There’s no shortage of storylines as we enter Week 3 of the NFL season.
Week 3 at a glance: Can the Kansas City Chiefs get off the mat? A primetime matchup with the New York Giants screams “get-right” for the reigning AFC champions. The headliner is an epic Monday nighter between the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens, featuring a massive 52.5 game total.
Check out our Week 3 NFL betting guide, featuring staff picks and predictions for the loaded 16-game slate.
NFL betting guide
Key storylines:
- The AFC seems ripe for the taking. Kansas City is 0-2 for the first time with Patrick Mahomes, and it seems unlikely that the playoffs will run through Arrowhead Stadium. Buffalo has a cushy schedule and should be itching to capitalize on a down year from its rival.
- Joe Burrow is out for at least three months after undergoing toe surgery. That puts quite a damper on Cincinnati’s 2-0 start. Without their QB1, the Bengals’ Super Bowl odds have plummeted to 70-to-1.
- Backups, backups, backups. JJ McCarrthy and Justin Fields are also out, with Jayden Daniels and Brock Purdy doubtful to play, too.
- A playoff rematch between the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles headlines the 1 p.m. slate. Philly eked by L.A. in a blizzard last January, and Matthew Stafford’s group will certainly be looking for revenge.
- Is it time to push the panic button in Chicago? Caleb Williams has now lost 12 of his past 13 starts, with the only win coming against the Malik Willis-led Green Bay Packers in Week 18 last year. Sunday’s matchup against the Dallas Cowboys is a pick’em.
- Detroit and Baltimore rebounded from their Week 1 losses in style with a pair of inter-divisional beatdowns. The Lions scored 53 against the Bears, while the Ravens dropped 41 against the Cleveland Browns. Bettors should expect fireworks on Monday Night Football.
NFL betting hub
NFL Week 3 betting notes
- New York got a vintage Russell Wilson performance last week, but can he run it back? The veteran signal caller is 1-5 against KC since leaving the Seattle Seahawks, throwing for just 176.6 yards per game.
- Kansas City is 22-6 straight up following a loss in the Mahomes era. The Chiefs are also 18-1 SU against NFC teams below .500 with him under centre.
- Just how bad can things get without Burrow? Zac Taylor is 8-22 SU without the QB since joining Cincy in 2019. The Bengals have also averaged fewer than 20 points in the 14 games Burrow has missed with an injury.
- The Packers are 17-6 against the spread in September since Matt LaFleur took over as head coach. Green Bay has covered both games this season by an average of 9.5 points.
- J.K. Dobbins has logged roughly 50% of snaps for Denver, but he’s been the only RB on the roster to receive a carry inside the red zone. Dobbins has turned seven RZ attempts into two TDs.
- NFL closing favourites of four-plus points are 12-0 SU this season. That means plenty of survivor pools have yet to see any serious blood.
Biggest spreads: Dolphins vs. Bills (-11.5), Packers (-8) vs. Browns, Saints vs. Seahawks (-7.5)
Highest totals: Lions vs. Ravens (52.5), Cowboys vs. Bears (50), Dolphins vs. Bills (50)
NFL betting guide: Week 3 predictions
Dolphins vs. Bills picks: Buffalo’s team total sits at an absurd 30.5 points. Avery Perri isn’t fazed by that and is taking the over. Read about why, plus get a two-leg parlay featuring Josh Allen and De’Von Achane.
Dolphins vs. Bills SGP picks: The Bills are 9-1 in their last 10 games against the Dolphins, covering a touchdown spread frequently. Jordan Horrobin is teasing Buffalo down to -6.5 in this +280 SGP, which also features props on Tua Tagovailoa and Dalton Kincaid.
Week 3 upset picks: The Detroit Lions as a +210 underdog? Yes please. The Lions are 7-10 SU as a dog since 2022, and flexed their offensive muscles with a 52-point effort last week.
Week 3 best bets: A pair of ATS wagers, one moneyline pick, and two player props are featured in our Week best bets.
ATS picks: Get ATS predictions for the entire slate, headlined by Lions vs. Ravens on Monday Night Football.
Week 3 TD picks: Ja’Marr Chase is missing his QB1, but Spencer Closs doesn’t think that’ll matter. Read why Chase should find pay dirt, plus get another +230 play.
NFL Week 3 prop picks: Rome Odunze is breaking out as a top receiver in the NFL. See why Closs is backing the WR along with two other player props.
Broncos vs. Chargers SGP picks: This +425 parlay includes a moneyline pick and two player props. Find out how Closs is betting on Broncos quarterback Bo Nix.
Chiefs vs. Giants SNF picks: Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City are 0-2 to start the season, but Closs believes the QB is in for a huge night. Get that, plus one more pick for Sunday Night Football.
Chiefs vs. Giants SNF SGP picks: Are you a fan of offence? Closs shares his +390 SGP for Sunday night that features two overs for Travis Kelce and Wan’Dale Robinson.
Chiefs vs. Giants SNF TD picks: Isiah Pacheco hasn’t produced much at all for the Chiefs yet, but as long as the opportunities continue to come, he’ll be at least an interesting play on the anytime touchdown market.
Lions vs. Ravens MNF picks: Are the Ravens getting too much respect? Steven Psihogios thinks so. He’s backing the Lions ATS and has two other wagers (including a Rashod Bateman prop) for Monday.
We’ll release more NFL predictions throughout the week. Here’s what you can expect for Week 3.
Sept. 21
Lions vs. Ravens MNF SGP picks
NFL Week 3 matchups
Thursday Night Football (Sept. 18)
- Dolphins vs. Bills (8:15 p.m. ET)
Sunday, Sept. 21: 1 p.m. ET slate
- Falcons vs. Panthers | Bengals vs. Vikings | Packers vs. Browns
- Colts vs. Titans | Raiders vs. Commanders | Rams vs. Eagles
- Texans vs. Jaguars | Jets vs. Buccaneers | Steelers vs. Patriots
Sunday, Sept. 21: 4 p.m. ET slate
- Broncos vs. Chargers | Saints vs. Seahawks
- Cardinals vs. 49ers | Cowboys vs. Bears
Sunday Night Football
- Chiefs vs. Giants (8:20 p.m. ET)
Monday Night Football (Sept. 22)
- Lions vs. Ravens (8:15 p.m. ET)
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