Week 2 in the NFL could perhaps best be categorized as the Week Of The Comeback.
The Miami Dolphins rallied from 21 points down in the fourth quarter to do something no team has achieved in over a decade. Meanwhile, the New York Jets erased a 13-point deficit in under two minutes to pull out its victory. Arizona’s comeback win was a bit more modest — they were only down 20 at halftime.
Regardless, NFL bettors were in for a thrill from start to finish. And with Week 3 around the corner, even more fun is on the way. 3DownNation breaks down everything punters need to know for their NFL betting needs.
Week 3 NFL Odds
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns
With a quick turn-around date, Cleveland Browns’ quarterback Jacoby Brissett’s left ankle is of top concern in the NFL’s opening game of the week.
Brissett hurt it late in Cleveland’s Week 2 loss to the New York Giants but is reportedly all systems go for Week 3.
Even if the slinger isn’t 100 per cent, the Browns can depend on its league-leading rushing game (200.5 yards per contest). For those reasons, Brissett’s club enters as favourites.
Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins
A 21-point fourth-quarter comeback win wasn’t enough to convince sportsbooks that the Miami Dolphins are ready to take down the Super Bowl favourite Buffalo Bills in Week 3. Miami enters Sunday as the underdogs ().
For its part, Buffalo has won its opening two games by a combined score of 72-17 and saw its line movement as Super Bowl favourites jump to following Week 2.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. New York Jets
Reports indicate New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (knee) will be out for at least one more week. That means Joe Flacco gets the start for the third consecutive week.
The slinger did well in the Jets’ Week 2 come-from-behind victory, throwing for 307 yards and four touchdowns.
Despite that, the Bengals, who are off to a disappointing 0-2 start and are playing on the road – are favourites.
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Tennessee Titans
Las Vegas fell apart in Week 2 with a 29-23 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The Raiders were pinned as -5.5 favourites but squandered a 20-point halftime lead.
The Titans didn’t fare much better, getting obliterated 41-7 in their MNF game against the Bills.
Perhaps this is a case of which team is less likely to lose rather than win. Raiders are on the spread.
New Orleans Saints vs. South Carolina Panthers
All eyes in Week 3’s Saints vs. Panthers matchup center around New Orleans quarterback Jameis Winston. Reports indicate the QB has been playing with four fractures in his back. To that end, he wasn’t in his best form in Week 2, throwing three picks and getting sacked six times in a loss.
For now, New Orleans remains favourites, but keep an eye on the injury report — and odds — as Sunday inches closer.
Baltimore Ravens vs. New England Patriots
Sportsbooks are expecting a Baltimore bounce back after the club suffered one of its most brutal losses in franchise history. The Ravens – fresh off a blown 21-point fourth-quarter lead – are a road favourite against the Patriots in Week 3.
Despite the meltdown, Baltimore’s offense remains potent, averaging 31 points per game (fourth-best in the league). Meanwhile, New England has been stagnant with just three total touchdowns (12 points per game) to date.
Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Detroit Lions offense continues to roll under Jared Goff as the club is averaging 35.5 per game – second to only the Bills.
Unfortunately, the Lions defense has been equally as bad, giving up a 32.5 points per contest (second-worst in the NFL).
Couple that with the Vikings’ high-powered offense playing on its home field and one can see why Minnesota enters as a favourite.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders
Alongside the Bills, the Philadelphia Eagles have looked every bit the part of a Super Bowl contender through its opening two games. Week 2 saw the club completely stifle the Vikings en route to a 24-7 victory.
The Eagles – averaging a league-leading 470.5 total yards per game – are – favourites playing on the road this week. They’ve won four of their last five bouts at FedEx Field.
Kansas City Chief vs. Indianapolis Colts
The undefeated Kansas City Chiefs enter as heavy favourites over the Indianapolis Colts (+6.5 to +7) in Week 3.
Much of that could probably be attested to Indy’s lifeless start to the season, specifically in Week 2 where they were trounced 24-0 at Jacksonville.
Add in the Chiefs coming off back-to-back wins and an extended rest period having played on Thursday, and it’s not hard to see how sportsbooks came up with those odds.
Houston Texans vs. Chicago Bears
Despite having the second-worst Super Bowl odds, the Texans have proven themselves a worthy opponent through the opening two weeks. That was punctuated in Week 2 when the club hung tough with the Denver Broncos.
On the other hand, Chicago looked rough in its 27-10 loss in Week 2 as it could only muster up 10 points and 70 passing yards.
Sportsbooks must think the Bears, overall, have more to offer though. Chicago is a favourite.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers will have the fresher legs having last played on Thursday (Sept.15), but who exactly will be suiting up for Los Angeles remains to be seen.
Reports indicate Keenan Allen is likely to miss the second consecutive week. Meanwhile, quarterback Justin Herbert (rib fracture) remains a question mark.
Regardless, the Chargers are still favourites playing at SoFi Stadium.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Los Angeles Rams haven’t exactly looked like Super Bowl champs thus far. Week 2 was another example of that as they nearly squandered a 21-3 halftime lead against a lesser Falcons squad who sat as +10.5 underdogs at kickoff.
Meanwhile, Arizona’s offense continues to miss one of its most dynamic weapons in Rondale Moore (hamstring) in Week 3.
The Rams are favourites on the road.
Green Bay Packers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Despite potentially the last Brady vs. Rodgers showdown, injuries headline this matchup. Currently Tampa – playing at home – is the slight favourites.
But with Chris Godwin (hamstring), Julio Jones (knee) and Mike Evans (suspended) all potentially missing in action, this gap could narrow.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks hold one of the tighter spreads of the week. Seattle is on the spread despite a lackluster Week 2 performance against the 49ers (27-7 loss).
Much like the lowly Texans, the Falcons – despite sitting with the worst odds in the entire NFL – have battled tough through the opening two games losing by a combined total of five points.
Home-field advantage might be the only thing swaying oddsmakers to Seattle’s side.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Denver Broncos
Sportsbooks must be thinking the San Francisco 49ers are a resilient bunch because they have the road team as favourites against the Denver Broncos in Week 3.
San Fran is fresh off losing starting quarterback Trey Lance for the remainder of the season to a broken ankle. Jimmy Garoppolo takes his place.
Meanwhile, two key Broncos starters in Jerry Jeudy (rib) and Pat Surtain II (shoulder) both listed as questionable.
With such a tight line separating these two, keep an eye out for the official word of either returning.
Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants
The NFL’s primetime matchup goes Monday with the New York Giants at (metabet_core_dynamic_odds market=”spread-home” query=”509829″ site_id=”3downnation”] on the spread against the Dallas Cowboys.
Neither team has demonstrated explosive firepower thus far this season so expect a low(er) scoring game, especially with Cooper Rush filling in once again for the Cowboys. He – as often is the case – was solid (235 yards, one TD) but not spectacular in the Cowboys’ Week 2 victory.
Oddsmakers have the over/under set at for this game.
