Best NFL Week 3 Games and ATS Picks

How did your NFL betting work out for Week 2? There were some surprises – such as the Denver Broncos simply humiliating the Dallas Cowboys, and Alex Smith looking like the best Chiefs quarterback since Joe Montana’s cameo-. There were some games that weren’t surprises, either, as Tennessee ran Jacksonville out of their own stadium and the Baltimore Ravens dominated the Cleveland Browns (with DeShone Kizer even checking out of the game for a while with a migraine). Since the majority of the betting lines for NFL Week 3 are available, we have our list of picks against the spread ready to go.

Best NFL Week 3 Games and ATS Picks

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— ESPN (@espn) September 19, 2017

Thursday, September 21

L.A. Rams (-2.5) at San Francisco (8:30 p.m. ET, NBC)

The Rams dug themselves a hole against Washington on Sunday but then clawed back, coming up short in a 27-20 final. The Niners showed some real tenacity on defense, following up a Week One blowout by holding the Seattle Seahawks go 12 points on the road — but they only put up nine. Brian Hoyer is having real issues leading that San Francisco offense, which is why the Rams will pick up their second win of the season – and cover – when the teams meet on Thursday to kickoff the NFL Week 3 action.

Sunday, September 24

Baltimore (-4.5) vs Jacksonville (9:30 a.m. ET, Yahoo!)

These trips across the pond can turn into some real distractions for both teams. However, the Ravens look locked in after two weeks, including a 24-10 victory over Cleveland that was methodical — and which forced the Browns into three picks. The Jaguars blew out Houston in Week One but then took a beating from Tennessee in Week Two. The Ravens have a real offense (unlike Houston right now), so they should control matters and cover against the Jags.

Denver (-1.5) at Buffalo (1:00 p.m. ET, CBS)

Denver just hung 42 on Dallas at home in Week Two, while the Bills mustered just three points against Carolina. The Bills are still trying to figure out their offense, while Trevor Siemian is looking like the real deal in Denver. I like the Broncos to win and cover.

New Orleans (+6) at Carolina (1:00 p.m. ET, FOX)

The Saints moved the ball fairly well against the Patriots but simply could not keep up with a rejuvenated New England attack. Carolina won, 9-3, last week, but many observers are worried about Cam Newton’s health. I like the Saints to go to Carolina and cover in one  of many close games the NFL Week 3 could offer.

Pittsburgh (-7.5) at Chicago (1:00 p.m. ET, CBS)

A week after they almost beat Atlanta, the Bears took a drilling from Tampa Bay on Sunday. It’s time to start the Mitch Trubisky era in the Second City — but the Steelers won’t be a kind debut, as they whipped a Minnesota team relying on Case Keenum at the helm this past week. I see the Steelers winning and covering against a Bears team still rebuilding.

Atlanta (-3) at Detroit (1:00 p.m. ET, FOX)

The Falcons looked like they had returned to form in their whipping of Green Bay in Week Two. Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions look like their offense is in fine form again, as they showed in their comeback win over Arizona in Week One. This will be a tough fight for Atlanta, but they will cover as their pass rush forces Matthew Stafford into too many mistakes.

Cleveland (-2.5) at Indianapolis (1:00 p.m. ET, CBS)

Yes, that’s right, the Browns are favored on the road for the first time in more than two seasons. The Colts held their own against Arizona, going down in overtime, but if Andrew Luck is still out for the Colts (and he’s expected to be, with Jacoby Brissett set to start at quarterback), the Browns should have the talent on both sides of the ball to win it in NFL Week 3. However, if the Colts’ defense could hold Arizona to 16 points, they should be able to hold the Browns low enough to outscore them. I like the Colts to cover here.

Tampa Bay (TBA) at Minnesota (1:00 p.m. ET, FOX)

Don’t bet on this one until you see if Sam Bradford will be back at quarterback for the Vikings. Case Keenum looked very pedestrian against the Steelers, and Pittsburgh took advantage. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay rolled over Chicago in Week Two, and they should do the same against Keenum if he starts. But wait until the injury reports come out.

Houston (+12.5) at New England (1:00 p.m. ET, CBS)

The Deshaun Watson Era began with a win on Thursday night, as the Texans edged the Bengals, 13-9, and Watson ran for a 49-yard touchdown. However, New England showed that they are back on Sunday, rolling over New Orleans in a 3 6-20 win. Houston does have a solid defense, but I see the Patriots winning this one in big fashion. I like the Patriots to win and cover, as Danny Amendola should return, giving Tom Brady another target even if Rob Gronkowski (groin) has to miss the game.

Miami (-6.5) at N.Y. Jets (1:00 p.m. ET, CBS)

Here’s my rule about the Jets – I’m not picking them until they can show me a cover-. They took a 45-20 beating from Oakland on Sunday, and while Miami doesn’t quite have the same offensive firepower, they should win and cover easily in NFL Week 3 against a Jets team with an awful defense.

N.Y. Giants (+3.5) at Philadelphia (1:00 p.m. ET, FOX)

The Eagles’ Carson Wentz looked solid against the Kansas City Chiefs, but a lack of ball security led to the Chiefs’ win. I’m waiting to bet on this game until we see what the Giants bring on Monday Night Football, because they looked awful against Dallas in Week One, but they could show more energy on offense and more tenacity on defense at home against Detroit. Right now, though, I’d say that the Eagles should win and cover with the strong defense they‘ve shown so far this season.

Seattle (+2) at Tennessee (4:05 p.m. ET, FOX)

The Seahawks barely escaped San Francisco at home in Week Two and didn’t score a touchdown. They also didn’t score a touchdown against the Packers in Week One. That doesn’t bode well for a road trip into the Eastern time zone. Tennessee whipped Jacksonville this week and should be able to solve the Legion of Boom. Take the Titans to win and cover.

Cincinnati (+9.5) at Green Bay (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)

Let’s see. Cincinnati was only able to score nine points against Houston at home. Green Bay just took a 34-23 beating from Atlanta that was not nearly as close as the score indicated. I see the Packers coming home and taking out a lot of frustration on Cincinnati. Give me the Pack to win and cover.

Kansas City (-2.5) at L.A. Chargers (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)

The Chiefs resisted the temptation to have a letdown game the week after their rout of New England. The Chargers fell at home to Miami, and now they prepare to host a Chiefs team that is better on both sides of the ball than the Dolphins are. I like the Chiefs to win and cover in NFL Week 3.

Oakland (-3.5) at Washington (8:30 p.m. ET, NBC)

The Raiders just demolished the Jets — while the Redskins went on the road and beat an up-and-coming Rams team. I don’t think Washington has the defense to slow down the Greatness, but they will stay within ten points. Ultimately, though, I like the Raiders to win and cover.

Monday, September 25

Dallas (-3) at Arizona (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Dallas won’t be as bad as they were against the Broncos – the Cardinals don’t have the defense that Denver does, and Dallas won’t come in as complacently as they did against Denver -. However, a Cowboys defense that was already depleted by free agency signings and suspensions took a couple hits on the injury front, with two cornerbacks missing duty against Denver, and questionable to return for NFL Week 3. I see the Cardinals covering this spread.