Stampede Blue’s NFL Week 3 staff picks

It’s a who’s who of quarterback matchups in Week 3 of the 2020 NFL season, starting off with the most electrifying facial hair battle in recent memory as “the bearded one” Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Miami Dolphins take on the magic mustache of Gardner Minshew and his Jacksonville Jaguars.

Beyond Thursday night the quarterback duels have much less to do with facial hair and more to do with football talent. The early afternoon slate features Jared Goff, Josh Allen and their 2-0 teams, a desperate Deshaun Watson and the aging but talented Ben Roethlisberger and a surprising Derek Carr taking on a resurgent Cam Newton.

The level of talent picks up steam as the day goes on, with Dak Prescott and Russell Wilson facing off in a 12th Man-less Seattle stadium and finishing off the night with the decorated careers of Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees squaring off Sunday Night Football. Nothing, however, compares to the Monday night bout between two of the game’s best — Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens.

It’s almost time to sit back, relax and watch the signal-callers get to work, but first let’s check in on Stampede Blue’s standings and picks for Week 3.

Can’t miss contests:

Raiders @ Patriots

Rams @ Bills

Texans @ Steelers

Cowboys @ Seahawks

Packers @ Saints

Chiefs @ Ravens

Could be surprisingly fun:

Dolphins @ Jaguars

Washington @ Browns

Bears @ Falcons

Titans @ Vikings

Panthers @ Chargers

Lions @ Cardinals

Buccaneers @ Broncos

Hit the snooze button:

49ers @ Giants

Bengals @ Eagles

Jets @ Colts

Take a look at the updated standings and picks for Week 3 ...

Andrew Aziz: 25-7 (78.1%) / Mateo Caliz: 25-7 (78.1%) / Elliot Denton: 24-8 (75.0%) / Brett Mock: 24-8 (75.0%) / Greg Rader: 24-8 (75.0%) / Chris Shepherd: 24-8 (75.0%) / Stephen Reed: 23-9 (71.9%) / Thomas Skulski: 23-9 (71.9%) / Blake Pace: 22-10 (68.8%) / Chris Blystone: 8-8 (50.0%)

Thursday 8:20 pm ET

Dolphins @ Jaguars (7) | Contrarians: Elliot Denton, Stephen Reed

Sunday 1:00 pm ET

49ers (7) @ Giants | Contrarians: Mateo Caliz, Chris Shepherd

Washington @ Browns

Bengals @ Eagles (6) | Contrarians: Caliz, Blake Pace, Thomas Skulski

Raiders @ Patriots (8) | Contrarian: Reed

Bears @ Falcons

Rams @ Bills (6) | Contrarians: Pace, Reed, Skulski

Texans @ Steelers (7) | Contrarians: Caliz, Pace

Titans (6) @ Vikings | Contrarians: Andrew Aziz, Caliz, Reed

Sunday 4:05 pm ET

Panthers @ Chargers (8) | Contrarian: Denton

Jets @ Colts

Sunday 4:25 pm ET

Cowboys @ Seahawks (8) | Contrarian: Aziz

Lions @ Cardinals

Buccaneers (7) @ Broncos | Contrarian: Aziz, Brett Mock

Sunday 8:20 pm ET

Packers (5) @ Saints | Contrarians: Aziz, Caliz, Mock, Reed

Monday 8:15 pm ET

Chiefs @ Ravens (7) | Contrarians: Reed, Skulski

Who do you have coming out on top in Week 3?