NFL Week 3 Betting Preview – Odds, Tips and Picks for Every Game on Sunday and Monday
Buffalo Bills (2-0) at Miami Dolphins (2-0)
6:00 PM – Sunday 25th September
Sam’s Picks
Moneyline: Bills – 4/9 with 888Sport
Spread: Bills -5.5 – 20/21 with Parimatch
Over/Under: Over 52.5 – 10/11 with PaddyPower
That was one wild fourth quarter last Sunday afternoon in Baltimore. Tua and the Dolphins have put the NFL on notice, but the Bills may revoke that quickly this weekend and bring them back down to earth. The Bills are bookies favourites for the Superbowl and for good reason so far this season. After two games they have a for/against of 72-17 and look menacing on both sides of the ball. I see points for both teams in this one, but when it matters the Bills will do what Baltimore couldn’t and make defensive stops when it counts.
Matt’s Pick of the Game:
Tua going absolutely berserk for 469 yards and six passing touchdowns while leading his team to an epic comeback with 28 points in the 4th quarter was certainly not on my week two bingo card. But, credit where credit is due, he was absolutely incredible in the second half against Baltimore. This Bills team however is a different beast. They’ve been pretty much perfect in their first two games, with a mean defence complimented by truly absurd quarterback play, and a top-five receiver in Stefon Diggs. This could be a really fun game with lots of points. While Tua did go into god mode in the second half last week, he had a sloppy first half in which he threw two picks, and I expect him to have at least one of those brain fades against Buffalo. This is my bet of the week.
Tua Tagovailoa Over 0.5 Interceptions – 4/5 with 888Sport
Detroit Lions (1-1) at Minnesota Vikings (1-1)
6:00 PM – Sunday 25th September
Sam’s Picks
Moneyline: Vikings – 2/5 with Unibet
Spread: Lions +5.5 – Evens with bet365
Over/Under: Over 52.5 – 10/11 with Parimatch
I can see both offences feasting this Sunday. Despite a disappointing showing on Monday, Kirk Cousins, Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen will put up a lot more than 7 points against the Lions. Meanwhile, the Lions have been really impressive driving the ball down the field. If they can find a long-term solution at QB (questions remain if that is to be Jared Goff) to pair with Deandre Swift and Amon-Ra St. Brown, then there’ll be a new force in the NFC North. Home field advantage and a chip on the shoulder of the offence sees the Vikings edge this one in a shootout.
Matt’s Pick of the Game:
Are the Detroit Lions…good? They’re tied for second in the NFL in scoring offence, averaging 35.5 points per game thanks to running back D’Andre Swift, one of the best offensive lines in the league and an up-and-coming superstar in wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown. St Brown has tied an NFL record by making at least eight receptions in eight straight games, and I struggle to see how Patrick Peterson and Cam Dantzler can contain him.
Amon-Ra St. Brown Over 70 Receiving Yards – 17/20 with BetVictor
Baltimore Ravens (1-1) at New England Patriots (1-1)
6:00 PM – Sunday 25th September
Sam’s Picks
Moneyline: Ravens – 10/13 with BetFred
Spread: Ravens -2.5 – 17/20 with 888Sport
Over/Under: Over 44.5 – Evens with BetUK.com
Mac Jones followed in Tua Tagovailoa’s footsteps in tearing up college football with gaudy numbers at Alabama – will he tear up the Ravens’ defence as Tua did last week? The answer is no, despite Baltimore’s meltdown in the fourth quarter last Sunday. The Ravens’ offence did its job last week and I don’t see the Pats matching them score for score.
Matt’s Pick of the Game:
With this weak Patriots offence going up against the Ravens’ beat-up secondary, we have a real battle of a stoppable object meeting a moveable force. The Ravens’ complete and utter meltdown in the second half against the Dolphins last week would have sent alarm bells ringing, but they just have to remember that after six quarters this season this team looked like they could be one of the best in the NFL. I’m expecting a bounce-back performance from Baltimore in Foxborough.
Baltimore Ravens -2.5 – 22/23 with SBK
Houston Texans (0-1-1) at Chicago Bears (1-1)
6:00 PM – Sunday 25th September
Sam’s Picks
Moneyline: Bears – 20/29 with bet365
Spread: Bears -2.5 – 17/20 with BetUK.com
Over/Under: Over 40.5 – 19/20 with Parimatch
Last week’s result was inevitable for the Bears. Luckily for them, Davis Mills is not Aaron Rodgers and the Texans are not the Packers. The bad man is gone (at least until Week 14). I’m backing the Bears to increase their home record to 2-0.
Matt’s Pick of the Game:
Justin Fields has got off to a rough start in his first full year as a starter. The weather didn’t help him in the Bears’ week one victory over the 49ers, but the fact he only attempted seven passes last week suggests Matt Eberfluss doesn’t have a huge amount of confidence in the young QB. This week, they play against a Houston defence that has given up the second-most yards per game and the sixth-most passing yards per game so far this season, and it gives the Bears a chance to let Fields show what he can do. The line on his passing completions looks really low here, and I’m hammering the over.
Justin Fields Over 15.5 Passing Completions – 4/6 with 888Sport
Las Vegas Raiders (0-2) at Tennessee Titans (0-2)
6:00PM – Sunday 25th September
Sam’s Picks
Moneyline: Raiders – 3/4 with 888Sport
Spread: Raiders -1.5 – 17/20 with Unibet
Over/Under: Over 45.5 – 10/11 with BoyleSports
Ah, the battle of disappointing starts and blown second-half leads. Last week’s collapse will hurt the Raiders, but the Titans just don’t have the electricity on offence that Kyler Murray brings to the Cardinals and the Raiders defence will have an easier time this week. The hits just keep on coming for the Titans – LT Taylor Lewan seems to be out for the season, a big blow to an offence already struggling. Derrick Henry needs to rediscover some form and quickly, otherwise, this already looks like a lost season for Tennessee.
Matt’s Pick of the Game:
Before the season, a lot of people had Las Vegas and Tennessee making the playoffs, yet here we are in week three looking at a matchup between two 0-2 teams. It’s unsurprising that the Titans’ passing game has faltered since the departures of AJ Brown and Corey Davis, but Derrick Henry’s regression is a huge cause for concern. The Raiders have come up against two talented backs in James Connor and Austin Ekeler this season and kept them both quiet, and will be hoping to bottle Henry up this week. The Raiders’ overtime loss to the Cardinals last week will sting a lot, but I fancy the Raiders to win this one, and win comfortably.
Las Vegas Raiders -7 (Handicap Spread) – 27/10 with SkyBet
Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) at Indianapolis Colts (0-1-1)
6:00 PM – Sunday 25th September
Sam’s Picks
Moneyline: Chiefs – 2/5 with PaddyPower
Spread: Chiefs -5.5 – 23/25 with Unibet
Over/Under: 50.5 – 10/11 with BetUK.com
It’s been a rough start for Matty Ice in Indianapolis, and much like what the Colts did to Philip Rivers, don’t be surprised if this turns into a swansong season for Matt Ryan. The Colts are in desperate need of help at WR – despite his immense talent, Jonathan Taylor can’t carry this offence on his own. The Chiefs roll into town 2-0 after squeaking past the Chargers – this one will not be a close affair.
Matt’s Pick of the Game:
This Chiefs team swatted aside a decent Cardinals team, and then backed it up with a big win against an excellent Chargers team last week. The Colts on the other hand have failed to pick up wins against bottom dwellers Jacksonville and Houston so far, and it’s looking pretty bleak. I can’t see it getting any easier this week, and It’s impossible to see the Colts keeping up with Mahomes and the Chiefs. The spread feels very kind to Indy, even if they are at the Lucas Oil.
Kansas City Chiefs -5.5 – 10/11 with BoyleSports
Cincinnati Bengals (0-2) at New York Jets (1-1)
6:00 PM – Sunday 25th September
Sam’s Picks
Moneyline: Bengals – 2/5 with Unibet
Spread: Bengals -6 – 10/11 with BetUK.com
Over/Under: Over 45.5 – 17/20 with 888Sport
Joe Burrow and Ja’marr Chase are too good for this Bengals team to lose three in a row. By all rights, the Jets really should be entering this game 0-2, but because the Browns are the Browns, they welcome Cincinnati to Metlife Stadium at .500. Credit to Joe Flacco who had the offence rolling last week, but the Bengals will finally put it all together for the first time this season to leave New Jersey with the dub.
Matt’s Pick of the Game:
The Super Bowl hangover is real. The Bengals spent all offseason retooling the offensive line that nearly got Joe Burrow killed at times last year, and so far it has not paid off. That said, they have faced TJ Watt and Micah Parsons so far, who many would say are the two best edge rushers in the league. The Jets have improved since last year, and last week’s miracle victory over the Browns was a sign that they are pointing in the right direction. That said, I think this could be the week we see Joe Burrow look more like himself, with a bit less pressure and some more time to throw.
Joe Burrow Over 1.5 Passing Touchdowns – 4/7 with 888Sport
Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) at Washington Commanders (1-1)
6:00 PM – Sunday 25th September
Sam’s Picks
Moneyline: Eagles – 5/14 with WilliamHill
Spread: Eagles -6.5 – 19/20 with BetUK.com
Over/Under: Under 47.5 – 9/10 with Unibet
It’s only Week 3 but the Eagles are already clear front runners in the East. Whilst the offence shined in Week 1, it was the defence who shone on Monday Night Football, holding Cousins, Jefferson, Thielen and the rest of the Vikings offence to just 7 points. They were scoreless in the second half, but had the game wrapped up by then. Carson Wentz plays host to the franchise that drafted him but it’s not going to be a reunion he’ll want to remember.
Matt’s Pick of the Game:
It felt like Monday Night Football was the moment that everyone really woke up to how good Jalen Hurts can be. Since his first year of college, he has improved significantly every single year and is proving to be a problem with his legs and through the air. The addition of A.J. Brown has made this Eagles offence scary, and they come up against a Commanders defence that has given up 116 yards to Amon-Ra St Brown last week and 117 yards to Christian Kirk in the season opener. Expect Brown to go off here.
A.J. Brown Over 71.5 Receiving Yards – 5/6 with SkyBet
New Orleans Saints (1-1) at Carolina Panthers (0-2)
6:00 PM – Sunday 25th September
Sam’s Picks
Moneyline: Saints – 7/10 with 888Sport
Spread: Saints -2.5 – 17/20 with BetUK.com
Over/Under: Under 40.5 – Evens with BoyleSports
The Saints were in a slugfest with the Bucs last Sunday and were looking like they could win that game until Tom Brady lit a fire under the offence and sent his boys after the Saints best defensive player. Expect this one to be another defensive divisional struggle, but when it matters, Michael Thomas, Chris Olave and Jameis offer more than the Panthers offence.
Matt’s Pick of the Game:
I can’t help but feel that Matt Rhule is a dead man walking. This Panthers team has some talented players, but it has been one of the worst in the NFL since Rhule took over, and isn’t showing any signs of improvement. The Saints have a nasty defence and the Panthers’ offence won’t be able to cope with them. With Kamara back for the Saints, it could be a long day for Carolina.
New Orleans Saints -2.5 – 17/20 with Unibet
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) at Los Angeles Chargers (1-1)
9:05 PM – Sunday 25th September
Sam’s Picks
Moneyline: Jaguars – 7/5 with Unibet
Spread: Jaguars +3.5 – Evens with SBK
Over/Under: Under 42.5 – 10/11 with BoyleSports
The Jags seemed a lock to me last week. Trevor Lawrence was the QB we know he can be and the defence earned that shutout against an anemic Colts offence. This week is going to be very different and will hurt at times. The Jags could lose this by two touchdowns and it wouldn’t be a daming indictment on them. The Chargers are one of the big boys of the AFC and should’ve left Arrowhead with the win on Thursday Night Football, but a lot of this weekends match up depends on the health of Justin Herbert and Keenan Allen. If they’re out, back the Jags to cover and win. If Herbert is playing, back the Chargers to cover.
Matt’s Pick of the Game:
Well. We knew the Jags were the Colts’ bogey team, but even so, we didn’t expect the defence to pitch a shutout against Indy last week. This Jags defensive unit has looked really good so far, but they face their toughest test yet when they face Justin Herbert and the Chargers. The Chargers have struggled to get things going on the ground so far and their 2.75 rushing yards per play is the second-worst in the NFL, while the Jags’ Run D has been exceptional. I think the Chargers could have a tough time, but the brilliance of Herbert will bail them out in a close win.
Jacksonville Jaguars +3.5 – 17/20 with Parimatch
Los Angeles Rams (1-1) at Arizona Cardinals (1-1)
9:25 PM – Sunday 25th September
Sam’s Picks
Moneyline: Rams – 8/15 with 888Sport
Spread: Rams -3.5 – 10/11 with Unibet
Over/Under: Over 48.5 – 10/11 with BetUK.com
Luckily for the Rams, it seems being dismantled by the Bills is going to be a regular occurence this season, so in hindsight their Week 1 loss won’t look as embarrassing. They looked themselves last Sunday and were cruising for three quarters. Sean McVay will have drilled into them that it’s a four quarter game all practice this week as they allowed the Falcons to make that game far closer than it should have been. Kyler Murray got up to some outrageous fourth quarter antics himself last weekend, but those heroics are hard to replicate week in, week out. The Rams take this one in Glendale.
Matt’s Pick of the Game:
The Cardinals should absolutely be 0-2 if it wasn’t for Kyler Murray turning into Superman last week. Unfortunately for Arizona, it feels like the only way they’re going to win games this year is if Kyler Murray turns into Superman. I don’t expect him to be able to answer the call of duty this week however, and I fancy the Rams to extend Arizona’s home losing streak to seven, with Matt Stafford slinging it against a struggling Cardinals defence.
Matt Stafford 2+ Passing Touchdowns AND Los Angeles Rams To Win – 11/8 with SkyBet
Atlanta Falcons (0-2) at Seattle Seahawks (1-1)
9:25 PM – Sunday 25th September
Sam’s Picks
Moneyline: Seahawks – 9/10 with PaddyPower
Spread: Seahawks -1 – 10/11 with 888Sport
Over/Under: Over 41.5 – 20/23 with Parimatch
I’m predicting a low quality, high-scoring game. Geno has been cautious with the ball in the opening games, but the Falcons defence should provide more opportunities for him to let rip. Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf are still two quality receivers – as long as the Seahawks don’t let the running backs throw the ball at the goaline again, they’ll score points this weekend.
Matt’s Pick of the Game:
Imagine having one of the most electrifying tight-end prospects that the NFL draft has ever seen and then asking him to be an in-line blocker. Well, if you’re a Falcons fan, you don’t have to imagine. Arthur Smith – get the damn ball in Kyle Pitts’ hands. The Seahawks have given up at least 10 receptions to tight ends between the first two games, and Pitts is really, really good. Surely this is the game that we see the Falcons unleash Pitts?
Kyle Pitts Over 3.5 Receptions – 8/15 with 888Sport
Green Bay Packers (1-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)
9:25 PM – Sunday 25th September
Sam’s Picks
Moneyline: Packers – Evens with 888Sport
Spread: Packers +1.5 – 20/23 with Parimatch
Over/Under: Over 42 – 10/11 with Unibet
If this was a fully healthy Bucs in Florida then I’m taking them to win and cover. But Evans is out after going after Lattimore for the World Heavyweight Championship during last weeks rivalry game with the Saints, and has been handed a one game suspension. Chris Godwin and Julio Jones aren’t looking good for the weekend either with injury, and suddenly we’re left with Brady, Russell Gage and Leonard Fournette. He’ll have to be Playoff Lenny if the Bucs are to take this one.
Matt’s Pick of the Game:
This is the marquee matchup of the weekend, with it potentially being the last time we see Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers square off. Brady has struggled to get going a bit this season, and it looks as if he’ll be without Mike Evans (suspension pending), Chris Godwin (hamstring), and Julio Jones (knee) for this game. It’s really hard to bet against Brady, but it softens the blow a bit when Rodgers is the other quarterback. I like the Packers to win this one as underdogs.
Green Bay Packers Moneyline – 11/10 with Betfair
San Francisco 49ers (1-1) at Denver Broncos (1-1)
1:20 AM – Monday 26th September
Sam’s Picks
Moneyline: 49ers – 5/6 with BetFred
Spread: 49ers -1.5 – 10/11 with bet365
Over/Under: Under 44.5 – 9/10 with PaddyPower
For the most part, Russell Wilson was the Niners’ Daddy when in Seattle. He’s left one frustrating offensive Head Coach for another in Nathaniel Hackett. Unfortunately, due to the way Kyle Shanahan was scheming the offence, it only seemed a matter of time until Trey Lance suffered an injury. Whilst the circumstances are sad and frustrating, in the short-term under Jimmy G the Niners will probably be a better team as Shanahan is far more open with the playbook. I can see the Niners front seven causing issues for the Broncos and Mr Handsome doing enough for them at QB to get one over their long-term nemesis.
Matt’s Pick of the Game:
It’s a shame to see Trey Lance get injured, but we know what we’re going to get from the Niners with Jimmy G at quarterback, and it’s been good enough for an NFC Championship and a Super Bowl appearance in the last three years. Denver has really struggled on offence in the first two weeks, and even though we’re just two games into Nathaniel Hackett’s head coaching career, questions are already being asked as to whether he’s fit for the job. It’s a hard one to call in terms of who will win, but I can definitely see a gritty, low-scoring battle where both teams rely on the run game. Give me the under.
Under 44.5 Match Points – 19/20 with Betway
Dallas Cowboys (1-1) at New York Giants (2-0)
01:15 AM – Tuesday 27th September
Sam’s Picks
Moneyline: Giants – 5/6 with 888Sports
Spread: Giants -1 – 10/11 with WilliamHill
Over/Under: Under 39.5 – Evens with SkyBet
I don’t say this often, but the Cowboys deserve credit for last week. Cooper Rush and the Boys surprised me with their win over Joe Burrow and Bengals who suffered back to back weeks of field goal heartbreak. The Giants are 2-0 after two nailbiters. Whilst the differential isn’t great, repeatedly winning close games is a sign of a resilience and Brian Daboll deserves praise for his work so far. This really could go either way and will be a gritty divisional match up. Looking at the QBs on display, take the under.
Matt’s Pick of the Game:
There are a lot of great matchups this weekend, and yet we’ve been left with Cooper Rush vs. Daniel Jones prime time on Monday Night Football – yuck. The Giants are 2-0, but they have a point differential of four points and have hardly looked unbeatable. The Giants’ offensive line has looked pretty rough in the first two weeks, and Daniel Jones has faced pressure on 49% of his dropbacks – the highest in the league. Micah Parsons looked like a one-man wrecking crew against the Bengals last week and I can see him doing the same again as he leads the Cowboys to a win.
