NFL Week 3 predictions and insight

Week two of the 2025 NFL season was full of incredible matchups with some memorable games. Some of those included the Denver Broncos vs. Indianapolis Colts, which ended with the Colts winning by a one-point margin, 29-28. This game was very controversial due to a penalty on the Broncos’ linebacker Dondrea Tillman that gave the Colts a second chance on the game-winning field goal.

Former NFL Safety, Nick Ferguson, told me after discussing the Broncos vs Colts game and the controversy surrounding it between referees and fans, “These are things that happen in the world of sports, because it takes more than talent to win. It takes a little bit of luck.”  

As we head into week three of the season, there are many enjoyable matchups to watch. However, three games stick out the most.

First, on Sunday morning, we have the Los Angeles Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles. This game is crucial because it is a rematch of the NFC Divisional Round game that the Eagles won and eventually claimed the Super Bowl. This is the rival’s third straight regular-season meeting, and the Eagles have ended up winning all three of those games.

So far, the Rams are going into this game as the underdogs. However, one thing that could affect the Eagles in this upcoming matchup is that the Rams are one of six teams that have not allowed a rushing touchdown this season. The Eagles’ offense is known for being one of the most run-heavy in the NFL and has averaged 2.5 rushing touchdowns per game played this season. This game also has a lot on the line for either team. So far, the Rams and the Eagles are undefeated; this game will decide which team gets their first loss, causing them to go 2-1.

Ferguson says, “That game is going to be really important because you think about seating later in the season as we get to the back half of the season, that game could be pivotal. The team that wins that game may be hosting in the wild card , or that team may have a first-round bye.”

Although this is an early-season game, this matchup has a lot of implications that can significantly affect each team as we get closer to the playoffs. If the Rams win, it would make a strong statement that they are a title contender. As for the Eagles, if they win, it will continue their winning streak and help maintain their dominant position in the NFC.

Next, we have the Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday afternoon. This game will be played between division rivals.

This game will also decide who will take sole possession of first place in the AFC West division. If the Broncos win, the teams will share identical 2-1 records. If the Chargers win, they’ll move to 3-0, while the Broncos would slip to 1-2.

This could significantly impact the Broncos’ chances of making the playoffs, given the Raiders’ 1-1 record and the Chiefs’ 0-2 standing. If the Raiders win, they’ll be second in the division behind the Chargers, and if they lose, they’ll be tied. If the Chiefs win their next game, they will also tie with the Broncos.

Now, Denver is coming off a rough loss against the Colts last week, but that doesn’t rule them out for this game. The Chargers just played Monday night against the Raiders, meaning they have one less day of rest than the Broncos. This could significantly affect the way the team is playing, especially with linebacker Khalil Mack expected to miss a few games due to a dislocated elbow injury.

Continuing my conversation with Ferguson, he mentioned that Sean Payton, the Broncos head coach, has yet to beat the Chargers since becoming coach in 2003. This is important because in 2024, the last time the Chargers beat the Broncos, one of the main reasons the Broncos lost was because of a kick rule. Ferguson said, “It was a Thursday night football game where there was a kick rule, that I didn’t even know existed. Now, Coach Harbaugh he knew it existed, so he utilized it to his advantage.” This rule was not common knowledge, in an ESPN article, it was noted that quarterback Justin Herbert didn’t know what was going on and thought it was a Hail Mary.

“The Chargers were able to kick a field goal right before halftime to give them three points, and they got the ball back to start the second half,” said Ferguson. “Sean Payton has had difficulty beating the Chargers so that game is important because if the Chargers win that game, they would have beaten three of their division opponents in a row.”

If the Broncos can stop the Chargers from beating all three of the AFC West teams, not only will it impact the Chargers by making their road to the playoffs more challenging, but it will give the Broncos the early-season momentum they will need after Week 2’s loss.

If the Chargers come out with a win, they will be in a strong position that improves their playoff odds significantly, especially if they can keep this momentum in their upcoming games.

The most watchable game of the week would have to be the Detroit Lions vs the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night.

Ferguson said, “They’re two different conferences but you have both teams who run the ball well, both teams have good quarterback play and skilled players, so that one may be a nice must-watch game.”

Both teams are very strong, and both came off tough week one losses but beat their opponents in week two making both teams 1-1.

The Lions put up five touchdowns in their week two game, making it a 52-21 win over the Bears. Quarterback Jared Goff was even named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in that game. This team is coming into week three on a very positive note.

As for the Ravens, they have a record of 6-1 against the Lions all-time. The only time the Lions beat them was during a home win in 2005. Their last matchup with the Lions in 2023 ended in a 38-6 win. Detroit’s offense could not match the Ravens’ offense in the first half of that game. They only gained 97 total yards while the Ravens gained 355 in the first half. The Ravens’ running game will continue to be an interesting matchup against Detroit’s defense, which still allowed 134 rushing yards during their game against the Bears.

One thing that may even out these defenses is the loss of linebacker Kyle Van Noy, whose absence may be a significant loss for the Ravens’ defense. The Lions’ defense is strong, but the Ravens’ defense has better numbers.

For the Lions, winning would be a significant accomplishment considering history. For the Ravens, it will definitely give the team members a moral boost after their week one loss against the Buffalo Bills, where Buffalo kicked a game-winning field goal, resulting in a 1-point lead, 41-40. It would also potentially tie them for the AFC North division lead if the Bengals lose their next game to the Minnesota Vikings.

This game has a lot of pressure riding on it and will be an exciting game to watch for Monday Night Football.

There are many exciting games to come, and week three has a lot riding on these teams for early leads and keeping their already dominant positions in their divisions.

My Week 1 Prediction Overview:                                                                                                                       

Week one of the NFL Season had many entertaining matchups. I wanted to try to predict which teams I thought would win, and I am happily reporting that I predicted 14 of the 16 games correctly. Surprisingly, the two games I did not predict correctly were the ones I thought I knew the winner of. Those games were the Kansas City Chiefs vs. the Los Angeles Chargers and the Detroit Lions vs. the Green Bay Packers.

The International Chiefs vs Chargers game ended with the Chargers’ 27-21 victory, breaking the Chiefs’ 17-game win streak. Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers head coach, is now 6-0 in opening games, which ties him for the most opening night wins in a row. From this game and the Chiefs game against the Philadelphia Eagles in week 2, you can see that the downfield passing has taken a toll with their top receivers unable to play, Rashee Rice who is serving a six-game suspension, and Xavier Worthy who was ruled out of the Chiefs vs Eagles game with a dislocated shoulder that he sustained in the first-quarter of the Chiefs vs Chargers game. Patrick Mahomes has now lost three straight starts for the first time in his NFL career. First, they lost to the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, and then they lost in weeks 1 and 2 against the Chargers and Eagles.

As for the Lions vs the Packers, the Packers won 27-13. Green Bay jumped into an early lead with its defense dominating the Lions’ offense. In fact, the Lions were only able to score one touchdown with only 55 seconds left in the game when rookie Isaac TeSlaa made a one-handed grab for a 13-yard touchdown. The Packers’ defense has jumped headfirst into this season, coming strong into each of the last two games. The additions of Xavier McKinney, Edgerrin Cooper, and Micah Parsons have elevated this defense’s strong foundation and ability to disrupt opposing offenses. Although the Lions had a rough start to the season, Detroit was able to have an impressive week 2 win against the Bears, 52-21. Jared Goff was even named NFC Offensive Player of the Week after his five-touchdown performance.

Week 3 Predictions:

Here are my week 3 game predictions:

Thursday Game: Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills: Buffalo Bills

Sunday Games: Cincinnati Bengals at Minnesota Vikings: Cincinnati Bengals

Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars: Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans: Indianapolis Colts

Las Vegas Raiders at Washington Commanders: Washington Commanders

Los Angeles Rams vs Philadelphia Eagles: Los Angeles Rams

Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers: Atlanta Falcons

Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots: Pittsburgh Steelers

Green Bay Packers at Cleveland Browns: Green Bay Packers

New York Jets at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers: Los Angeles Chargers

New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks: Seattle Seahawks

Dallas Cowboys at Chicago Bears: Chicago Bears

Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers: San Francisco 49ers

Kansas City Chiefs at New York Giants: Kansas City Chiefs

Monday Game: Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens: Baltimore Ravens