Steelers slip again in Week 3 NFL game-by-game predictions

The Steelers start off week three on Thursday night, which will lead into a tough week of competition around the NFL.

The Steelers are in Cleveland for some football under the lights on Thursday night. They will be taking on their hated rival, the Cleveland Browns. It is going to be a tough AFC North divisional battle with some star players potentially missing on both sides of the field.

The laundry list of names sitting on the Browns’ injury report is staggering right now, and that could lead to an advantage for the away team in this one. Pittsburgh is entering the game relatively healthy, even though T.J. Watt will still be out with his pec injury. That is a big loss and both sides will try and deal with those issues on this short week.

Prediction record after Week 2: 7-8

The first week of predictions did not go according to plan as we enter this week with a losing record. There were a lot of upsets in week two that caused those predictions to go haywire. The Steelers loss just put a cherry on top of this sundae that melted straight out of our hands.

Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) vs Cleveland Browns (1-1), Thursday at 8:15 P.M. EST

This is going to be a tough matchup for Pittsburgh, but they will have a realistic shot at winning if some of these injuries continue. The Browns could be without some of their starters in the trenches and that should allow for the Steelers to have a better chance at winning this game. Cleveland is favored to win this contest, and the betting odds continue to increase for them even though they might be dealing with injury issues.

Prediction: Steelers 21, Browns 24

The black and gold will probably still lose this game unless a lot of things go in their favor. The Steelers defense is going to need to stop the run all night, and that might not be a realistic possibility even with their opponent’s injury concerns. Cleveland will probably win with a last-second field goal after a closely contested game.

New Orleans Saints (1-1) vs Carolina Panthers (0-2), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST

The Saints are not going to be a great team in 2022, but they will fight to the bitter end. This NFC South divisional game almost seems like a must-win for the road team in this one if they want to reach the playoffs. The Panthers are reeling right now and better days seem far off in the distance. The Saints will be a tough game for the Steelers when they play them later in the year.

Prediction: Saints 23, Panthers 17

Things will be tough for the Saints as their schedule progresses further, but they have what it takes to make the playoffs. It is going to take close games like this against the Panthers to overcome the tests you must prevail from in the early goings of the campaign. It will be a close score at the end, but New Orleans should be able to escape without giving their fans a heart attack.

Houston Texans (0-1-1) vs Chicago Bears (1-1), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST

The Houston Texans are giving each team they play issues throughout their games. They might be winless, but they are doing their best to stay competitive each week. There are not many that hold them with high expectations this season, but they will fight towards a handful of wins this year.

Prediction: Texans 20, Bears 21

This is going to be a close game as both offenses are not going to wow either side. They struggle to move the ball, but Justin Fields should be able to do enough to win this football game in the end. The Bears are favored by only three and a half points, so it should be a tight contest.

Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) vs Indianapolis Colts (0-1-1), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST

The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the few offenses in the NFL that have not been going through growing pains. Patrick Mahomes makes it look easy as their high-flying group is back at it with fresh faces on the field. The Colts are struggling right now, especially after getting shut out by the Jaguars last week.

Prediction: Chiefs 29, Colts 21

This game should be closer than a lot are thinking because the Colts will be playing for their season. Indianapolis should be able to get the run game going with Jonathan Taylor and create a close game for the Chiefs. It will come down to Matt Ryan not turning over the ball, but neither he nor the offense has been in sync yet.

Buffalo Bills (2-0) vs Miami Dolphins (2-0), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST

This could very well be a future playoff game between these two AFC opponents. The Dolphins’ offense is firing on all cylinders entering this game, but the Bills’ defense will be their first major test. The Bills will also be going up against one of the best defenses that they have faced all year, and that could make this interesting.

Prediction: Bills 27, Dolphins 23

Buffalo should be able to win this game on the road in a close contest. The Dolphins will struggle some against the talented defense that the Bills employ. Miami will keep it close, but the Bills’ offense has more experience that they can lean on to help them get out of the stadium with a win. When you watch these two play, it is likely you will struggle to understand how a team could make offense happen so much easier than what the Steelers produce.

Detroit Lions (1-1) vs Minnesota Vikings (1-1), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST

Week three continues to be a hard one to predict as this matchup could not come at a tougher time. The Vikings have a short week after getting battered against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. Minnesota is the better team on paper, but the Lions are a scrappy group that was able to hang on and beat the Washington Commanders.

Prediction: Vikings 26, Lions 19

Expect the Vikings to be the victor of this game over Detroit. The Lions should be able to stay in this contest for a while, but the better roster will prevail. The club in purple needs to have a big bounce-back performance to get back on track, or they could have a slipping issue.

Baltimore Ravens (1-1) vs New England Patriots (1-1), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST

The Ravens head back on the road after having a tough loss at home against the Dolphins last week. It was an offensive onslaught in that one, but this week should be easier for them. The Patriot’s defense is tough, but their offense struggles in most areas of their game.

Prediction: Ravens 31, Patriots 17

The Patriots were able to take advantage of the terrible offense of the Steelers to win last week, but that will not happen again in week three. Baltimore has one of the more potent offensive attacks in the NFL, and New England will not be able to handle that. The only way this prediction could falter is if the Ravens offense makes too many turnovers.

Cincinnati Bengals (0-2) vs New York Jets (1-1), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST

No one was expecting for the Cincinnati Bengals to be sitting at their current record when the season began. They are currently struggling to find continuity on offense, and that is costing them games in the early portion of their schedule. The New York Jets will play host to them, which should give the Bengals another opportunity to turn things around.

Prediction: Bengals 28, Jets 20

The Jets showed last week against the Browns that they will fight to the very end of the game. They came back and won last week and showed that they can put up points against some solid defenses. Joe Flacco will keep New York competitive, but this Cincinnati offense will be too much for them to handle.

Las Vegas Raiders (0-2) vs Tennessee Titans (0-2), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST

Las Vegas lost in heartbreaking fashion to the Arizona Cardinals as a victory slipped through their fingers. Both teams enter the game winless and at different points in how they fared in their first matchups. The Raiders have lost close games, while the Titans lost against a poor team and got destroyed by the Bills.

Prediction: Raiders 26, Titans 21

This is going to be a good game between two teams that could be flirting with disaster soon if they do not get things going. The Titans seem like the lesser of the two clubs as something seems drastically off from last year. Las Vegas is gunning for another playoff appearance and winning this game is a must if they want that to be true.

Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) vs Washington Commanders (1-1), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST

The Eagles are on a short week after curb stomping the Vikings through the Philadelphia pavement on Monday. It was a dominating game that is starting to make some people believers in Jalen Hurts as the future in the city of brotherly love. The Commanders almost came back against the Lions last week, but their efforts were not enough to dig out of the hole that they created.

Prediction: Eagles 27, Commanders 17

Carson Wentz is the toughest player to gauge, especially from game to game. He makes some great plays then goes out and turns over the ball which leaves you scratching your head. The Eagles are playing too good right now so they will win this game.

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) vs LA Chargers (1-1), Sunday at 4:05 P.M. EST

The Jaguars have gained some confidence after shutting out the Colts this past week, which shocked most of the league. They are a young and upcoming group that still needs some more seasoning before they can be crowned champions. The LA Chargers are a serious club for contention this year, but the health of Justin Herbert will determine how that team does going forward.

Prediction: Jaguars 19, Chargers 30

This prediction is one that many should feel confident about as the Chargers are the better team overall. The Jaguars should still get some points and move the football down the field, but the LA defense will cause turnovers. Herbert’s health is the only question mark for this Chargers team and the future of the contention status for them.

LA Rams (1-1) vs Arizona Cardinals (1-1), Sunday at 4:25 P.M. EST

There is history here on the Rams side, as their club routinely defeats the Cardinals each season. Arizona showed some guts during their last outing by coming back and tying the game with no time left. It was a close game that ended in their favor over the Raiders.

Prediction: Rams 23, Cardinals 26

Over time might be in the cards for this game as the Rams head into a hostile environment against a tough team. They almost blew their lead to the Falcons last week and something seems off about the defending champs in the early goings. The Cardinals have faults of their own, but their quarterback should be able to make plays by using his mobility.

Atlanta Falcons (0-2) vs Seattle Seahawks (1-1), Sunday at 4:25 P.M. EST

Some might surmise this as the toilet bowl as both rosters are not filled to the brim with great talent. Both quarterbacks are common backups that will not win too many games for their respective clubs this season. It should be a game full of bewilderment as these two battle it out in a close game.

Prediction: Falcons 21, Seattle 17

This is a tricky one to figure out because both clubs have competed well against some highly regarded teams in the early portion of the year. The Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos, and the Falcons almost came back to defeat the Rams. The Falcons must win some games this year and this is one of the best opportunities on paper against the Seahawks.

Green Bay Packers (1-1) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0), Sunday at 4:25 P.M. EST

Most people will remember the recent times when Tom Brady and the Buccaneers went and destroyed the Packers in recent playoff stints. That memory should not fade as the fans get ready to watch week three on Sunday afternoon. Green Bay has a lot of flaws on offense that will hold them back, while Tampa has many different players that have been around for a while.

Prediction: Packers 24, Buccaneers 28

The home club ends up emerging victorious over the Packers yet again. The same story, just in a different format will be told again. Aaron Rodgers will do his best, but cause turnovers along the way as he tries to do too much to carry a rather stale offense right now.

San Francisco 49ers (1-1) vs Denver Broncos (1-1), Sunday at 8:20 P.M. EST

Russel Wilson has become almost a folk character since joining the Broncos. He has not played great, and Denver seems to be still figuring things out on offense. They have not put up a ton of points and seem to be struggling out of the gate.

Prediction:  49ers 24, Broncos 23

It should be a close game between two teams that are aiming to make the playoffs in their own conference. Jimmy Garoppolo is back as the starting quarterback, and he should steady their offense. The 49ers defense should be able to cause some turnovers and create points to win the contest.

Dallas Cowboys (1-1) vs New York Giants (2-0), Monday at 8:15 P.M. EST

Dak Prescott is out of the lineup still as he deals with his thumb injury, and Cooper Rush did an admirable job against the Bengals last week. Expect reality to come back and hit them in the face in the form of the New York Giants. They are currently unbeaten and seem to have found new confidence under their new coaching staff.

Prediction: Cowboys 14, Giants 21

Both clubs could realistically come away from this matchup with a win. Dallas has a good defense, but the Giants have the better playmakers on offense to help balance that out. Expect it to be a tight game that New York wins at home.

The Steelers kick off Week 3 of the NFL slate of games on Thursday night. This week is full of interesting matchups that could go either way.