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Eric Cohen goes exact on Week 3 NFL scores, picking Panthers 22, Browns 16 among his picks

SportsLine expert Eric Cohen shares his exact score predictions for Week 3 NFL games, with picks locked behind a paywall.

By mitch·4 min read
A football player runs with the ball under bright stadium lights during a night game.

Eric Cohen, a SportsLine expert and host, has laid out his exact score predictions for every Week 3 NFL game. That means he is not just picking winners and losers. He is predicting the final margin, down to the point.

The announcement comes with a warning: these picks are exclusive to SportsLine, so anyone who wants to see the full slate has to pay to read them. The company is also running promotions tied to the news, including a Polymarket offer and a Kalshi bonus for new users.

Cohen’s record is the selling point. He finished the 2025-26 season with a 188-96-1 straight-up record, which works out to 66%. His 2026 NFL picks sit at 21-11, also 66%.

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The Exact Score Bet

Hitting on these picks will not be easy. The payout makes it worth trying anyway. A +6500 return is the minimum, with some games reaching as high as +19000.

The biggest question mark hangs over the Commanders vs. Seahawks game. That contest features two injured quarterbacks: Sam Darnold is expected to return, while Jayden Daniels is out. The spread is Seahawks -7.5, with a total of 40 points.

There are also two divisional games with narrower spreads. The Steelers face the Bengals at -3.5, with a total of 42.5. The Texans play the Colts at +1.5, with the same total of 42.5.

Cohen’s Picks From the Schedule

Cohen has examined all 16 games from the Week 3 NFL schedule. His top pick lands on the Panthers, who are favored on the road against Cleveland.

The Panthers have the No. 2 scoring offense, averaging 35.5 points per game. Cleveland sits near the bottom of the league in total offense, third-down efficiency and red-zone scoring.

Deshaun Watson has struggled badly in recent home games. He has not won a game in Cleveland since 2023, with three touchdown passes, four turnovers and under 200 passing yards in each of his last three home starts. Cleveland’s offense has averaged just 15.3 points over those three starts.

Carolina, meanwhile, has scored 30-plus points in two straight games. The Panthers have averaged 22 points over their last two games against the Browns.

Cohen explained his reasoning to SportsLine. “I’m not buying the Deshaun Watson renaissance,” he said. “Watson played fairly well in the Browns win over Tampa Bay, but there’s no way he is Cleveland’s starter for more than a few weeks if the team starts to lose again. While I didn’t think much of Carolina this year, they have scored 30+ points in two straight games so the offense looks improved. I think the Panthers move to 2-1 by virtue of a couple crucial Watson interceptions in the second half.”

Cohen’s pick: Panthers 22, Browns 16.

The Upset Picks

Cohen is also calling for two underdogs to pull off huge upsets. Those picks are locked behind the SportsLine paywall, meaning readers have to subscribe to see them.

Nailing those results is key to making profitable Week 3 NFL picks, according to the announcement.

How to Follow the Picks

Anyone who wants to see Cohen’s full Week 3 NFL score predictions has to visit SportsLine. The site requires a subscription to access the exact score picks.

The site is also promoting two new-user offers. Polymarket is offering a $50 sign-up bonus after a $10 deposit, with a link to the promo code review. Kalshi is offering a $55 bonus after $25 in trades, using the promo code CBSSPORTS55.

The offers are tied to the betting app review section.

The Bottom Line

Cohen’s picks are a gamble. The exact score format rewards accuracy with massive payouts, but it punishes small mistakes. A single missed interception or a late touchdown can flip a profitable pick into a loss.

For casual fans, the picks are a fun way to follow the weekend. For serious bettors, the exact score format is a high-risk proposition that rewards careful research and a willingness to live with big losses when things go wrong.

KEY FACTS BOX
– Cohen’s 2025-26 record: 188-96-1, 66%
– Cohen’s 2026 picks: 21-11, 66%
– Minimum payout: +6500
– Maximum payout: +19000
– Commanders vs. Seahawks spread: Seahawks -7.5, total 40
– Steelers vs. Bengals spread: Steelers -3.5, total 42.5
– Texans vs. Colts spread: Colts +1.5, total 42.5

COHEN’S TOP PICKS BY ORDER
1. Panthers at Browns (-2.5, 42.5)
2. Two underdog upsets (not revealed publicly)

The picks are out. The games are set. Cohen’s record is on the line. The only question is whether anyone is willing to pay to find out what he thinks.

Source material: “Week 3 NFL score predictions, best picks today: Expert reveals exact scores for every NFL game,” CBS Sports.

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