NFL Week 3: Predictions, Key Injuries, and In-Depth Analysis

NFL Week 3 2025: Analysis and Predictions

Week 3 of the 2025 NFL season features intriguing matchups and key battles. Two undefeated teams will face off: Rams versus Eagles and Cardinals versus 49ers. Injuries have affected several important quarterbacks, opening the door for backups to prove their worth. On Sunday night, the Chiefs will look to recover from an 0-2 season start with Patrick Mahomes leading the offense against the Giants. Here’s everything you need to know. Our NFL Nation reporters provide information from the locker rooms, ESPN Research provides key statistics and betting analysis for each match. In addition, statistics analyst Seth Walder shares bold predictions for each game, and fantasy analyst Eric Moody offers valuable information for your teams. We also include Football Power Index (FPI) quality ratings for the matchups and game projections, along with final score predictions from three analysts: Pamela Maldonado, Moody, and Walder. The week will culminate with an exciting “Monday Night Football” between the Lions and the Ravens.Featured Matches:

• Rams vs. Eagles
• Packers vs. Browns
• Bengals vs. Vikings
• Raiders vs. Commanders
• Texans vs. Jaguars

Results of the week:

Thursday: Bills 31, Dolphins 21

Rams (2-0) vs. Eagles (2-0)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET | Fox | Matchup Rating: 77.7/100ESPN BET: PHI -3.5 (44.5 O/U)What is said about the Rams: The Eagles are the first team since 2010 to start a season with a 2-0 record without passing touchdowns. The Rams’ defense has allowed only one total touchdown in two games. Despite the lack of passing touchdowns for Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, Rams coach Sean McVay considers him a “winner”.What is said about the Eagles: The Rams struggled against running back Saquon Barkley in their two matchups last season, who accumulated 460 rushing yards against them in the regular season and playoffs. Left tackle Jordan Mailata believes his team can take advantage of opportunities when the Rams stack players in the box.Key statistic: Hurts has run for a touchdown in five consecutive games, including the playoffs, tying 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 tend to allow runs against their defense.Injuries: Rams | EaglesFantasy Information: Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has shown an excellent connection with receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Stafford has completed 15 passes that traveled 15 or more yards. The Rams would do well to attack Philadelphia through the air.Key bet: 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: PHI, 57.1%

Required readings about the confrontation:How Nacua and Adams complement each other in McVay’s offense. The Eagles’ offense is still in the process of adjustment.

Packers (2-0) vs. Browns (0-2)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET | Fox | Matchup Rating: 54.9/100ESPN BET: GB -7.5 (41.5 O/U)What is said about the Packers: Green Bay has yet to get its running game going, and now faces the league’s number 1 rushing defense. The Browns have allowed only 92 rushing yards in their first two games. Quarterback Jordan Love has expressed his concern.What is said about the Browns: The Browns are “hyper-aware” of Packers’ running back Micah Parsons. Limiting Parsons’ impact also means finding an effective running game that keeps Cleveland out of obvious passing situations. Rookie running back Quinshon Judkins is expected to have a larger workload in his second game.Key stat: In the snaps that Parsons has played this season, the opponent’s average QBR is 14. When he is off the field, the QBR rises to 60.Bold Prediction: Packers defensive tackle Karl Brooks will record a sack. Brooks usually lines up on the right side of the offense, and Browns guard Wyatt Teller has the worst pass-blocking rate among guards (81.1%) in the league.Image:Field Yates analyzes Josh Jacobs and the Packers’ fantasy potential this season.Injuries: Packers | BrownsFantasy Information: Running back 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.Key bet: The Browns are 7-15 ATS as underdogs over the last three seasons.Predictions:

• Maldonado: Packers 35, Browns 10
• Moody: Packers 27, Browns 13
• Walder: Packers 26, Browns 6
• FPI: GB, 71%

Required readings about the confrontation:What the Packers’ Watson extension means for his return from injury. Packers rookie Golden not fazed by slow start. Browns not considering QB change despite Flacco struggles. Why Judkins could be a “game-breaker” for the Browns’ struggling offense.

Bengals (2-0) vs. Vikings (1-1)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET | CBS | Matchup Rating: 49.8/100ESPN BET: MIN -2.5 (41.5 O/U)What’s being 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 quarterback Jake Browning.What is said about the Vikings: The Vikings have run a minimum of 95 offensive plays this season, something coach Kevin O’Connell has repeatedly lamented as he tries to find ways to use a large number of talented skill players. 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 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 record a QBR of 60 or higher. In both cases, the fall might not be as pronounced as expected. For Browning, it’s because of his track record (career QBR of 62 and completion percentage plus 3% above expectations). For Wentz, it’s because of O’Connell, who gets the most out of his quarterbacks.Image:Stephen A. Smith says the Bengals’ offensive line is a major cause for concern.Injuries: Bengals | VikingsFantasy Information: Vikings running back Jordan Mason is set to handle the bulk of the backfield work since Aaron Jones Sr. is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Mason is averaging 4.1 yards per carry behind an offensive line that ranks ninth in run block win rate (73.6%).Key bet: 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: MIN, 55.6%

Required readings about the confrontation:Bengals sign quarterbacks 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 reserve.

Raiders (1-1) vs. Commanders (1-1)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET | Fox | Matchup Rating: 49.7/100ESPN BET: WSH -3.5 (44.5 O/U)What is said about the Raiders: Defensive tackle Jonah Laulu has been a pleasant surprise. Laulu, a 2024 seventh-round pick, has already recorded three sacks and four pressures in two games. Last season, he only had one sack in 17 games (seven starts). Coach Pete Carroll has praised his performance.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 that visual discipline was a key problem against the Packers; too often, the Commanders lost sight of Kraft.Key stat: 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. Smith has never been shy about taking chances with his arm.Injuries: Raiders | CommandersFantasy Information: Jacory Croskey-Merritt appears to be the favorite for the majority of touches in Washington’s backfield after Austin Ekeler tore his Achilles tendon. 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.Key bet: 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: WSH, 60.6%

Required readings about the confrontation:The NFL says Tom Brady did not violate the rules in Monday night’s game. Daniels’ knee injury from the Commanders, uncertain status.

Texans (0-2) vs. Jaguars (1-1)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET | CBS | Matchup Rating: 48.1/100ESPN 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’s being said 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 strong these first two games and have our connection clicking and finding him everywhere and have him have a great year and all that stuff,” Lawrence said. “But we’re in Week 3, so I think we can all take a deep breath, give B.T. some space. He’s going to be fine.”Key statistic: Among the 51 instances of a quarterback making at least five starts against a divisional opponent since 2021, Lawrence’s total QBR of 39 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 has yet to be true in a game, 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 unremarkable 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 number 2 in Jacksonville very soon.Injuries: Texans | Jaguars