Now that most of the NFL’s 32 teams have a couple of preseason games under their belts, it’s time for the third round. Week Four will basically consist of the lower tiers of the depth charts facing off as coaches make their last cuts and try to keep their starters healthy for the first week of the regular season. For each of these picks, though, we’ll be looking at how the starting units should fare against one another as they should stay on the field through halftime, if not the end of the third quarter. And remember to check the current NFL preseason betting odds before placing money on any of these games.
Winning SU Picks for NFL Preseason Week 3
Miami Dolphins at Philadelphia Eagles (Thursday, August 24, 7:00pm ET)
The Miami Dolphins will be looking for some redemption after taking a 31-7 shellacking at the hands of the visiting Baltimore Ravens last week. The Philadelphia Eagles come off a 20-16 home win over the Buffalo Bills, which should give them some confidence going into this match up. Last year, Miami’s offense was more productive than Buffalo’s, and the Eagles’ defense is not as solid as Baltimore’s. Even so, I like Carson Wentz to out-duel Jay Cutler as the Eagles ride their grinding style to a home win.Joint practices with the @MiamiDolphins start now. #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/f2mHIMl4E7
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) August 21, 2017
Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars (Thursday, August 24, 7:30pm ET)
A week after hanging 31 points on the New England Patriots, Jacksonville came home and just scored eight against Tampa Bay. The Panthers lost a wild 34-27 roller coaster to the Tennessee Titans in their Week Two match up. People are making fun of Blake Bortles all over Twitter right now, and Jags coach Doug Marrone has declared the starting quarterback position up for grabs. So this looks like a good week for the Carolina defense to gain some confidence — and for the Panthers to take a W.
New England Patriots at Detroit Lions (Friday, August 25, 7:00pm ET)
The Patriots are now 0-2 in this preseason after losing in Houston, 27-23, on Saturday night. The Lions picked up a 16-6 win over the woeful New York Jets. Concerns remain for the Patriots on defense — but if the Lions can only score 16 against the Jets, how will they do against New England? I like the Patriots to pick up their first victory here.Kansas City Chiefs at Seattle Seahawks (Friday, August 25, 8:00pm ET)
The Chiefs and the Seahawks both picked up convincing wins last week, as Kansas City spanked Cincinnati, 30-12, while Seattle knocked off a tough Minnesota team at home, 20-13. Seattle is quicker than Kansas City and will have that home energy, so give me the Seahawks.
Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons (Saturday, August 26, 7:00pm ET)
Pittsburgh finished off Atlanta in Week Two of the preseason, with a 17-13 decision. The Cardinals lost at home to the Chicago Bears, of all people, showing us that the ironclad defense that supposedly rules in Arizona is still under construction. So you have two teams that people have seen as contenders recently coming in with fragile psyches. In a situation like that, I like the Atlanta offense to take off and lead the Falcons to a win.N.Y. Jets at N.Y. Giants (Saturday, August 26, 7:00pm ET)
I’m not picking the Jets to win anything until they prove me wrong. The Giants face Cleveland on Monday night in what should be a confidence-building win before they go home and shellack their stadium neighbors, given how many targets Eli Manning has.Buffalo Bills at Baltimore Ravens (Saturday, August 26, 7:00pm ET)
It’s hard to admit it, but the Bills have some talent on their offense. However, Baltimore has shown that they play solid defense and can bring the house on offense. Give me the Ravens to win here.Sleeper Picks for NFL Week 1
Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Saturday, August 26, 7:30pm ET)
Love those Browns, but Tampa Bay has Jameis Winston preparing to deliver some major pain, along with a defense that held Jacksonville to just a single garbage-time touchdown last week. I’ll take the Buccaneers here.Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers (Saturday, August 26, 7:30pm ET)
The Colts haven’t shown enough on defense yet for me to have a lot of optimism for them, particularly against a Pittsburgh team that has shown that they can score when they need to. I’ll pick the Steelers.L.A. Chargers at L.A. Rams (Saturday, August 26, 8:00pm ET)
The Chargers took some ugly losses in their first two postseason games — getting demolished by Seattle and then getting edged by the Saints. I don’t see much reason for optimism when they head across town to take on the 2-0 Rams.Oakland Raiders at Dallas Cowboys (Saturday, August 26, 8:00pm ET)
The first team offense for the Cowboys looked sparkling a week ago against Indianapolis, and then Cooper Rush threw a pair of touchdown passes late for Dallas. Oakland hung with the Rams early but gave up a lot of points to a Ram offense that isn’t that good. I like the Cowboys to win here.
