Week 3 is already here! We’re still learning a lot about each team this early in the season, and this week will help us determine what early season trends are here to stay and which ones are fads.

These are my picks for week 3.

The Road Underdogs (0-2)

Steelers (+4.5) vs. Browns

Texans (+2.5) vs. Bears

The Steelers will always be competitive under Mike Tomlin, and while I think the Browns are the better team, I don’t like them getting more than a field goal over a divisional foe, especially one with pedigree of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Bears, meanwhile, have begun the season by making Matt Nagy look like an offensive guru. The 28 pass attempts from Justin Fields are by far the fewest in the NFL and is the same amount as the 49ers, the team with the next fewest pass attempts, have as completions. They are a dumpster fire, and I like Lovie Smith in his return to Soldier Field.

The Home Favorites (0-2)

Lions vs. Vikings (-6.0)

Jaguars vs. Chargers (-7.0)

Cowboys vs. Giants (-1.0)

I went back-and-forth with my Lions-Vikings pick. I think the Lions are going to be better than people realize this year, while the Vikings are going to be one of the harder teams to pin down. They have enough talent on offense, and with the game out of primetime, we have a better chance of seeing prime Kirk Cousins.

The Chargers should absolutely win over AFC South leading Jacksonville, and I like that team enough to cover by a touchdown. As for the Giants, I expect the good times to keep rolling. Somehow, the Giants at 3-0 sounds less weird than Cooper Rush beginning his career as a starter 3-0.

The Road Favorites (3-2)

Chiefs (-5.5) vs. Colts

Bills (-5.5) vs. Dolphins

Ravens (-3.0) vs. Patriots

Bengals (-6.0) vs. Jets

Eagles (-6.5) vs. Commanders

It’s no coincidence that four of these teams have looked like they belong in the top class in the NFL, while the Bengals will get things going one of these weeks. On the road against the Jets might not be the best time to back them, but give me the Bengals to bounce back and the Jets to crash down after the high of last week’s comeback.

The Home Underdogs (3-1)

Saints vs. Panthers (+2.5)

Raiders vs. Titans (+2.0)

Rams vs. Cardinals (+3.5)

49ers vs. Broncos (+1.5)

The Titans have a lot to prove after a disastrous 0-2 start. While 0-3 won’t sink them in the AFC South, the panic meter will rise on Ryan Tannehill with a loss. As for the Panthers, they are a few plays away from being 2-0, and are playing a Saints team with no identity on offense. I like the Panthers pass rush to get to Winston and Mayfield should have time to throw. And something just doesn’t feel right about the Rams, while I’ll remain bullish on the Broncos. Things will click for that team soon enough, and I believe it starts Sunday night.

Pick ‘Em (1-1)

Falcons (EVEN) vs. Seahawks

Packers vs. Buccaneers (EVEN)

Falcons-Seahawks in a battle for worst NFC team and Packers-Buccaneers in a battle for best NFC team. I think the Seahawks best days of 2022 are behind them, while I’m not sure anyone will be able to score on the Buccaneers this season.

This week: 7-8

Last week: 6-10

Overall: 20-26