NFL Week 3 predictions: Why we picked Colts, 49ers, and Falcons
If you need help with your NFL picks this week, Lorenzo is here with his three best bets ahead of Sunday’s Week 3 games.
Lorenzo’s Locks
The Jets (0-2) head on the road for the first time this season when they travel to the Sunshine State for a pair of games, starting in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)
Gang Green is still in search of their first win of the Aaron Glenn era.
After such a positive, uplifting offensive performance in the 34-32 Week 1 loss to the Steelers, it was anything but that in a 30-10 flattening loss to the Bills in Week 2 at MetLife Stadium.
Perhaps the most concerning part of that game is the current status of starting QB Justin Fields, who suffered a concussion and is currently in the league’s concussion protocol after taking a hit and leaving early in the fourth quarter in which he did not return with the game already out of hand.
Our prognosticators throughout the 2025 season are: Art Stapleton (Giants/NFL writer, NorthJersey.com), Bert Bainbridge (sports trending reporter/columnist, NorthJersey.com), Brian Marron (digital producer, NorthJersey.com), Chris Iseman (Rutgers writer, NorthJersey.com), Bob Jordan (sports editor, Asbury Park Press/APP.com) and Dave Rivera (sports editor, USA TODAY Northeast/NorthJersey.com).
NFL Week 3 predictions and staff standings
Art Stapleton, Bert Bainbridge, Chris Iseman, Brian Marron and Dave Rivera:Â 2-0
Bob Jordan: 1-1
With Week 3 coming up, here are our staff predictions for the Jets vs. Buccaneers game:
Bert Bainbridge
The pick:Â Buccaneers 24, Jets 13
Here’s why: What we know now is that Fields is still in the concussion protocol. Will he clear protocol in time to be under center for Sunday’s game? It’s tough to know given it’s his first concussion in his five seasons in the NFL.
Whether it’s Fields or Tyrod Taylor, the Jets do have a slight advantage given the Buccaneers are playing on short rest after facing the Texans on Monday night in Houston. However, Tampa Bay will be playing in its home opener against a Jets defense that has been gashed on the ground and through the air over the first two weeks. Gang Green will come up short again, this time against a high-flying Tampa Bay offense as the Jets fall to 0-3.
Art Stapleton
The pick: Jets 21, Buccaneers 17
Here’s why: I have faith in Aaron Glenn digging into his team a bit this week and getting their best to show up in Tampa against former Jets coach Todd Bowles. If Justin Fields is still in concussion protocol, Tyrod Taylor might give the Jets a better chance to get their passing attack going. Look for big games from Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson, and on a short week for Tampa Bay, maybe Gang Green can go in and surprise some people for Glenn’s first win as HC.
Dave Rivera
The pick: Buccaneers 23, Jets 10
Here’s why: The Jets looked completely lost in Sunday’s embarrassing loss to the Bills, a far cry from their effort in the season opener against the Steelers. So which Jets team will we see on Sunday? On the road for the first time this season, and now with major questions at quarterback, it could be a long day in Tampa.
Brian Marron
The pick: Buccaneers 31, Jets 16
Here’s why: If the Jets are going to be this futile on defense, it is going to be a long season. Justin Fields fell back to Earth, and it is hard to believe he can keep up with Baker Mayfield and the high-powered Tampa Bay offense.
Chris Iseman
The pick: Buccaneers 27, Jets 10
Here’s why: The Jets’ defense looks awful. And the Jets overall have just looked like an undisciplined football team. It’s hard to see that changing against Tampa Bay, which will be on a short week but is still the better team right now.
Bob Jordan
The pick: Buccaneers 20, Jets 10
Here’s why: Aaron Glenn said he doesn’t make “rash decisions and (they are) never based off one incident” after he cut Xavier Gipson in a rash decision that was based off one incident in Week 1. Gang Green was flat in Week 2. You can’t cut them all.