Week 3 of the NFL season offers up a lot of potentially entertaining matchups, from Green Bay and Dallas meeting in a matchup of two of the NFL’s best, to Brett Favre making his first Monday night appearance as a Jet in San Diego, and many, many more.
Here’s my take on who I think will come out on top in Week 3, and for those who are still trying to make their wagers, I’ve got info that hopefully helps make your decisions on who to pick all the easier (or more difficult, perhaps).
Follow at your risk, and as always, for those making their bets this weekend, gamble responsibly, and if you’re going to do it, you should do it through our preferred partner, BetUS.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Current Line: Falcons -6)
The Chiefs are starting their third quarterback in three games, as Tyler Thigpen takes over following injuries to Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard. The Chiefs’ offense isn’t producing, but more notably, allowed 300 rushing yards to Oakland last week and face a rushing offense that racked up 318 yards on the ground the last time they were at the Georgia Dome. Falcons get the points and then some.
Buffalo Bills vs. Oakland Raiders (Current Line: Bills -9 ½)
While Lane Kiffin’s job security is getting more headlines than Oakland’s dominant rushing performance against Kansas City, Buffalo is deserving of some attention after beating Seattle and Jacksonville to start 2-0. The Raiders did run the ball very, very well against the Chiefs, but the Bills did an excellent job of stopping Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew last week in Jacksonville. The X-factor could be how well Oakland’s pass defense performs holds up against Trent Edwards, who has been very sharp in the first two weeks. I’ll take the Bills to win, and I’ll proceed with caution and give them the points.
Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans (Current Line: Titans -4 ½)
Great defense and a fantastic start by rookie RB Chris Johnson have spurred the Titans on to a 2-0 start. Houston is coming off of a bye week caused by Hurricane Ike, and they might be a little rusty, which doesn’t bode well for them, and neither does the fact that they allowed Willie Parker to go for 138 yards and three touchdowns in Week 1. As long as Kerry Collins just manages the game and lets the ground game and defense take care of business, it’ll be all Titans, and by more than a handful of points.
New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (Current Line: Patriots -12)
New England’s offense minus Tom Brady hasn’t been particularly prolific thus far, but Matt Cassel could have a breakout game against the Dolphins, who allowed Arizona’s Kurt Warner to go 19 of 24 for 361 yards and three touchdowns last week. You don’t have to think too hard to know which direction I’m going here.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers (Current Line: Vikings -3)
The 2-0 Panthers are winning like the team that we expected to see but didn’t get over the last couple of seasons, while the 0-2 Vikings aren’t playing like the team we expected them to be this season. Minnesota’s starting a new QB, and Adrian Peterson’s status is up in the air, but they’re still favored. But, the Vikes’ situation has me feeling not so high on them right now, and with Carolina high on confidence, I feel good about their chances to go up north and get the win.
Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Current Line: Bears – 3)
This could be a low-scoring defensive battle if both defenses really bring their best, though they did play a 34-31 OT thriller when they played at Soldier Field in 2006. This one’s a tough call, but I’ll give the Bears the points, though there’s a good chance Kyle Orton might be forced to do more than just be a game manager, if the Bucs defense can slow Matt Forte down.
New York Giants vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Current Line: Giants -13)
The Bengals offense has produced a whopping 17 points in two games in starting 0-2. Marvin Lewis can ill-afford for things to get worse, and you’d expect the offense to break out of it soon enough, but I don’t think Sunday is that day, with the Giants having looked great on defense in starting 2-0.
Washington Redskins vs. Arizona Cardinals (Current Line: Redskins -3)
The Cardinals have gotten off to a 2-0 start, and I’m high on this team winning the NFC West, but for them to really be legit, these are the games that they have to win. Jason Campbell (24-36, 321 yards, TD) torched New Orleans’ pass defense last week, and that’s the one big question mark I still have about the Cardinals. With that in mind, I’ll take the Redskins to triumph at home, and I’ll give them the points.
Seattle Seahawks vs. St. Louis Rams (Current Line: Seahawks -9)
St. Louis has been pretty bad so far (outscored 79-16 in two games), but Seattle hasn’t been very good either, giving up 34 points in a Week 1 loss to Buffalo and 33 in losing to San Francisco last week. Both of these teams have severe issues, but I’ll take the Seahawks to take care of business at home in a contest that‘s not nearly as appealing as it was just a few seasons ago.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Detroit Lions (Current Line: 49ers -5)
San Francisco’s J.T. O’Sullivan is coming off of a game in which he threw for 321 yards against the Seahawks in the 49ers’ 33-30 OT win, and Detroit’s woeful pass defense allowed Aaron Rodgers to go 24 of 38 for 328 yards and three scores in Green Bay’s 48-25 win. The 49ers’ offensive line is terrible (O’Sullivan has been sacked 12 times already), and will likely give up at least a few sacks, but I’m not betting (ha!) on Detroit’s D slowing O’Sullivan down as he goes up against his former team.
Denver Broncos vs. New Orleans Saints (Current Line: Broncos -5 ½)
Given how Denver’s offense has played in the first two games, how good New Orleans’ offense can be, and how both defenses aren’t that stellar, a lot of points should be scored in this one. I’m still a little skeptical about whether their defense can do enough to make them a serious contender over the long run, but if their offense can keep things up against the Saints, I feel good about giving them the points.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Current Line: Eagles -3 ½)
This should be one of the best games of the week, not just because of the in-state rivalry, but because these are two of the best teams in the league. The Eagles have put up 38 and 37 points in the first two games, but they’re facing a top-notch Pittsburgh defense. It should be a very close game, but Donovan McNabb and the Eagles have made a good impression on me early, and I think they hold serve at home. Could come down to a late score, so don’t rush and put the house on the Eagles covering. Might be better to watch this one in the first half and then make a second half bet.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (Current Line: Colts -4 ½)
The Colts have scored only 31 points in the first two weeks, but enter this one 1-1, while Jacksonville is 0-2 and in desperate need of a win to avoid falling any further behind in the AFC South. The Jaguars haven’t been their usual selves on the ground so far, but they could have a field day against a Colts defense that has allowed back-to-back 100-yard rushers. I think Indy will win it, but it could be a tight one, so I’d be hesitant about putting much on Indy covering.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns (Current Line: Ravens -2)
The Browns’ offense has sputtered in the first two games, to say the least. They’ll be hard-pressed to bust out of their offensive funk against the Ravens, who I’m giving the points to. Cleveland really doesn’t seem to be operating with a lot of confidence right now, and until I see some improvement, I don’t see much merit in picking them.
Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys (Current Line: Cowboys -3)
Best game of the week? Aaron Rodgers looks to be already settled in and comfortable as a starting quarterback, but he could see a lot of pressure from DeMarcus Ware, Greg Ellis, and co. Meanwhile, Tony Romo is trying to position himself as the frontrunner for the MVP. Dallas is favored to win this one, and as much as me being a Cowboys guy makes me want to take them here, taking the Packers and the points is a sexy pick.
San Diego Chargers vs. New York Jets (Current Line: Chargers -8 ½)
Considering how high people seem to be on Brett Favre and the Jets (that’s still strange to say, but I’m getting used to it), and how San Diego’s defense has dropped the ball in back-to-back weeks, this is a pretty big point spread. I feel good about the Chargers getting off the mark in this one, but it’s not hard to think about the several big moments Brett has had on Monday night. Chargers win, but I feel good about giving the Jets the points.
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