NFL Week 3 Forecast Board: 15 Winner Calls

Week 3 is underway. Atlanta’s 35 to 14 win at Green Bay is a completed Thursday result, not a retroactive prediction. The 15 forecasts below were finalized on September 27, 2026, at 12:40 PM Eastern, before the Sunday kickoff window.[1] [2] Every pick is straight up. Projected scores describe the expected game shape, not a promise. Late inactive news can still change a matchup.[3] [4] One Week 3 result is already final Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers. Completed result: Atlanta 35, Green Bay 14. Atlanta rushed for 242 yards, gained 498 total yards, and controlled possession. Bijan Robinson produced 213 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. This final is excluded from the prediction scorecard.[2] Sunday early game predictions Los Angeles Chargers at Buffalo Bills. Straight up winner: Buffalo Bills. Projected score: Buffalo 27, Los Angeles 17. Confidence: 3/4. Buffalo enters 2 and 0 after scoring 77 points. Los Angeles is 0 and 2 with a minus four turnover differential. Josh Allen and the stronger home offense get the call.[3] [4] Carolina Panthers at Cleveland Browns. Straight up winner: Carolina Panthers. Projected score: Carolina 24, Cleveland 20. Confidence: 3/4. Carolina’s passing game creates the narrow edge. Cleveland can attack a Panthers run defense that struggled through two weeks, keeping this within one score.[3] [4] New York Jets at Detroit Lions. Straight up winner: Detroit Lions. Projected score: Detroit 27, New York 23. Confidence: 3/4. Detroit has the higher scoring ceiling and home field. Its injured secondary gives the Jets a real passing path, keeping confidence moderate.[3] [4] Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts. Straight up winner: Houston Texans. Projected score: Houston 23, Indianapolis 20. Confidence: 2/4. Houston has won five straight meetings, and C.J. Stroud has played well in this matchup. Nico Collins is out, while Indianapolis has allowed 74 points. Both teams are 0 and 2.[3] [4] New England Patriots at Jacksonville Jaguars. Straight up winner: Jacksonville Jaguars. Projected score: Jacksonville 20, New England 17. Confidence: 2/4. New England’s defense has allowed only 16 points, but its minus three turnover differential reduces the margin for error. Jacksonville gets a cautious home lean.[3] [4] Kansas City Chiefs at Miami Dolphins. Straight up winner: Kansas City Chiefs. Projected score: Kansas City 27, Miami 17. Confidence: 4/4. Kansas City has averaged 32 points and 457.5 yards. Miami is 0 and 2 with protection problems. Heat and De’Von Achane add risk, but Kansas City owns the clearest early edge.[4] [6] Tennessee Titans at New York Giants. Straight up winner: New York Giants. Projected score: New York 20, Tennessee 17. Confidence: 2/4. Tennessee has produced little explosive passing. New York turns to Jameis Winston, while Brian Burns’ uncertain status and Tennessee’s rushing matchup keep this close.[3] [4] Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers. Straight up winner: Cincinnati Bengals. Projected score: Cincinnati 24, Pittsburgh 17. Confidence: 3/4. Cincinnati enters 2 and 0 with eight sacks and a plus three turnover margin. Pittsburgh scored three points last week and carries several questionable starters.[3] [4] Seattle Seahawks at Washington Commanders. Straight up winner: Seattle Seahawks. Projected score: Seattle 24, Washington 13. Confidence: 4/4. Seattle has allowed 17 points through two wins, and Sam Darnold is ready. Washington starts Marcus Mariota for Jayden Daniels and is missing several starters.[4] [5] Sunday late and prime time predictions Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers. Straight up winner: San Francisco 49ers. Projected score: San Francisco 27, Arizona 17. Confidence: 3/4. San Francisco has scored 62 points while allowing 20. Arizona comes off a 31 to 7 loss with secondary questions. Nick Bosa is out, but the 49ers retain the stronger home offense.[3] [4] Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Straight up winner: Minnesota Vikings. Projected score: Minnesota 24, Tampa Bay 20. Confidence: 3/4. Minnesota has allowed 25 points through a 2 and 0 start, and Kyler Murray returns. Tampa Bay is 0 and 2 with four Baker Mayfield turnovers.[3] [4] Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints. Straight up winner: New Orleans Saints. Projected score: New Orleans 24, Las Vegas 21. Confidence: 2/4. Las Vegas is 2 and 0 behind a disruptive defense. New Orleans gets a low confidence home lean from its stronger yardage and possession profile.[3] [4] Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys. Straight up winner: Baltimore Ravens. Projected score: Baltimore 27, Dallas 24. Confidence: 3/4. Baltimore has averaged 409 yards, and Derrick Henry has four rushing touchdowns. Dallas can answer through Dak Prescott, but four defensive absences expose its secondary.[3] [4] Los Angeles Rams at Denver Broncos. Straight up winner: Los Angeles Rams. Projected score: Los Angeles 24, Denver 20. Confidence: 2/4. The Rams have produced more yardage, but Puka Nacua is doubtful and Denver owns the home setting. Los Angeles gets the slight edge in a lower scoring game.[4] [7] Monday night: Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears. Straight up winner: Philadelphia Eagles. Projected score: Philadelphia 24, Chicago 17. Confidence: 3/4. Philadelphia is 2 and 0 with the more stable quarterback situation. Chicago ruled out Caleb Williams, while Tyson Bagent remained questionable. Jalen Hurts and Philadelphia’s healthier core get the call.[4] [8] [9] SBA Takeaway The Week 3 board contains 15 real forecasts and one separately labeled completed result. Kansas City and Seattle are the only 4/4 calls. Five games sit at 2/4 because quarterback changes, major receiving absences, or unresolved Sunday statuses make the projected margin fragile. The record will be updated after the games while every original call, projected score, confidence rating, and forecast timestamp remain intact. That process produced final scorecards of 9 and 5 in Week 1 and 9 and 6 in Week 2. Sources - [1] NFL official 2026 Week 3 schedule - [2] Atlanta Falcons official Week 3 game breakdown - [3] NFL Week 3 Sunday injury updates - [4] ESPN Week 3 matchup previews and predictions - [5] Seattle Seahawks official Week 3 injury report - [6] Kansas City Chiefs official Week 3 injury report - [7] Los Angeles Rams official Week 3 injury report - [8] Philadelphia Eagles official Monday night injury report - [9] Chicago Bears official quarterback injury update Related Reading - NFL Week 2 Outlook and Final Prediction Results - NFL Week 1 Results: 9 of 14 Winner Calls Correct - Marcus Mariota Starts. Recheck Seattle at Washington.