X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

NFL Betting Picks for Week 3 - Best Bets, Expert Odds and Predictions

Russell Wilson - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Mitch Blatt gives his picks against the spread, over/under, and on the moneyline. These are the best bets for Week 3. Who will win in the game of the week? Who will win on Monday Night Football? Who should you bet on?

Week 3 includes a lot of uneven matchups. Three teams are double-digit favorites. I usually don't like taking such heavy favorites, but you will see there is one team that is just too attractive to avoid.

There are only two games with spreads of two points or less. I made plays on the over/under in the same games I played on the money line and the spread.

It doesn't look like the most exciting week of football. Even when it comes to the close games, a lot of them look ugly--Zach Wilson vs. Mac Jones and Raiders vs. Steelers, for example--but you never know what is going to happen on any given Sunday. (I sure didn't know last week...) I think the Broncos will make the Dolphins game closer than most people think, and it should be an exciting shootout. It is my top pick to go over the projected total.

Editor's Note: Access RotoBaller’s trusted fantasy football rankings for PPR, Standard, Dynasty, Super Flex, and Best Ball formats. Get tiered cheat sheets, expert analysis, and player outlooks to dominate your draft from every angle.

 

Week 3 NFL Betting Picks - Moneyline

Last Week: 0-1 on Moneyline, 0-2 Against the Spread, 1-0 on Over/Under Picks

Season-long Record: 1-1 on Moneyline, 2-4 Against the Spread, 2-0 on Over/Under Picks

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Las Vegas Raiders (PIT +120)

Sunday, 8:20 pm | O/U: 43

The Steelers and their high-scoring defense are going to pull an upset on Sunday Night Football. We saw how difficult the Steelers defense was last week on Monday Night Football when they held the Browns to 210 passing yards and 22 points and scored two defensive touchdowns. I evaluate the Steelers defense as the No. 8 best defense overall, but they are even better than that in high-leverage situations. T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith come through in the clutch with big sacks on third downs and forced turnovers. 

The Steelers' weakness so far has been defending the run. Their inside linebackers are averaged at best, and besides safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, their defensive backfield is subpar. They allowed over 180 rushing yards in both of the first two weeks, but those came against elite running backs--Christian McCaffrey and one quarter of Nick Chubb plus a big play by Jerome Ford. The Raiders' Josh Jacobs is no bum (although he looked it against tough defenses in the first two weeks). But even if Jacobs goes off, that would be better than the Raiders' lighting up the passing game. 

Jimmy Garoppolo is taking about three seconds to throw this season. He'll be eating a lot of dirt if he tries to hold the ball that long against the Steelers unstoppable pass rushers. Deshaun Watson took 3.09 seconds to throw last week, and he got sacked six times.

Pick: Steelers ML (+120), Bet 1 Unit

 

Week 3 NFL Betting Picks - Against the Spread

Los Angeles Chargers @ Minnesota Vikings (LAC +1)

Sunday, 1:00 pm | O/U: 54

Expect the Chargers to pull the upset. The Chargers lost two close games in the first two weeks. Last week, the Titans beat them in overtime in a game in which the adjusted score makes it look more like a tie. The fact that Austin Ekeler isn't practicing is less than ideal, but the Vikings have such a poor run defense that they could be torched by Joshua Kelley. Minnesota is allowing 166.0 yards per game on the ground through two games. 

But the Chargers will move the ball mostly through the air. They have the tenth-best receiving core in the league, and it's going up against the fourth-worst group of defensive backs. The Eagles didn't throw the ball much against the Vikings last week because they didn't have to. But when they did throw the ball late, Eagles receivers were open for many big plays. The Vikings overall are allowing the eighth-highest completion percentage.

Pick: Chargers +1 (-110), Bet 1 Unit

 

Arizona Cardinals @ Dallas Cowboys (DAL -12.5)

Sunday, 4:25 pm | O/U: 43

I don't like to pick double-digit favorites, but damn. This is the matchup that will make me break my practice. The Cowboys have been running up the score against low-quality opponents. They have scored 70 points in the first two weeks and have a 60-point win margin. The Cardinals are worse than either of the Cowboys' first two opponents. They are so bad that the Giants, whom the Cowboys shut out, scored 31 points on them in the second half. 

There are not many matchups that come along that are both tilted against the underdog this strongly and this likely to turn into routs. The 49ers might be almost as likely to defeat the Giants on Thursday Night Football this week. They are 10.5-point favorites. But I'm less confident in them beating the spread because they might be more content to run the clock down than to run the score up.

Pick: Cowboys -12.5 (-110), Bet 1 Unit

 

Denver Broncos @ Miami Dolphins (DEN +6.5)

Sunday, 1:00 pm | OU: 48.5

The Broncos offense has been playing better, and the Dolphins play the kind of football that can lead to shootouts. The Broncos won't close it out, but they will stay with the Dolphins and be within a touchdown and a failed Hail Mary away from going into overtime.

Pick: Broncos +6.5 (-110), Bet 1 Unit

 

Week 3 NFL Betting Picks - Over/Under

Denver Broncos @ Miami Dolphins (MIA -6.5)

Sunday, 1:00 pm | OU: 48.5

Both teams' passing offenses are cooking. Miami is No. 1 in passing yards per game, and Denver is No. 12, and they looked better in Week 2 than in Week 1. "Danger-Russ" was averaging 9.4 intended air yards per attempt last week against the Commanders. (He only averaged 4.0 in Week 1.) Tua only averaged 9.0 intended air yards per pass in Week 2 (and 11.1 in Week 1). 

The Broncos' adjusted scoring rate is the fifth-highest in the league, and the Dolphins are No. 1 by a wide margin. Both teams are allowing opponents to score at higher-than-average rates. 

Pick: Over 48.5 Total Points (+110), Bet 2 Units

 

L.A. Chargers @ Minnesota Vikings

Sunday, 1:00 pm | O/U: 54

I made my case that the Chargers will win, and it will be high-scoring. It could be 26-24. But 54 is the highest over/under of the week. PFF's Greenline model gives the under a 51.5% chance of hitting.

Pick: Under 54 (-110), Bet 1 Unit

 

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Las Vegas Raiders (PIT +120)

Sunday, 8:20 pm | O/U: 43

The Steelers' and Raiders' adjusted scoring rates are both below average (although not quite as bad as they look on TV). They both rank in the bottom half of the league in passing yardage. Vegas' offense, with Davante Adams, Josh Jacobs, and possibly a healthy Jakobi Meyers, is a little concerning for me if I'm taking the under side, but Pittsburgh's defense is good enough to neutralize them. Let's just hope the Steelers' defense doesn't ruin this one by running up the score.

Pick: Under 43 (-110), Bet 1 Unit



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Advice




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jameson Williams

Not in the Team's Long-Term Plans?
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Micah Parsons

Plans to be Present for Start of Training Camp
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Ikem Ekwonu

Next Up for Extension in Carolina?
Jalen Thompson

Heading into Last Year With Cardinals?
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Najee Harris

Suffers Eye Injury in Fireworks Mishap
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Alex Bregman

Will Return to Red Sox This Weekend
Chris Sale

Braves Won't Consider Trading Chris Sale
Clarke Schmidt

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery on Friday
Nick Nash

Unlikely to Make Falcons Active Roster
Lane Johnson

in No Rush To Retire
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Blake Corum

has "Gotten His Speed Back"
Jarquez Hunter

Picking Up Rams Offense Quickly
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Kirk Cousins

Feels Misled by Falcons
Bijan Robinson

Says Falcons Have "Outlandish Goals" for the Running Game
Luther Burden III

Bears Expect Luther Burden III to be Ready for Training Camp
Cole Kmet

an Unlikely Trade Piece
Tony Pollard

Titans Hope to Balance Rushing Attack With Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears
Byron Buxton

Sitting Thursday
Quentin Johnston

Not Assured of Starting Role
Cordarrelle Patterson

on the Roster Bubble in Pittsburgh?
Shedeur Sanders

Not Assured of Roster Spot in Cleveland?
Wan'Dale Robinson

Hoping For More Downfield Opportunities
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Homers Twice on Wednesday
Mike Trout

Homers Twice in Win Over Rangers
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Leads Yankees to Victory
Salvador Perez

Crushes Two Homers in Win
Cleveland Browns

Greg Newsome on the Trade Block?
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Zach Tom

An Extension Candidate in Green Bay
Devin Booker

Agrees to Extension with Phoenix
Trevor Williams

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
Kyren Williams

Rams Not Willing to Pay Kyren Williams Top-Market Money?
Byron Buxton

Exits After Hit-by-Pitch, X-Rays Negative
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Playing on Wednesday
Alex Bregman

has "Really Good Chance" to Return Before All-Star Break
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Expected to Return on Friday
Walter Clayton Jr.

Leads Jazz to Summer League Win
Carter Bryant

Struggles in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Drops a Double-Double in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Oklahoma City Thunder

Malevy Leons Logs Impressive Summer League Outing on Tuesday
Dalton Knecht

Collects 25 Points in Lakers Summer League Win
Los Angeles Lakers

Darius Bazley Drops 27 Points in Summer League on Tuesday
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Chet Holmgren

Agrees to Rookie Max Extension
Alex Bregman

Not Returning Wednesday
Jhoan Duran

Unavailable Due to Illness
Shane McClanahan

Tosses Clean Frame in First Rehab Appearance
Jacob Wilson

Day-to-Day After HBP
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. to be Reassessed Wednesday
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Malaki Branham

Traded to Washington
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Blake Wesley

Moves to Washington
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Kelly Olynyk

on the Move Again
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Anthony Davis

Recovering From Eye Surgery
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Cal Raleigh

Continues Historic Homer Pace Tuesday
Jacob Wilson

Exits Early On Tuesday With Left Hand Contusion
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
Luis Garcia

Fans Four in Rehab Outing
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
Sonny Milano

on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Jakub Dobes

Signs Two-Year Deal with Canadiens
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups