For the last few seasons, I have been predicting that the 32 NFL teams will huddle around the .500 mark. The level playing field that is NFL parity practically guarantees that, over time, the strong teams will be caught by the laggards. This season, I expect that there will no team garnering 14 wins (as some powerhouses did in the past) and very few teams getting 12 wins. A 10-7 record will be the norm for playoff teams, and a 9-8 record could be a few teams’ tickets to the postseason.
 
With that in mind, we head for Week Three — featuring 16 games where I don’t feel super confident that I know the outcome. The six unbeaten teams are the Bills, Bucs, Chiefs, Dolphins, Eagles, and Giants.  Ironically, the dearth of unbeaten teams should also spell hope for five winless teams: Bengals, Falcons, Panthers, Raiders, and Titans. 
 
My Sunday game of the week is the Bills visiting the Dolphins.  Behind QBs Josh Allen and Tua Tagovailoa, both of these 2-0 teams are accomplished practitioners of the long ball.  Another explosive Sunday showdown pits the Jaguars and the Chargers, featuring two more of the NFL’s most impressive young QBs — Trevor Lawrence and Justin Herbert. 
 
Two of my struggling playoff picks, the Raiders and Titans, will battle for their first win of the season, while the Colts try to fix their woes at home against the dangerous Chiefs.
 
Later in the day, we will get Brady vs. Rodgers — perhaps for the last time — as the Bucs host the Packers.
 
Last week, I accomplished that big rebound I was hoping for, my picks going 12-4.  I can hope for — but not expect — another good showing, since this weekend promises even more close games than we have witnessed so far.
 
Here are all of the Week Three matches — and my picks.
 
1.     Steelers at Browns                   Browns           TNF
2.     Bills at Dolphins                        Bills
3.     Bengals at Jets                         Bengals
4.     Raiders at Titans                       Raiders
5.     Saints at Panthers                    Panthers
6.     Lions at Vikings                         Lions
7.     Ravens at Patriots                    Ravens
8.     Eagles at Commanders             Eagles
9.     Chiefs at Colts                           Chiefs
10.  Texans at Bears                        Bears
11.  Jaguars at Chargers                  Chargers
12.  Rams at Cardinals                     Rams
13.  Falcons at Seahawks                Falcons
14.  Packers at Bucs                         Bucs              
15.  Forty Niners at Broncos            Broncos             SNF
16.  Cowboys at Giants                     Giants             MNF.
 
In just a few weeks, I suspect there will be no winless teams and no undefeateds. I can’t decide whether I’m encouraged or worried; I just have to smile.