2024 NFL Week 3 Picks
Sideline Sights Week 3 Picks
Note: All picks are based on the money line, not the spread.
At Sideline Sights, we thought Week 1 of the NFL was full of surprises—but Week 2 raised the stakes even higher. Out of 16 games, underdogs triumphed in 50% of them, with shocking upsets like the Vikings over the 49ers and the Raiders defeating the Ravens.
With our Week 2 predictions falling short, it's time to dig deeper and refine our strategies to stay ahead of the game and deliver more accurate picks moving forward.
Before we dive into our Week 3 analysis and picks, let's first take a moment to reflect on our Week 2 results:
Justin:
Cumulative record: 14-18
Week 2 record: 6-10
TNF: 0-1
Sunday: 5-8
SNF: 1-0
MNF: 0-1
Betting the Favorite: 6-8
Betting the Underdog: 0-2
Different Picks: 1-3
Jeff:
Cumulative record: 19-13
Week 2 record: 8-8
TNF: 1-0
Sunday: 6-7
SNF: 1-0
MNF: 0-1
Betting the Favorite: 6-6
Betting the Underdog: 2-2
Different Picks: 3-1
Same Picks: 6-6
All lines supported by FanDuel
Thursday Night Football
Patriots ( 1- 1) @ Jets (1 - 1) (-2.5)
For the second week in a row, I’m late getting our picks out before the game, but rest assured, we made our selections (and I’ve got text message screenshots to prove it). This divisional matchup wasn’t the most exciting, with two teams that haven’t impressed against solid competition so far this season. The Jets are coming off a shaky win against the Titans, while the Patriots entered the short week after a Week 2 loss to the Seahawks, where their secondary was exposed. Since the game is already in the books, I won’t go too deep into the analysis, but both of our analysts agreed that the home team with the better quarterback was poised to take the win.
Picks:
Justin: Jets
Jeff: Jets
Sunday
Giants (0-2) @ Browns (1-1) (-6.5)
The winless Giants hit the road in Week 3 after a deflating loss to Washington, where they kept their opponent out of the end zone but still found a way to lose. Malik Nabers has flashed potential, but Daniel Jones continues to prove he's not worth his hefty contract, limiting the offense’s upside. This team looks eerily similar to last year’s disappointment.
The Browns, meanwhile, scraped out an ugly win in Week 2 with just 18 points in a rain-soaked affair. Deshaun Watson's inconsistent play is holding the offense back, despite a defense that has done everything to keep them competitive. With Watson’s massive contract looming, it's a difficult decision to consider benching him, but if his struggles persist, they may have no choice.
Picks:
Justin: Browns
Jeff: Browns
Bears (0-2) @ Colts (0-2) (-1.5)
The Bears, fresh off a letdown on the national stage, travel to Indianapolis still searching for their first win. Caleb Williams hasn’t had much protection, but he also hasn’t lived up to the hype that followed him from college. This team had a lot of preseason buzz, but so far, they haven’t come close to meeting expectations.
The Colts, like the Bears, were a popular pick for a breakout year thanks to Anthony Richardson. While Richardson has shown off his dual-threat ability, his accuracy remains a glaring weakness, much like it was in college. Their abysmal run defense only adds to their struggles, giving opponents free reign to control the clock and limit Indianapolis’ offensive opportunities.
Picks:
Justin: Bears
Jeff: Bears
Texans (2-0) (-1.5) @ Vikings (2-0)
The Texans head into week 3 as road favorite in this battle of unbeatens. C.J. Stroud continues to climb the quarterback hierarchy, guiding Houston to a strong 2-0 start, and Demeco Ryans looks every bit the right hire for this young squad. Their offense is clicking, and expectations are high.
On the other side, the Vikings have been a pleasant surprise. Handing the offense over to Sam Darnold seemed risky, but it’s paid off big time so far. Their underdog win against the 49ers last week, without key weapons like Addison, Jefferson, and Hockenson on the last drive was a testament to their resilience. This team has been well-coached and looks poised to make a deeper run than expected.
Picks:
Justin: Texans
Jeff: Vikings
Eagles (1-1) @ Saints (2-0) (-2.5)
The Eagles arrive in New Orleans as road underdogs after an excruciating Week 2 collapse against the Falcons. Losing AJ Brown is a big blow, but even with him, this team looks too much like last year’s version that spiraled at the end of the season. They need to shake off the rust fast if they want to contend.
Meanwhile, the Saints have been one of the league’s most pleasant surprises, posting back-to-back 40+ point performances. They dismantled the Cowboys last week, snapping a long home winning streak in the process. The offense under their new coordinator has been electric, though it’s hard to expect this level of efficiency to last all season.
Picks:
Justin: Eagles
Jeff: Saints
Chargers (2-0) @ Steelers (2-0) (-3)
Two undefeated teams square off in one of Week 3’s more unexpected matchups. The Chargers have exceeded expectations so far, leaning heavily on the run game with J.K. Dobbins looking fully healthy, which has helped mask some passing game struggles.
The Steelers, meanwhile, are exactly what most expected: a run-heavy offense complemented by a stout defense. Justin Fields has done just enough to keep them in games, but their offense remains bland. This could be a low-scoring grind, as the Chargers’ top-ranked rushing attack clashes with Pittsburgh’s elite run defense.
Picks:
Justin: Steelers
Jeff: Steelers
Broncos (0-2) @ Buccaneers (2-0) (-6.5)
This appears to be one of the most lopsided matchups of the week. The Broncos, led by rookie Bo Nix, have been an offensive disaster, and Sean Payton hasn’t done much to inspire confidence in their direction. They look to be on track for a high draft pick in 2024.
On the other hand, the Buccaneers are rolling. They dominated the Lions last week and seem to be one of the best-coached teams in the early part of the season. They’re looking physically dominant and will try to extend their win streak to three.
Picks:
Justin: Buccaneers
Jeff: Buccaneers
Packers (1-1) @ Titans (0-2) (-2.5)
The Packers enter Week 3 as road underdogs, likely without Jordan Love under center. If Love can’t go, it will be Malik Willis facing his former team. The Packers’ defense has been inconsistent, but their running game has proven capable of carrying the load when needed.
The Titans’ defense has been solid, bolstered by the addition of Sneed, but Will Levis has been abysmal at quarterback, giving them little chance to win so far. With limited offensive weapons outside of Pollard and Ridley, they’re desperate for their first win, and this might be their best chance to get it.
Picks:
Justin: Titans
Jeff: Packers
Panthers (0-2) @ Raiders (1-1) (-6.5)
The Raiders enter Week 3 as solid favorites after an impressive Week 2 win over the Ravens. Gardner Minshew has been lights out, completing over 70% of his passes, while rookie tight end Brock Bowers is already making a name for himself as a top target. They look well-coached and ready to compete.
The Panthers, on the other hand, are a mess. Bryce Young has already been benched, and the offense has shown no signs of life. Andy Dalton might offer a spark, but it’s hard to see them turning things around with their current roster. They’re on track to battle for the first overall pick again.
Picks:
Justin: Raiders
Jeff: Raiders
Dolphins (1-1) @ Seahawks (2-0) (-4.5)
The Dolphins are coming off a disastrous Week 2 performance against the Bills, where they were outclassed on both sides of the ball. Worse yet, they lost their franchise quarterback to yet another concussion. Last year, Miami showed they struggled against quality opponents, and with their backup under center, things aren't looking much better.
The Seahawks, on the other hand, are thriving under their new coaching regime. They’re coming off a hard-fought overtime win against the Patriots despite missing Kenneth Walker, and Geno Smith continues his improbable career resurgence. This team looks poised to be a legitimate contender in the NFC, and their young talent is starting to shine.
Picks:
Justin: Seahawks
Jeff: Seahawks
Lions (1-1) (-3) @ Cardinals (1-1)
After an encouraging start, the Lions stumbled in Week 2, losing to a dominant Buccaneers team. They didn’t display the physical dominance that has defined them under Dan Campbell, and some key weaknesses were exposed.
The Cardinals, however, are coming off a big win, having hung 41 points on a depleted Rams team. Their new offensive tandem is clicking, but they’ll need to prove they can do it against a healthy, top-tier opponent before anyone buys into their legitimacy as contenders.
Picks:
Justin: Lions
Jeff: Lions
Ravens (0-2) (-1.5) @ Cowboys (1-1)
The Ravens have been a huge disappointment so far, dropping to 0-2 after a gut-wrenching fourth-quarter collapse against the Raiders. They’re facing a must-win scenario as their playoff hopes hang in the balance just three weeks into the season.
The Cowboys aren’t faring much better after getting blown out by the Saints in Week 2, ending their long home winning streak. While it’s not panic time yet in Dallas, a loss here would sound some serious alarm bells for a team that has feasted on weaker competition but hasn’t measured up against stronger teams.
Picks:
Justin: Ravens
Jeff: Cowboys
49ers (1-1) (-6.5) @ Rams (0-2)
Few would have predicted that these two NFC West rivals would combine for a 1-3 record heading into Week 3. The 49ers are reeling after a surprising loss in which Brock Purdy looked pedestrian without Christian McCaffrey on the field. With Deebo Samuel also out, San Francisco will need to dig deep to avoid a rough 1-2 start.
The Rams, dealing with even more significant injuries, are desperate to avoid falling to 0-3. Their top two wide receivers are sidelined, and without their key playmakers, it’s hard to see how they’ll generate enough offense to compete.
Picks:
Justin: 49ers
Jeff: 49ers
Sunday Night Football
Chiefs (2-0) (-3) @ Falcons (1-1)
The Chiefs are undefeated, but they’ve been far from dominant. They’ve escaped with two wins despite being arguably outplayed in both games and now face the Falcons without their starting running back. Patrick Mahomes is always dangerous in September, though, and Kansas City will look to keep their early-season momentum going.
The Falcons, coming off an emotional last-minute victory over the Eagles, still haven’t played up to their full potential given the talent on their roster. While they’ll enjoy home-field advantage, facing the Chiefs is a tall order, especially with Mahomes’ track record in the early weeks of the season.
Picks:
Justin: Chiefs
Jeff: Chiefs
Monday Night Football
Jaguars (1-1) @ Bills (2-0) (-4.5)
The Jaguars enter Week 3 licking their wounds after a tough loss to the Browns. Sure, the weather was a factor, but their offense looked lifeless, scoring just 13 points. Trevor Lawrence remains the last standing starter from his draft class, but he’s yet to live up to the hype that comes with being a former No. 1 overall pick.
The Bills, meanwhile, are well-rested after dismantling Miami on Thursday Night Football. Despite offseason questions about how their offense would fare without Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis, they’ve looked as dominant as ever, and they’ll be tough to stop in front of their home crowd.
Picks:
Justin: Bills
Jeff: Bills
Commanders (1-1) @ Bengals (0-2) (-7.5)
The second leg of the Monday Night Football doubleheader features a surprising matchup: Washington with the better record heading into Cincinnati. The Commanders have been far from good, though. Their rookie quarterback has been dynamic on the ground, but the passing game is a disaster. Their defense is even worse, giving up a ton of yards.
The Bengals, despite an 0-2 start, still look dangerous. They outplayed the Chiefs in Week 2 but couldn’t seal the deal late. This feels like a must-win for Cincinnati, and Joe Burrow will be eager to get the Bengals in the win column before their playoff hopes take an even bigger hit.
Picks:
Justin: Bengals
Jeff: Bengals
