Week 3 of the 2017 NFL schedule will kick off tonight when the Los Angeles Rams take on the San Francisco 49ers in the City by the Bay. While for most teams Week 3 isn't necessarily a must-win situation, for the San Francisco 49ers and a handful of others it is. It won't be easy for the 49ers on Thursday night, as they will be tested by one of the best up and comers in the game at quarterback in Jared Goff.

Must win Week 3?

Heading into the Week 3 NFL action, several teams are already facing a must-win situation if they have hopes of entertaining a postseason berth this December.

It's bad enough when history shows that if you start the season 0-2, the odds of making the playoffs are 9%, however, starting the season 0-3 lowers the team's chances to right around 3% to make the playoffs.

The 49ers, along with the Chicago Bears, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Chargers, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets are all facing the dreaded 0-3 start if they are not victorious this weekend.

On the other end of the spectrum, several teams are entering Week 3 play with a 2-0 mark, including the surprising Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions. While teams don't get taken too seriously by many NFL experts and Las Vegas oddsmakers when it comes to being a Super Bowl contender until Halloween weekend, or basically until just over the halfway point of the season, right now fans in Baltimore and Detroit should be excited about their team's chances.

Both squads are playing well, especially on the defensive side of the ball. This week the Ravens take on the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London, England.

Odds, TV coverage and predictions

Once again, the NFL predictions last week produced more winners than losers. The Week 2 NFL picks finished 4-1, making the total on the year for NFL predictions 7-2 through the first two weeks of play.

Below is a look at the complete Week 3 NFL schedule, TV information, current Las Vegas odds and predictions.

Thursday, Sept. 21

  • L.A. Rams (-2) at San Francisco 49ers -- 8:20 pm -- NFL Network (O/U 39)

Sunday, Sept. 24

  • Baltimore Ravens (-3.5) at Jacksonville Jags 9:30 am -- Yahoo (O/U 39)
  • Atlanta Falcons (-3) at Detroit Lions 1:00 pm -- FOX (O/U 50)
  • Cleveland Browns (-1) at Indianapolis Colts 1:00 pm -- CBS (O/U 40.5)
  • Denver Broncos (-3) at Buffalo Bills 1:00 pm -- CBS (O/U 40)
  • Houston Texans at New England Patriots (-13) 1:00 pm -- CBS (O/U 44)
  • Miami Dolphins (-6) at N.Y. Jets 1:00 pm -- CBS (O/U 42)
  • New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers 1:00 pm -- FOX
  • N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia (-6) 1:00 pm -- FOX (O/U 42.5)
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (-7) at Chicago Bears 1:00 pm -- CBS (O/U 44)
  • Tampa Bay Bucs at Minnesota 1:00 pm -- FOX -- OFF
  • Seattle Seahawks at Tennessee Titans (-2) 4:05 pm -- FOX (O/U 42.5)
  • Cincinnati at Green Bay (-8) 4:25 pm -- CBS (O/U 44)
  • Kansas City Chiefs (-3) at L.A. Chargers 4:25 pm -- CBS (O/U 47)
  • Oakland Raiders (-3) at Washington 8:30 pm -- NBC (O/U 54)

Monday, Sept. 25

  • Dallas Cowboys (-3) at Arizona Cardinals 8:30 pm -- ESPN (O/U 47)

NFL picks record

  • Last week 4-1
  • Year to date - 7-2

Picks -- Tennessee -2, Ravens -3.5, Denver -3, Packers -8, Washington +3
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