Week 3 of the 2025 NFL season presents us with very interesting matchups. Two duels between undefeated teams stand out: the Rams visiting the Eagles and the Cardinals facing the 49ers. However, 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, opening the door for their backups to shine. 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 everything you need to know. Our correspondents offer you the best from the locker rooms, key data, and predictions for each match. In addition, our statistics analyst, Seth Walder, shares his bold predictions, while fantasy analyst, Eric Moody, gives us his key information. We also include the Football Power Index (FPI) quality ratings for the matchups and game projections, along with final score predictions from Pamela Maldonado, Moody, and Walder. Week 3 concludes with a “Monday Night Football” game between the Lions and the Ravens.
Analysis of the Matches
(Game times are on Sunday unless otherwise noted.)Rams (2-0) vs. Eagles (2-0)1 p.m. ET | Fox | Match rating: 77.7/100What is said 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 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 on the opportunities they see when the box is loaded.“He can beat you with his arm, his legs, or his mind,” McVay said.
Sean McVay
Key statistic: Hurts has run for a touchdown in five consecutive games, tying the longest streak of his career.Bold Prediction: Barkley will record at least 25 rushing attempts.Fantasy Nugget: 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 downfield. The Rams should attack Philadelphia through the air.Betting nugget: The Rams are 6-0 ATS (against the spread) in their last six away games.“We see opportunities when they load the box that way. It’s not arrogance, it’s based on the scheme we have and the players up front, knowing that if we can make these calls and execute them, we’ll have big gains,” Mailata stated.
Jordan Mailata
Predictions:
Maldonado: Rams 24, Eagles 20 Moody: Eagles 23, Rams 20 Walder: Eagles 28, Rams 24 FPI Prediction: PHI, 57.1%Packers (2-0) vs. Browns (0-2)1 p.m. ET | Fox | Match rating: 54.9/100What is said about the Packers: Green Bay still hasn’t gotten its running game off the ground 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. Quarterback Jordan Love commented on the teams’ game plan.What’s being said about the Browns: This week, the Browns have said they are “hyper-aware” of Packers’ linebacker Micah Parsons. Limiting Parsons’ impact also means finding an effective running game that prevents Cleveland from being in obvious passing situations. Rookie running back Quinshon Judkins is expected to get a larger workload in his second game.“Obviously, we all know what Josh did last year, so I think for teams, that’s the game plan going in,” Love said.
Jordan Love
Key statistic: In the plays 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.“He has the ability to be a game-breaker,” Flacco said.
Joe Flacco
Fantasy nugget: Vikings running back Jordan Mason is poised to handle the bulk of the backfield work since 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 nugget: 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%Raiders (1-1) vs. Commanders (1-1)1 p.m. ET | Fox | Match rating: 49.7/100What is said about the Raiders: Defensive tackle Jonah Laulu has been a pleasant surprise. Laulu, selected in the seventh round of 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 commented on Laulu’s 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 due to late movement or play-action games that fooled them. Washington will have to handle that much better against Bowers, who lines up all over the field.“He simply blossomed. He had enough plays in last year’s film that caught my attention… He’s done a good job. He’s been very active, he’s been really consistent with his play,” Carroll said.
Pete Carroll
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 nugget: 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 nugget: The Raiders have covered six straight games on short rest. The Commanders are 11-29-1 ATS on short rest since 2013.“He’s a young, dynamic tight end. You have to treat him like a receiver,” Whitt said.
Joe Whitt
Predictions:
Maldonado: Commanders 28, Raiders 20 Moody: Commanders 37, Raiders 31 Walder: Raiders 34, Commanders 31 FPI Prediction: WSH, 60.6%Texans (0-2) vs. Jaguars (1-1)1 p.m. ET | CBS | Match Rating: 48.1/100What’s being said about the Texans: Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said that “we’re very close” to turning the season around after starting with an 0-2 record, 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. 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 wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (five receptions for 60 yards), but the Jaguars admit they have to make it work. Coach Liam Coen said he had a productive conversation with Thomas this week, and he also has the support of quarterback Trevor Lawrence.Key statistic: Among 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 hasn’t been true in a game yet, but it would be a pretty terrible sign for Hunter if he can’t quickly surpass Brown 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, although his two drops hurt), but Hunter should become the number 2 in Jacksonville very soon.Injuries: Texans | Jaguars“Obviously we would have loved to start strong these first two games and have our connection breaking and finding it everywhere and him having a great year and all those things,” 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’ll be fine.”
Trevor Lawrence
Fantasy nugget: Running back Jerome Ford led the Browns in snaps and targets in Week 2, but Judkins handled 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 nugget: 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 Prediction: GB, 71%Bengals (2-0) vs. Vikings (1-1)1 p.m. ET | CBS | Match rating: 49.8/100What’s being said about the Bengals: This could be the moment the Bengals finally get their running game rolling, 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. Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher commented on the need to improve.What is said 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% 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 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. 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 +3% above expectations). For Wentz, it’s because of O’Connell, who gets the most out of his quarterbacks. (Remember Joshua Dobbs’ run in Minnesota in 2023?)“It needs to be better. Without a doubt. There are certainly things we’ll look into that we think can help with that,” Pitcher said.
Dan Pitcher
Fantasy nugget: Vikings running back Jordan Mason is poised to handle the bulk of the backfield work since 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 nugget: 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%Raiders (1-1) vs. Commanders (1-1)1 p.m. ET | Fox | Match rating: 49.7/100What is said about the Raiders: Defensive tackle Jonah Laulu has been a pleasant surprise. Laulu, selected in the seventh round of 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 commented on Laulu’s 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 due to late movement or play-action that fooled them. Washington will have to handle that much better against Bowers, who lines up all over the field.“He just blossomed. He had enough plays in the movie last year that caught my attention… He’s done a good job. He’s been very active, he’s been really consistent with his play,” Carroll said.
Pete Carroll
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. And Smith has never been shy about taking chances with his arm.Fantasy nugget: 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 nugget: The Raiders have covered six straight games on short rest. The Commanders are 11-29-1 ATS on short rest since 2013.“He’s a young, dynamic tight end. You have to treat him like a receiver,” Whitt said.
Joe Whitt
Predictions:
Maldonado: Commanders 28, Raiders 20 Moody: Commanders 37, Raiders 31 Walder: Raiders 34, Commanders 31 FPI Prediction: WSH, 60.6%Texans (0-2) vs. Jaguars (1-1)1 p.m. ET | CBS | Match rating: 48.1/100What’s being said about the Texans: Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said that “we’re very close” to turning the season around after starting with an 0-2 record, 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. 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 wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (five receptions for 60 yards), but the Jaguars admit they have to make it work. Coach Liam Coen said he had a productive conversation with Thomas this week, and he also has the support of quarterback Trevor Lawrence.Key statistic: Among 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 hasn’t been true in a game yet, but it would be a pretty terrible sign for Hunter if he can’t quickly surpass Brown 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, although his two drops hurt), but Hunter should become the number 2 in Jacksonville very soon.Injuries: Texans | Jaguars“Obviously we would have loved to start strong these first two games and have our connection breaking and finding it everywhere and him having a great year and all those things,” 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’ll be fine.”
Trevor Lawrence
