NFL Week 3 Picks 2025 (Thursday 18th September-Monday 22nd September)

This thread will be expanded upon over the next few hours, but for now the Thursday Night Football game has come around very quickly and there is a selection from that game in Week 1.

Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills Pick: Week 3 opens up with a Thursday Night Football offering from the AFC East and it already looks a challenge for three teams to catch the defending Champions Buffalo Bills (2-0). The personal feeling was the Bills could be potentially vulnerable in Week 2 having fought back to beat the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1 thanks to an epic Fourth Quarter, but Buffalo crushed the New York Jets on the road and they can take a firm grip of this Division over the coming weeks.

They dropped the Jets to 0-2 and they face a Divisional opponent with the same record when the Miami Dolphins (0-2) head to town after losing to the New England Patriots.

About the only positive thing you can say about that is the Dolphins were a lot more competitive than in the opening game when blown out by the Indianapolis Colts, but falling to 0-2 has already placed the team in a desperate spot. A banner had been flown above the Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday declaring that the General Manager Chris Grier and Head Coach Mike McDaniel should be fired and there is a real sense that those supporters will get their wish at the end of this season.

That doesn't do much for the team now and the doom-mongers who suggested the Miami Dolphins could be the worst team in the NFL look to be on the right side of that discussion.

There really has not been much to be positive about and having to play on a short week at the home of a genuine Super Bowl contender, and one that will be keen to keep their foot on the throat of Divisional rivals, have left the layers with no choice but to ask the Bills to cover this big line.

With Mike McDaniel as Head Coach, there was a hope that the Dolphins Offensive performances would always be strong, but there has to be serious questions about Tua Tagovailoa's future at Quarter Back. Tyreek Hill looks desperate to get out of Miami and Jayden Waddle has not really kicked on, but the Quarter Back has had health issues and certainly looks weaker than some of his peers that came out in the same NFL Draft.

He did have 315 passing yards last week, but Tua Tagovailoa threw a late, back breaking Interception and then was also stopped on Downs as the Dolphins passed up the chance for the late victory. The Sacks have also been piling up and this Buffalo team have been getting some real pressure up front, so there may not be a lot of time for Tagovailoa if he is having to throw from behind the chains.

However, the Offensive Line have been able to open some solid running lanes and Miami will have noted the successes that the Ravens and Jets have had against the Buffalo Defensive Line. While this game is close, De'Von Achane can rip off some yards on the ground to put his team in the best position to have consistent Offensive success and he may also become a big factor in the passing game with Matt Milano set to miss out for the Buffalo Bills.

That should mean Miami arrive without all doom and gloom, but the pressure could be keeping up with the Buffalo Bills on the scoreboard and having to be forced to drift away from a running game-plan.

Josh Allen is Josh Allen, but it is a huge boost for the Buffalo Bills seeing James Cook producing as he has from Running Back, while the Wide Receivers and Tight Ends are looking like they have taken a step forward in their development.

It is all positive for the Bills right now and it may be tough for the Miami Dolphins to find a way to slow them down.

The Defensive Line has at least made some plays up front, but Buffalo are running out an Offensive Line that is experienced and feasting up front, which is making things very comfortable for James Cook. The Running Back has already produced three Touchdowns on the ground, while also having confident hands which makes Cook a secure safety blanket as far as his Quarter Back is concerned.

If the Bills are running the ball as expected, Josh Allen should be able to carve up a Secondary that has looked incredibly weak.

Josh Allen is not expected to be facing much pass rush pressure and the Buffalo fans arriving at the Stadium may be thinking about the way the Colts moved the ball against Miami and feeling that their team will be able to do whatever they like in this game.

The short week also gives the favourite a bit more of an advantage as Green Bay showed last week, although Buffalo have not always had success on Thursday Night Football with a 1-3 record against the spread when set as the home favourite. The Bills have tended to play in games that do not surpass the total in these Thursday Night affairs, especially at home, and that does make me a little wary about asking the team to cover a double digit spread.

Last season the Bills were 2-1 against the spread when set as favourites of at least 9.5 points, but this is a big mark and previously they had perhaps struggled to meet expectations considering how easily a backdoor cover can be achieved.

Miami certainly have the skill players to do that too, but Buffalo should be focused enough on a rival and this is a team that have dominated when facing winless opponents early in the season.

The Bills have tended to put the beatdown on the Miami Dolphins at least in one of the regular season games in recent years and everything is pointing to that more likely being the case in Week 3. In three of their last five home games against the Dolphins, Buffalo have been able to come through with a victory of at least a 15 point margin and the faster starting AFC East team can pull away in the second half and perhaps use a turnover or two to ensure they cover this line.

Los Angeles Rams @ Philadelphia Eagles Pick: Most teams sitting at 2-0 would be pretty pleased with the start made to a season, but there are some concerns about this Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) team. They have beaten the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs, but the Eagles have not been as dominant as they were closing out last season and some have criticised the early play-calling from new Offensive Co-Ordinator Sean Patullo.

The Super Bowl Champions crushed all that opposed them in the Playoff last season, but the one game that almost got away from the Philadelphia Eagles was against the Los Angeles Rams (2-0).

Matthew Stafford and company were driving with a chance to take the lead in that Playoff game, but the Eagles did enough to just edge over the line.

It does mean Philadelphia have won three in a row against the Rams, including beating them twice last season, and this is a chance to just remind the rest of the NFL that they remain the team to beat.

Saquon Barkley was a huge part of the successes that the Eagles had all season, but he had been particularly dominant against the Los Angeles Rams in the two meetings against them in the 2024 season. This has led to the Rams looking to make some changes on the Defensive Line to slow things down and they have made a positive start to the season, although it will be interesting to see how they deal with the Eagles on Sunday.

The Philadelphia Offensive Line continues to look very strong, but they have yet to really find the rhythm that saw them contribute to some huge numbers produced by Barkley at Running Back.

That is where the criticism of some of the play-calling has been raised with people believing the Eagles calls are predictable, and thus that much easier to defend.

Head Coach Nick Sirianni even suggested that there has to be something of a change, but the Eagles will still want to be a power running team and they will give Saquon Barkley plenty of touches. He ripped off some huge runs in the wins over the Los Angeles Rams last season and the Eagles will be hoping to see more of the same, while also making sure Jalen Hurts is in third and manageable spots on the field.

The Quarter Back has not put up the big passing numbers, but Jalen Hurts has been efficient when dropping back to throw and he has also been pretty well protection. We will see that protection tested by this Rams pass rush, but being in front of the chains means Hurts will not have to hold onto the ball for too long and he could have Dallas Goedert back at Tight End.

Los Angeles fans will point to some solid Defensive numbers, but those have come against Houston and Tennessee who have a combined 0-4 record. This time the test is much greater and the Philadelphia Eagles will be confident they can continue to move the ball against this Defensive unit.

Running the ball is also key for the Rams in this game and they will have noted that the closest of the last three losses to the Philadelphia Eagles was in the Playoff game when the team managed to reach triple digits on the ground. They had not done that in the previous two games and the early performances of this Los Angeles Offensive Line will offer plenty of encouragement ahead of this game.

Early performances have seen the Rams pile up some solid numbers on the ground and Philadelphia's Defensive Line may have some problems containing Kyren Williams. With an Offensive mind like Sean McVay as Head Coach, Los Angeles will have some sweeps and other misdirection plays to ensure they are not sitting too far behind the chains in this one and giving Matthew Stafford the best opportunity to set his team up for a victory.

The veteran Quarter Back has made a decent start to the season and there will be a real hope that he can lead the Rams to another Super Bowl success.

Matthew Stafford should have time in the pocket, as long as the Rams are finding a way to remain in third and manageable, but he will also be dealing with a young Philadelphia Secondary that have looked in good rhythm to start the year. He does have a couple of quality Receivers to make plays down the field and the Los Angeles Rams are expected to make this a contest, even if they do come up a little short.

Consecutive road games in the early 1pm Sunday slot is tough, but even more so when a team from the West Coast has to head out East.

Jalen Hurts has also had a positive record when set as the home favourite and this game will feel important to the Philadelphia Eagles. It should be a fun game, which goes all the way down to the final two minutes of the Fourth Quarter, but the Eagles have found a way to get the better of this opponent and they can do that again on their way to a 3-0 start.

Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans Pick: They have missed the Playoffs in four straight seasons, but there is little doubt that the Indianapolis Colts (2-0) are heading into the 2025 season looking to put a big year together for former owner Jim Irsay.

The unexpected passing of Irsay in May will provide motivation for the team and fans and the Indianapolis Colts have looked good through the first two weeks of the season.

A mistake by the Denver Broncos allowed the Colts to re-kick a game winning Field Goal in Week 2 to remain perfect, but there is some caution to the start. Twelve months ago the New Orleans Saints looked pretty special through two games, but they did not make the post-season and the Colts have to remain focused as they begin Divisional play.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are 1-1, but Indianapolis begin by facing the Tennessee Titans (0-2) who have shown some competitive spirit, but ended 2024 with a 3-14 record. They pushed the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams, but the Titans have failed to put a full game together and Head Coach Brian Callahan will soon be under serious pressure.

Cam Ward is the Number 1 Overall Pick, but he is playing behind a banged up Offensive Line and the skill players around him have not been up to the standard that may have been expected.

The Quarter Back is not helped by the fact that the Offensive Line is missing key players that may have helped to establish the run and at least put him in a position to not have to hold the ball for too long. Instead Cam Ward needs routes to develop and he has been under siege behind Center, which is something that even this limited Indianapolis pass rush could exploit.

There has been some room to run against the Indianapolis Colts Defensive Line, but the game plan may be to lock down the Titans up front and dare Cam Ward and the Receivers to beat them. Some of what Cam Ward has thrown up has looked good, but the plays are not being made and the Colts Secondary have begun the season in good form.

Tennessee are sure they have a franchise Quarter Back, but Indianapolis surprisingly chose Daniel Jones over Anthony Richardson as the starting Quarter Back.

Daniel Jones has made sure there has been no early regret about the decision and Anthony Richardson could potentially have to rebuild his career away from the Colts. The former has come out and led the Colts to two games without needing to Punt the ball away, although a huge helping hand has been given to Jones and the entire Offensive unit by Running Back Jonathan Taylor.

Credit should also be given to the Indianapolis Offensive Line that have opened up some big holes for Taylor to attack and they should be able to keep that positive start going when playing on the road for the first time in 2025.

Keeping Daniel Jones in front of the chains should make life pretty comfortable for the Indianapolis Colts and the Quarter Back should be able to make plays with his arm. He has been given time by the Offensive Line and Jones has eaten up the blitz, while playing out of third and manageable should mean the Colts are in a position to continue their fine start to the new season.

The Colts have won four in a row in this series with this AFC South rival and they have covered in all of those wins too, twice as the favourite.

The 2025 New Orleans Saints are a cautionary tale about fast starting teams, especially those that have been unexpected early successes, but this Indianapolis Colts team looks well balanced. They also do benefit from the schedule by playing in the AFC South, and the Indianapolis Colts can prove themselves as a genuine Playoff contender by producing better than their 0-3 record against the spread when set as the road favourite last season.

Indianapolis can change that narrative immediately by getting the better of a struggling rival and the Colts may have the Offensive power to come away with a strong win.

Detroit Lions @ Baltimore Ravens Pick: There was every chance that the Detroit Lions (1-1) and Baltimore Ravens (1-1) could have met in the Super Bowl last season, but both suffered disappointing Playoff defeats.

Despite that, both teams will have entered 2025 with big ambitions and those will not have been dented over the first two weeks of the season. After both the Lions and Ravens were beaten in Week 1, the teams showed how much confidence they are still carrying by putting blowout wins on the board in Week 2.

Home wins over the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns respectively are one thing, but the Lions and Ravens meet in this very good looking Monday Night Football game.

It is Baltimore who will be hosting and they are led by Lamar Jackson on the Offensive side of the ball, a Quarter Back who has loved playing in this prime time spot. He has made another solid start to the 2025 season, although Jackson is well aware that most are going to be judging him on his ability to lead Baltimore to a deep Playoff run rather than the regular season successes.

The AFC North looks pretty weak after Joe Burrow went down with an injury, but this non-Conference game may still mean something to Baltimore to remind the rest of the NFL that they are a team that have to be taken very, very seriously. The capitulation at the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 will have been a little concerning, but overall the first two performances have been solid.

Baltimore will feel pretty confident when they have the ball in their own hands.

The team have been able to run very effectively behind this Offensive Line and with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry being a tandem that is hard to defend. The Lions Defensive Line can be pretty stout up front, but they will have to keep the eyes wide open to see how the Ravens are trying to establish the run and not many teams have found the right reads to stop them.

Lamar Jackson is without some key Receivers on this side of the ball, but he will have an easier time trying to convert out of third and manageable spots on the field.

The Quarter Back should be able to move the chains, but there are some questions about the Baltimore Defensive unit that will be without veteran leader Kyle Van Noy and Nnamdi Madubuike.

This could offer the Detroit Lions an opportunity to establish the run, which is hugely important to them on the Offensive side of the ball, even without Taylor Decker who looks to be downgraded and potentially having to sit out. Taylor Decker is a key part of the Offensive Line, but the Lions do have a couple of Running Backs that will feel they can hurt the Ravens on the ground.

Jared Goff will be a different test for the Ravens if he is playing in third and manageable and having the play-action open up for him. The Quarter Back will have noted some of the plays that this Baltimore Secondary have already allowed this season, and he has been well protected and will have some time to make the throws down the field.

It is a game where turnovers will be key, while home field could also be a determining factor in a game where the two Offenses could be moving the ball with a lot of consistency.

The Lions do have a very good record as the underdog since Head Coach Dan Campbell came in to reset the culture, while Lamar Jackson has not been the best home favourite to get behind.

However, those spots are 0-1 (Detroit) and 1-0 (Lamar Jackson and Baltimore) in the early stages of the 2025 season, while the Ravens are 9-5 against the spread when set as the home favourite on Monday Night Football.

This is a dangerous number, but the Baltimore Ravens can find a way to win this one by around a Touchdown margin to move above 0.500 for the first time this season.

MY PICKS: Buffalo Bills - 10.5 Points @ 1.80 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Philadelphia Eagles - 3.5 Points @ 1.95 Bet Victor (1 Unit)

Indianapolis Colts - 3.5 Points @ 2.00 William Hill (1 Unit)

Minnesota Vikings - 3 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Los Angeles Chargers - 2.5 Points @ 1.84 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Seattle Seahawks - 7 Points @ 1.86 Bet365 (1 Unit)

San Francisco 49ers - 2 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Baltimore Ravens - 4.5 Points @ 1.91 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

College Football Week 3 Picks 2025 (Saturday 13th September)

The expanded Playoff format in the world of College Football does offer some more room for error for the very best teams in the nation, but it still feels like some are teetering on the edge of a cliff if they are to lose a second game in Week 3.

Teams playing in the SEC know that non-Conference defeats could be tough to shake off if they were to lose to a couple of the top contenders within the Conference, while others, like the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, will see their schedule as being too weak even if they make a run following a second defeat.

The Playoff Committee have made it clear that they like to see more competition and that will mean not punishing a team for a loss to another top team and so there are some bigger, more important non-Conference games scheduled than ever before.

Week 3 is also bringing together teams from within Conferences that are looking to make an early statement and the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville is going to be really fun to watch.

While we do have some very good looking games in Week 3, there are also some teams being asked to lay big spreads and that means there is a pressure to impress before moving into tougher parts of the schedule.

It all adds up to what should be another fun week around the nation with games being played across several time zones on Saturday.

Factors meant there were no College Football Picks in Week 2, but the idea is to bounce back in Week 3.

After a good start to the season, Week 1 proved to be something of a headache with some late plays moving against the selections.

Hopefully the upcoming slate of games can help turn things back around.

Oregon Ducks @ Northwestern Wildcats Pick: The first season in the Big Ten Conference went as well as the Oregon Ducks (2-0) would have hoped as they won the Championship with an unbeaten record. That included wins over the likes of the then defending National Champions Michigan Wolverines as well as Ohio State and Penn State, but the season might have felt underwhelming when beating in the College Football Playoff as the Number 1 Seed.

That defeat was against the aforementioned Buckeyes in a rematch, a team who would go on to win the National Championship, and so motivation is high within the Oregon camp.

They have reloaded effectively and new Quarter Back Dante Moore has shown the benefits of sitting behind Dillon Gabriel and learning the Offensive plan last year.

Oregon are clearly a team on a mission and the blowout win over the Oklahoma State Cowboys will have certainly gotten the attention of the rest of the loaded, competitive Big Ten, as well as the very best teams across the nation.

The Ducks do not have to face Michigan or Ohio State in the regular season this time around, but they will want to keep the momentum behind them ahead of a rivalry game against Oregon State next week before closing out September with a road game at the Penn State Nittany Lions, the team that came into the season as the third favourite to win the Conference.

These are big challenges for the Ducks, but they will not want to overlook Northwestern Wildcats (1-1) in what is a very early start for Oregon.

It is the first true road game of the season, even if Northwestern are currently playing in a couple of homes while renovations continue at their real Stadium, and the early start is expected to offer some challenges. Head Coach Dan Lanning is not looking for excuses though and he is going to be hugely encouraged by what he has seen from the Ducks early in the season.

The Wildcats finished last season with a 4-8 record having overachieved in Head Coach David Braun's first season in charge, and they have already been well beaten by the Tulane Green Wave. A tough schedule suggests the Wildcats will do well to surpass the two Conference wins earned last season and they have lost starting Running Back Cam Porter to a season-ending injury.

Trying to establish the run would have been a plan for the Wildcats if only to give the Defensive unit a chance to rest and recover, but that would have been challenging even if Porter had been able to suit up.

All of the pressure could be on Quarter Back Preston Stone, who threw 4 Interceptions in the loss to the Green Wave, and he is almost certainly going to be put under pressure by the Oregon pass rush when throwing in this good looking Secondary.

Stopping the Oregon Ducks is going to be hugely challenging judging by what this Offensive Line has been able to do and Northwestern's Defensive Line have not really been very stout up front. Dante Moore's main task early on will be to hand the ball off to any of a number of Running Backs and allow the Offensive Line to punish the Wildcats on the ground, which in turn will open up his passing lanes as the game develops.

The Offensive Line have not only opened up big holes for the rushing plays, but they have kept the pocket clean for the Quarter Back and the limited Wildcats pass rush is not expected to rattle Moore.

It should mean another big win for the Oregon Ducks, who have outscored the first two opponents by 46 and 66 points respectively.

Blowouts on the road are much tougher to achieve, but Oregon did win a couple of road games by 35 points last season and they may reach that kind of margin in this one against a Wildcats team expected to have another year of difficulties.

Last season Northwestern finished with a 1-3 record against the spread as the home underdog and only a sleepy performance from the Oregon Ducks is expected to allow this game to be close.

Wisconsin Badgers @ Alabama Crimson Tide Pick: This may only be the start of the second year in charge of the Alabama Crimson Tide (1-1), but Kalen DeBoer may struggle to hold onto his job if his team lose to another non-Conference opponent in Week 3. They bounced back from a really poor performance against the Florida State Seminoles to beat UL Monroe, but expectations are always huge around Alabama and missing out on another College Football Playoff will likely spell the end of DeBoer's time as Head Coach.

The chances of reaching the Playoff will depend on how Alabama go the rest of the way, although it is very difficult to see how they would recover from a second defeat this early in the season. In two weeks time they have to travel to Athens to play the Georgia Bulldogs and the likes of Tennessee, South Carolina and LSU are still on deck.

We are yet to see how the loss to the Seminoles will stack up, but losing to the Wisconsin Badgers (2-0) might be harder to explain away with the visiting team just 14-13 under the guidance of Head Coach Luke Fickell.

The Badgers have yet to be tested in the 2025 season, but are expected to be without starting Quarter Back Billy Edwards Jr, even if he is looking to travel with the team. Instead the focus will be on Danny O'Neil who has experience as a starter with the San Diego State Aztecs, but who will rarely have been up against anything that closely resembles the Alabama Defensive unit.

They shut out UL Monroe last week after underperforming against the Seminoles and the Crimson Tide Defensive Line will certainly feel they can win at the Line of Scrimmage against this Badgers Offensive Line. This time they are not facing a dual-threat Quarter Back and so Alabama can play the game with a bit more confidence up front and force Danny O'Neil to try and beat them through the air.

Wisconsin's Offensive Line may feel they can give O'Neil some time in the pocket, but he is going to be throwing from third and long at times and against an Alabama Secondary that is looking very strong.

It may be tough for the Badgers to move the ball with consistency, but they will be motivated for a big performance having been thumped by the Crimson Tide in Madison last season.

Much like Alabama, the Badgers will look to try and win on the Line of Scrimmage when they are on the Defensive side of the ball and try and force the pressure onto Quarter Back Ty Simpson of the home team. In recent years the Crimson Tide Offensive Line have been big and strong though and you have to believe that they can get something going on the ground.

Easing the burden on Ty Simpson is important, as is the fact that he will have one of his top Receivers back when Ryan Williams is expected to be have passed through the concussion protocol. He looked to be growing into the game against Florida State before putting in a big performance against ULM, and being in front of the chains should make the play-calling that much more comfortable for Simpson to execute.

You have to believe the Crimson Tide will show their qualities in this one, especially as the hosts, and they have been a decent home favourite to get behind.

This is a big spread, but with two weeks coming up to prepare for Georgia, the Crimson Tide can leave it all out on the field and they can put a thumping on Wisconsin for a second season in a row. A couple of turnovers will help, and the feeling is that the Defensive unit can make enough big plays to offer up some short field opportunities, which will ultimately allow the home team to pull clear of the spread set.

Central Michigan Chippewas @ Michigan Wolverines Pick: It was a really disappointing season as defending National Champions and the Michigan Wolverines (1-1) are trying to bounce back from a defeat at the Oklahoma Sooners in Week 2. They finished with an 8-5 record in 2024, but the Wolverines were the last team to beat the Ohio State Buckeyes and the fans will be demanding they find a way to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff this time around.

Losing to the Sooners stings, but the Michigan Wolverines do have a schedule that will give them a chance to prove they are worthy of having a spot in the twelve team Playoff later in the year.

Michigan have a big game coming up at the home of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, but the defeat last week should have refocused the team, even if Head Coach Sherrone Moore is serving the first of a two game suspension. He will be watching on and looking for a reaction from his team.

The Wolverines look to be facing a good opponent in the Central Michigan Chippewas (1-1) who are in the first year under a new Head Coach having finished 4-8 last season. The blowout loss at the home of the Pittsburgh Panthers is a reminder that it will take time to learn the methods of Matt Drinkel, a Head Coach who wants his team to run the ball and set things up from there.

It was a real problem for the Chippewas in that defeat to the Panthers and they are not expected to have a lot of joy going up against this Michigan Defensive Line. Despite the defeat last week to the Sooners, Michigan played well on this side of the ball and they have the strength and power up front to close down the running lanes and force Central Michigan to take to the air.

Rod Moore could be back to play some snaps in the Secondary after a serious injury suffered last season and that is going to be a boost for the Wolverines. They are also facing a Central Michigan team giving all of their Quarter Backs a chance to impress and the Wolverines should be able to contain much of the Offensive threat over the course of the four Quarters to be played.

This game also gives the Wolverines a chance to open up the playbook Offensively as they look to find some rhythm on this side of the ball.

The Offensive Line should be able to have their way against the Chippewas Defensive Line and that is going to open things up for the Michigan Wolverines and their young Quarter Back. The likelihood is that Michigan will rip off some big gains on the ground and that should really give Bryce Underwood an opportunity to show why he was so heavily recruited ahead of his College career.

Bryce Underwood found it tough against the Sooners, but this is a much weaker Secondary and the Quarter Back should be playing from manageable field positions.

This is the biggest spread that Michigan will have faced since Jim Harbaugh returned to the NFL, and they failed to cover as a 20+ favourite on two occasions last season. The Wolverines also failed to cover as a big home favourite in the win over New Mexico in Week 1, but the Chippewas were well beaten by the Panthers and could struggle to stick with the angry hosts in Week 3.

Western Michigan Broncos @ Illinois Fighting Illini Pick: Four teams made it to the College Football Playoff out of the Big Ten Conference last season and all won double digit games. The exception was the Illinois Fighting Illini (2-0) who had a 10-3 record after winning the Bowl Game, but losses to Penn State, Oregon and Minnesota in the regular season meant missing out.

However, the Fighting Illini have moved into 2025 with a lot of confidence having returned so many starters from last season on both sides of the ball.

Two crushing wins to open this season has only built the confidence further and Illinois did impress in the victory over the Duke Blue Devils last week.

The biggest test for the Fighting Illini is not to overlook the Western Michigan Broncos (2-0) ahead of a big Conference opener against the Indiana Hoosiers.

For as long as the Illinois Offensive starters are playing, the Fighting Illini should be comfortable moving the chains. The Offensive Line is expected to set the table for the rest of the team by opening up some big lanes on the ground against what has been a struggling Western Michigan Defensive Line and this should also mean Quarter Back Luke Altmyer is able to build on what has been a very good start to the season.

The experienced Quarter Back had 22 Touchdown passes to go with 6 Interceptions last season and he has begun this year with 6 Touchdown passes without throwing a single pick. With the team expected to be moving the ball on the ground, Altmyer should be given a bit more protection and the Fighting Illini should have a comfortable day Offensively and keep the points ticking over as they have in the opening two games.

After struggling in the opening defeat to the Michigan State Spartans, Western Michigan's Offensive performance was stronger in the Week 2 defeat.

However, this is another step up for the Broncos Offense which is not very experienced and it will be tough to pick up the yards on the ground as they were doing in the loss to North Texas. This week they are facing an Illinois Defensive Line that has been very strong in the opening couple of games and it will put pressure on Broc Lowry or Brady Jones when they are playing out of the Quarter Back position.

As teams have been chasing points against Illinois, there has been some successes had against this Secondary, which will also be happy to give up some yardage with big leads to protect. However, we have not seen much from the Broncos passing game to believe they can sustain drives and failing to run the ball efficiently will also mean having to face this Fighting Illini pass rush that has been very good.

Illinois are not a team that have been used to being favoured at home over the last twelve months, but they have a 2-1-1 record against the spread in that setting, including covering in Week 1. This is a big number, but the Offensive performances will certainly encourage Fighting Illini backers, as will the fact that the Broncos are just 2-4 against the spread as the road underdog since the beginning of the 2024 season.

MY PICKS: Oregon Ducks - 27 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Alabama Crimson Tide - 20.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Michigan Wolverines - 27.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Illinois Fighting Illini - 27.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Auburn Tigers - 24.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

USC Trojans - 20.5 Points @ 1.91 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

Texas Tech Red Raiders - 23.5 Points @ 1.91 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

Iowa State Cyclones - 21.5 Points @ 2.00 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

Week 1: 1-4, - 3.14 Units (5 Units Staked, - 62.80% Yield)

Week 0: 2-1, + 0.75 Units (3 Units Staked, + 25% Yield)

NFL Week 3 Picks 2024 (Thursday 19th September-Monday 23rd September)

It has been a very tough couple of weeks as the NFL season has gotten underway and so you have to appreciate being able to put a two positive weeks together.

Upsets have been rife early in the season and we are still getting to grips with the teams that we are seeing.

Some have lived up to billing- the Buffalo Bills, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans are all sitting at 2-0 and looking like they will be taking part in the post-season as long as they can steer clear of injuries.

Others have been about as poor as expected, most notably the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants, but it is the surprising teams, both good and bad, that have made it tough for all picking games from week to week.

The Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Rams have been really disappointing in opening up at 2-0, while not many would have predicted what we have seen from the 2-0 New Orleans Saints.

It is still very early in the season and overreacting to what we have seen so far can be a mistake, especially with such a small sample size in front of us. More information will be learned in Week 3 and Week 4 and by then you will really begin to have a better idea about where teams are and what their prospects for the season could be.

Injuries have been the major talking point early in the season and those are going to have a big impact on the prospects for teams around the League.

Tua Tagovailoa took a nasty hit towards the end of the Miami Dolphins loss to the Buffalo Bills and it has led to another concussion and talk about whether he should be calling time on his career rather than risking long-term issues. For now the Dolphins are trying to give their Quarter Back time and as much support as he needs, but this could be a team that will need a new starter rather than relying on what they have in the building, especially if Tagovailoa is forced to sit out for the rest of the season.

The Green Bay Packers have also suffered an injury to their starting Quarter Back, but Jordan Love is expected back sooner than later- they may be able to give him more time if they can play as they did in the win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2.

It isn't just Quarter Backs, but there have been injuries at key positions up and down the NFL early in the season and those are going to have an impact on the abilities of teams, which makes its an early minefield to negotiate.

Some are hoping that the New York Giants will be ready to sit Daniel Jones and move on from him at Quarter Back, but it was a surprise to see the Panthers decide to sit Bryce Young after just two weeks of play under his new Head Coach.

You cannot disguise how bad Young has been, but it feels like a massive move from the Panthers who had selected him with the first overall NFL Draft Pick just eighteen months ago. Bryce Young has not had much support around him, but the Quarter Back does not look fit for purpose from what he has put on tape.

Even then, you would think the Panthers would want to give the Number 1 Draft Pick as many as the reps as possible just to make sure they are convinced about what Young can, or cannot, do going forward. Worst case would be that the Panthers get the Number 1 Pick again if Bryce Young continued to play badly, but the feeling of Head Coach Dave Canales is that Andy Dalton gives his team the best chance to win and there is now every chance that Young will go down as arguably the biggest bust of a generation.

Week 3 gets underway with a Thursday Night Football game between two AFC East teams with 1-1 records.

There are teams under pressure to avoid falling into 0-3 holes and others will be looking to bounce back from disappointing Week 2 outings.

Big underdogs have been thriving early in the season with plenty of those winning outright, never mind covering with the points in the pocket, and it does feel like the season is still settling down somewhat and so largely keeping stakes to a minimum may be the plan for now.

Two good weeks are in the books to open the season, but it is just an open and there is a long way to go between now and the Super Bowl in February 2025.

New England Patriots @ New York Jets Pick: There will be a lot of 'Survivor' players cursing the New England Patriots (1-1) were upsetting the odds in Week 1 of the regular season, but Jerod Mayo and the organisation bounced back down to earth with a bang in Week 2.

A home loss to the Seattle Seahawks will have hurt, especially as the Patriots had a chance to win that game before giving up a drive that ended with a late Field Goal to require Overtime. And this Thursday Night Football scheduled game in Week 3 might be coming up at a poor time for New England who have been hit hard by the early injury bug.

They are facing a Divisional rival on a short week when heading to the Meadowlands to take on the New York Jets (1-1) who recovered from an opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers to beat the Tennessee Titans. One or two poor decisions from Will Levis cost the Titans and helped Aaron Rodgers win his first game in the Jets uniform having recovered from an injury that cost him all but four plays in the 2023 season.

There will be some mental obstacles to overcome considering that injury occurred in this Stadium, but Aaron Rodgers will be keen to make up for missing last season and by making a statement in this opening game of Week 3.

He should be able to have a good outing against the New England Patriots, even if this Defensive unit has begun the season in good form. A healthy Patriots Defense would be a challenge, but it is the injuries in the Linebacker position that suggests the Jets can have a strong outing on this side of the ball.

Aaron Rodgers has players who can make plays for him and exploit the holes in the middle of the New England Defensive scheme, while it may also be possible for the Jets to lean on the running game more than they have so far this season. The Offensive Line has only opened up running lanes that have led to 84.5 yards per game at 3.9 yards per carry, but there is every chance that Breece Hall and Braelon Allen can contribute both on the ground and catching the ball out of the backfield as they did in the win over the Titans.

This should put the New York Jets in a position to put up enough points to secure a cover of this point spread, although the one concern is the scheduling. Playing on Monday Night Football in Week 1 and having consecutive road games on both the East and West Coast is tough, but added to that is the fact that this Week 3 game is being played on Thursday.

It is a concern when you think of some of the Defensive problems the Jets have had early this season, which was supposed to be a strength of this team. However, you do have to question whether the New England Patriots can do enough with the ball in their hand to give the Jets something to think about, especially with the amount of injuries on this side of the ball.

The Offensive Line could be down a number of starters, or at least have starters who are limited.

In the first two games, New England have been able to pile up the yards on the ground and that would be important for them in this game to just keep Aaron Rodgers and company cooling off on the sidelines. Shortening the game will make it that much easier to cover with this many points in their pocket, but those injuries or limitations on the Offensive Line may make it that much tougher to run the ball.

It would also mean Jacoby Brissett could find himself constantly harassed by this Jets pass rush if they are behind the chains- Penalties on the backup Offensive Linemen will likely pile up and this should mean New York are keeping the Patriots behind the chains.

Hunter Henry will look to make plays for his Quarter Back, but the Patriots have struggled for consistency on this side of the ball already and now could be in a world of trouble with the injuries on the Offensive Line.

Jacoby Brissett has been able to look after the ball, but that might be more difficult if the onus is on him to make bigger plays and the edge has to be with the New York Jets.

It is a big point spread number and the big underdogs have been barking very loud through the first two weeks of the season.

However, the short week and playing after needing to go through Overtime works against the Patriots and also means they are going to struggle to suit up their injured players. This should see their Divisional rival work a way past the New England Patriots as Aaron Rodgers shows the home fans what might have been if he was available last season.

The Jets beat New England on the road in their last game in 2023 and they did that as the underdog- however, it has been a series that has recently been dominated by the favourite who had been 6-0 against the spread prior to that meeting in January and Aaron Rodgers and the Jets can win and cover here.

Philadelphia Eagles @ New Orleans Saints Pick: There are always going to be one or two teams that surprise early in the season and the New Orleans Saints (2-0) most definitely land in that category.

Blowing out the awful Carolina Panthers at home is one thing, but crushing the Dallas Cowboys on the road is a big statement and Head Coach Dennis Allen will just feel his seat cooling down having come into the season under significant pressure.

Another Head Coach on a short leash is Nick Sirianni who had his entire Coaching staff changed in the off-season, but who has held onto the top job with the Philadelphia Eagles (1-1). The Super Bowl loss is a little over eighteen months ago, but it feels a lot stronger and the Head Coach will be having nightmares about the Saquon Barkley dropped catch that would have effectively seen the team win their Monday Night Football game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Instead of running out the clock or scoring a Touchdown to move two scores clear, the Eagles had to settle for a Field Goal and ultimately that allowed the Falcons to drive down the field and win the game. Nick Sirianni will know that he is going to be facing a lot of criticism if his team falls below 0.500 early in the 2024 season after a miserable end to 2023 and so there is a lot of pressure on his team.

And with that in mind, Philadelphia could have asked for a much better opponent than having to go out on the road to face the New Orleans Saints.

Both teams have potentially distracting games on deck, but the Eagles are on a short week having played last in Week 2 and that may give the New Orleans Saints the edge.

Everything Nick Sirianni and his Eagles want to do on the Offensive side of the ball begins with their running game and the Offensive Line is playing well enough. Despite his costly drop, Saquon Barkley has fitted in nicely, but the Eagles are facing a Saints Defensive Line that have been able to clamp down on the run very well through their first two games.

This may be the toughest test the Saints have faced on the ground though and it has also helped the Defensive Line to have leads to protect which has forced teams away from testing them.

Jalen Hurts has an ability to move around the pocket and that has helped with his pass protection, although a big miss for the Quarter Back is AJ Brown who is set to return next month. There are still some decent options in the passing game, but it may give the Saints the chance to get their pass rush firing and this is another aspect of their Football that has impressed early in the season.

The likelihood is that the Saints will be tested much more on this side of the ball than they have so far this season, but there will be a confidence that New Orleans can put up enough points to still be able to win and cover.

Derek Carr has been dismissed at this stage of his career by many critics, but he has opened the season in confident mood with a new Offensive Co-Ordinator impressing.

It most certainly helps that Carr has not felt the pressure on his own shoulders to constantly make plays and that is down to the very strong New Orleans rushing attack through the first two weeks of the season. Alvin Kamara is another who looks revitalised in the new system and the Saints Offensive Line has opened up big running lanes, which is really not good news for this struggling Eagles Defensive Line.

The expectation is that the Saints will be playing in front of the chains through much of this Week 3 game and that makes life very comfortable for an experienced Quarter Back like Derek Carr. With the Eagles Defensive Line not only struggling to stop the run, but failing to really get an effective pass rush going, the Saints should be able to give Derek Carr all of the time he needs to find some young, improving Receivers.

Towards the end of last season, the Eagles struggled against the pass and there has been some early evidence of that in 2024, which can be exploited by the Saints.

New Orleans have won their last three home games against Philadelphia and they look to match up well enough with them to believe they can do the same here, while covering this mark.

Green Bay Packers @ Tennessee Titans Pick: There is always going to be a learning curve when starting a young Quarter Back, while the moves made by the Tennessee Titans (0-2) in the off-season suggests there is a little bit of a transitional feel about the team. Despite that, there will be huge frustrations that they have lost both games played in the 2024 season considering the Titans have been in a position to win before making huge mistakes.

Will Levis will hold his hands up at Quarter Back with the mistakes really coming down to poor decisions or executions on his behalf.

Even Head Coach Brian Callahan showed his irritation about the mistake made in the defeat to the New York Jets in Week 2 that prevented the Titans from really taking control of the game and those need to be cleared up.

They have been in a position to win games and that has to offer up some encouragement for the Titans as they prepare to host the Green Bay Packers (1-1).

Jordan Love was expected to miss a number of weeks after suffering an injury at the end of the Packers loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1, but he is pushing to return to the field on Sunday. It would remove a potentially big storyline in the NFL this week which would have been Malik Willis leading the Green Bay Packers into a game in Nashville against the team that Drafted him as recently as 2022.

While he was not expecting to be a starter in Tennessee, at least not at the start of the season, it was still a big surprise to Willis himself that he was traded and the motivation to prove the Titans wrong will be huge.

No matter who starts at Quarter Back, this is not going to be an easy game for the Green Bay Packers.

A limited Jordan Love would be an issue and it would be a surprise if the Packers risk their Quarter Back, especially not with a home game against Divisional rivals Minnesota Vikings next week. The Packers will lean on the Offensive Line to try and establish the run, but this is a Titans Defensive Line that has begun the season looking to clamp down on the run and then force teams to try and beat through the air.

You would have to expect Jordan Love to be a stronger passer, but the concern would be that he might be limited in his movement and any concern he has about his injury would make it tough to perform at a top level. Malik Willis will know a bit about the Titans having spent time with the team, but he is a work in progress and it could be tough for the Packers to move the chains with a lot of consistency on this side of the ball.

A case can be made that Will Levis is going to have a tough day passing the ball considering the amount of pressure he has faced when dropping back to throw. It has not helped that Levis feels he has to push the boat out, even when the scoreboard is in his favour, and it will be key for the Tennessee Titans to keep their Quarter Back focused and not continue to make poor decisions at important times.

It will help that the Titans Offensive Line have been grading the road very well and the Coaching staff have to make sure they keep faith in the run. Even when the team have been punishing opponents on the ground, the play-calling has moved away from just continuing to pound the rock and so improvements have to be made on the sidelines.

In a game like this one, Tennessee should be able to crack through the porous Green Bay Defensive Line which has not been able to stop the run.

Putting Will Levis in front of the chains and asking him to throw from third and manageable should at least give the Quarter Back a chance to make plays that put in on a highlight reel rather than a blooper compilation. He will have to be aware that the Packers have given up plenty of yards, but they have gotten a decent pass rush pressure up front and the Interceptions have been a product of that up front.

Winning the turnover battle will give the Green Bay Packers a real chance of springing the 'upset', but the Titans have perhaps played better than the results suggest. Even if Jordan Love is able to start for the Packers, the Titans may have the edge in the trenches on both sides of the ball and that can see them end their winless beginning to 2024.

Chicago Bears @ Indianapolis Colts Pick: Expectations are hard to manage, but it is clear that the Indianapolis Colts (0-2) are a little behind their Divisional rivals the Houston Texans. Both have second year Quarter Backs leading their teams, but CJ Stroud has had a lot more pro Football experience compared with Anthony Richardson and so a bit more patience is needed with the latter.

His season ended prematurely twelve months ago and Richardson has just been trying to find his feet on his return.

The Colts are expecting big things of their Quarter Back and there is plenty of hype around Caleb Williams and where he can take the Chicago Bears (1-1). Some even believed that the Bears could be a potential PlayOff team with the Number 1 Draft Pick named the starting Quarter Back, but Williams is another who will need time.

Chicago have won a game, but that was down to the strong Defensive and Special Teams moments against the Tennessee Titans and they were second best in their defeat to the Houston Texans.

At the moment, the key for Caleb Williams is to just focus on his own development rather than concerning himself with big Quarter Back numbers. He will be reminded that he can lean on the Defensive unit to back him up and ultimately the Bears just need Williams to not make too many mistakes.

One of the concerns going into the season was the lack of investment on the Offensive Line, who are tasked with protecting the future of the franchise, and that has been holding Caleb Williams back. His personal numbers were better in Week 2 compared with Week 1 and Williams looked to have already learned plenty in his limited time in the NFL, but the mistakes made against the Houston Texans were costly.

The Offensive Line have not only struggled in pass protection, but they have not really helped their young Quarter Back by helping the Bears establish the run. There looks to be a bit of room to exploit against a struggling Indianapolis Defensive Line and that may give the Bears the opportunities to move the ball when they have it in the hands of the Offense.

Keeping the team in front of the chains is key considering the early struggles throwing the ball and this Colts Secondary have made some big plays for the team. And any time the Bears are behind the chains, expect the Colts to put Caleb Williams under some pressure, which is likely going to lead to some stalled drives.

The Bears will be looking to control the clock on the ground and to give their young Quarter Back a chance to make plays and a similar game plan is likely going to be used by the Indianapolis Colts.

Indianapolis have an Offensive Line that have really helped the team pound the rock effectively, while Anthony Richardson is a dual-threat at Quarter Back to help the team move the chains. Being able to stay with the run is important for the Colts, and, like Chicago, it will mean their Quarter Back is given every chance to earn a victory for his team.

Anthony Richardson may be offered a bit more protection compared with Caleb Williams when he drops back to throw, although he will have to be careful with this Bears pass rush. He will also be well aware that the Bears Secondary are playing at a strong level and this is going to be a game that may be over in the blink of an eye with the amount of rushing we are expecting to see.

It just feels like the Offensive Line play of the Colts is slightly stronger than the Bears and that could see the home team come away with a first victory of the season.

The Colts will need Anthony Richardson to just play a slightly cleaner game to achieve that and the motivation of trying to avoid falling into an early 0-3 hole may just see the home team do enough to win this one.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Buffalo Bills Pick: There was a genuine hope that the off-season would allow the Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2) to reset and just get back to the stronger Football they had been playing. Five losses in six games at the end of the 2023 cost the Jaguars a place in the post-season, and it is a real concern that they have lost both games played this season.

Now they have to travel to the Buffalo Bills (2-0) on Monday Night Football, a team that has made some changes in the off-season, but who are well rested having beaten the Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night Football in Week 2. Big tests are coming up for the Bills with road games against what could be some of their big AFC rivals when it comes to finally returning to the Super Bowl.

Looking past the Jacksonville Jaguars would be a mistake, but players can sometimes lose a bit of focus and at 2-0, the Bills are going to be feeling pretty good.

At the same time the Jaguars are desperate to get back on track having lost a couple of close games and there is some pressure on Head Coach Doug Pederson.

He will be well aware that the Offense has to be improved and more is needed from Trevor Lawrence if the Head Coach is going to extend his time at the helm. A big money contract is in his pocket, but Lawrence has not played nearly as well as the Jaguars need and he sounds pretty honest about his own level right now.

At least the Quarter Back may have a chance to lean on the running game in this one to help the Offensive unit stay in front of the chains and that will makes things a little more comfortable for Trevor Lawrence. Giving the ball to Travis Etienne should see the Jaguars have some success on the ground considering the early form of the Buffalo Defensive Line, but there will also be pressure on Lawrence to show the Bills that they cannot take their eye off of this passing threat.

It is also vitally important for the Jaguars Offensive Line to not have to protect Trevor Lawrence for too long- if the team is throwing from third and long, the Buffalo pass rush pressure is likely to crash in around Trevor Lawrence, and that should help the Bills disguise some of the issues they may have in the Secondary.

There have been some positive moments for this Buffalo Defense, but the new look Offense is still finding its feet and that might be funny to say about a 2-0 team.

Josh Allen remains one of the top Quarter Backs in the NFL, but his Receiving corps looks very different and it is the short fields being created by some of the strong Defensive play which has really helped the Bills.

This game might be tougher considering the Jaguars have been playing with more confidence on the Defensive side of the ball, despite the 0-2 start. With the Receivers and Quarter Back still getting on the same page, the Bills would like to run the ball and that might be tough to do against this Jaguars Defensive Line.

A dual-threat at Quarter Back, Josh Allen should help the team in establishing the run, but it might be tough work on the ground and that will make it tough for Buffalo to cover this spread. There are definitely more holes in the Jaguars Secondary that can be exploited, although it might be early in the season for the Buffalo passing game to really get on track as chemistry is built on the field.

In recent years the Jacksonville Jaguars have matched up well with the Buffalo Bills and a desperate road team can keep this one competitive. Both teams have tough road games coming up in Week 4, but the home team are perhaps going to be slightly more distracted with a 2-0 start behind them and Jacksonville can keep this one close.

MY PICKS: New York Jets - 6 Points @ 1.91 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

New Orleans Saints - 2.5 Points @ 1.86 Paddy Power (1 Unit)

Tennessee Titans - 2.5 Points @ 1.91 Paddy Power (1 Unit)

Indianapolis Colts - 1 Point @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Baltimore Ravens - 1.5 Points @ 1.95 Paddy Power (1 Unit)

Jacksonville Jaguars + 5.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet Victor (1 Unit)

Week 2: 4-2, + 1.62 Units (6 Units Staked, + 27% Yield)

Week 1: 5-2, + 2.67 Units (7 Units Staked, + 38.14% Yield)