NFL Expert Picks, Week 3: Experts predict the Mason Rudolph era gets off to a rocky start

The Pittsburgh Steelers fell flat on their faces in Week 1 against the New England Patriots, and if you followed the expert picks for that game, most experts were spot on in their predictions. The picks were split in Week 2, but the Seattle Seahawks were able to squeak out a win at Heinz Field in Week 2.

Take that for what it’s worth, but with the Steelers traveling to Santa Clara, CA to play the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3, you have to wonder who will win this AFC vs. NFC matchup? Do they see a similar fate for the team from Pittsburgh? Or do they think Mike Tomlin’s crew will get the bad taste out of their mouths and notch their first win of 2019?

Let’s take a look at what the experts are saying heading into Week 3...

For the experts at ESPN, who sport the largest expert panel on the internet, only 1 of their 10 experts see the Steelers having a shot to win straight up.

A similar story can be told from the experts here at SB Nation. Only one expert on their panel likes the Steelers to get their first win on their cross country trek to California.

It is more of the same at USA Today with only one expert liking the Steelers to not just win the game getting 6.5 points, but to win straight up and move their record to 1-2 heading into Week 4.

But these are only a few sites who actually register weekly expert picks. What about all the other sites across the internet who also collect picks? This is where our friends at NFL Pick Watch come in. This site takes all expert picks and compiles them into one easy to read graph. According to NFL Pick Watch, 86% of experts are siding with the home 49ers in this Week 3 matchup.

Will the Steelers be able to get right against the 49ers and show their fan base Week 2 wasn’t the norm, but an aberration? Or will Kyle Shanahan’s crew show they are a contender in the competitive NFC? Only time will tell, but as of now the experts certainly like the black-and-gold this Sunday.