NFL Picks Against The Spread 2016: Week 3 Games
Trey Burton. (Jeff Fusco)
Before Week 3 of the 2016 NFL season schedule kicks off, let’s have some fun by taking a look at the spreads for this week’s round of games. (Click here for our NFL Week 3 expert predictions.)
Here are suggestions when trying to beat the odds. You can find all of today’s NFL betting lines and more at Bovada. My record so far this season is 15-14-1 after going 8-7 last week. Let’s get to the picks.
2016 NFL WEEK 3 PICKS AGAINST THE SPREAD
Baltimore Ravens (-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars would have been shut out 35-0 in Week 2 if it weren’t for two garbage time touchdowns. Jacksonville has been very patient with head coach Gus Bradley and it’s looking like that might not be a good decision. The Jags will be desperate to win this one, but I think the Ravens are the better team despite looking unimpressive in their first two games. It’s difficult to count on Jacksonville. PICK: Ravens -1
Washington Redskins at New York Giants (-3.5): Washington really can’t afford to lose this game. If they fall, they’re going to be 0-3 overall and 0-2 in the division. Kirk Cousins has really struggled. With that said, I’ll take the points because the Giants might be a tad overrated here. New York has only won their first two games by a combined 4 points. While the defense may be improved, it’s not like the G-Men are suddenly some kind of juggernaut. This should be a close game so I expect Washington to at least cover even if they don’t win. PICK: Washington +3.5
Arizona Cardinals (-4.5) at Buffalo Bills: The Bills have the advantage of extra rest in this tilt since they played on Thursday night in Week 2. It might not make much of a difference, however, against a Cardinals team that still figures to be one of the best in the NFC. I have way more faith in Bruce Arians right now than I do in Rex Ryan. PICK: Cardinals -4.5
Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals (-3): It’s a little odd to see Denver as the underdogs here. The reigning Super Bowl champs are off to a 2-0 start. The 1-1 Bengals, meanwhile, only beat the Jets in Week 1 by one point before losing to Pittsburgh last week. The Broncos’ defense still looks strong and Trevor Siemian surprisingly looks decent enough for Denver to win. I’ll take the points. PICK: Broncos +3
Cleveland Browns at Miami Dolphins (-10): The Browns are starting third string rookie Cody Kessler after losing Robert Griffin III and Josh McCown to injury. It’s hard to like the Browns’ chances on the road in this one. Miami is the easy pick. PICK: Dolphins -10
Oakland Raiders (-1) at Tennessee Titans: The good news for the Raiders is that their offense looks great. The bad news is that their defense looks bad. The good news for the Raiders is that the Titans don’t exactly have a high powered offense. Oakland should be able to get the win on the road here because Tennessee won’t be able to match their scoring. PICK: Raiders -1
Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers (-7): The 2-0 Vikings are big underdogs on the road this week. It’s not undeserved. Minnesota has been bitten hard by the injury bug. They’ve lost Adrian Peterson, Matt Kalil, and Sharrif Floyd. Sam Bradford played well last week but the Vikings offense still only managed 17 points. It’s going to be hard for him to march into Carolina with a similar effort and get the win. Panthers cover. PICK: Panthers -7
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers (-7): Aaron Rodgers arguably played the worst game of his career last Sunday. He’ll be extra motivated to bounce back against a division rival this week. The Lions aren’t looking so hot, anyway. They lost to an unimpressive Titans team at home in Week 2. Detroit will be without one of their best defensive players in this game since Ezekiel Ansah is injured. PICK: Packers -7
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (-9): This is a tougher pick than it seems. On paper, the 49ers are completely overmatched by the Seahawks. On the other hand, Seattle’s offense has only managed to score 15 points in two games. It’s a safe bet to say the Seahawks will win this game, but it’s hard to have confidence in their scoring ability. 49ers lose but cover the spread. PICK: 49ers +9
Los Angeles Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-6): Last week I (somewhat jokingly) mentioned how the Rams would beat Seattle because it would be such a Jeff Fisher thing to happen. Well, sure enough, the Rams won at home in their first game back in L.A. Now they’ll follow that win up by losing big to Jameis Winston and the Bucs this week. PICK: Buccaneers -6
Pittsburgh Steelers (-4) at Philadelphia Eagles: It’s really tempting to take the Eagles. Carson Wentz looks like the real deal. Philadelphia’s defense is allowing the least amount of points in the league. The Steelers haven’t won in Philly since 1966 (0-8). My score prediction for this game is Steelers 28, Eagles 24 so I’m right on the line. Ultimately, I have to go with Pittsburgh because their offense is just so good. PICK: Steelers -4
San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts (-3): The 1-1 Chargers should not be standard underdogs against the 0-2 Colts in this game. San Diego has looked a lot better than Indianapolis so far this season. The Colts’ defense will really struggle to stop Philip Rivers despite the fact the Chargers are missing some key pieces such as Keenan Allen and Danny Woodhead on offense. PICK: Chargers +3
New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs (-3): I don’t have a great feel for the Chiefs yet. They needed a big comeback in Week 1 before their offense stalled against a good Texans defense last Sunday. The Jets are a good team, but I don’t know have enough confidence in them to win on the road here. This is a tough choice. I’ll bet on Andy Reid and hope he doesn’t let me down. PICK: Chiefs -3
Chicago Bears at Dallas Cowboys (-7): The Bears are pretty bad. Like bottom five team bad. And now they’ll be without their starting quarterback since Jay Cutler is injured. Making matters more difficult is the fact Chicago is playing on a short week. It’s hard to imagine John Fox’s squad pulling out a win on the road here. Dallas should be able to win this one relatively comfortably. PICK: Cowboys -7
Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints (-3): After stalling in Week 1, the Falcons’ offense came to life against a bad Oakland defense. Atlanta will have opportunities to score in this matchup. The problem for them is that the Saints are a tough opponent in the Superdome. New Orleans covers and wins. PICK: Saints -3