Week 3 of the 2025 NFL season presents promising matchups. Two clashes between undefeated teams stand out: the Rams visiting the Eagles and the Cardinals facing the 49ers. Several injuries have affected 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 standout backups to prove their worth. On Sunday night, the Chiefs look to get out of an 0-2 season start with Patrick Mahomes facing the Giants. Alofoke Deportes offers you all the necessary information. Our NFL reporters will take you to the locker room with the best they heard this week, and the Alofoke Deportes research team provides key statistics and important data for each game. In addition, data analyst Seth Walder shares a bold prediction for each match, and fantasy analyst Eric Moody offers crucial information for your team. We also include the quality ratings of the Football Power Index (FPI) matchups and game projections, along with the final score predictions of three analysts: Pamela Maldonado, Moody, and Walder. Here is the complete Week 3 schedule, culminating in a “Monday Night Football” game between the Lions and the Ravens.Rams (2-0) vs. Eagles (2-0)1 p.m. ET | Fox | Matchup Rating: 77.7/100What’s being heard about the Rams: The Eagles are the first team since 2010 to start a season 2-0 without a passing touchdown. Despite the lack of passing touchdowns for Jalen Hurts and the Eagles, Rams coach Sean McVay considers him a “winner”.What’s heard about the Eagles: The Rams struggled against Saquon Barkley in their two matchups last season. Left tackle Jordan Mailata commented on the opportunities they see when the opponent loads the box.Key stat: Hurts has run for a touchdown in five straight games, tying the longest streak of his career.Bold Prediction: Barkley will record at least 25 rushing attempts.Fantasy News: Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has shown an excellent connection with receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. The team should attack Philadelphia through the air.Betting Tip: The Rams have a 6-0 ATS (against the spread) record in their last six away games.Predictions: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)Packers (2-0) vs. Browns (0-2)1 p.m. ET | Fox | Matchup Rating: 54.9/100What’s being heard about the Packers: Green Bay still hasn’t managed to get its running game going, and now faces the league’s number 1 rushing defense. Running back Josh Jacobs has scored rushing touchdowns in each of the first two games, but averages only 3.6 yards per carry.What’s being heard about the Browns: The Browns are “hyper-aware” of Packers defender Micah Parsons. Rookie Quinshon Judkins expects to have a larger workload.Key statistic: In the plays Parsons has played this season, the opponent’s average QBR is 14.Bold Prediction: Packers defensive tackle Karl Brooks will record a sack.
0:43 Why Stephen A. is worried about Jake Browning, Bengals
Fantasy News: Vikings running back Jordan Mason is set 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 win 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 advice: Wentz has a 27-38 ATS record as a starter since 2018 (his third season). He has a 3-6 ATS record since 2022.Predictions: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)Raiders (1-1) vs. Commanders (1-1)1 p.m. ET | Fox | Matchup Rating: 49.7/100What’s being heard about the Raiders: Defensive tackle Jonah Laulu has been a pleasant surprise. Laulu, a 2024 seventh-round pick, has already tallied three sacks and four pressures in two games. Last season, he only had one sack in 17 games (seven starts). Coach Pete Carroll commented on his performance.What’s being heard 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 that visual discipline was a key issue against the Packers. Washington will have to handle that much better against Bowers, who lines up all over the field.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.Fantasy News: Jacory Croskey-Merritt of the Commanders appears to be the favorite for the most touches in the Washington backfield after Austin Ekeler tore his right Achilles tendon in Week 2. The preseason standout is averaging 7.1 yards per carry on 14 attempts, and is firmly on the flex radar. The Commanders could lean towards 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.Predictions: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)Texans (0-2) vs. Jaguars (1-1)1 p.m. ET | CBS | Matchup Rating: 48.1/100What’s being heard 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. Keep an eye on 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’s being heard about the Jaguars: There isn’t a high level of concern about wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.’s slow start (five receptions for 60 yards), but the Jaguars admit they need 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. “Obviously, we would have loved to start these first two games well and have our connection click and have him find it everywhere and have a great year and all that stuff,” Lawrence said. “But we’re in Week [3] everyone, so I think we can all take a deep breath, give B.T. some space. He’s going to 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 WR/CB Travis Hunter will run more routes than WR 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 leapfrog Brown on the depth chart quickly, considering the latter’s very mediocre career to date. Brown has probably been a little better than expected (1.9 yards per route, though his two drops hurt), but Hunter should become the No. 2 in Jacksonville very soon.Injuries:Texans
Jaguars
0:50 Yates: Josh Jacobs, a fantasy asset for the rest of the season.
Fantasy News: Jerome Ford led the Browns in plays and targets in Week 2, but Judkins had 10 rushing attempts despite missing all of training camp and the preseason. His early usage suggests he could lead the Browns’ backfield in touches in Week 3.Betting advice: The Browns have a 7-15 ATS record as underdogs in the last three seasons.Predictions: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)Bengals (2-0) vs. Vikings (1-1)1 p.m. ET | CBS | Matchup Rating: 49.8/100What’s being heard 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 quarterback Jake Browning in his first start of the season.What’s being heard about the Vikings: The Vikings have run a minimum of 95 offensive plays this season, a fact that coach Kevin O’Connell has repeatedly lamented as he tries to find ways to use a variety of talented skill players. One of the key reasons has been a 30.4% third-down conversion rate, the fourth-lowest in the NFL. They could find more light against a Bengals defense that has been on the field for 151 plays this season, the fourth-most 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 quarterback 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.
0:43 Why Stephen A. is worried about Jake Browning, Bengals
Fantasy News: Vikings running back Jordan Mason is set 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-blocking win 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 advice: Wentz has a 27-38 ATS record as a starter since 2018 (his third season). He has a 3-6 ATS record since 2022.Predictions: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)Raiders (1-1) vs. Commanders (1-1)1 p.m. ET | Fox | Matchup Rating: 49.7/100What’s being heard about the Raiders: Defensive tackle Jonah Laulu has been a pleasant surprise. Laulu, a 2024 seventh-round player, has already tallied three sacks and four pressures in two games. Last season, he only had one sack in 17 games (seven starts). Coach Pete Carroll commented on his performance.What’s being heard 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 that visual discipline was a key issue against the Packers. Washington will have to handle that much better against Bowers, who lines up all over the field.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.Fantasy News: 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 is averaging 7.1 yards per carry on 14 attempts, and is firmly on the flex radar. The Commanders could lean towards the run, as quarterback Jayden Daniels is dealing with a knee injury.Betting advice: The Raiders have covered six straight games on short rest. The Commanders are 11-29-1 ATS on short rest since 2013.Predictions: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)Texans (0-2) vs. Jaguars (1-1)1 p.m. ET | CBS | Matchup Rating: 48.1/100What’s being heard 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. Keep an eye on 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’s being heard about the Jaguars: There isn’t a high level of concern about wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.’s slow start (five receptions for 60 yards), but the Jaguars admit they need 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. “Obviously, we would have loved to start these first two games well and have our connection click and have him find it everywhere and have a great year and all that stuff,” Lawrence said. “But we’re in Week [3] everyone, so I think we can all take a deep breath, give B.T. some space. He’s going to 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 WR/CB Travis Hunter will run more routes than WR 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 on the depth chart quickly, considering the latter’s very mediocre career to date. Brown has probably been a little better than expected (1.9 yards per route, though his two drops hurt), but Hunter should become the No. 2 in Jacksonville very soon.Injuries:Texans Jaguars
