After watching the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers take the field on Thursday Night Football to kick off Week 3, 13 games are on the docket before Sunday Night Football, including a showdown between the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys in Brazil.

Across those 13 contests, which teams are in the best spot to cover the spread in Week 3?

Below, we’ll discuss our favorite NFL Week 3 picks against the spread, featuring winner, spread, and over/under payouts on PrizePicks.

Make NFL Week 3 picks on spreads on PrizePicks!

{{nfl_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}

Best NFL Week 3 Picks Against the Spread

Here are our best NFL Week 3 picks against the spread, including each game’s payouts on PrizePicks. NFL Week 3’s predictions include the Seahawks, Panthers, and Vikings.

PrizePicks payouts are live as of this writing and subject to change.

Seahawks vs. Commanders Prediction on Spread – Sunday, September 27

Time, How to Watch: 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX

Despite QB Sam Darnold exiting early in their season opener against the New England Patriots, the Seattle Seahawks haven't missed a beat to begin the season. After trouncing the Arizona Cardinals 31-7 in Week 2 with QB Drew Lock orchestrating the offense, Darnold is "on a good track" to return on Sunday vs. the Washington Commanders, according to head coach Mike Macdonald.

Entering Week 3, the San Francisco 49ers are the only other team besides the Seahawks to rank top 12 in both offensive (44.5%) and defensive success rate (38.0%), via RBSDM. Additionally, Seattle has a league-best 90.0% cover rate against the spread (ATS) as the road team since the start of last season, per Team Rankings.

On the other hand, the Commanders are experiencing the opposite situation as the Seahawks, with QB Jayden Daniels set to miss time with a dislocated elbow. Veteran QB Marcus Mariota will need a standout performance in Daniels’ place if Washington wants to be competitive at home on Sunday.

The Commanders have a forgettable 40.0% cover rate ATS as a home underdog since 2025, going 2-3 in those situations. Regardless of Darnold’s status, Washington’s defense likely won’t have much resistance in this game, ranking 26th in EPA/play (0.1) and 22nd in success rate (45.4%) allowed.

Make your Seahawks vs. Commanders prediction on PrizePicks!

Panthers vs. Browns Prediction on Spread – Sunday, September 27

Time, How to Watch: 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX

The Carolina Panthers finally removed the proverbial monkey from their back with a win as a road favorite in Week 2, ending a nine-game losing streak in that scenario. While some may view this as a let-down spot for the Panthers after a 34-3 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, they’re positioned well to cover as a road favorite against the Cleveland Browns.

With QB Bryce Young sitting at seventh in adjusted EPA/play (0.3) and sixth in completion percentage over expected (+9.1%) among 33 qualified QBs entering Week 3, the Panthers have a clear advantage at the most important position.

Although QB Deshaun Watson is surprisingly 12th in adjusted EPA/play (0.2) and ninth in CPOE (+8.1%), there is skepticism about the Browns’ offense suddenly being an above-average unit. On the defensive side of the ball, Cleveland has fallen to 20th in EPA/play (0.0) and 25th in success rate (47.1%) allowed following the trade of All-Pro EDGE Myles Garrett.

Even with the Browns defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2, it’s worth noting that they are tied for the fourth-worst cover rate ATS (25.0%) after a win since the start of last season.

Make your Panthers vs. Browns prediction on PrizePicks!

{{nfl_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}

Vikings vs. Buccaneers Prediction on Spread – Sunday, September 27

Time, How to Watch: 4:05 p.m. ET on FOX

It was a short-lived debut for QB Kyler Murray in Week 1 for the Minnesota Vikings, exiting in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers after suffering a concussion. Murray is set to return to the starting lineup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3, and the uncertainty of his fit in Kevin O’Connell’s offense is likely the only reason this spread is narrow.

The Vikings have gotten off to a 2-0 start in large part due to Brian Flores’ defense playing lights out. Along with Minnesota’s defense ranking second in success rate allowed (34.8%), the Vikings have the second-best cover rate ATS as a road favorite (80.0%) since O’Connell became the head coach in 2022.

Amid an 0-2 start, QB Baker Mayfield is 30th in adjusted EPA/play (-0.1), and he’s notched the fifth-worst pressure-to-sack rate (28.0%) among QBs with 25 or more dropbacks, per PFF. Next up for Mayfield is a defense masterminded by Flores that blitzes at the highest rate (75.9%) by a wide margin.

On top of Mayfield’s woes to begin the 2026 campaign, the Buccaneers have failed to cover the spread in 11 straight games. Plus, no team has a worse cover rate ATS (11.1%) at home than Tampa Bay since the start of 2025.

Make your Vikings vs. Buccaneers prediction on PrizePicks!

Make NFL Week 3 Predictions on PrizePicks

Injuries were a common theme in Week 2, with some teams getting notable players back or losing marquee starters. While some teams are affected more than others by injuries, the Seahawks, Panthers, and Vikings are primed for potential success in Week 3.

Don’t wait until kickoff for this week of NFL action — make your NFL picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right.

With the season underway, just pick NFL players, predict More or Less on their stats, and cash in if you’re right. With Team Picks, you can make predictions on NFL game winners, spreads, over/unders, and award futures, now available in 36 states.

Stay locked in on Playbook for NFL predictions, picks, and news every day all the way through Super Bowl LXI.