The NFL Week 3 for the 2025 season presents exciting matchups. Two matchups between undefeated teams stand out: the Rams visiting the Eagles and the Cardinals facing the 49ers. Injuries have affected several important quarterbacks. Joe Burrow of the Bengals (toe), J.J. McCarthy of the Vikings (ankle), and Justin Fields of the Jets (concussion) are ruled out. Brock Purdy of the 49ers (toe, shoulder) and Jayden Daniels of the Commanders (knee) are questionable. This opens the door for the backups to prove their worth. On Sunday night, the Chiefs will look to get out of an 0-2 season start with Patrick Mahomes facing the Giants. In Alofoke Deportes, we bring you all the information you need. Our correspondents inform you from the locker rooms with the highlights of the week, and our statistics experts offer you key data and betting analysis for each match. In addition, Seth Walder, statistics analyst, presents bold predictions for each game, and Eric Moody, fantasy analyst, shares valuable tips. We also include the Football Power Index (FPI) matchup quality ratings and game projections, along with the final score predictions from Pamela Maldonado, Moody, and Walder. Week 3 concludes with a “Monday Night Football” game between the Lions and the Ravens.
Match Summary
Thursday: BUF 31, MIA 21Rams (2-0) vs. Eagles (2-0)1 p.m. ET | Fox | Matchup Rating: 77.7/100 ESPN BET: PHI -3.5 (44.5 O/U)What’s being said about the Rams: The Eagles are the first team since 2010 to start a season 2-0 without any passing touchdowns. The Rams’ defense has allowed only one touchdown in total across two games. Despite the lack of passing touchdowns for Jalen Hurts and the Eagles, Rams coach Sean McVay considers him a “winner”.What is said about the Eagles: The Rams struggled against Saquon Barkley in their two matchups last season, who accumulated 460 rushing yards against them. Left tackle Jordan Mailata commented that they see opportunities when opponents stack players in the box.Key stat: Hurts has run for a touchdown in five straight games, including playoffs, matching the longest streak of his career.Bold Prediction: Barkley will record at least 25 rushing attempts. The Eagles are a run-heavy team and the Rams favor runs against their defense.Injuries: Rams | EaglesFantasy Tip: Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has shown an excellent connection with receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. He has completed 15 passes that traveled 15 or more yards. The Rams could attack the Eagles through the air.Betting Tip: The Rams are 6-0 ATS (against the spread) in their last six away games.Forecasts:Maldonado: Rams 24, Eagles 20 Moody: Eagles 23, Rams 20 Walder: Eagles 28, Rams 24 FPI Prediction: PHI, 57.1% (by an average of 3 points)Essential readings of the confrontation:How Nacua and Adams fit into McVay’s offense The Eagles’ offense is still in the process of adaptingPackers (2-0) vs. Browns (0-2)1 p.m. ET | Fox | Matchup Rating: 54.9/100 ESPN BET: GB -7.5 (41.5 O/U)What is said about the Packers: Green Bay has yet to get its running game going. They are facing the league’s number 1 rushing defense. The Browns have only allowed 92 rushing yards in their first two games. Running back Josh Jacobs has scored rushing touchdowns in each of the first two games. Quarterback Jordan Love commented on the strategy of the teams facing the Packers.What is said about the Browns: The Browns are “hyper-aware” of Packers linebacker Micah Parsons. Limiting Parsons’ impact involves finding an effective running game. Rookie running back Quinshon Judkins is expected to have a larger workload in his second game.Key statistic: In the snaps Parsons has played this season, the opponent’s average QBR is 14. When he’s off the field, the QBR rises to 60.Bold Prediction: Packers’ Karl Brooks will record a sack. Brooks usually lines up against the right side of the offense, and the Browns’ Wyatt Teller has the worst pass-blocking success rate among guards (81.1%).Injuries: Packers | BrownsFantasy tip: Jerome Ford led the Browns in snaps and targets in Week 2, but Judkins handled 10 rushing attempts. His early usage suggests he could lead the Browns’ backfield in touches in Week 3.Betting tip: The Browns are 7-15 ATS as underdogs over the last three seasons.Forecasts:
Maldonado: Packers 35, Browns 10 Moody: Packers 27, Browns 13 Walder: Packers 26, Browns 6 FPI Prediction: GB, 71% (by an average of 8.4 points)Essential readings of the confrontation:What does the Watson extension mean for the return of ACL? Packers rookie Golden not fazed by slow start The Browns are not considering a quarterback change despite Flacco’s struggles. Why Judkins could be a “game-breaker” for the struggling Browns offenseBengals (2-0) vs. Vikings (1-1)1 p.m. ET | CBS | Matchup Rating: 49.8/100 ESPN BET: MIN -2.5 (41.5 O/U)What is said about the Bengals: This could be the moment the Bengals finally get their running game going, as they have the worst rushing attack in the league after two games. The Vikings are 26th in the league with 5.2 yards allowed per carry. If Cincinnati can be effective on the ground, that could help QB Jake Browning in his first start of the season.What is said about the Vikings: The Vikings have run a minimum of 95 offensive plays this season. One of the key reasons has been a 30.4% conversion rate on third down, the fourth lowest in the NFL. They could find more clarity against a Bengals defense that has been on the field for 151 plays this season, the fourth highest in the league. Cincinnati has also allowed the third-highest third-down conversion rate in the NFL (51.7%).Key Statistic: Browning has a career completion rate of 71.5% as a starter, which is the third-highest mark of any quarterback in their first seven starts since QB starts were first tracked in 1950 (minimum 200 attempts), behind Jayden Daniels (75.6%) and Chad Pennington (73.7%).Bold Prediction: Browning and Carson Wentz will each record a QBR of 60 or more. For Browning, it’s because of his track record (career 62 QBR and completion percentage more than 3% over expected). For Wentz, it’s because of O’Connell, who gets the most out of his quarterbacks.Analysis of concern for Jake Browning
Injuries: Bengals | VikingsFantasy Tip: Jordan Mason of the Vikings is poised to handle the bulk of the backfield work as Aaron Jones Sr. is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Mason averages 4.1 yards per carry behind an offensive line that ranks ninth in run block success rate (73.6%). The matchup is also favorable, as the Bengals have given up the second-most fantasy points to running backs this season.Betting Tip: Wentz has a 27-38 ATS record as a starter since 2018 (his third season). He has a 3-6 ATS record since 2022.Forecasts:
Maldonado: Vikings 21, Bengals 17 Moody: Bengals 31, Vikings 27 Walder: Bengals 27, Vikings 20 FPI Prediction: MIN, 55.6% (by an average of 2.2 points)Essential readings of the confrontation:Bengals sign QBs Clifford and White to practice squad What does McCarthy’s injury mean for the Vikings and their growth? The Bengals don’t blame the offensive line for Burrow’s latest injury Source: The Vikings place Jones on injured reserveRaiders (1-1) vs. Commanders (1-1)1 p.m. ET | Fox | Matchup Rating: 49.7/100 ESPN BET: WSH -3.5 (44.5 O/U)What is said about the Raiders: Jonah Laulu has been a pleasant surprise. Laulu, a seventh-round pick from 2024, has already accumulated three sacks and four pressures in two games. Last season, he only had one sack in 17 games (seven starts). Coach Pete Carroll said that Laulu has flourished and has done a good job. He has been very active and consistent with his play.What is said about the Commanders: Washington allowed Green Bay tight end Tucker Kraft to catch six passes for 124 yards in Week 2, and now must face arguably the best player at that position, Brock Bowers. Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. said eye discipline was a key problem against the Packers; too often, the Commanders lost sight of Kraft due to late movement or play-action plays that fooled them. Washington will have to handle that much better against Bowers, who lines up all over the field. Whitt said Bowers is a young, dynamic tight end and that he must be treated like a receiver.Key statistic: The Raiders’ defense has allowed 3.2 yards per carry this season, the fourth-fewest in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Commanders average 5.3 yards per carry, the third-most.Bold Prediction: Raiders quarterback Geno Smith will connect on multiple passes of 30+ air yards. In two weeks, the Raiders have run vertical routes 35% of the time, the second-highest rate in the league. And Smith has never been shy about taking chances with his arm.Injuries: Raiders | Commanders
Fantasy Tip: Jacory Croskey-Merritt of the Commanders appears to be the favorite for the most touches in Washington’s backfield after Austin Ekeler tore his right Achilles tendon in Week 2. The preseason standout has averaged 7.1 yards per carry on 14 attempts, and is firmly on the flex radar. The Commanders could lean heavily on the run, as quarterback Jayden Daniels is dealing with a knee injury.Betting tip: The Raiders have covered six straight games on short rest. The Commanders are 11-29-1 ATS on short rest since 2013.Forecasts:
Maldonado: Commanders 28, Raiders 20 Moody: Commanders 37, Raiders 31 Walder: Raiders 34, Commanders 31 FPI Prediction: WSH, 60.6% (by an average of 4.7 points)Essential readings of the confrontation:Tom Brady didn’t break the rules in Monday night’s game, says the NFL Daniels from the Commanders has a knee injury, his status is uncertainTexans (0-2) vs. Jaguars (1-1)1 p.m. ET | CBS | Matchup Rating: 48.1/100 ESPN BET: JAX -1.5 (44.5 O/U)What’s being said about the Texans: Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said that “we’re very close” to turning the season around after starting 0-2, noting that Houston was “one or two plays” away from being 2-0. While that’s true, the offense has to score more than the 14 points per game it’s averaging. Watch to see how effective the offense is this week, because falling to 0-3 for the first time since 2020 could create a hole the Texans can’t climb out of.What is said about the Jaguars: There is not a high level of concern about the slow start of receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (five receptions for 60 yards), but the Jaguars admit they have to get him going. Coach Liam Coen said he had a productive conversation with Thomas this week, and he also has the support of quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence commented that they could take a deep breath and give B.T. some space. He’ll be fine.Key statistic: Among 51 instances of a quarterback making at least five starts against a divisional opponent since 2021, Lawrence’s total QBR against the Texans (in eight starts) is the second-lowest of any quarterback against a single divisional opponent (behind Zach Wilson’s 20 against the Patriots).Bold Prediction: Jaguars’ Travis Hunter will run more routes than Dyami Brown. This hasn’t been true in a game yet, but it would be a pretty terrible sign for Hunter if he can’t surpass Brown quickly on the depth chart, considering the latter’s very unremarkable career to date. Brown has probably been a little better than expected (1.9 yards per route run, although his two drops hurt), but Hunter should become the number 2 in Jacksonville very soon.Injuries: Texans | Jaguars
