2020 NFL Week 3 picks against the spread for every game
Injuries are the headline for week 3 in the National Football League. From week 1 to week 2, things can change quickly, but heading into week 3 you have to study hard. To correctly make NFL Week 3 picks against the spread, you need as much information as possible. In the first two weeks, favorites have dominated straight up with a 23-7 record. Against the spread is another story as the underdogs are 15-14-1 on the year.
Let’s dive into the action for this week in the NFL.
See all of the NFL betting odds for this week with comparisons from each sportsbook so you bet the best line.
See the current Betting odds
Dolphins vs Jaguars
Point spread: Jaguars -2
Point total: 44
Moneyline: Dolphins +112, Jaguars -136
The Jaguars may just be the early surprise team in the NFL. Gardener Minshew is leading the way for the Jags as the first player in franchise history to have three touchdown passes in the three consecutive games. The Dolphins are winless on the season and cannot afford to overlook Jacksonville on a short week. Since this is a prime-time game we have a full-length betting breakdown.
Bears vs Falcons
Point spread: Falcons -3
Point total: 48
Moneyline: Bears +140, Falcons -175
The Falcons are off an embarrassing loss against the Cowboys. The offense has put up points, but like in years past, the defense is failing. Despite the ugly loss, people are still willing to put big money down on this team.
A brave @BetMGM bettor is banking on the Falcons to bounce back from their meltdown at Dallas. Placed $110K straight bet on Atlanta (-3.5) over Chicago. #RJnow
— Todd Dewey (@tdewey33) September 25, 2020
The Bears maybe 2-0 this season but they are not impressing anyone with two wins over the Lions and the Giants. Mitch Trubisky is only completing passes at a tick over 50% and that won’t be enough to keep pace with this Falcons offense. The Bears have only covered one time in the last seven road games. The Bears defense will be out of gas as the Falcons get the first win of the season.
Falcons -3 at Wagerweb [BET NOW]
Texans vs Steelers
Point spread: Steelers -6
Point total: 45
Moneyline: Texans +210, Steelers -265
The Texans have no friends in the front office. The schedule makers have given them a tough road in the first few games. They have already lost to the Chiefs and the Ravens and now they head to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers. The Texans offense ranks dead last and they have an adjusted sack rate of 11.2 percent this season. They also have struggled to run and past and things do not get any easier against a Steelers defense that ranks among the best in the league. However, the schedule plays a big role in those inflated stats. Betting on teams who need a win in week three has been profitable over the years. When 0-2 teams face an opponent with a better record they are an awe-inspiring 53-37-2 ATS. The Steelers also have struggled to cover the number as a favorite with a 4-10-1 ATS record in the last 15 games when they were giving points. Watson leads the Texans to the first win of the season.
Texans +6 at My Bookie [BET NOW]
Bengals vs Eagles
Point spread: Eagles -6
Point total: 46
Moneyline: Bengals +235, Eagles -295
Are the Eagles that bad? After blowing a lead to Washington and losing, the Eagles looked lifeless against a suddenly surprising Rams team. The Bengals are not world-beaters by any means but Joe Burrow looked very impressive in the game against the Browns. This will sway the betting public to back the Bengals, but the Eagles are another winless team that will come to life this week.
The Bengals averaged only 4.0 yards per play, which is not a number that screams high-powered offense. The Eagles excel against losing franchises as they have won 60 percent of the last ten games against a team that averages less than 5.40 yards per attempt. If the Eagles want to be a player in the NFC East, they have to win this week.
Eagles -4.5 at BetOnline [BET NOW]
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Raiders vs Patriots
Point spread: Patriots -6.5
Point total: 47
Moneyline: Raiders +195, Patriots -245
The Raiders are out to an incredible start, but the road does not get any easier this weekend. Derek Carr and his team will travel north on a short week to battle Bill Belichick and the motivated Patriots. Belichick is the difference-maker on this team. Cam Newton is looking very comfortable in this offense, which was once described as calculus. Now they need to get back in the win column. This is a spot the Pats have thrived in. Against non-divisional opponents that didn’t play in the postseason a season ago, Belichick is 64-25-1 ATS.
Jon Gruden will have his hands full trying to get his team ready on a short week. Leaving the division is not profitable for this team in the past. The Raiders are 8-13 ATS when playing a team in the AFC that is not in the division.
The Patriots will focus on shutting down Darren Waller and that will allow the defense to bottle up a tired offense. Patriots win and cover in this game.
Patriots -5.5 at YouWager [BET NOW]
Rams vs Bills
Point spread: Bills -3
Point total: 45
Moneyline: Rams +135, Bills -165
This week we will find out what team is for real when the Bills host the Rams. Both teams are off to a fast start and this game will give us a good indication of what team is for real. The Rams have to travel across the country, which is never easy and go up against QB Josh Allen who is silencing all critics with an MVP like start to the season.
The Rams are better than you think. They went to the east coast last week and easily took down the Eagles. They have been very efficient on both offense and defense. The Bills have played two very weak teams and the defense has been beatable giving up big chunks of yardage to those softer teams. In the last game against the Dolphins, this defense gave up over 400 yards. That will not get the job done against the Rams.
The Rams have covered 12 of the last 18 games on the NFL highway and they are cashing tickets at 71 percent when they travel 1500 miles or more. The Rams are well-coached and will be ready to upset Buffalo this week.
Rams +2.5 at BetOnline [BET NOW]
49ers vs Giants
Point spread: : 49ers -4
Point total: 42
Moneyline: 49ers -210, Giants +170
The 49era are not having good luck with injuries this year. Nearly everyone on their offense is hurt and many of the stars of this team will not play this weekend.
#49ers coach Kyle Shanahan declares TE George Kittle (bone bruise, MCL) out for Sunday. Not a surprise, with two injuries to the same knee it was always going to be difficult. Tho Kittle pushed…
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 25, 2020
49ers’ QB Jimmy Garoppolo is out with an injury and Nick Mullens has replaced him.
RB Raheem Mostert has a knee injury and also is out. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 20, 2020
The injuries are the main reason why this point-spread has dropped dramatically from the opening of -6.5. It has not stopped the public from netting against the Giants, who also have injury issues. Without Barkley in the backfield, all of the pressure will fall on Daniel Jones and that is alright by me. He looks very comfortable in the pocket and his play is keeping the Giants in the game every week. The 49ers are 1-4-1 ATS in the last six games against a team with a losing record and will not be ready for this game. It’s never pretty backing bad teams, but Big Blue is the best bet.
Giants +4 at My Bookie [BET NOW]
Titans vs Vikings
Point spread: Titans -2
Point total: 45.5
Moneyline: Titans -130, Vikings +107
The Vikings are a train wreck. After a disgusting game by quarterback Kirk Cousins, the Vikings went from contenders to pretenders really quick. The Titans aren’t a pretty football team, but the style of play gets the job done.
This is the exact time to back the Vikings. Under Mike Zimmer, the Vikings are 33-15-1 ATS at home and 7-3 ATS as a home underdog. The Vikings are another desperate 0-2 team, but they have the luxury of playing at home. Cousins will get retribution with a better performance against a Titans defense that has flaws that were exposed in games earlier this season.
The Titans are 7-18-1 ATS in their last 26 road games against a team with a losing home record and it is impossible to back them as a road favorite.
Vikings +3 at BetOnline [BET NOW]
Washington vs Browns
Point spread: Browns -6
Point total: 44.5
Moneyline: Washington +225, Browns -286
The Browns get extra time off after playing on Thursday night, but they are hoping they can have the same success this week against Washington. The Washington football team had a big win in Week one, only to fall flat against Arizona a week ago in a very ugly outing.
The problem for the Browns is that Baker Mayfield is not good. He has some serious accuracy issues and faces a Washington team that is tops in the league in pass defense DVOA. The browns run first, but if they need Baker to win the game that will be an issue.
The Browns are 12-25-1 ATS in the last 38 home games and 24-50-2 ATS in the last 76 games overall. That makes the Browns a bad bet this Sunday.
Washington +7 at YouWager [BET NOW]
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Panthers vs Chargers
Point spread: Chargers -6.5
Point total: 43.5
Moneyline: Panthers +250, Chargers -315
The big news for the Chargers is the surprising injury to quarterback Tyrod Taylor. The Panthers will have to face off against rookie Justin Herbert, who had some bright spots in his first game against the Chiefs.
Sources: #Chargers rookie QB Justin Herbert is expected to start on Sunday vs the #Panthers, his second straight start in place of Tyrod Taylor (chest). Herbert impressed last week on short notice.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 23, 2020
The Panthers biggest weakness is on defense. This team allows big receiving yards to the running backs and that will give Austin Ekeler an opportunity to have a breakout game. The problem is that this is just too many points to give to Carolina. Herbert looked good, but asking him to cover a TD is going to be too difficult. The Chargers are 1-5-1 ATS I the last 7 games overall and just 2-8-2 ATS in the last 12 games in September. This game will go down to the wire and the best bet is backing the underdog.
Panthers +6.5 at My Bookie [BET NOW]
Jets vs Colts
Point spread: Colts -9
Point total: 45
Moneyline: Jets +335, Colts -435
It’s only two games into the season, but it looks like everyone is giving up on the New York Jets. They have a ton of injuries, they play on one of the worst fields in the game and the players are turning on head coach Adam Gase.
The Jets are missing four starters on offense: RB Le’Veon Bell (hamstring), WR Jamison Crowder (hamstring), WR Breshad Perriman (ankle) and G Connor McGovern (hamstring). This makes it impossible to back this team which has been busted open by opposing running games. Colts rookie RB Jonathan Taylor will have a banner day, which will open up passing lanes for Phillip Rivers. Don’t make this any harder than it should be.
Colts -11.5 at BetOnline [BET NOW]
Cowboys vs Seahawks
Point spread: Seahawks -4.5
Point total: 55.5
Moneyline: Cowboys +180, Seahawks -225
The Cowboys had a miracle win against the Falcons a week ago and they want to carry that momentum over to the game this week against the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks held off the Patriots on Sunday night football. That win launched Russell Wilson into the lead of the MVP race at major sports betting sites. Many are suggesting that this game will change the playoffs.
This has all the makings of a high scoring affair with both teams ranking high in offensive statistics and low in defensive statistics. The scariest stat that stands out to me is that Seattle has forced just four punts on 22 drives by the opponent this year.
Dallas can keep up with any offense and that is why they are 8-2 ATS in the last ten games against teams that average more than 25 points per game. They are also 8-3 ATS as an underdog and they will win this game outright.
Cowboys +4.5 at My Bookie [BET NOW]
Lions vs Cardinals
Point spread: Cardinals -5.5
Point total: 51.5
Moneyline: Lions +200, Cardinals -250
The Lions are off to a rough start. They have always managed to blow a lead in every game this year and that is going to make this game against Arizona, a must-win. Kyler Murray and the Cardinals offense are moving right along and it looks as this team is primed for a spot in the NFL playoffs.
That Lions defense is in trouble. They have allowed 353 rushing yards this season which equals 6.6 yards per carry. They have yet to force a turnover and it’s hard to back the Lions in this contest. But that’s the plan for this game. The Lions are 0-2 and they get the services back of wideout Kenny Golladay. This will allow the Lions to stretch the field and open up the running game.
The Cardinals are getting over 76 percent of the betting action, which makes this game one of the biggest square plays of the week.
Lions +5.5 at You Wager [BET NOW]
Buccaneers vs Broncos
Point spread: Buccaneers -6
Point total: 44.5
Moneyline: Bucs -265, Broncos +210
Tom Brady and the Buccaneers head to the Mile High City to go up against the Denver Broncos. Unfortunately, the Broncos will be without Drew Lock for this game, although Jeff Driskel looks like a suitable replacement based on his performance in relief against the Steelers.
The Broncos are banged up and they struggle against the run which allows Tampa to control the clock and give the rock to Leonard Fournette. If they can run successfully it may let them win, but it will make it hard to cover.
Driskel will be the 8th different starting quarterback for the Broncos since the start of 2016. His appearance last week drew rave reviews from the coaching staff. He barely had any reps with the first team and still managed to move the ball down the field. He was exceptional against pressure and his deep accuracy is better than Locks.
Tom Brady is still getting comfortable in this offense and the Broncos are 6-1 ATS off a straight-up loss. The Broncos will cover and they may crush the hopes of many in the survivor pool with a win at home.
Broncos +5.5 at My Bookie [BET NOW]
Packers vs Saints
Point spread: Saints -3.5
Point total: 51.5
Moneyline: Packers +160, Saints -195
The Saints were flat out embarrassed on Monday night football. The Raiders beat this Saints team on every level and afterward the experts were questioning if the Saints offense and Drew Brees were washed up. Although they are at home, things won’t get any easier against the Green Bay Packers.
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense are looking like one of the best in the league this year. But buyer beware, they have faced two teams with injury riddles defenses. To make things more complicated, Davante Adams is questionable and if he does play he will not be at 100 percent.
The quarterback that has something to do prove in this game is Drew Brees. The talking heads in the media believe that Drew Brees is washed up.
This is the chance for Brees to silence the critics and he will have a center stage as the lone game on Sunday night. Brees will show off his skills and find multiple ways to score and it will pay off in a big way.
The Packers are 1-5 ATS in the last six meetings and that trend will continue as the Saints win big on Sunday night football.
Saints -3 at BetOnline [BET NOW]
Chiefs vs Ravens
Point spread: Ravens -3
Point total: 52.5
Moneyline: Chiefs +133, Ravens -162
It doesn’t get much better than this game right here. The focus will be on Patrick Mahomes against Lamar Jackson, but this game is much bigger than that. Talen on both sides of the ball, big names and big hits will make this one of the most wagered on games of the year.
A game of this size deserves its own full-length betting breakdown and we have it right here.