Week 2 was weak sauce for the picks against the spread. It was the cla sic wild, unpredictable slate of games with mid-game injuries and improbable finishes wreaking havoc on the results. Turnovers, penalties and inconsistent home-field advantages even with fans back also have served to make things more challenging.There's only one way to rebound from one bad week: Get up on thathorse and pick our favorite ponies again. Week 3 offers more 16 chances to get games right, so it'stime to focus on the positives and not think about the alternatives.Without further ado and overthinking, here arethis week's Sporting News predictions forhow every upcoming matchup will play out, from this Thursday night to next Monday night:NFL POWER RANKINGS: Game of the Week: Buccaneers (-1.5, 55.5 o/u) at RamsCould this game be a NFC championship game preview? Should the Rams win the NFC West, then the answer is very much yes. Last November, Tom Brady struggled against the Rams defense at home in a 27-24 lo s. He's a lot more locked into his loaded weapons le s than a year later, with conference title and Super Bowl 55 ring in hand since.Matthew Stafford had a great first game and a pretty good second one to ensure his new team would start 2-0. But this is Cameron Erving Jersey a different kind of measuring stick against an active defense that will shut down the run and come after him. He also must out-duel Brady without the same kind of depth at receiver and tight end. Brady will remember how the Rams got the best of him last year Dustin Colquitt Jersey and won't let it happen again. Stafford's long-time profile means he doesn't help his team win games like this.Pick: Buccaneers win 30-27 and cover the spread.Game of Midweek: Panthers (-7, 43.5 o/u) at TexansThe Panthers have gotten plenty from their aggre sive young defense, fueled by a boosted pa s rush. That's the big reason why they're 2-0, on top of Christian McCaffrey facilitating Sam Darnold as a runner and receiver to open up the rest of the offense. They look well-coached and put-together in Year 2 of Matt Rhule and Joe Brady.Darnold and the D are overachieving, but that will continue in Houston with a good chance of facing another team with QB chance and a second rookie (Davis Mills) in three games. McCaffrey has a big night to open Week and the Texans are limited with their rockets to pull the upset against a red-hot NFC foe.Pick: Panthers win 26-16 and cover the spread.Rivalry of the Week: Eagles at Cowboys (-3, 51.5 o/u)The Eagles looked dominant against the Falcons and then couldn't score on the 49ers. Jalen Hurts has played well, but their offense has been otherwise inconsistent with defense being the early strength. The Cowboys have shown plenty of diverse offense with Dak Prescott in two games and their defense is making up for big i sues with well-timed takeaways and stops. Prescott and Hurts will duel well, with Dallas getting the key last po se sion at home. The Cowboys will be position to run well again and their experience edge at receiver over theEagles pays off in a familiar NFC East marqueeshootout.Pick:Cowboys win 31-28 but fail tocover the spread. Lock of the Week: Broncos (-10.5, 42o/u) over JetsThe Broncos' defense has thrown down the way Vic Fangio wants against the lowly Giants and Jaguars. Here back at home for the first time this season, Denver will take down another overmatched offense in a loud home environment. Denver is not far from Utah, where Zach Wilson hails and played his college ball at BYU. That won't help much with Von Miller in the vicinityagainst a weakened offensive line.The Jets also will face a Broncos' secondary that played much better in Week 2 leading to more mistakes from Wilson. Teddy Bridgewater will keep playing well to exploit a weak pa s defense with tons of help from running backs Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams. The Jags have Darwin Thompson Jersey proved to be me sy to trust to be competitive under Urban Meyer in the short term.Pick: Broncos win 30-14 and cover the spread.Upset of the Week: Packers over 49ers (-3, 50.5o/u)The 49ers have owned the Packers in recent meetings, whether it's been Colin Kaepernick running all over the defense or the 2019 version dispatching Aaron Rodgers twice. But last November,the injury-riddled 49ers allowed the Packers to turn the tables in prime time in San Francisco. The 49ers are struggling to keep running backs healthy and their pa sing game has more limitations than expected around Jimmy Garoppolo. Their defensive back seven also can be picked apart by Rodgers with decent protection.The 49ers will try to get enough big pa s plays so they can run to win, but the Packers should be inspired to compensate for the Week 1 road debacle against the Saints. Rodgers Sammy Watkins Jersey has another happy return to the Bay Area, while Garoppolo struggles to fnish the comeback against a tough pa s defense.Pick: Packers win 27-24.Colts at Titans (-4.5, 47.5 o/u)The Colts may be withoutCarson Wentz and need to turn to Jacob Eason at quarterback. At this point, it doesn't feel like much of a downgrade or curveball to a run-heavy game plan. The Colts' defense also has been wilting more than expected, giving big pa s plays and not being as sturdy against the run. The Titans should like that combination as they can set up play-action for Ryan Tannehill well to play off a sizzling Derrick Henry. But Indianapolis will be desperate to avoid 0-3 and put up a tight fight by digging deeper in their pa sing game.Pick: Titans win 24-20 but fail to cover the spread.MORE: Falcons at Giants (-2.5, 47.5 o/u)The Giants are looking for their first win and will get it while denying the Falcons a chance at theirs. This is a get-well game for the entire Giants' offense to come out and take pre Jordan Lucas Jersey sure off Daniel Jones to carry the team as a pa ser and runner. The Falcons' pa s protection is in shambles and Matt Ryan is being forced into bad mistakes. This also feels like an opportunity for the real Saquon Barkley to show up in the rushing attack, coming off long-week rest.Pick: Giants win 30-24 and cover the spread.Chargers at Chiefs (-7, 54.5 o/u)The Chargers held off Washington but couldn't finish off Dallas. Here comes Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City so they need Justin Herbert to shake off some turnovers woes and be ready to duel. The Chargers' receiving versatility at wideout, tight end and the backfield because of Austin Ekeler will drive the Chiefs' defensive backs and linebackers batty. L.A. has been played good bend-but-don't-break defense for Brandon Staley and will stay in the game there vs. Patrick Mahomes. But in the hand, stopping both Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce in key moments will be tough.Pick: Chiefs win 28-24 but fail to cover the spread.Bengals at Steelers (-2.5, 43.5 o/u)These 1-1 NFC North rivals each had surprise wins in Week 1 over Minnesota