NFL Week 3 Best Bets

Thursday Night Football this week features a game between two sides that are struggling in the new season. The interesting part is that the Packers were expected to be one of the better sides in the NFC, while this was very much the expectation for the Falcons’ roster build.

While the game doesn’t stand out as an outstanding match-up, there is still some value to be found. One of the promising signs of the Packers’ early-season form has been second-year wideout Matthew Golden’s play. The former first-rounder had a quiet rookie season but looks to be making the jump into a true contributor’s role. I’m intrigued to see if that trend continues this afternoon.

Tips

Best: Matthew Golden 50+ Receiving Yards @ $1.67
Anytime Touchdown Scorer: Bijan Robinson (WAS $1.64) @ $2.20
SGM: Matthew Golden 50+ Receiving Yards, Bijan Robinson ATS and Green Bay Packers (-4.5) @ $5.20

It’s a good ol’ AFC North battle, with Joe Burrow and the Bengals heading to the Steel City to take on Mike McCarthy and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Bengals have been good to start the year, and their biggest positive, outside of the health of their stars, is that they seemingly have a defence this season. For the longest time, the question has been whether the former LSU boys could win us a game in a track meet. But now, the other side of the ball, led by Dexter Lawrence, looks like a decent unit.

The Steelers’ offence looks horrible, and I expect it to stay that way with Aaron Rodgers at the helm. But one thing has remained in place, and that’s their very good defence. That’s why, with the T.J. Watt-led group and this new-look Bengals defence, this one looks like it could go under the total.

Tips

Best: Under 42.5 Total Points @ $1.94
Anytime Touchdown Scorer: Ja’Marr Chase @ $2.35
SGM: Under 42.5 Total Points, Ja’Marr Chase ATS and Pat Freiermuth Receptions @ $9.73

Tampa Bay finally got their deal done with franchise quarterback Baker Mayfield just before the season, but even those good vibes haven’t been able to mask the fact that Todd Bowles’ group has plenty of holes.

This week, they are taking on a new-look Vikings team with Kyler Murray at the helm and a defence led by Brian Flores, who is quickly becoming the joker of the NFL. Flores has his unit playing with their hair on fire to start the season, while also deploying schemes that only a crazy man would try.

Flores is the good kind of crazy when it comes to calling a defence, and I fear the Buccaneers are going to be on the receiving end of some seriously tough defence.

Tips

Best: Minnesota Vikings @ $1.80
Anytime Touchdown Scorer: Aaron Jones @ $1.85
SGM: Minnesota Vikings, Aaron Jones ATS and Buccaneers Under 20.5 Points @ $4.35

The Rams find themselves in another prime-time slot this week, taking on Sean Payton’s Broncos, who are coming off a very solid win against the Jaguars last week.

On paper, this looks like a genuine Super Bowl match-up, with an abundance of talent at either coach’s disposal. But the question going into Week 3 is whose team is gelling better.

For mine, the Rams have looked very rusty to start the season, especially offensively, but I am sure that is something that will get worked out sooner rather than later. The same could be said for the Broncos’ elite defence, which hasn’t been as dominant as expected early in the season.

I am sure all of these issues will be ironed out down the track, but I am not quite sure if this is the week everything will click for either side.

Tips

Best: Under 45.5 Total Points @ $1.82
Anytime Touchdown Scorer: Davante Adams @ $2.35
SGM: Under 45.5 Total Points, Davante Adams ATS and Jaylen Waddle 50+ Receiving Yards @ $8.60

This would have been a really exciting Monday Night Football match-up. However, with Bears franchise signal-caller Caleb Williams going down with a hamstring injury, the game swings heavily in the Eagles’ favour, even if they have to head out on the road for prime time.

The Eagles have also been going about their business very well to start the year. One of the exciting parts of their 2-0 start has been the play of newly acquired wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks. The former Packer has shown exactly why teams were willing to take a chance on him via trade in the off-season. With the Eagles being the side to get him, and with the one on one opportunities he’s getting with DeVonta Smith on the other side, he has certainly been feasting to start the year.

Tips

Best: Dontayvion Wicks 50+ Receiving Yards @ $2.30
Anytime Touchdown Scorer: Saquon Barkley @ $1.85
SGM: Dontayvion Wicks 50+ Receiving Yards, Saquon Barkley ATS and Over 41 Total Points @ $6.18