Sam Farmer’s NFL picks for Week 3

The Times’ NFL writer, Sam Farmer, examines this week’s matchups. Lines according to Pregame.com (O/U = over/under). Last week’s record 4-12 (.250); season 16-16 (.500). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record against the spread last week would have been 9-7 (.563); season 19-13 (.594).

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Cincinnati (2-0) at Baltimore (0-2)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Bengals 30, Ravens 20

TV: None. DirecTV: 705.

Line: Ravens by 2 1/2. O/U: 44 1/2.

Ravens return home after two rough games on the road. They typically play well against the Bengals at home but are going to have difficulty scoring enough to keep pace with Cincinnati.

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Oakland (1-1) at Cleveland (1-1)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Raiders 28, Browns 23

TV: None. DirecTV: 706.

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

Raiders got big confidence boost with last-minute win over Baltimore. Browns are on a high too after beating Tennessee. Josh McCown returns but maybe Browns should stick with Johnny Manziel.

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San Diego (1-1) at Minnesota (1-1)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Chargers 28, Vikings 27

TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 707.

Line: Vikings by 2 1/2. O/U: 44 1/2.

Chargers will square off against their former coach, Norv Turner, now Minnesota’s offensive coordinator. The home team should be able to keep this close, but Philip Rivers has a lot of weapons.

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Jacksonville (1-1) at New England (2-0)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Patriots 35, Jaguars 21

TV: None. DirecTV: 708.

Line: Patriots by 13 1/2. O/U: 47 1/2.

Jacksonville is better than in years past and isn’t a pushover. But the Patriots are better, they’re playing at home and they shouldn’t have much of a problem winning by a couple of touchdowns.

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Pittsburgh (1-1) at St. Louis (1-1)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Steelers 31, Rams 17

TV: None. DirecTV: 709.

Line: Steelers by 1. O/U: 47 1/2.

The Steelers get a boost from Le’Veon Bell’s return, although DeAngelo Williams has looked good. They can score in bunches, even against a solid defensive front, and it will be tough for the Rams to keep pace.

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Indianapolis (0-2) at Tennessee (1-1)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Colts 24, Titans 17

TV: None. DirecTV: 710.

Line: Colts by 3 1/2. O/U: 45.

The winless Colts are in disarray, especially in the front office, and Chuck Pagano is already on the hot seat. But they’ll still end up winning their wobbly division. Andrew Luck won’t let them lose to the Titans.

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New Orleans (0-2) at Carolina (2-0)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Panthers 21, Saints 17

TV: None. DirecTV: 711.

Line: Panthers by 3. O/U: 45.

Drew Brees has a bum shoulder and the winless Saints are losing confidence by the week. The Panthers aren’t a great team, but they should have luck running on New Orleans, and Cam Newton can still make plays.

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Atlanta (2-0) at Dallas (2-0)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Falcons 23, Cowboys 20

TV: Channel 11. DirecTV: 712.

Line: Falcons by 1. O/U: 45.

Atlanta’s defense isn’t loaded but Dan Quinn has it playing hard. Its offensive line isn’t very good, but Cowboys are without their two best pass rushers. Plus, without Tony Romo, Dez Bryant …

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Tampa Bay (1-1) at Houston (0-2)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Texans 21, Buccaneers 17

TV: None. DirecTV: 713.

Line: Texans by 6 1/2. O/U: 40 1/2.

Buccaneers rookie Jameis Winston took a big step forward last week but still made his share of mistakes. The Texans are home, desperate for a win and can turn up the heat on a young QB.

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Philadelphia (0-2) at NY Jets (2-0)

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Jets 27, Eagles 17

TV: None. DirecTV: 714.

Line: Jets by 2 1/2. O/U: 46.

The Eagles have looked horrible so far, starting with their offensive line. They mustered one first down in the opening half against Dallas. Todd Bowles has the Jets playing tough defense.

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San Francisco (1-1) at Arizona (2-0)

Sunday, 1 p.m.

Cardinals 31, 49ers 20

TV: None. DirecTV: 715.

Line: Cardinals by 6 1/2. O/U: 44.

Arizona’s defense has struggled with quarterbacks who can run but will work on that. The Cardinals have plenty of offensive weapons and this week get guard Mike Iupati to face his old team.

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Buffalo (1-1) at Miami (1-1)

Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

Bills 23, Dolphins 17

TV: None. DirecTV: 716.

Line: Dolphins by 3. O/U: 43 1/2.

The Dolphins looked shaky in opener at Washington, then lost to Jacksonville. The Bills did some cosmetic scoring in the second half of a loss to New England but have the defense to bounce back.

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Chicago (0-2) at Seattle (0-2)

Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

Seahawks 30, Bears 14

TV: Channel 2. DirecTV: 717.

Line: Seahawks by 14 1/2. O/U: 43 1/2.

Good news for QB Jimmy Clausen: He’s getting a chance to start for the Bears. Bad news: It’s against a desperate team that just got Pro Bowl safety Kam Chancellor back. Seattle rolls in home opener.

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Denver (2-0) at Detroit (0-2)

Sunday, 5:30 p.m.

Broncos 28, Lions 24

TV: Channel 4.

Line: Broncos by 3. O/U: 44 1/2.

Somehow Peyton Manning keeps getting the job done, even as he’s showing signs of age. It’s not pretty but it’s effective. Denver will lean on its impressive defense to turn back the desperate Lions.

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Kansas City (1-1) at Green Bay (2-0)

Monday, 5:30 p.m.

Packers 27, Chiefs 23

TV: ESPN.

Line: Packers by 6 1/2. O/U: 49.

The Packers are banged up, but it’s tough to bet against Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who hasn’t had a pass intercepted at home since 2012. Packers win a close one before a friendly crowd.