2026 NFL Week 3 Picks Against The Spread + NFL Week 3 Schedule Predictions

As the old saying goes, “Good teams win, great teams cover.” We are back for Week 3 with our picks against the spread! While I am a big proponent of not believing what you see in Week One (hence why I said to take the Seahawks to cover comfortably against the Cardinals), I think we still need to pump the brakes on some results from Week Two. With so many injuries already, new coaches settling in, and plenty of games to play, I don’t want to immediately jump to conclusions with some of these teams. That being said, there are still plenty of matchups to capitalize on this week that I am absolutely fired up for.

Below, we will be breaking down our NFL Week 3 Picks Against the Spread while also going through the NFL Week 3 schedule. So without further ado, let's dive in!

2026 NFL Week 3 Picks Against The Spread at DraftKings Sportsbook

With Week 3 here, we have all 32 teams playing in 16 games. In the following section, you will find my predictions, with my 2026 NFL Week 3 Picks Against the Spread in the right column. All lines are provided by DraftKings Sportsbook:

NFL Week 3 Picks Against The Spread: Carolina Panthers -2.5 (-115 at FanDuel Sportsbook) 

Say what you will about the Carolina Panthers' defensive performance in Week One, but this team has arrived. On the offensive side of the ball, Bryce Young is playing like Alabama Bryce Young again. He is reading the field at a high level, has elite playmaking ability, and he is surgical with his passes downfield. On the defensive side of the ball, they have bounced back in a big way, holding the Falcons (who boast elite offensive weapons like Bijan Robinson and Drake London) to three points, thanks to the help of a defensive player of the week-type effort from linebacker Devin Lloyd, who finished the game with nine tackles, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), three passes defensed, a quarterback hurry, and a sack. The Panthers have found their quarterback for both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, and I really like the team around them.

Meanwhile, they are facing off against the Cleveland Browns. I don’t have much to say about the Browns. Sure, they had their first good offensive game with Deshaun Watson since he joined the team in 2022. I am not going to bet against a Panthers team that has produced 35.5 points per game this season just because the Browns barely beat a very underwhelming Buccaneers team. The Jaguars embarrassed them in Week One, and I don’t see why the Panthers can’t do the same here in Week Three.

NFL Week 3 Picks Against The Spread: Philadelphia Eagles -4.5 (-107 at Caesars Sportsbook) 

It always hurts to pick against my Chicago Bears, but I was not given much of a choice here. Right now, the Bears do not know who is playing quarterback for them right now. Caleb Williams is out with a hamstring injury, and Tyson Bagent is currently in concussion protocol. If both of those players cannot suit up, they will have to turn to the veteran Case Keenum, who has not thrown a regular-season pass since 2023 and has not thrown a pass more than 20 yards downfield since before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Philadelphia Eagles have not impressed me with their wins so far this season, but they are still winning games and still have an incredibly talented defense. While their 21 points per game allowed is not an elite number, it is hard to imagine Case Keenum leading an offense to more than that number, especially when their notable outside weapons have not gotten going yet at a consistent rate. Just ask Colston Loveland’s fantasy football owners how they are feeling right now.

Philly’s biggest weakness thus far has been their offensive line. But, with Chicago’s well-documented defensive woes and lack of a difference-maker along their front seven outside of Montez Sweat, I do not see that being an issue. The Bears’ run game might have gotten the best of the Eagles last year, but I think Philly will be able to flip the script here on Monday Night Football. 

2026 NFL Week 3 Schedule & Predictions Featuring Falcons vs. Packers

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NFL Week 3 Lines & Las Vegas Odds Provided by DraftKings

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