Into Week 3 of the NFL season. Let’s get into my NFL predictions for this weekend’s NFL Week 3 action.I’ll cover a variety of options that can be used in parlays, teasers props and more. They may not all be available at all books but they are at many, such as Bet365 where I created these.
NFL Picks and Parlays #1
Lions vs Cardinals Prediction
It may only be 2 games but Arizona owns the 2nd-best offense putting up 34.5 PPG after a 34-28 loss in Buffalo and 41-10 home win over the Rams.
The Lions, expected to be Super Bowl contenders haven’t gotten rolling yet, being 16th at 21.0 PPG. Being 1-7 in the red zone last week in a 20-16 home loss to the Bucs contributes to that. It was a 26-20 OT win over the Rams in Week 1.
This is still an elite Lions’ offense, that is 2nd in YPG averaging over 400 and that is bigger and more physical and should get their points too.
- NFL Predictions: Both Teams to Score Over 1.5 TDs.
Broncos vs Buccaneers Prediction
The Bucs have put up the 4th-highest PPG at 28.5.
Baker Mayfield has 5 passing TDs through 2 games. 12 times last season he himself passed for 2+ scores.
The Bucs have a ton of defensive injuries. In the secondary Hall is on the IR, and Winfield Jr and Hayes are questionable. The defensive line sees each of Kancey, Vea and Hall all questionable.
But the Broncos and Bo Nix may not be able to exploit that. Nix is just 46-77 with 384 yards passing, 0 TDs and 4 INTs.
But if Denver does take advantage, then it will force Tampa to be more aggressive and go for scores, of which I’m betting they get at least 2. Denver held an offensive-challenged Pittsburgh team to 13 points at home last week but lost 26-20 in Seattle Week 1.
- NFL Predictions: Bucs Over 1.5 TDs
Chargers vs Steelers Prediction
The Steelers look like a clear Under play most weeks. They’ve averaged 15.5 PPG and given up just 8.0 PPG. They may be 2-0 but have scored just 1 offensive TD.
The Chargers have found success on the ground, being 2nd in rushing YPG at 197.5 but that may be tough vs Pittsburgh who’ve given up the 4th-fewest yards on the ground at just 76.5.
The Chargers are 2-0 but wins over the Panthers, 26-3 and Raiders 22-10 are that impressive, especially considering Justin Herbet hasn’t thrown for 150 yards in either game. He’s also said to be dealing with an injury which could mean more of the same.
Kicker Cameron Dicker has made 5 FGs though being a perfect 5/5.
That pales though to Steeler’s kicker Chris Boswell who is 8/8 including being 4/4 from 50+ yards.
This looks like some sort of Under involving field goals.
Alt Total Under 50.5 + Both Teams to Kick a FG or simply Over 1.5 total FGs.
- NFL Predictions: Alt Total Under 50.5 + Over 1.5 FGs
Commanders vs Bengals Prediction
The Commanders’ defense was awful last season and it’s shaping up that way again so far ranking 16th, 22nd and 29th in rushing yards allowed per game, passing yards allowed per game and PPG allowed.
They lost 37-20 in Tampa in Week 1 and then won last week 21-18 at home, but it was over the Giants and it came with them scoring 0 TDs!
Austin Seibert kicked 7 FGs so perhaps field goal props for Seibert could be an option.
It’s another slow start for the Bengals at 0-2 but 0-3 would be a disaster. They had every opportunity to beat the Chiefs last week and were perhaps a penalty away from getting that win in the final moments.
- NFL Predictions: Bengals moneyline
- Parlay Picks: LAR vs AZ btts O1.5 TDs / TB O1.5 TDs / LAC vs PIT alt total U50.5 + Over 1.5 FGs / CIN win (+141)
NFL Picks and Parlays #2
Ravens vs Cowboys Prediction
The Ravens lost 27-20 and then also lost 26-23.
First the Cowboys routed Cleveland 33-17 and then they got routed 44-19. Star WR CeeDee Lamb missed some practice with an ankle injury but did return later this week to practice. TE Jake Ferguson also returned to limited practice and both could play this weekend.
The Cowboys are home and need to rebound after getting blown out. But then Baltimore will be in full panic mode if they fall to 0-3. And, Lamar Jackson is 20-1 SU vs the NFC. He’s 22-7 ats when the spread is under a field goal as a dog.
- NFL Predictions: Both Teams Over 1.5 TDs
Texans vs Vikings Prediction
Houston has won 29-27 and 19-13.
Minnesota has won 28-6 and 23-17.
The 6 points allowed was vs the Giants. The CJ Stroud and the Texans are not Daniel Jones and the Giants. Houston also hasn’t lived up to expectations from a betting standpoint yet being 0-1-1 ATS. The Vikings meanwhile are 2-0-0.
This is tough to call with both off to good starts but both should score at least 10 points or more.
- NFL Predictions: Both Teams 10+ Points
Eagles vs Saints Prediction
The Eagles are tough to judge. They won 34-29 over Green Bay in Brazil.
Last week they lost 22-21 on MNF to Atlanta but the Falcons had only 1 TD scored and the Eagles were winning 21-15 until some bad coaching decisions and a late Atlanta TD with 34 seconds left. They’re out a big offensive weapon with AJ Brown injured hamstring.
The Saints are 11th in rushing, 3rd in passing and 1st in PPG. They’ve scored 45.5, far and away from 2nd place Arizona’s 34.5.
That’s come from 47-10 and 44-19 wins over the Panthers and Cowboys. Beating up on the Panthers doesn’t mean much though.
For this prop, I don’t need anywhere near 40+ points, just simply 2 or more Saints TDs.
- NFL Predictions: Saints Over 1.5 TDs
Chiefs vs Falcons Prediction
Harrison Butker kicked the winning FG last week from over 50 yards and he’s already 4/4 kicking this season with 2 FGs each game.
In 21 total games last season he had at least 1 FG in 19. In 1/2 where he didn’t the Chiefs didn’t attempt any.
This Chiefs offense still doesn’t look perfect
The Falcons’ defense is is tied-5th in opponent red zone tD scoring giving up a TD only 28.57% of the time.
In the dome in Atlanta, no reason not to trust Butker if the offense gets bogged down. In fact, overall, all kickers are 35/39 from 50+ yards.
27-5 the Over 3.5 FG prop if you find that at some sportsbooks.
- NFL Predictions: Chiefs Over 0.5 FGs
- Parlay Picks: BAL vs DAL btts O1.5 TDs / HOU vs MIN btts 10+ pts / NO O1.5 TDs / KC over 0.5 FGs (+105) – Bet365
Ryan Métivier is a seasoned editor, writer and communications professional with years of experience in all fields. When it comes to covering sports, he’s written for numerous outlets and organizations including the OHL, CHL, SportsXpress, Sports Betting Dime, Cleveland.com, MassLive, FanSided and others.
While he’ll always cheer for his hometown Toronto teams, when it comes to betting, his only allegiance is his bankroll. Ryan specializes in global soccer, the NFL and the NHL, but if there is a bet to be made, he’ll make it. As the founder of Shred The Spread, Ryan focuses on combining storylines, trends, analytics and good bankroll management to creating simple bets that make sense.
When not making a case for why both teams will score in an MLS soccer match, he can be found focusing his efforts on fitness, attempting to learn Spanish, cooking or planning his travel adventure.
