in Miami. Ryan Tannehill may not be great but he can be dangerous if he’s not pressured a lot. The Dolphins defense also figures to give Derek Carr, who’s chaffing in the complex Gruden offense, some headaches.

OAK 16, MIA 21

Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings

Normally when a team that’s clearly rebuilding goes against a team that has Super Bowl aspirations, the results aren’t pretty. The Bills are a mess, offensively and defensively. Now they have to tangle with an ornery Viking team in their building after letting a game they should’ve won slip away. Buffalo may try to tap out before halftime in this one.

BUF 10, MIN 35

Indianapolis Colts at Philadelphia Eagles

This should be a fascinating game. Frank Reich, the former Eagles offensive coordinator, returns home at the head of his new team. Andrew Luck is back and now Carson Wentz is set to make his 2018 debut as well. This has the feel of an intriguing early matchup. Philadelphia though, with home field and a better defense, should have the decisive edge.

IND 17, PHI 27

Green Bay Packers at Washington Redskins

Aaron Rodgers has been battling through a painful knee injury so far, but it’s unclear how healthy he is. The Packers are always a tough team and they’ve had the number of the Redskins lately. Alex Smith is still trying to find options in the passing game on offense. Can that Washington defense hang tough against a loaded Packers unit? It’s hard to see that happening.

GB 30, WSH 21

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