NFL Week 3 Picks: Can the Chargers Go Undefeated and the Rams Winless?

Los Angeles Times NFL writer Sam Farmer examines this week’s matchups. Lines per FanDuel Sportsbook (O/U = over/under). Record last week 8-8 (.500); season 19-13 (.594). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, last week’s record against the spread would have been 7-8-1 (.467); season 18-13-1 (.581). Times Pacific.

PATRIOTS (1-1) at JETS (1-1)

Tonight, 5:30 pm. TV: Amazon Prime Video

Line: Jets with 6½. About/You: 38½.

Jets losing defensive end Jermaine Johnson really hurts them. The Patriots look much better than expected. The Jets have more playmakers, but New England is keeping things tighter than some might expect.

Choice: Jets 23, Patriots 18

Sunday, 10:00 am TV: Channel 2

Line: Steelers with 1½. About/You: 35½.

Early indications are that Jim Harbaugh has brought a toughness to the Chargers that we haven’t seen in a while. They have a balanced offense and are capable of a big win against Pittsburgh.

Choice: Chargers 20, Steelers 17

EAGLES (1-1) at SAINTS (2-0)

Sunday, 10:00 am TV: Channel 11

Line: Saints with 2½. About/You: 49½.

The Eagles are coming off a short week and a soul-crushing loss at home. They are different with a healthy AJ Brown. New Orleans’ defense is pretty solid and that offense is rolling.

Choice: Saints 27, Eagles 24

GIANTS (0-2) at BROWNS (1-1)

Sunday, 10:00 am TV: NFL ticket

Line: Brown with 6½. About/You: 38½.

After an embarrassing opening game, Cleveland’s defense woke up. That should be enough to handle Daniel Jones and the Giants, who looked a little better last week but are still struggling.

Choice: Browns 24, Giants 16

BEARS (1-1) at COLTS (0-2)

Sunday, 10:00 am TV: NFL ticket

Line: Colts with 1½. About/You: 43½.

Fortunately for the Colts, the Bears don’t have a great ground attack, as Indianapolis has been unable to stop the run so far. If the Colts don’t give the ball away, they have enough to outplay a bloodless offense.

Choice: Foals 21, Bears 13

TEXANS (2-0) at VIKINGS (2-0)

Sunday, 10:00 am TV: NFL ticket

Line: Texans with 2½. About/You: 45½.

Brian Flores is doing a great job with that Vikings defense and chasing the quarterback. The Texans, meanwhile, could do a much better job of protecting CJ Stroud. Minnesota is playing at home.

Choice: Vikings 24, Texans 20

BRONCOS (0-2) at BUCS (2-0)

Sunday, 10:00 am TV: NFL ticket

Line: Buccaneers with 6½. About/You: 39½.

Oddly enough, with Sean Payton as coach, the Broncos offense looks a little stale and out of sync. It’s tough to fix that against a solid Tampa Bay defense, even though the Buccaneers are injured.

Choice: Buccaneers 24, Broncos 16

PACKERS (1-1) at TITANS (0-2)

Sunday, 10:00 am TV: NFL ticket

Line: Titans with 2½. About/You: 36½.

Packers quarterback Malik Willis faces his former team. The Packers ran decisively against Indianapolis and while they probably won’t get as many yards against the Titans, they can do enough to win.

Choice: Packers 23, Titans 18

PANTHERS (0-2) at RAIDERS (1-1)

Sunday, 1:05 PM TV: NFL ticket

Line: Raiders with 5½. About/You: 40½.

Carolina is a mess, but might look a little better with Andy Dalton at quarterback. The Raiders have a very good defense, and the offense is getting confidence in Gardner Minshew.

Choice: Raiders 27, Panthers 17

DOLPHINS (1-1) at SEAHAWKS (2-0)

Sunday, 1:05 PM TV: NFL ticket

Line: Seahawks with 4½. About/You: 41½.

The Seahawks are coming off two close wins and this will be the best team they’ve ever played. The Dolphins are a step up in the league, but they’re not the same with Skylar Thompson at quarterback.

Choice: Seahawks 21, Dolphins 13

49ERS (1-1) at RAMS (0-2)

Sunday, 1:25 PM TV: Channel 11

Line: 49ers with 7½. About/You: 43½.

It’s going to get worse for the injury-plagued Rams before it gets better. The loss of Cooper Kupp is huge. They’re struggling enough with San Francisco. The Rams are on their last legs.

Choice: 49ers 31, Rams 17

LIONS (1-1) at CARDINALS (1-1)

Sunday, 1:25 PM TV: NFL ticket

Line: Lions with 3. About/You: 52½.

Cardinals have had a solid two weeks and will be fun to watch this season. Lions are coming off a loss but were their own worst enemy in the game against Tampa Bay. Close but visitors win.

Choice: Lions 28, Cardinals 24

RAVENS (0-2) at COWBOYS (1-1)

Sunday, 1:25 PM TV: NFL ticket

Line: Raven with 1½. About/You: 48½.

Terrible start for the Ravens, and this isn’t an ideal opponent to stop the slide. Baltimore doesn’t have great blocking tight ends, and that’s a problem against a defense that features Micah Parsons.

Choice: Cowboys 27, Ravens 23

CHIEFS (2-0) at FALCONS (1-1)

Sunday, 5:20 PM TV: Channel 4

Line: Chiefs with 3½. About/You: 46½.

The Falcons should be riding on a cloud after that come-from-behind win in Philadelphia. But they still have a lot to prove. The Chiefs have way too much firepower, even with Isiah Pacheco out.

Choice: Chiefs 28, Falcons 21

JAGUARS (0-2) at BILLS (2-0)

Monday, 4:30 PM TV: ESPN

Line: Notes per 4½. About/You: 45½.

Sometimes it’s addition by subtraction, and Josh Allen and the Bills are doing just fine without Stefon Diggs. Jacksonville is talented and healthy, but the Jaguars can’t seem to get it together yet.

Choice: Accounts 24, Jaguars 20

COMMANDERS (1-1) at BENGALS (0-2)

Monday, 5:15 PM TV: Channel 7

Line: Bengal with 7½. About/You: 48½.

Jayden Daniels has looked pretty solid so far and the team won’t be giving up anytime soon, but the Bengals are starting to hit their stride and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo will come up with a plan to get the rookie.

Choice: Bengals 30, Commanders 20

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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.