There is still a long way to go in the 2024 NFL season but for some teams they are already in desperation mode as they try to salvage their campaigns after rough starts.

Nine teams currently sit at 0-2 and while that mark is doom and gloom, slipping to 0-3 this week would all but eliminate any postseason chances before the calendar hits October.

Some teams we expected to struggling but for the likes of AFC North contenders Baltimore and Cincinnati, they simply have to win their games this weekend against Dallas and Washington.

At the other end of the standings, another nine teams are perfect through two weeks and the NFC South duo of New Orleans and Tampa Bay can take a major step towards the postseason if they can move to 3-0.

It’s a full weekend of action in the NFL with overlapping games on Tuesday morning to round out Week 3 in the NFL, find our full breakdown and preview below.

It’s an all AFC East clash to kick off Week 3 and this really has the makings of a game that could go either way.

On paper the Jets should be able to dispatch of the Patriots pretty easily, but they have not exactly looked like a cohesive unit in their 1-1 start.

They did enough to beat a pretty poor Titans team last week but with injuries mounting on their defence and their offence still yet to click, they have a ways to go and playing on a short week after a couple of road trips will not help their play in this game either.

Meanwhile New England is a hard-nosed, competitive team that is horrendously limited by a severe lack of talent on offence.

Every possession is a predictable slog of running plays and Jacoby Brissett running for his life when he is needed to throw a pass.

The Jets are deserved favourites but they are far too short in price and the real value here looks to be backing the unders in the total points market.

Expect both feature running backs to have a heavy workload and this to be in the running for the shortest game of the season.

SGM: Under 38.5 Points, Rhamondre Stevenson 60+ Rushing Yards, Breece Hall 60+ Rushing Yards @ $5.28

The 0-2 Colts are back at home and will be incredibly desperate to get their first win.

It’s tough to pinpoint the exact cause of their poor showing in Green Bay last week but it boils down to one of two key factors.

On offence they were not helped by three Anthony Richardson interceptions, two of which came on drives which reached the Green Bay 40 yard line.

Meanwhile their defence for some reason decided to let a team starting a backup quarterback who had been with the team for three weeks rush for 261 yards on 53 carries.

Surely they will learn from their errors this week against the rookie Caleb Williams who looks incredibly nervous when dropping back to pass and it has lead to a couple of bad interceptions already and a 56% pass completion rate.

This game should be close, but as long as the Colts commit to the ground game and get after Williams, they should be able to force enough errors to keep the Bears at bay.

Indianapolis to Win by 1-13 @ $2.45

It might be time to start treating Tampa Bay like a half decent team based on their two efforts thus far.

After taking care of Washington first up, they had one of the best wins of Week 2 heading to Detroit and holding the high powered Lions to 16 points and one touchdown.

It was not exactly a vintage offensive performance from Baker Mayfield and company but they have the look of a team that is going to do enough to win.

Even if doing enough simply means letting their opponent shoot themselves in the foot through mistakes and turnovers, which is the main reason Denver is 0-2 so far.

Their running game has not done much of anything which has put far too much pressure on rookie quarterback Bo Nix and he has already been sacked four times with another four picks.

With this game in Tampa with a 1:00pm local time kickoff this looks like it is going to result in a fairly convincing win and I’ll back the Bucs with a touchdown head start.

Tampa Bay to Cover -7 @ $1.94

There were a couple of markets that caused a double take on first examination and this was one of them.

For some reason Green Bay will start as outsiders despite showing they can still function with Jordan Love on the sideline.

At the time of publish it looks like Malik Willis will get another start and the revenge factor here is off the charts.

Tennessee drafted Willis in the third round in 2022, gave him a couple of starts as a rookie then took Will Levis in the second round 12 months later to replace him.

Then a month ago they shipped him off to Green Bay where he won his first start for the Packers, with an efficient if unspectacular performance.

Meanwhile, Levis has thrown two of the dumbest interceptions in recent history, one of which gave Chicago the winning touchdown and the other left his coach openly berating him on the sideline against the Jets.

This market looks off and I’ll happily have the Packers to spring an upset on the road.

Green Bay to Win @ $2.02

One of two games between a pair of 2-0 teams this weekend comes to us from Minnesota with the Vikings fresh off beating the injury ravaged 49ers.

Now they have their own injury crisis to deal with heading into this game with star receiver Justin Jefferson limited in practice.

Perhaps by kickoff he will have shaken off his quad complaint but it is something worth monitoring as Jefferson’s status will have a major impact on not just the line but the game itself.

If he plays Minnesota is the value pick of the weekend as outsiders at home and it’s something I’m more than happy to roll the dice on.

Minnesota to Win @ $2.05

If you had this before the season as a matchup between 2-0 teams then you must be a Steelers fan because nobody would have expected Mike Tomlin’s side to win both of their opening games.

However thanks to their all world defence and Justin Fields just not screwing things up, they have at least created a viable path to success most weeks.

LA has hit the ground running, quite literally, under Jim Harbaugh using their ground game to record comfortable victories over the Raiders and Panthers.

JK Dobbins has been one of the breakout stars after his offseason move from Baltimore with 131 and 135 yards in his two games, plus a touchdown each week.

He will have his work cut out for him against a Steelers defence that has allowed 153 rushing yards total this season but this is a new look Chargers side that is committed to running their way to success.

Let’s back a SGM where the Chargers keep the game close within a touchdown and Dobbins does enough to get 60 yards and a touchdown against this tough Steelers front.

SGM: LA Chargers +7.5, JK Dobbins 60+ Rush Yards & Anytime Touchdown @ $4.57

This is one of the easier choices of the weekend because of one simple reason, the Giants still look like a dysfunctional mess.

At the time of publish, Daniel Jones is still the starting quarterback for the Giants, and he has nobody to throw to outside of rookie Malik Nabers.

Cleveland isn’t much better but they have at least shown some signs of life and they should be able to function on both sides of the ball.

While the Browns might not be able to score enough points to make this a big time blowout, they should be able to come away with an ugly win.

Cleveland to Win by 1-13 @ $2.20

We are going to learn a whole lot about Philadelphia this week after their horrific collapse against the Falcons at home last week.

They have to shake off that defeat quickly as they head down to New Orleans to take on a suddenly strong Saints team that is rolling on offence.

If the Eagles are true Super Bowl contenders, they will take this opportunity to flex their muscles against a red hot opponent.

Should New Orleans win this we can take them seriously as contenders, but I’ve got one more week left before abandoning the Eagles completely.

Philadelphia to Win @ $2.20

Was it all Bryce Young or will we discover the Panthers issues go well beyond their top draft pick from 2023?

In all fairness the kid looked shellshocked and he needed some time on the bench to get his head right, but it’s not like Andy Dalton is going to be able to come in and suddenly send this roster on a winning streak.

Las Vegas has their issues across the roster but playing at home for the first time this year, combined with the buzz from a big win in Baltimore should help get them to 2-1 on the season.

Neither of these teams appear to be headed for anything spectacular but the Raiders are in a much better spot at this point of the season.

Las Vegas to Cover -5.5 @ $1.90

It has not exactly been a great start to the season for the quarterbacks, but this game should be a nice reminder of why the position is so important.

Miami has lost Tua Tagovailoa for the foreseeable future to another concussion and they are starting Skylar Thompson.

Their scheme is so dependent on Tua being in the lineup that there is a major drop off whenever they have to turn to one of his backups.

This is as much a pick against Miami as it is in favour of Seattle but Thompson does not exactly inspire much confidence.

Seattle to Cover -4.5 @ $1.90

Who wants this game more, the Cowboys coming off an embarrassing loss at home to New Orleans or Baltimore, who has to bounce back from a rough start to the season to keep pace with their division rivals.

In a situation like this you have to give the edge to the better coaching staff and in a matchup between John Harbaugh and Mike McCarthy there is only one winner here.

Lamar Jackson has to make sure Micah Parsons is accounted for and if he can make sure that the Cowboys star defender is accounted for then the Ravens should be all set to get a much needed first win.

When you consider all of that and the fact the Ravens are the far more desperate team, there is one choice to make in this very even market.

Baltimore to Win @ $1.87

Didn’t Arizona come to life last week as they pasted the undermanned Rams for their best win in several years.

Kyler Murray showed just how good he can be, rookie Marvin Harrison Jr introduced himself to the league with a pair of touchdowns and the defence gave LA no chance.

Detroit meanwhile had a bit of a reality check when they lost to Tampa Bay at home but their offence still put up over 400 yards, it was just execution in critical areas that let them down.

We’ve got two teams that are more than capable of moving the ball and I’m expecting the Lions to be much sharper in the red zone.

Despite this being the highest total of the season it might not be enough with two potent offences set to roll.

Over 51.5 Points @ $1.90

Maybe it’s not exactly “no McCaffrey, no problems” for San Francisco as the injuries begin to mount for the reigning NFC Champions.

Not that they will get a whole lot of sympathy from the LA Rams who have a horrific casualty ward of their own with pretty much all of their star players either battling through injury or out entirely.

This might be a good week to let Matthew Stafford have a freshen up with both of his top pass catchers out of action and the 49ers still having a brutal pass rush.

Perhaps there is a way for the Rams to stay competitive in this game for a while but even with McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel out injured, San Francisco has the players to get them over the line.

San Francisco to Cover -7.5 @ $1.94

It feels a bit early to have Atlanta as a team worthy of consecutive prime time appearances, especially taking on the Chiefs in this slot.

The reigning Super Bowl champions are dealing with a depleted running back room, but given most defences are far more worried about what Patrick Mahomes will do with the ball in hand, whoever is carrying the ball will have a certain level of production built in.

Rookie Carson Steele is one of the prime candidates to shoulder the workload carrying the ball against a loose Atlanta run defence.

I’m expecting the Chiefs to record their biggest win of the season combined with Steele finding the end zone which makes for a decent same game multi.

SGM: Kansas City to Cover -3.5, Carson Steele Anytime Touchdown @ $4.35

The AFC East once again runs through Buffalo and with their rivals battling all sorts of attrition, they can get an early stranglehold on the division by moving to 3-0 against Jacksonville.

Considering this Jaguars team was expected to challenge the Chiefs for the next five years after their maiden playoff run under Trevor Lawrence, fans and punters should start to be a bit concerned that they have seemingly regressed since January 2023.

Defensively they have not had an answer with Miami and Cleveland able to move the ball in their own ways in these games so far, I’m expecting the Bills to have a big day running the ball.

James Cook had three touchdowns against Miami last week and Josh Allen ran for a pair back in Week 1, so I’ll be backing both of them to find the end zone in a Buffalo victory.

SGM: Buffalo to Cover -5.5, Josh Allen and James Cook Anytime Touchdowns @ $6.13

One last game in Week 3 and it is another game where desperation will be the deciding factor.

Cincinnati has experience pulling themselves out of an 0-2 hole before going on a run to the postseason, but if they drop to 0-3 this is a team that can go in the tank.

Washington meanwhile did beat the Giants this week but they have a lot to work on, kicking seven field goals and failing to find the end zone.

Kicking field goals will not be enough against this Bengals side who know that they have to arrest this slide despite the offseason of discontent.

It might not be pretty but it doesn’t have to be for a team like the Bengals in September.

Cincinnati to Win by 1-13 @ $2.35

2023

Going 0-2 to start the season is not an ideal scenario, but it is not time to panic, however if you fall into an 0-3 hole then you can start to worry.

Nine teams will be hoping to avoid that outcome when they take to the field in Week 3 of the 2023 NFL season.

Perhaps the most surprising of those teams come from the AFC where Super Bowl contenders Cincinnati have dropped their first two and it doesn’t get any easier this weekend, while the LA Chargers will try to close out their first win when they visit Minnesota early Monday morning.

With another full slate of games, we’ve got you covered with our Week 3 best bets and previews so read on and see who we are backing.

We are going to learn an awful lot about the New York Giants in this one as they have to back up on short rest against arguably the most talented team in the NFL.

They took six quarters to get going before recording a franchise record comeback in Arizona on Monday, but this should give an indication about how much of that was the Giants and how much was the Cardinals remembering that they are supposed to be tanking this season.

San Francisco has looked really good this season and are scoring for fun, defeating the Steelers in Pittsburgh and the Rams in LA so this first home game is going to give them a bit of extra juice.

I love the home team at the line, but there’s a market I love even more than that and it’s the touchdown combos.

San Francisco’s three heavy hitters on offence will once again lead the way and I’ll back that trio to combine for three or more touchdowns.

McCaffrey has scored in both games, Deebo ran in for one last week and George Kittle is always a threat in the red zone and I just can’t see the Giants keeping up with them.

Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle to Have 3+ Touchdowns @ $3.05

We’ve got a pair of teams that might be good although there are some questions that will need to be answered over the coming weeks.

Detroit is a lot of fun but their defence got destroyed by Geno Smith and the Seahawks last week while Atlanta is 2-0, but there are some questions over the quality of their opponents.

The good news for Atlanta is that the Lions defence is far impervious and there will be opportunities for their young core to make plays.

Unfortunately the Falcons defence, Detroit’s offence is the best one they have faced so far and they did put up 31 in their overtime loss to Seattle.

I like Detroit to bounce back here and we should see plenty of points from both teams so I’ll throw in the over as well.

Detroit to Win and Over 46.5 Points @ $2.95

Reports of Buffalo’s demise might have been greatly exaggerated, they looked pretty damn good against the Raiders last week.

Washington is going to be a tough out for them with a revitalised offence under Eric Bienemy and an opportunistic defence that can force turnovers.

Those turnovers are going to be their only real hope of doing anything in this game because man for man, Buffalo outclasses the Commanders and I can’t see this one being that close.

If Josh Allen is able to get going, and based on last week he definitely should, he will be able to throw over the Bills defence and have another big day.

Buffalo to Cover -6.5 @ $1.90

The Dolphins are off to a fast start, although they did have to overcome some self inflicted wounds to escape New England with a win last week.

Now they take to the field at home for the first time this season and everything is pointing towards a big win.

Denver is off to a slower than expected start, having lost both games by a combined margin of three points.

Sean Payton has them looking more competitive than last year but they just don’t seem to be able to avoid the critical mistakes that put them behind the eight ball.

Miami’s offence is just too fast for the Broncos to contain and I’ll have a play on the Dolphins to win on the back of their stars.

Six of their seven touchdowns this season have been scored by Tyreek Hill and Raheem Mostert so let’s jump on them to find the end zone again.

SGM: Miami to Cover -6.5, Tyreek Hill and Raheem Mostert Anytime TD Scorers @ $4.59

It’s Jacksonville, daylight then the chasing pack in the AFC South this season and I’m liking the Jags chances of bouncing back from their Week 2 loss against Kansas City here.

Houston is kind of like the house that has the land mostly cleared and the foundations in and the foundations are starting to come together but you know there’s a long way to go.

Especially when it comes to defending the run, six of their seven touchdowns allowed this year have been on the ground and they have allowed an opposing player to score multiple touchdowns in both games.

That all bodes well for Travis Etienne to add to his lone score this season and I am expecting him to carry a heavy workload in this game as the Jags pound the Texans into submission with the running game.

Travis Etienne Jr to Score 2+ Touchdowns @ $4.25

Indy got themselves off the mark in Houston last week but it came at a cost with Anthony Richardson exiting the game due to a concussion, which is going to impact his status here.

Considering the Colts are going nowhere fast this year, it would be a massive surprise to see the rookie play, even if he does clear the protocol he’s unlikely to practice this week (at the time of writing) which would be sending him into the game with one arm tied behind his back.

Lamar Jackson on the other hand is looking very good through two weeks with the weight of contract negotiations off his shoulder.

He was superb against Cincinnati last week and I’m expecting that to continue as the Ravens move to 3-0 against an overmatched and potentially undermanned Texans team.

Baltimore by 14+ @ $2.65

We’ve got an early season desperation derby in Minnesota with a pair of 0-2 teams desperate to arrest their form slumps facing off.

Few would have expected both of these teams to be winless but considering their lofty ambitions, early this season they had better find a way to start winning.

Both have done a great job contributing to their respective downfalls, although if I had to pick one, I feel a lot better about the Chargers chances of getting things right.

Minnesota seems committed to turning the ball over in as many frustrating ways as possible, giving the ball away seven times through two games.

At some point those numbers are going to settle down but until they do, I’m happy to take on the Vikings.

Especially with Brandon Staley looking like a coach under pressure and needing a win to keep his job beyond the end of September.

LA Chargers to Win @ $1.90

Pretty much every piece of hope the Jets had of ending a 14 game losing streak at the hands of the Patriots exploded with Aaron Rodgers’ achilles tendon.

It’s tough to work out exactly how close to the middle New England is this season, they are one of the better 0-2 teams and have been in both games despite falling into a two-score hole.

However they were able to mount comebacks in both games and give the ball to Mac Jones with a chance to at least tie it, before falling short.

The good news for them is that the Jets offence isn’t good enough with Zac Wilson at the helm to take a two-score lead which means this game should be there for the taking.

I’ll back Bill Belichick to come up with a creative enough scheme on defence to dominate the game with turnovers and escape with the Patriots’ first win of the season.

New England to Cover -2.5 @ $1.87

Thanks in no small part to their stifling defence, the New Orleans Saints are off to a 2-0 start and they’ll be eyeing off Jordan Love here.

The first time starter for Green Bay has been mostly very impressive despite some moments that show there’s still some room for growth.

Defensively the Packers will be desperate to respond to getting gashed on the ground by Atlanta last week and they should be able to contain an undermanned Saints backfield.

New Orleans is still very much a grind on offence with just three touchdowns and five field goals to date, so I’m not expecting a high scoring affair at Lambeau.

Under 42.5 Points @ $1.90

Nobody should be that surprised to find out the Titans are staying competitive despite some major questions across the roster.

Mike Vrabel knows how to field a competitive roster and this team is no different.

Which is a stark contrast to the talent on the Cleveland Browns that is underachieving so far, most notably Deshaun Watson.

If there is not any buyer’s remorse from the Haslem family yet there will be if he continues to struggle.

Going on the road is not an issue for this Titans team and I’ll happily back the team that is competing week in week out to knock off the struggling side with talent.

Tennessee to Win @ $2.40

If you’re a Seattle optimist, the performance of the team in their win over Detroit suggests that Week 1 was just a bad matchup against a coach that has had their number.

They are a much better team than the Panthers who will be on short rest after a bruising Monday night game against New Orleans.

Carolina just doesn’t have the offensive talent to keep up with Seattle and I like the home side to comfortably win this one with a line at a very palatable number.

Seattle to Cover -6 @ $1.90

Let’s not waste any time on this game, Kansas City looked a lot better in a comfortable if not pretty 17-9 win over Jacksonville last week and now they head home to face Chicago.

The Bears are not a good team and a year after having the worst record in the league, they still have not solved a lot of their issues, especially at quarterback.

This one should be over by halftime and unless Mahomes throws five picks, the Bears are not going to be able to keep this one close.

Kansas City to Cover -12.5 @ $1.90

They are starting to dream of the Super Bowl in Dallas and with a devastating defence lead by Micah Parsons, they are definitely in contention for the Lombardi trophy.

Dallas will be able to shut down the Cardinals offence with relative ease, especially with Arizona coming off a massive collapse against the Giants.

Frankly, it would not be at all surprising to see the Dallas defence outscore the entire Cardinals team.

Dallas to Win by 14+ @ $1.96

If the Steelers had shown a modicum of competency on offence through two games, they would be clear favourites over a dysfunctional Raiders team.

But the fact their defence has scored the same number of touchdowns as their offence so far is what is holding them back from being a really good team.

Kenny Pickett has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns and Najee Harris is yet to find the end zone.

And in spite of all that, I’m taking them to head into Las Vegas and win over a Raiders team that just cannot put it together.

We’re not quite at the stage where Vegas will throw the kitchen sink at an opponent to keep people in jobs and I’m happy to take them on as favourites.

Pittsburgh to Win @ $2.15

Tampa is definitely one of, if not the most surprising 2-0 team in the league but their unbeaten start looks like it will be coming to an end against the Eagles.

Their two wins have come over a dysfunctional Vikings team and a flat out bad Bears team and neither of those descriptors apply to the reigning NFC champions.

I just can’t see Tampa finding a way to keep pace with the Eagles, or move the ball with as much success as they had last week.

Philadelphia also has a massive rest advantage coming off a Thursday night game and those fresh legs are going to help them run away with this one.

Philadelphia to Cover -5 @ $1.90

The Bengals are off to another 0-2 start and there are major questions around the health of Joe Burrow who is clearly not over his calf strain from training camp.

He has not been actively bad through two weeks but you can tell he’s limited and there are questions around his availability ahead of this game.

However with the extra day of preparation and the fact he’s still Joe Burrow, I’m expecting him to play as is the market with the Bengals favoured.

He will be running (or hobbling) for his life on some occasions but they should be able to find a way to get by a competitive Rams team.

I’m expecting it to be close right to the end but the Bengals find a way to get the job done.

Cincinnati to Win by 1-13 Points

2022

Two weeks into the 2022 NFL season and plenty of preseason prognostications have been thrown out the window.

A total of six teams remain undefeated thus far while another seven will be hoping to collect their first win before the calendar ticks over to October.

It all gets underway on Friday with an AFC North bout between Cleveland and Pittsburgh with both teams looking to overcome very different disappointing defeats last weekend.

Monday morning presents a dilemma with a handful of games campaigning for marquee status however it’s tough to look past the battle of the bays with the Buccaneers taking on the Packers.

We’re previewing all 16 games below so scroll down and see who we are backing this weekend.

On the surface, this is an easy game to back the Browns in, they are the better team but you have to wonder if there are any scars remaining from last week’s loss to the Jets.

It could be the first time we see rookie Kenny Pickett for Pittsburgh after Mitch Trubisky’s uninspiring efforts through the first two games, which have produced a grand total of 37 points, most of which have come on the back of that still imposing defence.

However the absence of TJ Watt is a massive factor and you do wonder how much will be in their legs after a long overtime game in Week 1 and a late fade out last week.

That sets up for a big day from Browns running back Nick Chubb, who might be the most in form player at his position in the league right now.

Look for Chubb to get plenty of carries and plenty of yards as the Browns look to run the Steelers into submission.

SGM: Cleveland to Win, Nick Chubb 100+ Yards & Anytime TD Scorer @ $5.12

New England will be one of the last teams to play their first home game when they take on the Baltimore Ravens in a matchup that would have been given marquee treatment not too long ago.

It’s a stark reminder that while they have the same logo and play out of the same stadium, this is not the same team that would get the “Patriots premium” in the betting markets.

When New England was good, Baltimore did not fear coming to Foxborough and they should have no qualms about facing this iteration of the Patriots offence.

Best case scenario Bill Belichick finds a way to muddy the waters and turn this game into a low scoring scrap, but even if he does, this is a Ravens side more than equipped to win that way.

They will be fuming after an embarrassing loss at home against Miami last week and I’ll be backing the favourites to win this one on the road.

Back Baltimore to Cover -3 @ $1.90

Are the 2-0 Miami Dolphins for real?

After starting the season with wins over New England and Baltimore, the Super Bowl favourite Buffalo Bills will provide a real litmus test for the upstart Floridians.

You cannot question their mettle after mounting a miraculous comeback in Baltimore last weekend but there are still plenty of question marks surrounding just how sustainable this pattern of play will be.

Especially when they take on the team that has gotten off to the fastest start in the league so far.

It might be a case of the Dolphins coming crashing back to earth as the Bills showcase just how big the gap is between the two sides.

Back Buffalo to Cover -5.5 @ $1.90

Few would have expected the Bengals to be 0-2 heading into this clash with the Jets but they are getting a crash course in dealing with expectations.

That offensive line is a real concern with Joe Burrow getting beaten up by opposing defences and this Jets front will be hoping to boost their sack tally here.

Perhaps the best thing the Bengals can do to protect their quarterback is to challenge the Jets on the ground considering they gave up almost 200 rushing yards to the Browns last week.

Look for a big day from Joe Mixon as the Bengals stay patient and find a way into the winners circle.

Back Cincinnati to Cover -5 @ $1.90

If we’re just going off last week, then Detroit is the value bet to jump on.

They might not have the plethora of top end talent other teams have at their disposal, but Dan Campbell has this team ready to battle.

Minnesota is coming into this game on short rest after a flat effort in Philadelphia on Monday Night Football and there’s plenty of questions over Kirk Cousins.

Returning to US Bank Stadium for a lunchtime kickoff will help him out a bit but it’s tough to see the Vikings running away with this.

Detroit has a knack of playing close games, whether it is through a late collapse or a late rally, don’t be surprised if this is a close game heading into the final two minutes.

Back Detroit to Cover +6 @ $1.90

If there was one early game to skip, it might be this battle between the Bears and Texans.

Chicago has struggled mightily on offence, registering a grand total of 29 points through two games and are seemingly hesitant to trust second year signal caller Justin Fields to throw the ball.

Houston on the other hand is just talent deficient and two games into his sophomore season, it doesn’t look like Davis Mills is the guy.

The first team to 10 might win this game.

Back Under 40.5 Points @ $1.87

Easily one of, if not the most disappointing team of the 2022 NFL season to date is the Indianapolis Colts.

Two flat performances have the preseason buzz suggesting they were a Super Bowl contender becoming a distant memory.

Starting 0-3 might be a fatal blow for their playoff hopes as well and it’s tough to give them much hope after being blanked by the Jaguars last week.

Kansas City still is not humming along but they have been strong through two tough assignments to date and they should have no trouble killing this game off early.

Back Kansas City to Win by 14+ @ $3.00

Few would have picked this game to be a battle of 0-2 teams but here we are, the desperation will be so thick it might interfere with the broadcast at times.

Tennessee has to be wondering if Ryan Tannehill is the one to take them forward after a couple of ugly defeats.

Vegas is having its own issues as the Josh McDaniels era has begun with some rocky performances, but it’s tough to back them on the road with an early kickoff.

Tennessee at home is a decent value option and I’ll back them to come away with the win.

Back Tennessee to Win @ $2.10

It’s tough to understand why the market for this game is as close as it is.

While both teams are coming off losses, the way they went down is very different.

New Orleans pushed Tampa Bay all the way and only fell off after Marshon Lattimore got himself ejected after sparking a fight with Leonard Fournette, Tom Brady, Mike Evans and most of the Buccaneers team.

Carolina is well and truly on the way to being a contender for the first overall pick and may only have a chance here if the Saints bus does not show up.

Take New Orleans to storm into Carolina and belt the Panthers into submission.

Back New Orleans to Win by 14+ @ $4.50

All aboard the Eagles bandwagon, Jalen Hurts is looking like a star in the making after he has guided the team to a 2-0 start.

There is a great chance they will go 3-0 considering the struggles of their division rival Washington thus far.

The Commanders just gave up 36 points to the Lions and it’s tough to see them finding a way to slow down the Eagles offence here.

However Carson Wentz is doing a good enough job to get this offence putting up points themselves so we could be in for a bit of a shootout.

Take the Eagles to get the job done though, their defence has enough difference makers to give them an edge.

Back Philadelphia to Cover -6.5 & Over 47.5 Points @ $3.50

Regardless of who suits up at quarterback for the Chargers this week, expect Brandon Staley to deploy a heavy dose of Austin Ekeler to protect the signal caller.

With Justin Herbert nursing fractured ribs, his involvement in this game is in doubt and the Chargers could turn to backup Chase Daniel just for a steadying presence.

Remarkably so far, all six Chargers touchdowns have come through the air with the team yet to run one in, but with a limited quarterback, look for LA to rely on Ekeler to shoulder the burden against a Jaguars defence coming off a shutout.

Jacksonville will be eager to show they can backup that win with another strong effort, this time on the road but I’ll be looking for Ekeler to find the end zone twice.

Back Austin Ekeler 2+ TDs

As much fun as it was watching Seattle in Week 1, it was painful seeing them try and operate against the 49ers in Week 2.

Atlanta at least had something to offer in their defeat to the Rams with a late interception thrown by Marcus Mariota sealing their fate after mounting a late comeback.

However heading to the pacific northwest and taking on the environment as well as the Seahawks might be asking a bit much and this head to head market is a stay away.

Instead I’ll look for the player touchdown markets and with the Seahawks giving up their last two touchdowns on the ground, look for the Falcons to turn to Cordarrelle Patterson to get them some points in the red zone.

Back Cordarrelle Patterson Anytime Touchdown Scorer @ $2.40

Despite the team appearing to be somewhat dysfunctional behind the scenes and Tom Brady already thinking about his end of season family getaway, the Buccaneers just find a way to win.

Their toughest test of the season so far will come in their home opener against the Green Bay Packers.

Brady has a great record against the Packers in the regular season, throwing for 11 touchdowns and no interceptions dating back to 2006 while amassing a 4-1 record in that time.

Green Bay is still finding their feet with their new offence and might be able to make some plays on the ground with the Buccaneers depleted however Brady is too hard to back against in a situation like this one.

Back Tampa Bay by 1-13 Points @ $2.40

How is this for a chance for the Cardinals to prove they are a legitimate contender.

Coming off a dramatic win in Las Vegas, they host the defending champions and will be out for revenge after a meek exit from last season’s playoffs.

Making things tougher for the Rams is the fact they will be going into this game with a depleted secondary and have not looked smooth at all through two weeks.

Those mistakes will allow the Cardinals to stay in this game and we could be in for a real shootout.

It could go either way and the temptation is there to take Arizona straight up, but I’ll instead take the over because the total is below 50 which is quite surprising.

Back Over 49 Points @ $1.90

Denver might be experiencing a real case of buyer’s remorse on Russell Wilson so far, with the quarterback yet to impress in his new surroundings.

Meanwhile San Francisco has lucked into a much better scenario (for the short term at least) with the injury to Trey Lance forcing them to turn back to Jimmy Garoppolo.

That makes the 49ers a lot more dangerous in every game this season and Jimmy G is far better equipped to guide this roster through games like this.

If Denver’s struggles continue then this game could get very ugly with San Francisco a great chance of running away with it.

Back San Francisco to Cover -1.5 @ $1.90

The Giants are easily the most surprising 2-0 team so far, but to their credit, they have taken care of business.

Dallas has ridden a strong defence to a 1-1 record last season and with Dak Prescott missing his second game, they will need to carry the team through this one as well.

New York has a solid defence too, giving up a grand total of 36 points to the Titans and Panthers which suggests we could be in for a proper NFC East arm wrestle.

It could go either way which is why I’m steering clear of the head to head and line markets, instead I’ll back a low scoring contest.

Back Under 39.5 Points @ $1.90

2021

Through two weeks, a remarkable 18 NFL teams sit at 1-1 with plenty of questions still to be answered.

Seven teams remain perfect, and there is a real Pacific flavour to that group with five coming from the NFC and AFC West divisions.

Conversely, seven teams are still chasing their first win and they will be hoping that Week 3 of the 2021 NFL season is when that comes.

Underdogs have dominated the season so far with the sides on the wrong end of the pregame line covering in 21 of 32 games to date.

Week 3 is headlined by a huge clash at SoFi Stadium as Tom Brady and the Buccaneers commence the toughest fortnight of their regular season against the LA Rams.

Not before Houston and Carolina kick off the weekend with a fascinating contest at NRG Stadium.

Check out who we are backing in our NFL Week 3 Preview below!

Through two weeks, Thursday Night Football has followed the same script with the home favourite winning a very close game but failing to cover.

This week will see part of that trend come to an end with the visiting Panthers favoured as new they chase a 3-0 start to the season.

It’s not an ideal situation for Houston with rookie Davis Mills set to be forced into action much earlier than anyone expected after Tyrod Taylor’s injury.

Carolina’s defence will make life very tough on Mills having held Jameis Winston to 111 passing yards last week and two interceptions.

After getting gouged by the Browns on the ground last week, expect a heavy dose of Christian McCaffrey as he guides the Panthers to a big road win.

SGM: Carolina to Cover -8, Christian McCaffrey 80+ Rushing Yards & Over 50.5 Receiving Yards @ $5.56

We have a pair of first overall picks from the NFL draft facing off in Jacksonville here, and this one promises to have plenty of fireworks.

Arizona have been a phenomenal side to watch through the opening two weeks, tallying 72 points, the second best number in the league.

Kyler Murray is coming off a 400 passing yard effort in their wild win over the Vikings and he should have a field day against a Jacksonville defence that has been lit up.

Add in a turnover prone Jaguars offence as Trevor Lawrence adapts to life as an NFL quarterback, you get the feeling Arizona is going to put up a big score in this one too.

With the line at 7.5 points at the time of writing, it is just in the area where you have to worry about a backdoor cover thanks to a garbage time touchdown so I’ll back a Cardinals win in a Same Game Multi.

Murray has rushed for a score in both games so far and I’ll back him to find the end zone again to round it out.

SGM: Arizona to Win, Over 52.5 Points, Kyler Murray Anytime TD Scorer

The good news for this game is that the number of winless teams in the NFL will be reduced by one as the 0-2 Giants and Falcons face off in New Jersey.

In terms of finding a reason to get excited about this game however, we can only hope it will herald the proper return of Saquon Barkley with the Giants star weapon labouring through the first two weeks.

Even if he’s not firing on all cylinders the Giants should have no trouble putting up plenty of points on a porous Falcons defence.

Through two games they have given up 80 points and the Giants showed enough against Washington last week that they should be able to put up plenty of points.

Maybe this is the game where Atlanta’s new offence under Arthur Smith clicks and they can come away with a win themselves and if they can eliminate the mistakes that have plagued them early, they may be in with a real shot.

A points total below 50 is a gift for punters though as this looks like a race to 30 at least.

Back Over 48 Points @ $1.90

For some this 7.5 point line might be in the backdoor cover range but after Detroit’s Monday Night Football blowout loss, I’m ready to take them on.

Add in a Baltimore side that will be brimming with confidence after a huge bounce back victory against Kansas City and you have the perfect recipe for a blowout.

It’s not like Ford Field will provide a big home ground advantage with the Lions losing 12 of their last 13 games at the stadium.

No need to go too deep on this game, Baltimore to do it comfortably.

Back Baltimore to Cover -7.5 @ $1.90

Get ready for the start of the Justin Fields era in Chicago with the rookie seemingly set to make his first career start in place of the injured Andy Dalton.

It was not a smooth entry into the full time starter role going just 6/13 for 60 yards and an interception plus 31 yards on 10 carries and the rookie growing pains are a near certainty as he transitions into the role.

The good news is he is dynamic enough to make a play or two happen even if he’s still getting a bit gun shy getting up to the speed of the NFL.

Given the uncertainty over his level of play, I’m going to steer clear of any market that involves the final scoreline since Chicago could spring an upset if Fields can play a clean game.

I’ll back the rookie to score a touchdown in his starting debut since it does provide a bit of insurance against a miraculous Dalton recovery in time for kickoff.

Even if he does play, Fields should still see some snaps and is a real threat in the red zone.

Back Justin Fields Anytime Touchdown Scorer

Cincinnati could very easily be 2-0 right now, were it not for a couple of fourth quarter mistakes that cost them dearly against the Bears.

The Steelers will be out to force a few more Joe Burrow turnovers as they try and cover up a struggling offence.

Should they do that, they will be a decent bet to cover the -3.5 line on the game, but the more I see on these sides, the more it feels like they actually very close in terms of overall team skill levels.

For that reason, the Bengals to win outright actually looks like decent value and if Burrow can stay patient while avoiding a bad turnover, he should be able to move the ball and put up too many points for Roethlisberger to match.

Back Cincinnati to Win @ $2.55

It came a week later than most thought it would, but Derrick Henry returned to his typical bulldozing self in Seattle last week.

183 rushing yards, three touchdowns and another 55 yards receiving propelled them to a massive overtime win to get off the mark in 2021.

Up next is a divisional game against a Colts side that is scrapping its way through the early part of the season.

There is a massive injury cloud over Colts quarterback Carson Wentz however the Titans -5 line seems to have been made with the assumption he is playing.

Whether it is Wentz or Jacob Eason starting, the Titans defence has struggled mightily giving up 68 points and over 800 yards through two weeks.

That is enough to make me a bit nervous this is going to turn into another shootout but Henry’s recent history against the Colts has me confident he can run them to victory.

On the ground he has tallied 430 yards and four touchdowns, in his last three games and with the Colts struggling to contain the run this season, I’ll back Henry and the Titans to get the job done.

SGM: Tennessee to Win, Over 48 Points, Derrick Henry Anytime Touchdown Scorer

Picking the winner in this game might be the easiest choice of the week, Kansas City does not lose back to back games.

Well they have but not recently, in fact the last time they dropped consecutive games was in Weeks 5 and 6 of the 2019 season.

It helps when you don’t lose a whole lot in general but the main question for this game is how much they are going to win by.

The Chargers have really struggled to get things going this season, scoring 37 total points through two weeks, a number the Chiefs almost reached in Baltimore.

All five of Patrick Mahomes’ starts against the Chargers have been decided by 1-13 points, with him coming out as the victor on three occasions and I’ll back them to make it four here.

Back Kansas City by 1-13 @ $2.50

A matchup that was once the titanic clash of Tom Brady and Drew Brees is now Mac Jones against Jameis Winston.

The Saints will be looking to find out what their true identity is when they head to Gillette Stadium having put together two very different performances.

As for New England we know what they want to be as a team, but there’s still a big question over whether or not that team is actually good.

You can already write Bill Belichick’s gameplan for this one, shut down Alvin Kamara and challenge Winston to beat them with his arm.

Given New England’s offensive struggles, 20 points might be enough for them to win this game and even if he does happen to throw a couple of interceptions, he should still be able to get them there.

At best this game should be a pick with both teams at $1.90 to win so I’ll back the value on the Saints.

Back New Orleans to Win @ $2.25

Washington kicks off a two week road trip with a trip to Buffalo, looking to back up their dramatic win against the Giants last week.

It required a whole lot of luck, but they got there in the end, unfortunately for them, Buffalo’s defence probably won’t provide as many opportunities as the Giants did.

Fresh off forcing three turnovers and pitching a shutout in Miami, you would expect them to be ready to pounce on a young quarterback in this game, especially after dropping their home opener in Week 1.

The Bills offence is still yet to hit top gear and Washington will present some challenges to Josh Allen, but after seeing Daniel Jones torch their secondary, I’m expecting plenty of points as they march up and down the field on them.

SGM: Buffalo to Win & Over 45.5 Points @ $2.38

Miami will head back to the site of its best win in the 2020 season, when a late Ryan Fitzpatrick prayer put them in position for a dramatic win over the Raiders.

Of course, Fitzpatrick is now in Washington, the quarterback who he replaced in that game and was the full time starter in 2021 is now injured and it’s the Jacoby Brissett show for this weekend.

Everything about this game is pointing towards a trap for the 2-0 Raiders, after all they enter this as favourites and have people asking the “are they for real” question after topping the Ravens and Steelers.

It might be pointing towards a trap and maybe Jon Gruden will buy into the early season hype surrounding his team, but the Dolphins have looked well below par this season.

Miami will keep them close but I just can’t see enough things going their way to spring the upset.

Back Las Vegas by 1-13 Points

Some may feel like a 10.5 point line is way too big for a team like Denver, but they are playing the Jets this weekend.

Teddy Bridgewater has begun his season on a tear and should have no troubles dissecting an average at best Jets defence.

He’s got the supporting cast around him to make plenty of big plays and his defence should have a field day against a turnover prone Jets offence.

Zach Wilson may not throw four picks like he did against the Patriots last week but a major turnaround feels like it may be asking a bit much of the young quarterback.

I’ll back a bit of extra value by taking Denver to win by two touchdowns in the margin market.

Back Denver to Win by 14+ Points @ $2.20

Two sides coming off heartbreaking losses last week should make for a phenomenal contest under the roof of US Bank Stadium.

Moving the ball has not been an issue for either of these teams so far but holding on to leads in the fourth quarter has been.

On the plus side it will almost certainly lead to a close finish and at that time of the game, I will trust Pete Carroll over Mike Zimmer (but only just given their respective resumes).

Falling to 0-3 might kill the Vikings season before it really had a chance to get going but in this instance I have to back the visitors.

Back Seattle to Win @ $1.80

This will be Tampa’s biggest test of 2021 as they chase basically the only thing that eluded Tom Brady in New England: a perfect season.

LA has the defence to really cause Brady trouble with talent at all three levels and they will have a chance if they can keep the Buccaneers under 30 points.

Matthew Stafford should have no problems dissecting the weakest part of the Buccaneers roster, its secondary, as long as the Rams offensive line holds up.

The Rams have the talent to really trouble the Buccaneers and might be one of the sides that could challenge them again in January, so this game could be very important when it comes to deciding home field advantage for that rematch.

Everything about this game screams toss up, so I’ll back the home underdog Rams to get the win.

Back the LA Rams to Win @ $2.02

It’s impossible to ignore the subplot for this game, Aaron Rodgers heading back to California and taking on one of the teams that tried to trade for him this past offseason.

Unsurprisingly the Packers decided to hold on to their player while San Francisco stuck with Jimmy Garoppolo until rookie Trey Lance is ready to go.

Rodgers has amassed a 5-3 regular season record against the 49ers, throwing for 18 touchdowns and just two interceptions (although adding in his playoff record does mess with that number a bit.)

Following on from their big win over Detroit, the Packers clearly have a point to prove this season and I love the value on them coming away with a victory.

San Francisco has looked shaky at times and if Rodgers is in the zone, he could pick them apart.

Back Green Bay to Win @ $2.40

Dallas gets its first home game with fans in almost two years on Monday Night Football against the division rival Eagles, the atmosphere should be going off at AT&T Stadium.

All things considered, the Cowboys will be feeling pretty good about their road trip to start the season, running Tampa Bay close on opening night before edging the Chargers in Los Angeles.

Their schedule gets a little bit softer now with their first NFC East game of the season and a passing attack that might get some confidence back in their defence.

A big win here will allow Dallas to remind everyone why they were favoured to win the NFC East at the start of the season, and that is exactly what I’ll back here.

Back Dallas to Win @ $1.94

2020

Fourteen of the 16 favourites came through with a win in Week 2, but it appears punters might be in for a reality check this week with a couple of serious primetime blockbusters on the cards.

Sunday Night Football sees the Saints host the undefeated Packers from New Orleans, followed by a potential AFC Championship Game preview on Tuesday between the top two quarterbacks in the game when Lamar Jackson’s Ravens take on Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.

Other key games include Monday mornings early matchup between the undefeated Bills and Rams, alongside the Seahawks and Cowboys in the afternoon time slot from Seattle.

With the chance of a few upsets, be sure to dive into our 2020 NFL Week 3 Preview below!

The 0-2 Dolphins will be hoping to earn their first win of the season on Friday when they square off against the Jaguars for the first time since 2018.

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for over 300-yards last week against the Bills, but that still wasn’t enough to match Buffalo’s methodical offence in the 31-28 loss. 

The defence was largely to blame as Josh Allen enjoyed a monster 400-yard, four touchdown day, while tight end Mike Gesicki enjoyed his share of the spoils reeling in eight receptions.

Jacksonville, on the other hand, lost by a field goal themselves to the undefeated Titans to fall to 1-1.

Like many teams, the Jags found no answer to Tennessee’s lethal running game, a harsh reality check after defeating the Colts comfortably only a week earlier. 

Defensively, Miami look much the same as they did last year, evident in the fact they currently rank Top 10 in rushing and passing yards through the first two weeks of the season.

That said, the Jags have also given up the third-most yards through the air, which does spell trouble against a Dolphins team that has been relying primarily on the passing game.

Considering this might be one of Miami’s top chances to get a rare win on the board this season, don’t be surprised if they put up some points.

Tip: Dolphins Over 22 Points @ $1.85

The Bills and the Rams both have a chance to improve to 3-0 in what is shaping up to be one of the games of the year.

Josh Allen, who is still without an interception, was enormous last week in Buffalo’s win over the Dolphins and it already appears the addition of Stefon Diggs could go down as one of the team’s best moves.

The Rams have been equally impressive with a pair of wins over the Cowboys and Eagles as the defence has seemingly reverted back to its old ways. 

Los Angeles has currently allowed the eighth-fewest points in the league alongside just one passing touchdown, which poses a much tougher task this week for Buffalo following two cruisy games against New York and Miami. 

For the most part, Buffalo has chosen to play through the air so far, but it’s difficult to envision Allen having the same success he’s shown against one of the NFL’s top secondaries.

Considering Los Angeles has covered in both games to start the season, take the Rams with some insurance.

Tip: Back the Rams to Cover the Line (+2.5 Points) @ $1.94

It’s become painfully clear the Texans are a step below the AFC’s elite after losing back-to-back games to the Chiefs and Ravens to start the season. 

After trading DeAndre Hopkins during the offseason, Houston struggled to maintain pace with Baltimore last week as Deshaun Watson threw only one touchdown in the 33-16 defeat.

Up next, the Steelers, a team that has proven themselves to be a handful already with two wins over the Giants and Broncos.

Ben Roethlisberger has seemingly turned back the clock with two monster games in his comeback season, so it’s no real surprise to find the Steelers laying -3.5 as they travel back to Heinz Field.

The Steelers flew under the radar for most of the offseason, but they already appear to be a top contender in the AFC.

James Conner has rediscovered some of his 2018 form, while the emergence of Chase Claypool has added another element in an already deadly passing game. 

Defensively, it’s hard to see the Texans stopping Pittsburgh across four quarters.

Houston has allowed 67 combined points in just two games, good for the fifth-most in the league.

With an equally impressive 5-1 record in their last six home games, take Pittsburgh to win with a few points on the board.

Tip: Back the Steelers to Win & the Steelers Over 24 Points @ $2.00

The Raiders pulled off an almost unthinkable win over the Saints during their home-opener last week on Monday Night Football.

Vegas are now attempting to open the season 3-0 for the first time since 2002 – the same season they lost the Super Bowl to the Buccaneers.

After overcoming Sean Payton last week, Jon Gruden is about to face an even tougher boss: Bill Belichick.

The Patriots threw the kitchen sink at the Seahawks last week in Seattle, only for Cam Newton to be stopped short of the goal line as time expired.

New England has surprisingly opened as short-priced favourites this week, meaning there is a great deal of value to be had on the Raiders laying +6 at the line.

That said, the Raiders will need to dig deep defensively after being carved up on the ground by Alvin Kamara last week against the Saints.

Cam Newton could very well enjoy a huge day out on the ground against Vegas’ sloppy run defence, while on the flip side, don’t be surprised if Derek Carr and his receivers enjoy a big day after the Patriots surrendered five touchdowns through the air to Russell Wilson last week.

This game just screams Overs, and funnily enough, so do the trends.

Twelve of New England’s last 18 games played in Week 3 have all gone Over the Total, so you can back a high-scoring game with confidence.

Tip: Over 47.5 Total Points @ $1.90

The winless Vikings have opened as +2.5 underdogs on Monday when they host the undefeated Titans at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Picking up where they left off against the Packers, Minnesota’s offence stalled significantly last week as Kirk Cousins threw three picks and only 113 yards in a 28-11 loss to the Colts.

The Vikings’ defence also gave up 15 unanswered points in the second quarter, topped off with a season-ending injury to star linebacker Anthony Barr.

Just like they did in Week 1 against the Broncos, the Titans again survived a scare, this time against the Jaguars.

Tennessee held on for a 33-30 win in the end, but it’s safe to say head coach Mike Vrabel will be hoping for a more thorough performance after his side was outscored 13-3 in the fourth quarter.

The Vikings rank Top 5 in yards allowed both through the air and on the ground this season, so it’s very tough to see them coming up with an answer to Tennessee’s versatile offence.

After giving up 100 yards last week to rookie Jonathan Taylor, this could be another long day for the Minnesota defence.

Tip: Back the Titans to Cover the Line (-2.5 Points) @ $1.90

The Browns had their hands full last week against the Bengals but still did just enough to squeak out a 35-30 win.

Running back Nick Chubb helped himself to a huge 100-yard, two touchdown performance, something Cleveland fans will be hoping for more of against a Washington team that gave up similar numbers to the Cardinals last week.

Washington opened its season with an impressive come-from-behind victory over the Eagles, but they received a harsh reality check in the desert losing 30-15.

Dwayne Haskins was sacked four times in the loss, while the team also lost key right tackle Brandon Scherff to a knee injury.

Cleveland recorded three sacks on Joe Burrow last week, so Scherff’s absence could spell disaster against the pass rush.

It is hard to get too excited about the Browns though after a very narrow win over the lowly Bengals.

Washington has actually won five of its last six games against the Browns, so don’t be surprised if this turns into a tight one.

Tip: Browns to Win & Washington Over 18.5 Total Points @ $3.24

The Eagles are being favoured by -5.5 to earn their first win of the season against a much-improved Bengals team on Monday.

Philadelphia has arguably been one of the worst teams to watch through the first two weeks with losses to Washington and the Rams, which in turn has left plenty of fans pointing the finger at Carson Wentz after throwing two picks in back-to-back games.

Cincinnati has also opened the season 0-2, but obviously the expectations were much lower for the Bengals with rookie quarterback Joe Burrow stepping in.

To their credit, the Bengals have actually showed plenty of fight in both games this season losing by less than a touchdown to the Chargers and Browns, so there is a case to be made for them this week against an Eagles side that is clearly lacking their usual spark.

The Bengals haven’t met the Eagles since 2016, but if you’re looking for a trend to hang your hat on, make it this: Cincinnati has covered in each of their last nine games against Philadelphia.

The Eagles currently lead the league in turnovers, so if the Bengals’ pass rush can apply some pressure on Philly’s shoddy offensive line, they should go a long way to winning this.

With Burrow coming off a 300-yard, three touchdown game against the Browns and some added rest on their side, the Bengals shape up to be one of the better bets of the week.

Tip: Back the Bengals to Cover the Line (+5.5 Points) @ $1.90

The Giants and 49ers have both been devastated by injuries as they try and move forward without two of their top playmakers for the remainder of the season. 

New York lost Saquon Barkley to a season-ending ACL tear last week in the loss to the Bears, an injury that leaves an already depleted offence looking even more baron.

The 49ers managed to bounce-back from their opening week loss to defeat the Jets, but they still came off worse for wear with Nick Bosa suffering his own season-ending ACL tear to go along with Jimmy Garoppolo’s high ankle sprain.

With Barkley out, it’s likely we see the line drift significantly in the leadup to Monday’s game.

The Giants have been a steady Under bet through so far scoring less than 20 points on both occasions, so with Barkley now missing, it’s likely that trend continues.

Tip: Giants Under 18 Points @ $1.92

The Falcons are being favoured by close to a field goal despite last week’s meltdown against the Cowboys.

Atlanta piled on 20 unanswered points in the first quarter against Dallas, but somehow managed to allow the Cowboys to come roaring back in the second half to win on a last second field goal 40-39.

Blown leads are synonymous with the Falcons, so it remains to be seen how they respond to such heart break.

Fortunately, they’ll face one of the most underwhelming 2-0 teams in history this week when they take on a Bears side that has barely survived against two of the NFL’s worst teams, the Lions and Giants.

Hardly anything was expected from Chicago this year, but it’s become evident (once again) that their defence is capable of carrying them part of the way.

Meanwhile, on the offensive side, the Bears rank 22nd in points scored this season, which doesn’t bode particularly well against a Falcons team that has scored 40+ in back-to-back weeks.

Atlanta’s defence is a huge concern, but their offence has proven capable of putting up big points against two top defences in Seattle and Dallas.

At first glance this market might look a little askew, but there’s plenty to like about the Falcons doing a number on the Bears.

Tip: Falcons Over 25.5 Total Points @ $1.92

The Chargers have spent most of the week wondering what could have been after blowing one of the upsets of the season last Monday against the Chiefs.

Los Angeles took a 14-6 lead into the half-time break over the reigning Super Bowl champs, only for the defence to crumble in overtime as Harrison Butker got the Chiefs over the line on a 54-yard field goal.

The result was crushing for Anthony Lynn’s side, but it shapes up as the kind of game the Chargers can really build on moving forward.

Most importantly, the Chargers now know what they have in rookie Justin Herbert, who was a late game-time decision with Tyrod Taylor spending time in the hospital with chest pains

Taylor remains “week-to-week” at this stage, but it’s highly unlikely the Chargers would have bench Herbert anyway based on his 300-yard performance on debut.

The Panthers, meanwhile, find themselves 0-2 and among a long list of teams licking their wounds.

Star running back Christian McCaffrey is set to miss four-to-six weeks with a high ankle sprain, placing enormous pressure on Teddy Bridgewater to carry the load.

Speaking of the running game, it’s become pretty clear the Chargers have something special going with Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley.

The pair combined for over 100-yards last week, and they should have no trouble finding the end zone against a Panthers team that has allowed the most rushing touchdowns through the opening two weeks.

Tip: Back the Chargers to Cover the Line (-6.5 Points) @ $1.90

The Colts have opened as double-digit favourites this week against a Jets side that currently ranks second-last in points scored.

Life has been pretty miserable if you’re a football fan in New York this season, but things might be about to pickup based on the Jets’ recent track record against Indianapolis.

Adam Gase’s side has won four of its last five meetings against the Colts and covered in all five games during that stretch.

Indy earned its first win of the season last week in a convincing victory over the Vikings, but there’s still some danger signs heading into this game with Philip Rivers looking very vulnerable in the pocket.

The Jets have been tough to watch since Le’Veon Bell went down with an injury, particularly last week in a loss to the understrength 49ers.

That said, this line looks a little too generous in the Colts’ favour, so don’t be surprised if the Jets scrape home for a late backdoor cover.

Tip: Back the Jets to Cover the Line (+11 Points) @ $1.90

The 2-0 Seahawks will host the 1-1 Cowboys in what is easily one of the games of the week.

Seattle has reeled off two impressive high-scoring victories over the Falcons and Patriots and it is no surprise to find them as the odds-on favourites to improve to 3-0 for the first time since 2013.

The Cowboys, on the other hand, are a tough team to get a read on.

Dallas weren’t disgraced in Week 1 against the Rams, but they certainly left a lot to be desired in last week’s huge come-from-behind victory against the Falcons.

Dak Prescott is one of the frontrunners for the MVP award based on last week’s performance, but the defence really needs to step up after surrendering 20 unanswered points in the opening quarter.

Unfortunately for defensive coordinator Mike Nolen, the Seahawks pose another tough test, especially with Russell Wilson coming off a five touchdown game last week against New England.

The Seahawks will also see this as a revenge spot after losing to the Cowboys in the Wild Card round of the 2018 playoffs.

Things have changed a lot since then, but one thing has remained the same: Seattle’s outstanding record against NFC East foes.

The Seahawks have covered in each of their last six games against opponents from the East division, so after holding on to cover a similar line last week against the Patriots, stick with what’s working.

Tip: Back the Seahawks to Cover the Line (-5 Points) @ $1.90

The Cardinals have a chance to open the season 3-0 for the first time since 2015 when they take on the winless Lions at home.

As expected, Arizona’s offence has been an absolute joy to watch so far this season as Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins continue to hook up for big plays and big numbers on just about every drive.

Murray dropped back to pass 38 times last week in the win over Washington, and it was come as no surprise to watch Klif Kingsbury dial up just as many passing plays in Week 3 against a Lions defence that has allowed the third-most points in the league.

Offensively, Detroit might have enough to match Arizona on the scoreboard based on last week’s huge first quarter against Green Bay.

The Lions moved the ball with ease to score two touchdowns in the first quarter, right before Aaron Rodgers decided it was time to torch one of the worst secondaries in the NFL.

Arizona’s defence is far from amazing, but it’s tough to argue against the market here.

These two sides couldn’t be separated when they drew 27-27 in Week 1 last year, but with a 4-1 record against the spread in their last five games, don’t be surprised if the Cardinals make this look easy.

Tip: Back the Cardinals to Cover the Line (-5.5 Points) @ $1.90

The Bucs earned their first win of the season last week against the Panthers as they now turn their attention towards a battered and bruised Broncos team.

New signing Leonard Fournette was the star of the show in Tampa Bay’s 31-17 win over Carolina, although Tom Brady still has some work to do after throwing for only 200-yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Fortunately, Brady mightn’t need to be at his very best this week for the Bucs to win.

Broncos quarterback Drew Lock is set to be sidelined for two weeks with a shoulder injury, while there’s also slight concern for rookie receiver Jerry Jeudy, who has been limited in practice all week.

It’s obviously very difficult to place too much trust in Lock’s replacement Jeff Driskel, but with a running game spearheaded by Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay, the Broncos might be able to get away with running the ball as often as possible.

Defensively, the Bucs have been outstanding against the run though, allowing the fourth-fewest yards and only three touchdowns through two games.

If the Broncos were at full strength we’d probably get close to even money for this game, but it’s tough to see Denver matching Tampa’s dynamic offence for four quarters.

Tip: Back the Bucs 1-13 @ $2.10

The Saints were stunned by the Raiders last week in Vegas, so it’s a little surprising to find them as the favourites going up against the undefeated Packers on Sunday Night Football.

New Orleans looked well on their way to a win over Vegas with the running game doing most of the heavy lifting, but unfortunately the defence failed to live up to its end of the bargain as Derek Carr and Darren Waller put on a show.

Sloppy defence like that is likely to cost the Saints this week against a Packers team that has shown no trouble scoring points.

Green Bay fought back from a 14-3 deficit last week to win in a 42-21 canter against the Lions, largely thanks to another flawless performance from Aaron Rodgers and a monster game from running back Aaron Jones.

The Packers currently lead the league in points scored, but the scary part is, they are still cruising along in fourth gear.

Drops have haunted Green Bay so far this season as it appears Rodgers can only safely trust Davante Adams and Jones in the passing game.

That in itself spells some trouble for the Packers with Adams listed as questionable with a hamstring injury this week.

The Saints, meanwhile, are also sweating on the health of Michael Thomas after missing last week’s game with an ankle injury.

Typically speaking, the Saints have been a great betting play following a previous loss where they’ve played to a 18-10 record since 2015.

Green Bay’s offence is red-hot, so they should definitely put up some points here, especially behind what is arguably the NFL’s best offensive line.

That said, the Packers haven’t won against the Saints in New Orleans since 1995, so potentially has trap game written all over it.

Tip: Back the Saints to Cover the Line (-3 Points) @ $1.83

The Ravens have opened the odds-on favourites as they hope to improve to 3-0 for the first time since 2016.

Baltimore’s offence is rolling following two comfortable wins over the Browns and Texans as it appears Lamar Jackson is well on his way to another MVP trophy if he can keep up his current pace.

Perhaps more importantly, the Ravens’ defence has also gone up a gear thanks to the addition of Patrick Queen in the draft.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, have left punters feeling a little angsty after barely surviving last week against the Chargers in overtime.

To be fair, Patrick Mahomes was at his brilliant best leading his team down the field to set up Harrison Butker’s game-winning field goal, but the defence left a lot to be desired giving up 300-yards to Justin Herbert on debut.

The Ravens have likely had this game circled on their calendar for a long time after losing to the Chiefs 33-28 in Week 3 last year.

This is also a massive test for Lamar, who has spent most of the offseason reflecting on last years early playoff exit to the Titans.

While this is a massive opportunity for Lamar to really cement himself as one of the games top two quarterbacks, this is also a chance for the Ravens’ defence to make a statement.

So far Baltimore has allowed the fewest points in the league, so while this is a much bigger test than say, the Browns or Texans, don’t be surprised if the Ravens hold the Chiefs to a very low total.

Tip: Chiefs Under 25 Points @ $1.85

2019

Things are starting to heat up between the hash marks as Week 3 of the NFL presents several big games across three huge days.

It may not be the most exciting game on paper, but Friday’s matchup between the Jagaurs and Titans could help shape the AFC playoff picture for better or worst.

Speaking of which, make sure you set your alarm for Monday morning as the undefeated Chiefs and Ravens square off from Arrowhead, followed by a Sunday Night Football blockbuster between the Browns and the Rams.

Upsets and injuries continue to throw a spanner in the works, but if you’re looking for some winning tips, be sure to read our entire 2019 NFL Week 3 Preview below.

https://youtu.be/bzUB6j92voA

It’s been a rough start to the season for the Jaguars as they open 0-2 at home on Thursday Night Football to the Titans.

Tennessee received a bit of a reality check last week against the Colts as the defense struggled to contain the run. Offensively, the Titans also struggled to put points on the board after finishing 1-10 on third down.

This game shapes up to be a low-scoring, underwhelming affair – but it’s still vitally important in the grand scheme of the AFC South playoff picture.

Jacksonville were unlucky not to pull off an upset over the Texans last week. New starting quarterback Gardner Minshew silenced some of his critics throwing for 213-yards and a touchdown, while the defense also performed exceptionally well holding Houston to just 263-yards of total offense.

The bookies feel this one will be low-scoring with a 39.5-point Total set. There’s almost even money on offer head-to-head, while the Jags are slim +1.5 underdogs.

Tennessee has won seven of their last 10-games over the Jaguars, including all of the last three. That said, this is a different Jacksonville defense to the one we saw last year, which spells bad news for a Titans team that ranks dead last in third-down conversion percentage.

Tip: Back the Jaguars to Cover the Line (+1.5 Points) & Under 39.5 Total Points @ $3.50

The Packers have started the season 2-0 for the first time since 2015 as they prepare to face a dangerous looking Broncos defence on Monday.

Denver are 0-2 for the first time since 1999 as they look to bounce-back from a heartbreaker last week against the Bears. The Broncos looked to have the game in the bag thanks to a gutsy touchdown and two-point conversion from Joe Flacco, right before Chicago marched down the field with under 30 seconds remaining to kick a game-winning field goal.

The Broncos are 7.5-point underdogs this week at Lambeau Field, which looks about right considering Denver has never won a game on the road against the Packers. The Broncos’ last trip to Lambeau came way back in 2011, a game Denver lost 49-23.

Green Bay’s offence looked almost unstoppable in the first quarter last week against the Vikings before things came to a screeching halt. Dropped passes, fumbles and penalties got in the way of a blowout win, but the good news was Aaron Jones’ huge 116-yard day.

Denver’s defence is no easy beat, but neither is Green Bay’s. The Packers secondary looks elite this year having secured three interceptions in two games, while Jaire Alexander has developed nicely into a shutdown corner.

The Total has gone Under in four of Green Bay’s last five games, so there mightn’t be a lot of points in this one with two top defences on the field. It’s hard to see the Packers losing this one at home, though.

Tip: Back the Packers to Win & Under 42.5 Total Points @ $2.99

Buffalo’s perfect 2-0 start to the season has seen the Bills open as 6.0-point favourites at home on Monday.

While you could argue Sean McDermott’s side hasn’t played anyone outside of New York, there is something to be said for the Bills new and improved running game that continues to tear apart opposing defenses.

Frank Gore and Devin Singletary both combined for 125-yards last week and a pair of touchdowns, which spells disaster against a Bengals side that still can’t stop the run.

Cincinnati showed plenty of promise in Week 1 against the Seahawks before coughing up a 41-17 loss to the 49ers at home last week. Quarterback Andy Dalton threw for over 300-yards, but really, the veteran was far from his best as he completed only 26 of his 42 pass attempts.

Dalton made several questionable reads against San Francisco, several of which were nearly picked. Even more concerning was Cincinnati’s run defense and tackling, as Matt Breida rumbled his way for 121-yards alongside Raheem Mostert, who had 81 of his own.

The Bills now have a powerful two-headed running game and a 6-2 home record against the Bengals to match.

If Buffalo keeps it simple on the ground and brings pressure to Dalton early, they should extend their winning streak to three.

Tip: Back the Bills to Cover the Line (-6 Points) @ $1.91

The Eagles are in a world of pain right now in more ways than one.

Last week’s 24-20 loss to the Falcons highlighted just how reliant Carson Wentz has become on Alshon Jeffery, as the Eagles’ star quarterback threw for just 231-yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

Jeffery isn’t expected to play on Monday against the Lions, and neither is DeSean Jackson. That puts a line through two of Wentz’s top passing options against a very confident looking Lions side.

Detroit pulled off a big upset over the Chargers at home last week to remain undefeated. The Lions caught a few lucky breaks as Los Angeles kicker Ty Long missed two field goals, while a pair of holding penalties ruled out two potential game-winning touchdowns.

Despite the win, the Lions haven’t been anything special to start the season. The running game has shown plenty of flash behind Kerryon Johnson, but Matthew Stafford is still struggling to establish a true No. 1 go-to receiver.

The Lions have plenty of options in the air through T.J. Hockenson, Marvin Jones Jr and Danny Amendola, but it’s the ground game that should decide this game.

Detroit currently ranks 12^th in rushing yards allowed, while the Eagles rank 30^th. Philly should transform into a run-first team with their top two receiving options out, and with Jordan Howard averaging just under five-yards per-carry in his career against Detroit, it’s worth backing the Eagles to ground and pound the Lions out of this one.

Tip: Back the Eagles to Cover the Line (-6.5 Points) @ $1.96

Many pegged this game to be a battle between two undefeated teams to start the season, but so far the Jets have fell well short of expectations.

New York’s season took a turn for the worst last week with starting quarterback Sam Darnold diagnosed with Mono. Not long after, backup Trevor Siemian suffered a season-ending ankle injury during Monday night’s blowout loss to the Browns, thrusting third stringer Luke Falk into the spotlight.

None of this bodes well for the Jets as they prepare to face their undefeated division rivals. The Patriots have had it easy against two mediocre defenses to start the season, and with the Jets struggling to defend through the air and on the ground, this week’s game shapes up as much of the same.

The Patriots have won nine of their last 10-games over the Jets, while in two games last year, New England outscored New York 67-16.

Tip: Back the Patriots to Cover the Line (-23 Points) @ $1.91

The Vikings and Raiders both suffered their first loss of the season last week against their division rivals.

For Minnesota, there was lots to love and lots to loathe about their performance in Green Bay. Running back Dalvin Cook has quickly turned into one of the most dangerous backs in the league, but the play of Kirk Cousins left a lot to be desired – particularly in the dying stages.

The Raiders always had their work cut out against the Chiefs in Oakland, and the 28-10 score line was just about right considering Jon Gruden’s side managed only 178 yards of total offence. The one positive was Josh Jacobs’ 99-yard rushing game, but ultimately, the secondary struggled all day.

Cousins’ crucial interception on 1^st and 8 inside the redzone cost the Vikings a win last week, but Minnesota now returns home as the firm 8.0-point favourites.

With that said, if there’s one thing we’ve learned already, it’s that the Raiders can indeed stop the run. Oakland is yet to allow a rushing touchdown this year, and although you can’t have the Raiders at their current price (or the line for that matter), this game could still turn out to be surprisingly low scoring.

Tip: Under 43.5 Total Points @ $1.92

This is by far the must-see game of Week 3 between two of the league’s top undefeated sides.

The Ravens didn’t destroy the Cardinals like many thought they would last week, but Baltimore’s 23-17 victory still taught us plenty about Greg Roman’s offense.

Kansas City wasted no time pulling apart the Raiders in Oakland, going on to win comfortably by 18-points. It was another masterclass from Patrick Mahomes as last year’s MVP threw for over 400-yards, while Demarcus Robinson filled in nicely at receiver for Tyreek Hill.

Head-to-head the Ravens look a little over the odds at this price, but it might be worth playing it safe at the line.

Baltimore is 4-2 against the spread in their last six games against Kansas City. The Ravens have done a great job of mixing and matching personnel to keep opposing defences on their toes, and it feels as though we still haven’t seen Roman’s complete bag of playbook tricks.

Kansas City’s defence cost them a shot at the Super Bowl last year, and the jury is still out on the secondary in 2019. Lamar Jackson has done a brilliant job at disguising inside handoffs to Mark Ingram and turning them into big gains on the outside, while the Ravens’ tight end game is also one of the best in the league.

All in all, this is a huge test for Baltimore, and one they are more than capable of passing.

Tip: Back the Ravens to Cover the Line (+6.5 Points) @ $1.91

The Cowboys look the team to beat in the NFC as new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has the offense purring.

After pulling apart the Giants in Week 1, the Cowboys got to work against another division rival last week as they took care of the Redskins 31-21.

Dallas currently ranks third in passing yards and passing touchdowns, which is a credit to Dak Prescott’s improvements over the course of the offseason. The play calls have been much better suited to Prescott’s skills, while the additions of wide receivers Randall Cobb and Amari Cooper have worked a treat.

Things aren’t quite so peachy down in Florida as the Dolphins 2019 tank job looks well under way. Miami bid farewell to star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick on Tuesday to the Steelers, leaving the Dolphins looking very thin on talent as they travel to Texas this week.

Like they were against the Patriots, the Dolphins are currently 21.5-point underdogs heading into Week 3. The Dolphins haven’t won in Dallas since 2003, while their most recent meeting in 2015 resulted in a 24-14 Cowboys victory.

Miami are 2-4 in their last six games against the Cowboys, so there’s no real value in the line this week. The Total, however, looks to be the play considering Dallas’ last five games have all gone Over.

Tip: Over 47 Total Points @ $1.92

The Colts and the Falcons both bounced back from their Week 1 losses to record a pair of crucial victories in Week 2.

For Indianapolis, the win over the division rival Titans was a huge confidence booster with Jacoby Brissett under center. Andrew Luck’s replacement threw for 146-yards and three touchdowns, while the running game was brilliant behind Jordan Wilkins and Marlon Mack for the second week in a row.

Atlanta’s win over the Eagles was also important in the NFC South playoff picture. With the Panthers and Bucs both struggling and the Saints now missing Drew Brees, the Falcons’ window of opportunity is wide open to claim a big division lead.

Matt Ryan took plenty of risks last week and reaped the rewards. The 2016 MVP threw for over 300-yards and three touchdowns, but also had three interceptions to his name in the 24-20 win.

Really though, the Falcons got lucky as DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery both left last week’s game hurt. Even without the Eagles’ top two receivers on the field, Atlanta’s defence struggled on third down, contributing to the Falcons’ 10 total penalties.

The Colts continue to fly under the radar on offense, as they currently rank Top 10 in passing touchdowns and rushing yards. The defense has also allowed the ninth-fewest passing yards this year, so it’s worth backing Indy to control this game on both sides of the ball.

Tip: Back the Colts to Win @ $1.80

There’s almost even money on offer as the Cardinals and the Panthers both look to earn their first win of the season this week.

Carolina were among the favourites to challenge for the NFC Championship this year, but the health of Cam Newton and some very questionable playcalling has put a dampener on those plans so far.

The 2015 MVP is currently uncertain to play in Week 3 as he nurses a foot injury, but perhaps the biggest concern is Newton’s weak looking right arm that completed just 25 of 51 pass attempts during last Thursday night’s loss to the Bucs.

On a positive note, the Panthers have had an extra few days to get their heads right. But at the same time, nothing comes easy against Kliff Kingsbury’s new-look side – as the Ravens found out the hard way last week.

It’s only a very small sample size but already Kyler Murray looks to the real deal. Forget any concerns about his height, the No. 1 overall draft pick looks settled in the pocket as he continues to light up opposing defences with a host of talented receivers.

Arizona shied away from running the ball last week in Baltimore, but you can expect to see more of David Johnson this week. The inclusion of tight end Charles Clay would also give opposing defences more to think about.

Carolina’s defence should pose some problems for the Cardinals fast-tempo, run/pass option style of offense. That said, the potential absence of Cam Newton makes it hard to back the Panthers outright or at the line.

Either way you look at this game, it’s probably one you’re best off leaving alone.

Tip: No Bet

This might shape up as a bit of a nothing game on paper, but there are still a handful of key storylines to pay attention to as the Giants travel south to Tampa Bay.

Fifteen-year starter Eli Manning is out under center, being replaced by this year’s first round draft pick Daniel Jones. The time has finally come for the Giants to get some game time into their future quarterback, and there’s no better time to do it against a Bucs defense that looks mediocre at best.

Tampa Bay did, however, pull off a big upset win over the Panthers last week. It may have been a case of Cam Newton’s injured arm that won the game for the Bucs, but even so, Jameis Winston still pulled off some money throws to earn the victory.

New York has nothing to play for this year, particularly with their current defense. The Giants do look a little over the odds at their current price, but considering they can’t stop the run, Peyton Barber should enjoy a field day on the ground for the Bucs.

Big Blue’s pass rush is also non-existent, which should grant Winston plenty of time in the pocket to find Chris Godwin and Mike Evans – both of which combined for 182 yards last week.

With a rookie quarterback under center and a struggling defence, this is a game the Bucs should win.

Tip: Back the Bucs to Win & Under 48.5 Total Points @ $2.72

The Chargers return home to Los Angeles on Monday hoping to forget last week’s horror loss to the Lions in Detroit.

Penalties and a costly Philip Rivers interception cost the Chargers a win, but really, there were plenty of positives to take away despite the result.

Houston rebounded from their heartbreaker against the Saints in Week 1 to hold on for a narrow 13-12 victory over the Jaguars. A win is a win, but the Texans’ usually methodical offence struggled to move the ball against the Jaguars, tallying only 263 total yards.

Los Angeles has opened as 3.0-point underdogs this week as the bookies are also expecting somewhat of a high-scoring game. The Total is at 47.5 points at time of publish, which seems about right considering these two sides haven’t met since 2016.

The Chargers have won six straight games over the Texans since the teams first met in 2002, and although a handful of brain fades cost them last week, Los Angeles’ running and screen game was still top notch.

Field goal kicking also cost the Chargers big time last week as Ty Long replaced Mike Badgley. Kicking has been a problem area for years in Los Angeles, but if the ground game behind Austin Ekeler can carry most of the load, the Chargers should bounce back this week.

Tip: Back the Chargers 1-12

There hasn’t been much of a wow factor about the Seahawks, but with a perfect 2-0 record, it’s no surprise to find Seattle listed as the firm favourites at home to the Saints.

New Orleans’ season looks set for a slight detail as Drew Brees is set to miss at least six weeks with a torn thumb ligament. High paid backup Teddy Bridgewater will now start under center, but if his stats last week were any indication, the future looks a little cloudy for the Saints right now.

Seattle’s big win last week over the Steelers was highlighted by a strong mix of run and pass, as Russell Wilson threw for over 300-yards while running backs Rashaad Penny and Chris Carson both chipped in with 60-yards each on the ground.

The Seahawks have also been outstanding defensively to start the year, particularly when it comes to stopping the run. Seattle has allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards and only one touchdown on the ground, which spells bad news for a Saints team that looks set to rely on Alvin Kamara heavily in Brees’ absence.

It’s a shame No. 12 is missing this game, because otherwise it might have been a blockbuster.

There’s still every chance we see plenty of points on the board but considering the Seahawks have won their last six games at home, it’s impossible to back against Seattle.

Tip: Back the Seahawks to Cover the Line (-4 Points) @ $1.92

These two proud franchises find themselves at opposite ends of the spectrum looking ahead to Week 3.

Pittsburgh’s season looks close to over following the season-ending (or career-ending) injury to Ben Roethlisberger last week. The Steelers are now putting all their eggs in this year’s third round draft pick Mason Rudolph, who will make his first NFL start this weekend against a red-hot 49ers side.

San Francisco have quietly won their opening two games in blowout fashion. Last week’s 41-17 win over the Bengals put a bit of a scare into the rest of the NFC West as the Niners finished with a whopping 572-yards of total offense.

Most of the 49ers’ success came on the ground, as the one-two punch of Matt Breida and Raheem Mostert combined for 204-yards. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo also had himself a day throwing for 297-yards and three touchdowns, while rookie receiver Deebo Samuel showed what he’s made of catching five passes for 87-yards.

The Steelers received a big upgrade in the secondary in the form of Minkah Fitzpatrick, who comes over from a disgruntled two seasons in Miami. The inclusion of the hard hitter still won’t be enough to upset the Niners on the road however, especially considering San Francisco is 5-1 against the spread in their last six games against an AFC opponent.

Tip: Back the 49ers to Cover the Line (-6.5 Points) @ $1.92

It’s a cross conference matchup on Sunday Night Football and a game that just maybe, might turn out to be a Super Bowl preview.

The Rams look dialed in to start the season following wins over the Panthers and Saints. Los Angeles’ defence has been extra stingy through the opening two games, while last weeks 27-9 win over New Orleans highlighted just how classy the Rams’ receivers are.

Cooper Kupp and Brandin Cooks haven’t missed a beat so far, which presents a fascinating wide receiver battle on both sides.

Following Odell Beckham Jr’s monster game against the Jets last Tuesday, many think the Browns’ Week 1 loss to the Titans was a hiccough, but there’s still plenty of questions left to be answered in Cleveland.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield has looked a little off to start the year, completing just 19 of his 35 pass attempts for only one touchdown and an interception against the Jets. That doesn’t bode well against one of the fiercest pass rushes in the NFL, particularly with the Browns converting only 21% of their third down conversion opportunities.

At the same time, the Browns’ pass rush has also opened the season strongly to tie for second in total sacks. If Cleveland can make Jared Goff uncomfortable in the pocket and vise versa, this could have the makings of a low-scoring game.

Tip: Under 49.5 Total Points @ $1.92

The Redskins and the Bears prepare to do battle for the first time since 2016 on Monday Night Football.

Chicago’s season looked in serious trouble during the dying stages of the fourth quarter last week, right before Mitchell Trubisky put the team on his back with a pair of huge completions to set the Bears up for a game-winning field goal.

Things haven’t been quite so dramatic in Washington so far, as the Redskins find themselves in an 0-2 hole with what looks to be a future top five draft pick on the horizon.

Washington lost by 10-points to the Cowboys last week – their second loss within the NFC East division to start the year. Quarterback Case Keenum is shouldering much of the blame, but really, the Skins’ lack of a running game hasn’t helped matters.

The Bears are -4 favourites at they return to Soldier Field hoping to treat their hometown fans to something a little more exciting than the show they put on against the Packers in Week 1.

Offensively, things have been slow and very uninspiring, but the Bears have still held their own defensively like they did last year.

Chicago ranks inside the bottom five in rushing yards allowed and is also tied for sixth in sacks.

The Redskins currently rank 27^th in rushing yards this year, and in a hostile environment like Soldier Field, there’s really no point overcomplicating this one.

Tip: Back the Bears 1-13 @ $2.40

2018

We’re no closer to determining a Super Bowl favourite, but we sure do have a few dark horses in mind!

It was another big week of upsets and storylines last week, most of which centered around Fitzmagic, missed field goals and you guessed it, another tie.

With the Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers left as the only remaining undefeated teams, it’s time to look ahead and take a glimpse at the week ahead.

We’ve analysed all 16 games, and as always, there’s plenty of value and upset possibilities ahead, so be sure to check out our entire 2018 NFL Week 3 Preview below.

The Browns keep coming up with new ways to lose, but at least they’re sticking to the script.

An upset over the Saints in the Superdome would have been huge, but Cleveland one-upped themselves with another missed field goal in overtime to send the Saints home with an undeserved win.

Likewise, the Jets also toyed with our emotions, coming back from 20-points down in the third quarter to go on and lose by 12 to the Miami Dolphins.

Two years ago this game would have been seen as another Friday fizzler, but with both teams featuring some young and explosive talent, this has the makings of a potential shootout.

For the Jets, last week came down to two things: special teams and third down. Sam Darnold throwing two picks doesn’t help, but when you constantly have to begin a drive inside your own 10-yard line, you’re making life extremely difficult for your rookie quarterback.

At the same time the offensive line also needs to protect on third down. Darnold was sacked three times last week, and it’s no wonder the running game tallied just 42-yards with such spotty blocking.

Much of the same could also be said for the Browns, however Cleveland have much bigger issues to address.

The Browns found themselves in the red zone only once last week against the Saints, and with such serious kicker woes, points look hard to come by all of a sudden.

New York have won the last three meetings between these two, and are 4-1 head-to-head when playing the Browns on the road.

At these kind of odds, the Jets are great value this week.

Tip: Back the Jets To Win @ $2.55

The Falcons prepare for a second-straight NFC South clash this week after holding on for a narrow seven-point victory over the Panthers last weekend.

It wasn’t anything special, but Atlanta certainly improved from their Week 1 loss to the Eagles. The Falcons were 4/4 in the red zone, and most importantly spread the ball around between star wide receiver Julio Jones, rookie Calvin Ridley and tight end Austin Hooper.

As for the Saints, what can you say? New Orleans nearly made history last week losing to the Browns, and if weren’t for Will Lutz’s clutch field goal kicking, the Saint are probably 0-2 right now.

Either we’re overreacting too early, or for the first time in a long time these two teams look seriously unmatched.

Drew Brees is still slinging it in the air, but the Saints’ run-game is missing its usual oomph with Mark Ingram still serving a suspension.

Speaking of the ground game, the Falcons received some bad news last week, which does open the door for a potential Saints upset.

Star running back Devonta Freeman is set to miss two/three weeks with a knee injury, which now burdens the entire workload on back up Tevin Coleman.

Fortunately for the Falcons however, Coleman is more than capable of shouldering the load, especially on short screen passes.

Atlanta hold a strong record at home against New Orleans, having not lost since 2016. The defence has been in a league of its own this year, dishing out lethal hits – even if they are illegal.

If the secondary continues to play with a chip on their shoulder, they should make life tough for this one-dimensional looking Saints team.

Tip: Back the Falcons 7-12 @ $5.00

You could blame Green Bay’s blown lead last week on a stiff roughing the passer call on Clay Matthews, but the game management in the final two-minutes was rather poor from head coach Mike McCarthy.

With a lead in hand, the Packers should have run the ball inside Vikings territory. Long story short, the Vikings held their two times out, and eventually squeaked out a draw.

For the Redskins, things weren’t quite as complicated at home against the Colts. Simply put, the running game was non-existent, and so was the pass rush, managing just one sack all game.

With the Packers finally hitting the road though, this game does look interesting. The last time Green Bay played Washington was in 2016, a game McCarthy’s team lost 24-42 on the road.

Fast forward, things are a little different now, but a lot relies not only the health of Aaron Rodgers’ knee, but also how well the Green Bay defence can adapt to Washington’s strong wide receiver corp.

In good news for the Packers, they are 6-2 head-to-head when they play the Redskins, which only helps strengthen their cause with running back Aaron Jones returning from suspension.

The running game has played surprisingly well in brief spurts this season, mainly thanks to some creative Ty Montgomery play calls and the strength of Jamaal Williams.

The Redskins struggled to defend the run against Indianapolis last week, surrendering 104-yards and a touchdown to the Colts’ committee.

That’s the exact approach we should expect from Green Bay, and coupled with a fast start to the year from Davante Adams, the Pack should have this one comfortably in the end.

Tip: Back the Packers 13-18 @ $11.00

Andrew Luck looks strong and comfortable in the pocket, even though his interception tally suggests otherwise.

Through two games, Luck has thrown three picks, which doesn’t exactly fill punters with confidence as the Colts prepare to travel to Philly this week.

If the Buccaneers can do it though, surely Indianapolis can, right?

The Bucs had home-field advantage on their side, but they made short work of the Eagles defence last week. Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 17 first downs in Tampa’s 27-21 win, while the feared Philly pass rush managed only a pair of sacks.

So are the Colts in with a chance here?

Indy’s 4-2 record at the line in their last six games is impressive, however their 2-7 record head-to-head is quite the opposite.

If the Colts do want to win this game though, they’ll need to account for one important factor: Carson Wentz.

The Eagles star quarterback is set to make his long awaited return to the field after sustaining a season-ending knee injury last season, and if he’s in sync with his receivers, look out.

Since there’s still no word on Eagles receiver Alshon Jeffery however, Wentz won’t have everything his way. The Colts pass rush needs to show up if they wish to win this game, because there’s nothing more nervy than a returning quarterback from a string of knee injuries.

Tip: Under 48 Total Points @ $1.91

Bills cornerback Vontae Davis retired at half time during last week’s loss to the Chargers, so at least things can’t get any worse… right?

Buffalo are no doubt in for a long season, and if Josh Allen has anything to say about it, it’s going to be extra painful.

The first round draft pick threw a pair of interceptions last week, but like Nathan Peterman a week earlier, he was hardly helped out by a stagnant Bills running game.

On a more positive note, the Vikings appear to be firing on all cylinders. The Kirk Cousins trade has worked out perfectly, with the veteran throwing for 425-yards and four touchdowns against a tough Packers defence.

Minnesota were a field goal (or three) away from the winning that game, but they now have a chance to get their season back on track and potentially claim the outright division lead this week.

Surprisingly enough, the Bills have won two of the last three encounters between these two teams, however Minnesota’s 13-2-1 record in their last 16 games makes it impossible to back against the favourites.

Tip: Back the Vikings 19-24 @ $4.75

The Dolphins grinded out a hard-fought win over the Jets last week, in large part thanks to a strong performance from the defence.

Racking up 13 tackles, Kiko Alonso was huge when it came to stopping the run, while the likes of third-year corner Xavien Howard helped limit New York to just three third down conversions.

Surprisingly, Miami are 2-0 to start the season, and unsurprisingly, the Raiders are 0-2.

Oakland had its chance against the Broncos last week up two-points with less than two minutes to go, but once again failed to play defence. Case Keenum marched all the way down to the 18-yard line to set up the game-winning field goal, further casting doubt surrounding the Khalil Mack trade.

It’s been a disastrous start to the season for the Raiders, and although it’s only Week 2, you can’t help but feel the hot seat already burning for head coach Jon Gruden.

Things don’t get any easier this week with a trip to Miami, either. Ryan Tannehill’s numbers have been rather quiet to start the season, however the Dolphins’ 8-2 record in their last 10 games against the Raiders suggests this one could be one-sided.

To make matters worse, the Raiders are also 2-7 head-to-head in their last nine games on the road in Miami. The defence is issue numero uno, but a lack of spark from quarterback Derek Carr is costing this team during their very limited red zone trips.

Three consecutive losses looks likely against this Miami D in what is already becoming another lost season for the Raiders.

Tip: Back the Dolphins 7-12 @ $4.75

The 2-0 Broncos aren’t pretty to look at, but they’re getting the little things right.

Denver’s three-prong running attack always looked deadly entering the season, and boy has it been money so far.

Phillip Lindsay one-upped his 71-yard Week 1 performance with a triple digit effort last week against the Raiders, rushing for 107-yards in the nail-biting 20-19 win.

For the Ravens, things haven’t been quite so straightforward. Baltimore’s explosive start to the season against the Bills was quickly forgotten against the Bengals last week, as Joe Flacco threw a pair of picks in the blowout 23-34 loss.

Both of these sides are probably tough to trust for punters right now, especially if you consider the pair have split their last 10 games with five wins apiece.

To make life even tougher, this game poses a different set of questions from a statistical perspective.

The Ravens have allowed the second fewest overall yards per-game through the first two weeks of the season, while the Broncos rank second in offensive rushing yards.

Perhaps the only thing punters can rely on is Baltimore’s home-field advantage, and the fact Denver haven’t left Mile High this season.

Even so, this is a market that the bookies look to have wrong, and one you should probably steer clear of.

Tip: No Bet

Cincinnati have been the surprise fast starters this season, and full credit to Andy Dalton, he’s really stepped up with a much improved offensive line in front of him.

Dalton threw four touchdown passes during last week’s commanding win over the Ravens, taking his tally to six on the season. More importantly, the Dalton/A.J. Green partnership is cooking, already combining for four scores on the year.

For the time being, it feels as though we have a handle on what Cincy are all about, but we can’t exactly say the same for the Panthers.

Carolina’s defence struggled against the Falcons last week, failing to register a single sack as Atlanta had it all their own way in the red zone.

Two weeks ago the Panthers fast-tempo offense looked great against the Cowboys, but it’s painfully clear that won’t be enough to survive in this tough division.

A trip back to Bank of America Stadium could do the trick, however the Panthers will have their hands full with not only Dalton, Green and talented running back Joe Mixon, but also Cincinnati’s fierce pass rush.

Still, the Bengals haven’t seen an offense quite as creative as the Panthers just yet, and if Carolina can continue to involve rookie receiver D.J. Moore in the mix and also rely on Christian McAffrey in the passing game, this should see them right the ship.

Tip: Panthers 1-6 @ $3.50

It’s been a woeful start to the season for both of these sides, in particular New York.

The Giants offense looks flat, and dare we say, a carbon copy of last year. Pat Shurmur’s offensive line basically looks non-existent, struggling to pick up basic reads and blocks which in turn has made life hard for rookie running back, Saquon Barkley.

The Giants’ 13-20 loss to the Cowboys last week was highlighted by an array of sacks. Dallas’ pass rush counted six on the night, while the pass rush also held Odell Beckham Jr. to just 51-yards in the air.

So is there any optimism ahead in Week 3?

Fortunately for the Giants, the Texans’ defence might be just as bad as New York’s offensive line.

As far as the secondary goes, Houston’s cover men did a great job last week limiting Tennessee to just 183-yards in the air, but that’s meaningless when the pass rush is a complete non-factor.

Take J.J. Watt with a total of zero sacks through the first two weeks as case in point. The Texans looked gassed during the Titans’ game-winning field goal drive, and it appears the re-occurring theme from seasons past is back to haunt Houston once again.

This game on Monday figures to be close, and it should also be noted the Texans are 2-4 head-to-head in their last six games at home.

Back a Giants upset this week.

Tip: Back the Giants To Win @ $3.25

Titans coach Mike Vrabel is set to make a decision on starting quarterback Marcus Mariota later in the week, but by the sounds of things, he could be out indefinitely.

Mariota’s status makes or breaks Tennessee’s hopes in this game. Although Blaine Gabbert led the Titans to a hard fought win over the Texans last week, he threw for only 117-yards and a score while the running game did most of the work.

Obviously that’s a recipe for disaster against this Jacksonville defence, especially after last week’s beat-down over New England.

Jacksonville held Tom Brady and company to just four third down conversions, and also made life miserable for a running game that totalled only 82-yards.

Perhaps what was more impressive though was Blake Bortles’ game. Nobody fears New England’s defence like they used to, but 377-yards and four touchdowns? That’s not the Bortles we’ve all come to know.

A lot of this game will depend on which version of the Titans’ defence shows up. We were told to fear Vrabel’s schemes during the offseason, but so far Tennessee’s defence has been a whole bunch of fake news.

Since this game is at home, punters should find heart in the fact the Jaguars are 5-2 in the head-to-head market at TIAA Bank Field against the Titans.

Expect this Super Bowl favourite to remain undefeated.

Tip: Back the Jaguars 7-12

You’d be forgiven for looking at the 49ers 1-1 record and still feeling a little unconvinced.

San Francisco squeaked out a three-point win over the Lions last week, but the Jimmy Garoppolo honeymoon looks to have officially come to an end.

It’s not that 467-yards and a trio of touchdowns in two games is anything to sniff at, yet you could also say the Niners offense looks a little flat.

Perhaps a game against the most-lively offense will spark the 49ers this week. The Patrick Mahomes era is officially upon us, and as if a gutsy road win in Pittsburgh wasn’t enough, how’s 10 touchdowns in your first two games as a starter?

This game shapes up as one that should be fairly high-scoring. Kansas City jumped out to a commanding 21-0 lead against the Steelers last week, however they did allow Ben Roethlisberger to throw three unanswered touchdowns to tie the score at the half.

Likewise, San Francisco had plenty of their own troubles closing out a win over Detroit, and if it wasn’t for a huge fourth down stand in the final minute of the game, the 49ers probably would have lost.

From a punting perspective, this one is a doozee. The Chiefs are 4-1 head-to-head at home against the Chiefs, which is huge considering the home field advantage Arrowhead Field offers.

With Garoppolo struggling on the road in Minnesota back in Week 1 – another extremely tough road environment – it’s likely we see history repeat itself this week.

The Chiefs simply have too many options on offense, while the 49ers are still trying to figure out exactly who they are.

Tip: Over 56.5 Total Points @ $1.91

It’s a tinsel town tussle this week as Hollywood’s two biggest juggernaut’s butt heads.

The Rams have begun the season as predicted, undefeated, while the Chargers have looked a little off colour in certain areas.

For Sean McVay’s side, last week was nothing short of complete and utter dominance. The Rams held the Cardinals to a goose egg on the scoreboard, holding both Larry Fitzgerald and David Johnson to less than 50-yards respectively.

As for the Chargers, a game against the hapless Bills couldn’t have come at a better time. The offense was clicking on all fronts, and it was nice to see the pass-rush make some noise with Joey Bosa still absent on the sidelines.

Looking ahead, the Rams enter as the heavy favourite for a reason. The Chargers are a miserable 1-4 head-to-head when they travel to face the Rams, and with Brandin Cooks ranking fourth in the league in receiving yards (246) it’s not hard to see why McVay’s team shapes up as a Super Bowl favourite.

There will, of course, be some key match ups worth watching on Monday though. Cooks is likely to be shadowed by Pro Bowl corner Casey Hayward, providing a fascinating battle between two of the game’s elite.

If you didn’t have this game circled on your calendar, you can bet the Rams did. Having allowed the fewest points per-game in the league so far (6.5), make sure you back the Rams to remain undefeated.

Tip: Back the Rams 7-12 @ $4.33

We’re only two games in, but already this season looks grim for the Seahawks.

The scoreboard did Seattle some huge favours, however there’s no denying last week’s seven point loss to the Bears was the complete opposite of what we’ve come to expect from this team.

Losing Doug Baldwin was just the beginning, and with the running game in a state of flux, it’s hard to see the Seahawks winning any more than four to six games this season.

Dallas was in similar shape prior to last week following a rather quiet loss to the Panthers, and although the Cowboys bounced back against the Giants, could you really call that performance convincing?

Dak Prescott threw for only 160-yards and a score against a fairly inexperienced Giants secondary. It was great to see Ezekiel Elliott explode with 78-yards and a touchdown of his own, but really, it was a fairly bland win from an offense missing some real talent in the receiving game.

Sometimes even the most boring looking games can turn out to be thrillers, but it’s hard to see this one surprising.

It’s basically a battle of two shocking offensive lines, sprinkled with a couple of quarterbacks who can make plays with their feet.

Since things look fairly evenly matched, there’s really no other choice than to rely on the Seahawks in their first home game of the season.

Tip: Back the Seahawks To Win @ $1.83

The Cardinals’ dreadful start to the season only got worse last week against the Rams. Arizona failed to crack the scoreboard in Los Angeles, having still only scored six points all season.

It’s a crying shame for the likes of David Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald, but the Cardinals need to start targeting their two biggest playmakers. Johnson received only 13 carries last week, while Fitzgerald was targeted just five times.

On the opposite side of Arizona this week will be a scary looking Bears defence. Khalil Mack has come as advertised, wreaking havoc on the Seahawks last week, but who could forget Danny Trevathan’s two sack, six tackle effort?

The jury might still be out on quarterback Mitch Trubisky, however the signs are of a reliable quarterback are there. He threw two picks during last week’s win, but more importantly completed 25 of his 34 passes.

Unfortunately, we can’t really say the same for Cardinals starter Sam Bradford. The former Viking threw for only 90-yards and an interception during last week’s demoralising loss to the Rams, and if he doesn’t work things out soon, it’s likely rookie quarterback Josh Rosen will be thrown into the limelight.

As far as this week’s game goes, this has Bears win written all over it. Chicago are just starting to click, and it’s encouraging to see wide receiver Allen Robinson get better each week.

Against this sloppy Cardinals secondary, Chicago’s offense has a chance to really shine.

Tip: Back the Bears To Beat The Line (-6.5 Points) @ $1.91

Both of these teams lost in Week 2, but let’s face it, there’s really only one side we’re concerned about.

Detroit’s inability to cash in last week against San Francisco was alarming. Quarterback Matthew Stafford missed wide open receivers all game long, and when it came down to a potential game-winning drive, the offense stalled on 4^th and 2.

New England’s loss against the Jaguars was concerning, at least from a defensive perspective. After Blake Bortles threw for four touchdowns, New England’s defence now ranks fifth in the league in yards allowed per-game, casting doubt on the outright AFC Championship favourites.

Still, a road trip to Detroit might’ve looked worrying to begin the season, but given the state of Detroit’s offense, this should be walk in the park for New England, right?

Adding Josh Gordon during the week was huge for the Patriots’ offense, and although it’s unknown if he’ll start this week, the deep-threat wide receiver adds a new weapon for Tom Brady to play with.

It’s also worth mentioning the fact the Patriots haven’t travelled to Detroit since 2010. No prizes for guessing, that game ended in a 45-24 blowout Lions loss, adding to New England’s impressive 4-1 record against the Lions in their last five games.

Tip: Back the Patriots to Beat The Line (-6.5 Points) @ $1.87

Hopefully you can stick around for dessert, because the NFL has saved the best till’ last this week.

The Bucs are rolling right now, and Ryan Fitzpatrick’s newfound confidence has seemingly spread throughout the entire roster.

Knocking off the Eagles last week, the Bucs totalled 436 yards on offense, while Fitzpatrick completed all but six of his passes.

On the other hand, things weren’t quite so clear cut for the Steelers. Kansas City silenced Heinz Field early, charging ahead to a 21-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.

Pittsburgh fought back to even the score by half time, but went on to lose by five-points to slip to 0-1-1 on the season.

With the Bucs holding home field advantage, it’s a surprise to see Tampa open as the $2.05 underdogs. Tampa are 1-5 head-to-head when playing at home against the Steelers, but given their explosive offense, they are great value to continue their winning ways.

For the Steelers, by far the biggest concern this season has been the stagnant offense. Antonio Brown’s quiet start to the year is a little worrying, as is the seemingly never-ending contract dispute with Le’Veon Bell.

Above all else though, the Steelers’ defence just looks quiet. They managed only one sack last week against the Chiefs, and struggled to contain Kansas City’s talented trio of Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins.

With the Bucs featuring an equally loaded wide receiver corp, the upset is on this week. DeSean Jackson, Mike Evans and O.J. Howard are in special form, and if Fitzmagic can continue to find time in the pocket, we like the Bucs to remain undefeated.

Tip: Back the Bucs To Win @ $2.05

2017

It has been an interesting start to the 2017 NFL season and the action continues with a host of big games this weekend.

There is always plenty of value to be found each and every week in the NFL and this week of action will be no exception.

We had eight winners from 12 recommended bets in week 2 and we are confident that we can improve on that strike rate in our 2017 NFL Week 3 tips that can be found below.

Both the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams have shown signs of improvement in 2017 to date and this will be an interesting clash.

Los Angeles were excellent in week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts and they showed promising signs again against the Washington Redskins.

The Rams have won six of their past ten games as home favourites and they have beaten the line in each of these games, but they have lost their past three games against the 49ers.

San Francisco produced an improved performance to go down at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks last weekend, but their offence continues to be limited.

They have lost their past eight games in front of their home fans and they are a poor 1-5 against the line as away underdogs over the past months.

This is a game that the Rams really should win comfortably and the line of 2.5 points will not be enough.

Back Los Angeles To Beat The Line (-2.5 Points)

The NFL returns to London for this clash between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Baltimore Ravens.

Baltimore have recorded comfortable wins over both the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns and they will start this clash as clear favourites.

The Ravens have won six of their past nine games as favourites, but they are only 4-5 against the line in this scenario.

Jacksonville started the season with a nice win over the Houston Texans, but they struggled on both sides of the ball against the Tennessee Titans.

The Jaguars have won only three of their past 13 games as underdogs although they are 8-5 against the line in this scenario.

This clash has the making of a fairly low-scoring affair and I am keen on the Jaguars at the line with a start of four points.

Back Jacksonville To Beat The Line (+4 Points)

Every game in the NFC South is important and this is close to a must-win clash for the New Orleans Saints.

The Carolina Panthers are 2-0 without looking particularly impressive and they will start this clash as clear favourites.

Carolina have won four of their past seven games as home favourites, but they are only 2-1-4 against the line in this scenario.

New Orleans continue to have serious issues on defence and that simply puts far too much pressure on Drew Brees and the rest of this offence.

The Saints have won only two of their past seven games as away underdogs, but they are 4-1-2 against the line in this situation.

There is never much between these two sides and the Saints can cover the line with a start of 6.5 points.

Back New Orleans To Beat The Line (+6.5 Points)

It has been a difficult start to the season for the New York Giants and it is the Philadelphia Eagles that will go into this clash as clear favourites.

Philadelphia may have been beaten by the Kansas City Chiefs last weekend, but they were far from disgraced and it is always tough to win at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Eagles have won three of their past four games as home favourites and their record against the line is this scenario is just as good.

New York have had issues on both sides of the ball so far this season and their offence simply can’t get anything going without Odell Beckham.

Winning away from home was a big issue for the Giants last season and they have won only one of their past seven games as away underdogs, while they are 1-1-5 against the line in this scenario.

New York haven’t beaten the Eagles in Philadelphia since 2013 and that doesn’t look set to change this weekend.

Back Philadelphia To Beat The Line (-6 Points)

The Miami Dolphins got their season off to a winning start against the Los Angeles Chargers and they are clear favourites to account for the New York Jets.

Jay Cutler did not look out of place in a Dolphins uniform and Miami really do look like a side that will be in the mix for the NFL Playoffs.

Miami have been a winning betting proposition across just about every metric over the last season, but one area where they have struggled is covering the line as home favourites and they have done so in only two of their past ten games in this scenario.

This is clearly going to be a long season for Jets fans and they were simply no match for the Oakland Raiders last weekend.

New York have won only two of their past ten games as away underdogs and their record against the line is no better.

This is a match that the market looks to have got just about right and I am more than happy to stay out from a betting perspective.

No Bet

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers started their season with a promising win over the Chicago Bears and they will start this clash as clear favourites.

There are many NFL experts that expect Tampa Bay to take the next step this season and they looked the goods against Chicago, but they will face a tougher assignment against Minnesota.

Tampa Bay were very strong on the road last season and they won four of their six games away from home for a big profit.

Minnesota definitely missed Sam Bradford when they went down to the Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend and it is tough to bet into this clash before there is more indication of whether the quarterback will return this weekend.

More To Come

The Denver Broncos are back in a big way and they have an excellent chance to start the season 3-0.

Denver were dominant on both sides of the football against the Dallas Cowboys and if they are able to replicate that level of performance consistently they will be genuine Super Bowl contenders.

The Broncos have won two of their past four games as away favourites and their form on the road last season was inconsistent.

Buffalo were not disgraced against the Carolina Panthers and their defence continues to stand-up, but their offence simply couldn’t get anything going and it doesn’t get any easier against the Broncos.

The Bills won one of their three games as home underdogs last season and generally were tough to beat in front of their home fans.

Denver could hardly have been more impressive last weekend and on that effort they should have no trouble covering the line of 3 points against the Bills.

Back Denver To Beat The Line (-3 Points)

The Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons are both 2-0 and this is set to be one of the most interesting games of the weekend.

Atlanta were always in control of their NFC Conference Championship rematch with the Green Bay Packers and they will start this clash as favourites.

Winning away from home has not been an issue for Atlanta and they have won their past four games as home favourites, while they are 3-1 against the line in this scenario.

Detroit impressed in their wins over both the Arizona Cardinals and the New York Giants and at this stage of the season they look on track to make another appearance in the NFL Playoffs.

The Lions have won three of their past four games as home underdogs for a big profit and they have lost just one of their past eight games in front of their home fans.

This is another game that the market looks to have gotten right and I will be staying out from a betting standpoint.

No Bet

The absence of Andrew Luck means that this will be one of the most competitive games of the weekend and the market can’t split these two sides.

The Indianapolis Colts have struggled badly without Luck and they are 0-2, but they did produce an improved performance with Jacoby Brissett under centre.

Indianapolis have won four of their past eight games in front of their home fans at Lucas Oil Stadium and basically performed at market expectations – they won when they were favourites and lost when they were underdogs.

The Cleveland Browns are nowhere near as bad as they were last season and they have not been disgraced in either of their games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens.

Cleveland have still lost their past eight games on the road and they are a poor 3-5 against the line in this scenario.

The Colts were a much better side with Brissett in as quarterback and they can record their first win of the season.

Back Indianapolis To Win @ $1.91

The Pittsburgh Steelers may be on the road, but they are the second shortest-priced favourites in the NFL this weekend.

Pittsburgh were not at their very best against the Minnesota Vikings, but they were still able to cruise to victory and a similar result is on the cards against the Chicago Bears.

The Steelers have won five of their past eight games as away favourites for a small loss and they are a middling 4-4 against the line in this scenario.

Chicago played well against Atlanta in their season opener before they took a step backwards when they went down to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last weekend.

It is somewhat of a surprise that Chicago have won their past two games against the Steelers and they have been a profitable betting play in front of their home fans – they have won three of their past seven games as home underdogs and they are 6-1 against the line in this scenario.

This is a game that could be closer than the current market suggests and the Bears can cover the line with a start of seven points.

Back Chicago To Beat The Line (+7 Points)

It should come as no surprise that it is the New England Patriots that are the shortest-priced favourites in the NFL this weekend.

New England bounced back to winning form with a comfortable win over the New Orleans Saints and their recent record against Houston suggests they should have no issues making it two wins on the trot – they have won their past seven games against the Texans.

The Patriots have won six of their past nine games as home favourites and they have an identical record against the line for a profit.

The Houston Texans were not overly impressive against the Cincinanti Bengals, but they were still able to get the win and rookie quarterback DeShaun Watson came up big when it mattered.

Houston have won three of their past nine games as away underdogs and their record against the line is no better.

New England have won five of their past six games against Houston by greater than the current line of 13 and another big win for the Patriots is on the cards in this clash.

Back New England To Beat The Line (-13 Points)

The Tennessee Titans will go into this clash with the Seattle Seahawks as somewhat surprise favourites.

Tennessee were a touch disappointing in their season opener against Oakland, but they showed what they are capable of with their win over the Jacksonville Jaguars and that is the game script that they will be keen to follow this season.

The Titans have won four of their past six games as home favourites, but they are only a middling 3-3 against the line in this scenario.

Seattle may have got the win over the San Francisco 49ers last weekend, but there are still major issues with their offensive line and Russell Wilson has been under constant pressure in both games this season.

The Seahawks have won only one of their past five games as away underdogs and their record against the line in this scenario is only slightly better.

It is tough to have any faith in Seattle whatsoever with their current offensive line issues and I this is another clash that I will be staying out of.

No Bet

It has been a tough start to the season for the Cincinnati Bengals and it doesn’t get any better against the Green Bay Packers this weekend.

Cincinnati have scored only nine points across their two games so far this season and they really do look like a franchise that is at something of a crossroads.

Their record away from home doesn’t inspire confidence that things will change this weekend – they have lost their past three games as away underdogs and they are 2-4 against the line on the road.

The Packers were no match for the Atlanta Falcons last weekend and they go into this clash with some serious injury problems – they could be without Jordy Nelson and a host of offensive linesman.

Lambeau Field does bring out the best in the Packers and they have won seven of their past nine games as home favourites, while they are 6-1-2 against the line in this situation.

Green Bay should return to winning form against Cincinnati and they can do so in emphatic fashion.

Back Green Bay To Beat The Line (-8.5 Points)

The Kansas City Chiefs have found their past seven games against the Los Angeles Chargers and they will start this clash as clear favourites.

Kansas City improved their record to 2-0 with a comfortable win over the Philaldephia Eagles and they have been one of the best sides in the opening fortnight of the season.

The Chiefs have won seven of their past eight games away from home and they have covered the line in each of these wins.

Los Angeles have recorded two heart-breaking wins in as many weeks and you have to feel sorry for rookie kicker Younghoe Koo, who has missed two crucial kicks in both his games in the NFL.

The Chargers really have struggled against the Chiefs in recent seasons and they have won only two of their past eight games in front of their home fans, while they are yet to win at the StubHub Center.

Kansas City are one of the safest bets in the NFL this weekend and the line of three points will not be anywhere near enough.

Back Kansas City To Beat The Line (-3 Points)

The Oakland Raiders are 2-0 and they will start this clash with the Washington Redskins as favourites.

Oakland have recorded big wins in both their games this season and their is plenty to like about this side on both sides of the football.

The Raiders have been a profitable betting play across just about every betting metric over the past 12 months and away favourites is no exception – they are 2-0 in both head-to-head betting and against the line in this scenario.

Washington bounced back from their opening weekend loss against the Eagles to beat the Rams, but we still saw another inconsistent performance from quarterback Kirk Cousins.

The Redskins have generally been consistent at home and they have won four of their past seven games at FedEx Field for a small profit, but they are a side that doesn’t have the same upside as the Raiders.

Oakland are another safe betting play and a third big win could be on the cards.

Back Oakland To Beat The Line (-3 Points)

This is a crucial game for both these sides that have made inconsistent starts to the season.

The Dallas Cowboys were poor on both sides of the football against the Denver Broncos and they will still start this clash as clear favourites.

Dallas were unable to put their usual gameplan into place against an excellent Broncos defence and it will be tough again against a tough Cardinals unit.

The Cowboys have won three of their past five games as home favourites, but they are only a middling 4-4 against the line on the road.

Arizona required overtime to beat the Indianapolis Colts last weekend and it is tough to get a read on where they are at this season.

This is the first game that they have started as home underdogs for over a season and they should take confidence from the fact that they have won their past four games against the Cowboys.

The betting play that does appeal in this clash is the Under in Total Points betting.

The Under has saluted in four of the past six home games played by the Cardinals, while it is 6-2 in away games contested by the Cowboys over the past 12 months.

Back Under 47 Points

2016

Week 3 of the NFL season is packed full of intriguing fixtures and the action starts on Friday morning when the New England Patriots host the Houston Texans.

There is plenty of history between the Green Bay Packers and Detriot Pistons and they will do battle on Monday morning, while divisional rivals the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers face off.

The excitement concludes on Tuesday when arch-rivals the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons face off and you can find our thoughts for every single game below.

The New England Patriots have made a winning start to the NFL despite the suspension to Tom Brady, but they will go into this clash without back-up quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

Rookie quarterback Jacoby Brissett looks likely to start for the Patriots and if any team can win with their third-string quarterback it is the Patriots.

New England will start this game as away underdogs and this is a position in which they have thrived over the past 12 months.

Houston have made a very positive start to the season with wins over the Chicago Bears and the Kansas City Chiefs and they can stamp themselves as genuine Super Bowl contenders if they improve their record to 3-0.

The Texans have been a very safe betting play as home favourites in the past 12 months and it is fair to say that JJ Watt can make things very difficult for any quarterback – let alone a rookie having his first start.

The injury to Garoppolo makes this a tricky game to assess and I am happy to stay out from a betting perspective.

No Bet

The Arizona Cardinals returned to their brilliant best with a mauling of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and they are clear favourites to make it two wins on the trot.

After a missed opportunity against the New England Patriots, Arizona’s offence clicked into gear against the Buccaneers in what was a most impressive performance.

The Cardinals have actually been a clear winning betting proposition as away favourites over the past 12 months, while they are only 6-4 against the line in this scenario.

Buffalo had their chances against the New York Jets last weekend, but they were unable to come away with the victory.

In saying that, there were still plenty of positives in the performance and a win does not look too far away.

The Bills have been a losing betting proposition across just about every metric over the past 12 months and they are 4-6 against the line as home underdogs.

Arizona are clearly the team to beat in this clash and they are a safe bet to cover the line of 4.5 points.

Back Arizona To Beat The Line (-4.5 Points)

This is a crucial game for these two sides that head into this clash with a 1-1 record.

The Tennessee Titans bounced back from their week 1 defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings to score a fighting victory over the Detroit Lions and they will start this clash as narrow favourites.

Tennessee have proven to be a losing betting proposition as home favourites over the past 12 months and they are an extremely poor 2-6-2 against the line in this situation.

Oakland’s offence has made a strong start to the season, but they clearly have some issues on defence and that cost them against the Atlanta Falcons last week.

They are still a team that have score to improve and there is plenty of data to suggest that they are more than capable of recording an upset victory – they have a simply outstanding record as away underdogs in the past 12 months.

I think that Oakland should start this game as favourites and they are one of the best value betting teams of the weekend.

Back Oakland To Win @ $2.05

There is plenty of pressure on both the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns heading into the third game of the season, with both teams yet to record a win.

Miami have gone close against both Seattle and New England without getting the job done and this is simply a must-win.

The Dolphins will start this clash as clear favourites, but their record as home favourites is not particularly strong and they are 3-7 against the line in this situation.

Cleveland have won just one of their past eight games and they will likely go into this clash with another starting quarterback following the injury to Josh McCown.

It really is tough to see things getting better for Cleveland anytime soon and their record as away underdogs really is putrid.

These are two teams that are very tough to trust and I am more than happy to stay out of this contest.

No Bet

The Jacksonville Jaguars fancied their chances of playing Playoffs Football in 2016, but they are staring down the barrel of an 0-3 start to the season.

Jacksonville produced a credible effort against Green Bay before they were truly woeful against San Diego last weekend and they need to improve on that performance substantially.

The Jaguars will start this clash as narrow underdogs, but they have actually proven to be a winning betting proposition in this situation over the past 12 months.

Not much was expected from the Baltimore Ravens this season, but they have made a positive start to the season with two fighting victories over the Buffalo Bills and the Cleveland Browns.

It is fair to say that the Ravens haven’t faced the stiffest competition to start this NFL season and they have been a losing betting play as away favourites.

Baltimore are not as strong as some of the other 2-0 teams in the NFL and Jacksonville have a great chance to record their first win of the season.

Back Jacksonville To Win @ $1.95

It has been far from smooth sailing for the Green Bay Packers so far this season, but they will still go into this clash with the Detroit Lions as dominant favourites.

Despite issues on offence, Green Bay were able to get the job done against Jacksonville in week 1 before they produced another stinker against the Minnesota Vikings.

Punters clearly have confidence that Green Bay will be able to return to winning form this weekend, but they have been a losing betting proposition as home favourites and they are only 5-5 against the line in this scenario.

Detroit let slip an excellent opportunity to make a 2-0 start to the NFL season with their loss to Tennessee and they are clearly struggling to fill the gap left by Calvin Johnson.

The Lions have been a surprisingly strong betting team in the past 12 months – especially as away underdogs – and they are 6-4 against the line in this scenario.

I expect this game to be much closer than the current betting market suggests and I am keen to back Detroit against the line with a start of 7.5 points.

Back Detroit To Beat The Line (+7.5 Points)

This is another intriguing contest between two teams that are expected to be a factor in the play-offs.

Carolina scored their first win of the season with a promising effort against the San Francisco 49ers, but it is fair to say that they will face a much stiffer challenge against the Minnesota Vikings.

The Panthers continue to be one of the best betting teams in the NFL and they have won their past ten games as home favourites, while they are 6-4 against the line in this scenario.

Minnesota baptised their new stadium with a tough victory over the Green Bay Packers and Sam Bradford was impressive in his first game for his new team.

The Vikings are a team that have not had any problems winning away from home in the past 12 months and they are 9-1 against the line as away favourites.

This is another clash that I expect to be far closer than the betting market suggests and the Vikings are a great bet to beat the line with a start of seven points.

Back Minnesota To Beat The Line (+7 Points)

The New York Giants have made a positive start to the season and they can remain on top of the NFC East with a win over the Washington Redskins.

New York have showed plenty of composure at key moments to beat both the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints and they will go into this clash as clear favourites.

The Giants have won seven of their past 10 games as home favourites for a narrow profit, while they are only a middling 5-5 against the line in this scenario.

Washington played Playoffs football last season, but a repeat of that will be unlikely if they suffer a third straight loss to the Giants this weekend.

Defense has proven to be an issue for the Redskins against both Pittsburgh and Dallas and keeping Eli Manning and Odel Beckham quiet could prove very tough.

The Redskins have won just three of their past seven games as away underdogs and their record against the line in this situation is only 4-6.

New York should win this game, but their is no value at their current price and the market looks to have got this game just about right.

No Bet

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were extremely poor against the Arizona Cardinals last weekend, but they will start this clash with the Los Angeles Rams as clear favourites.

Tampa Bay were excellent in the opening week of the season against Atlanta before they were outplayed on both sides of the football against the Arizona Cardinals.

They have been well-backed to return to winning form, but their record as home favourites does not instill a great deal of confidence – they have won just four of their past ten games in this situation.

Los Angeles were horrid in their first game of the season against San Francisco, but they bounced back in a big way with an upset win over the Seattle Seahawks.

The Rams play the style of football that can frustrate Tampa Bay, but their record as away underdogs is fairly poor and it is rare to see them string together back-to-back wins.

This is another game where it is tough to have any trust in the two teams involved and I will be staying out from a betting perspective.

No Bet

It has been far from a convincing start to the NFL season for the Seattle Seahawks.

They only narrowly got the job done against Miami in the opening week of the season and they were extremely poor against Los Angeles last weekend.

Seattle will still start this clash as clear favourites and they have won seven of their past ten games as home favourites, while they are 5-5 against the line in this situation.

San Francisco started their season with an emphatic victory over the Los Angeles Rams, but they were no match for the Carolina Panthers last weekend.

This is another tough assignment for the 49ers and their record as away underdogs has been particularly poor – they have won just one of their past ten games in this situation and they are 2-8 against the line.

I expect Seattle to bounce back to their best form this weekend and they can cover the line against what is a weak San Francisco outfite.

Back Seattle To Beat The Line (-9.5 Points)

This will not be the prettiest game of the weekend, but I expect to see a very tough hard-fought contest.

Kansas City suffered a narrow loss to the Houston Texans last weekend and they are clear favourites to return to winning form in front of their home fans at Arrowhead Stadium.

Kansas City have generally been a very reliable betting team as home favourites and they have won eight of their past ten games in this situation, while they are a poor 4-6 against the line.

The New York Jets scored their first win of the season in what was a surprisingly entertaining game against the Buffalo Bills and there were plenty of positives to take out of that performance.

New York have actually won four of their past ten games as away underdogs for a narrow profit and they are 5-3-2 against the line in this scenario.

I really don’t expect there to be a great deal between these two teams and the Jets are a good bet to beat the line with a start of three points.

Back New York To Beat The Line (+3 Points)

The Indianapolis Colts have made a poor start to the 2016 NFL season and the side will be in full-blown crisis mode if they fail to win this weekend.

The Colts were very poor against the Detroit Lions in the opening weekend of the season an they improved against the Denver Broncos, but they were still unable to come away with the victory.

Indianapolis will start this game as clear favourites and they have struggled as home favourites in recent seasons – they have won just six of their past ten games in this situation and they are 4-5-1 against the line.

San Diego bounced back from their shattering overtime defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs to record an excellent victory over Jacksonville and they are a team that have looked to make some improvement this season.

The issue for the Chargers is that they have one just one of their past ten games as away underdogs, but they are 7-3 against the line in this situation.

The Colts have really been poor so far this season and I am keen to back the Chargers to beat the line with a start of 2.5 points.

Back The Chargers To Beat The Line (+2.5 Points)

This is one of the most exciting games of the weekend as both these sides have made flawless starts to the NFL season.

Pittsburgh improved on their week 1 demolition job of Washington to beat divisional rivals Cincinnati last weekend and this clearly a side that has improved on both sides of the football.

The Steelers will start this clash as clear favourites and they have won three of their past four games in this scenario, while they are 2-1-1 against the line.

Nobody expected Carson Wentz to have such an immediate impact in the NFL, but he has been truly outstanding in the first two weeks of the season.

The Eagles are a side that is playing with plenty of confidence and their recent record as underdogs has been excellent – they have won four of their past seven games in this situation.

I have been impressed with what I have seen from both of these teams so far this season and this game could go either way, but the $2.50 available for a Philadelphia victory really does appeal.

Back Philadelphia To Win @ $2.50

The rivalry between the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons is one of the fiercest in the NFL and this should be a fiery contest.

New Orleans have the home ground advantage and they will start this clash as favourites, despite the fact that they have lost both their games to date this season.

The Saints have been a tough team to trust in front of their home fans in the past 12 months and they have won just three of their past six games in this scenario, while they are 2-1-3 against the line.

Atlanta scored an upset victory over Oakland to post their first win of the season and Matt Ryan has played well in their two games to date.

The Falcons have actually won three of their past five games as away underdogs and they really have every possible chance of recording another upset win.

This should be another tight game, but I can’t go past the $2.35 available for the Falcons to get the job done.

Back Atlanta To Win @ $2.35