Sometimes as a sports bettor you have to bite down hard on your gumshield and unload – that’s exactly what we thought as we made our Week 3 NFL picks.
There are some terrific wagers out there if you have the cojones to get involved, so let’s give you our rationale for throwing down dollars on some pigskin this Sunday.
And remember, if you want another way to enjoy your Sunday slate, try the Super 6 game from FOX Bet. It’s free to play and you could win a cool $1million. Check out our picks for Week 3.
Here are our predictions and picks for a fantastic slate of games:
Sunday September 26
Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans (1pm ET)
This one has been circled on the calendar for any AFC South watchers ever since the NFL’s 2021 schedule reveal. And right now it doesn’t look good for the Colts. They come in at 0-2 and with Carson Wentz hobbled by not one but two sprained ankles. Tennessee meanwhile saw Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry return to their best in that OT win in Seattle. This is a huge divisional game and we expect Tennessee to plunge a dagger into the Colts.
OddsCritic Pick: Tennessee (-5.5) to beat Indianapolis at -105 (BetMGM, Borgata)
Atlanta Falcons @ New York Giants (1pm ET)
Tough one this – two 0-2 teams trying to find an identity, and a win. The Falcons are struggling to keep Matt Ryan upright now while Daniel Jones did at least flash some potential in that heartbreaking Week 2 loss in Washington. We’ll take Big Blue to make the most of homefield advantage, but not with any great confidence. Keep your dollar stakes to a minimum.
OddsCritic Pick: New York Giants (-3) to beat Atlanta at +100 (widely available)
Los Angeles Chargers @Kansas City Chiefs (1pm ET)
Whoo, what a beauty. Patrick Mahomes vs Justin Herbert. It gets no better. This should be an points fest at Arrowhead. It’s unusual for the Chiefs not to hang 30 on anybody, and the Chargers have weapons galore. Take the ‘Over’ on total points, and do it confidently.
OddsCritic Pick: Over 54.5 points in Chargers vs Chiefs at -110 (widely available)
Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers (1pm ET)
A meeting of 1-1 teams who both need wins for different reasons. Pittsburgh to keep pace in the AFC North, Cincinnati to show they are headed in the right direction. The Steelers have huge questions on their offensive line and a secondary which is 29th against the pass so far in 2021. Expect Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase to exploit that at some stage.
OddsCritic Pick: Ja’Marr Chase to score a touchdown anytime at +190 (BetMGM, Borgata)
Chicago Bears @Cleveland Browns (1pm ET)
This one is likely to see the first NFL start for Bears rookie QB Justin Fields. Absolutely the right move if Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace want to keep their jobs a little longer, but there will be growing pains. Starting on the road in Cleveland against a talented Browns team is not ideal. Take Baker and the boys to cover the spread.
OddsCritic Pick: Cleveland (-7.5) to beat Chicago at +104 (Unibet, SugarHouse)
Baltimore Ravens @ Detroit Lions (1pm ET)
Not only do the Lions have a QB with huge question marks in Jared Goff and a no-name receiving corps, they can’t stop anybody either. Just the 76 points given up in two losses so far. Baltimore meanwhile is coming off that epic 36-35 defeat of the Chiefs on Sunday night. Expect the Ravens to run all over Ford Field en route to 2-1.
OddsCritic Pick: Baltimore (-7.5) beat Detroit at +100 (Unibet, SugarHouse)
New Orleans Saints @ New England Patriots (1pm ET)
We weren’t sure what to expect from the Saints in 2021 – but we did believe there would be a dropoff from the golden Drew Brees era. That Week 1 crushing of the Packers now seems many moons ago after a lamentable showing in Carolina. Yes the Panthers D is seriously good, but so is New England’s. Expect the Pats to make it a long day for Jameis Winston while Mac Jones effectively drives the bus.
OddsCritic Pick: New England (-3) to beat New Orleans at +102 (FanDuel)
Arizona Cardinals @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1pm ET)
Arizona has looked terrific so far and Kyler Murray is playing at MVP level (if you don’t believe us, check out the odds). A trip to Jacksonville to meet the lamentable Jags should be easy pickings – as long as they don’t go in over-confident. Right now Urban Meyer and his Jags look like the 1989 Cowboys…
OddsCritic Pick: Arizona (-7.5) to beat Jacksonville at +100 (FOX Bet).
Washington Football Team @ Buffalo Bills (1pm ET)
Okay we know Washington heads for Buffalo with Taylor Heinicke at quarterback, but this Football Team roster is still good enough to give most teams at least a scare. The Bills are on a high after that 35-0 romp in Miami, and we expect them to rise to 2-1. But not by a landslide, so take the generous odds about a victory by 1-6 points.
OddsCritic Pick: Buffalo to beat Washington by 1-6 points at +350 (FanDuel)
New York Jets @ Denver Broncos (4.05pm ET)
Zach Wilson looked like a rookie as he tossed four picks in a Week 2 loss to New England. Now he comes up against a fearsome Denver defense in the Mile High City. This one figures to get really ugly – Denver, even without Bradley Chubb, has talented playmakers on the front and back end of its defense. Teddy Bridgewater meanwhile is giving the Broncos exactly what they need, average QB play. Denver wins, Denver goes 3-0. More growing pains forZach.
OddsCritic Pick: Denver to beat New York Jets by 7-12 points at +440 (FanDuel).
Miami Dolphins @ Las Vegas Raiders (4.05pm ET)
We didn’t expect the Raiders to win the AFC West in 2021, but we were stunned that online sportsbooks made them 22/1 shots going in. WTAF. Now they are 2-0 after a big win in Pittsburgh, while Miami is back to earth at 1-1 following that 35-0 home embarrassment by Buffalo. Tua is still struggling, and now he’s injured. Expect Derek Carr and the Raiders to cover.
OddsCritic Pick: Las Vegas (-3.5) to beat Miami at -105 (BetMGM, Borgata)
Seattle Seahawks @ Minnesota Vikings (4.25pm ET)
Two teams coming off agonizing losses here, and the result should be a beauty. These two teams accounted for 130 points total in their Week 2 heartbreakers, and we expect more offensive fireworks here. Take the ‘over’ on total points.
OddsCritic Pick: Seattle vs Minnesota to be ‘over’ 55 points at -110 (widely available)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Los Angeles Rams (4.25pm ET)
Tom Brady looks more like 24 than 44 with the way he’s started 2021 – insane stuff. The ageless TB has tossed nine TD passes already and those +1600 preseason odds to be league MVP look frankly quite ridiculous now. This though is a real test for the Bucs, against the Rams on their home field. A fascinating matchup to savor. Take Brady and Gronk to connect for yet another score, and sit back to enjoy the rest of a stellar afternoon’s entertainment.
OddsCritic Pick: Rob Gronkowski to score a touchdown anytime at +150 (Resorts)
Green Bay Packers @ San Francisco 49ers (8.20pm ET)
A terrific matchup between. two teams who were expected to be major contenders coming into 2021. They both have some question marks though. For the 49ers there. are serious concerns about the ground game, after a horrific run of injuries saw them really struggle to do anything in Philadelphia last weekend. Aaron Rodgers looked more like his old self in the Monday night win over Detroit, banishing the memory of that demolition at the hands of the Saints. We expect a close game, and we expect defenses to make it tough. Take the ‘under’.
OddsCritic Pick: Green Bay vs San Francisco to be ‘under’ 50.5 total points at -105 (PointsBet)