Sam Farmer’s NFL picks for Week 3

The Times’ NFL writer, Sam Farmer, examines this week’s NFL matchups.

Lines according to Pregame.com (O/U = over/under). Last week’s record 12-4 (.750); season 22-8 (.733). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record against the spread last week would have been 9-7 (.563); season 17-15 (.531).

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Denver (2-0) at Cincinnati (1-1)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Bengals 24, Broncos 20

TV: None. DirecTV: 705.

Line: Bengals by 3. O/U: 41.

Broncos are solid with Trevor Siemian at quarterback and the defense is terrific, but the Bengals have experience at QB, a solid defense and are a bigger test than Carolina and Indianapolis.

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Baltimore (2-0) at Jacksonville (0-2)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Jaguars 27, Ravens 23

TV: None. DirecTV: 706.

Line: Ravens by 1. O/U: 47.

The Jaguars have young talent sprinkled on both sides of the ball. They’re playing for Coach Gus Bradley’s job, too. The Ravens are wily veterans with a lot of thirtysomethings, but youth wins out.

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Cleveland (0-2) at Miami (0-2)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Dolphins 31, Browns 17

TV: None. DirecTV: 707.

Line: Dolphins by 10. O/U: 42.

The Browns are on 26th starting QB since 1999, and who knows if Cody Kessler is going to be ready? Miami is solid and needs to bounce back after consecutive road losses. Against Cleveland, it will.

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Oakland (1-1) at Tennessee (1-1)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Raiders 27, Titans 24

TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 708.

Line: Titans by 2. O/U: 47.

The Raiders spent a ton on defense, and have given up 500 yards in each of the first two games. They’re more talented than the Titans, but Oakland is probably going to make it closer than it should be.

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Arizona (1-1) at Buffalo (0-2)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Cardinals 30, Bills 17

TV: None. DirecTV: 709.

Line: Cardinals by 4. O/U: 47.

Rex Ryan is on the hot seat, and he’ll have some tricks up his sleeve. But it isn’t easy to fool the Cardinals, and the Bills just don’t have the offensive personnel. Watch for Arizona to run the ball well.

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Minnesota (2-0) at Carolina (1-1)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Panthers 27, Vikings 23

TV: None. DirecTV: 710.

Line: Panthers by 7. O/U: 43.

Sam Bradford looked good for the Vikings, but that line needs to do a better job blocking. Carolina will get after him. The Panthers aren’t as good as they were last year, but they still have Cam Newton.

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Detroit (1-1) at Green Bay (1-1)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Packers 28, Lions 17

TV: None. DirecTV: 711.

Line: Packers by 7. O/U: 47.

Hard to know who the Lions are. They looked pretty good in Week 1, but lost at Tennessee the next week. Green Bay rarely loses at home, and the Packers are steamed in wake of a loss at Minnesota.

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Washington (0-2) at N.Y. Giants (2-0)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Giants 30, Redskins 20

TV: None. DirecTV: 712.

Line: Giants by 5. O/U: 45 1/2.

The Giants are on a roll. Their defense is good, Eli Manning is rolling and is surrounded by enough weapons to do some real damage. Once again, the Redskins are looking overrated.

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San Francisco (1-1) at Seattle (1-1)

Sunday, 1 p.m.

Seahawks 18, 49ers 14

TV: None. DirecTV: 713.

Line: Seahawks by 9. O/U: 40.

Seattle seldom loses at home, but Russell Wilson is still a sitting duck with that bum ankle, the backs don’t scare anyone, and the line is really porous. This game could look a lot like Seahawks-Rams.

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L.A. Rams (1-1) at Tampa Bay (1-1)

Sunday, 1 p.m.

Buccaneers 17, Rams 13

TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 714.

Line: Buccaneers by 6. O/U: 42.

The Rams had a great upset of Seattle. But they’re a young team that has to travel (almost) to the East Coast and has yet to score a touchdown. Tampa Bay rebounds after Arizona embarrassment.

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San Diego (1-1) at Indianapolis (0-2)

Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

Chargers 27, Colts 23

TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 715.

Line: Colts by 2 1/2. O/U: 51.

The injury bug has hit the Chargers again, but they did an impressive job of demolishing a good, young Jacksonville team. Andrew Luck is great, but what else does Indianapolis have this season?

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N.Y.Jets (1-1) at Kansas City (1-1)

Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

Chiefs 21, Jets 17

TV: None. DirecTV: 716.

Line: Chiefs by 3. O/U: 42 1/2.

These are similar teams and evenly matched. Two ball-control offenses, two solid defenses. With Brandon Marshall (knee) not at full speed, give Alex Smith and the Chiefs a slight edge at home.

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Pittsburgh (2-0) at Philadelphia (2-0)

Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

Steelers 31, Eagles 24

TV: None. DirecTV: 717.

Line: Steelers by 3 1/2. O/U: 46 1/2.

Eagles rookie Carson Wentz has been tremendous, albeit against two bad defenses (Cleveland, Chicago). These aren’t the Steelers of old, but they always present problems for rookie QBs.

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Chicago (0-2) at Dallas (1-1)

Sunday, 5:30 p.m.

Cowboys 34, Bears 17

TV: Channel 4.

Line: Cowboys by 7. O/U: 44 1/2.

The Bears might be better off with Brian Hoyer at quarterback than Jay Cutler, but this is a deeply flawed team. Rookie Dak Prescott is as advertised in Dallas, and its offensive line is excellent.

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Atlanta (1-1) at New Orleans (0-2)

Monday, 5:30 p.m.

Falcons 34, Saints 31

TV: ESPN.

Line: Saints by 3. O/U: 53 1/2.

New Orleans might still have a bit of Monday night magic at home, but Falcons showed a lot by winning at Oakland. With Julio Jones (calf) only slightly hobbled, the visitors win.