Week 2 saw overwhelming favorites such as the Patriots fall to Arizona, and underdogs such as the Seahawks blow-out supposed powerhouse Dallas (or so we thought after Week 1).
Week 3 has its fair share of close spreads, but also a few wide ones, so look for more compelling games and probably a few more surprises to keep on coming.
Week 3 NFL Viewer’s and Bettor’s Guide
TV Schedules – Kickoff Times – Point Spreads – Picks
New York Giants at Carolina Panthers
- Giants-Panthers Date: Thursday, September 20
- Giants-Panthers Kickoff Time: 8:20 PM
- Giants-Panthers TV Network: NFL Network
- Giants-Panthers Point Spread: Giants -1.5
- Giants-Panthers Over-Under Odds: 51.5
- Giants-Panthers Pick: The Giants had an impressive comeback win over the Bucs on Sunday, while the Panthers beat the Saints. The Panthers did look great, but the defending champs are back on track after their Week 1 defeat against the Cowboys. Giants -1.5
St. Louis Rams at Chicago Bears
- Rams-Bears Date: Sunday, September 23
- Rams-Bears Kickoff Time: 1 PM
- Rams-Bears TV Network: FOX
- Rams-Bears Point Spread: Bears -7
- Rams-Bears Over-Under Odds: 44.5
- Rams-Bears Pick: Chicago had a big win over Indy in Week 1 but fell to Green Bay on a short week last Thursday. The Rams had a big win over the Redskins last week, but the Bears are still the clear favorites in this matchup. The Rams will be a much easier opponent for Chicago compared to the Packers. Bears -7
Jay Cutler needs a strong bounceback performance after his putrid play in Week 2. The Rams may be the perfect opponent to do just that against.
Buffalo Bills at Cleveland Browns
- Bills-Browns Date: Sunday, September 23
- Bills-Browns Kickoff Time: 1 PM
- Bills-Browns TV Network: CBS
- Bills-Browns Point Spread: Bills -3
- Bills-Browns Over-Under Odds: 43.5
- Bills-Browns Pick: The Browns are 0-2 with both losses being by seven points or less. Brandon Weeden and Trent Richardson both had great games and the Browns nearly pulled out a win last week against Philly. The Bills rebounded after an embarrassing Week 1 loss to the Jets by easily defeating the Chiefs. While the Bills are in fact the favorites, the Browns have covered in both of their games this season against much tougher teams, so look for them to cover once again this week. Browns +3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys
- Bucs-Cowboys Date: Sunday, September 23
- Bucs-Cowboys Kickoff Time: 1 PM
- Bucs-Cowboys TV Network: FOX
- Bucs-Cowboys Point Spread: Cowboys -7
- Bucs-Cowboys Over-Under Odds: 46.5
- Bucs-Cowboys Pick: The Bucs are coming off of a devastating loss to the Giants where they blew a fourth-quarter lead. The Cowboys didn’t even have the chance to blow a lead as they were blown out by the Seahawks 27-7. The Cowboys are as inconsistent as usual, so look for the Bucs to hang with them and possibly take down the Cowboys. Bucs +7
Detroit Lions at Tennessee Titans
- Lions-Titans Date: Sunday, September 23
- Lions-Titans Kickoff Time: 1 PM
- Lions-Titans TV Network: FOX
- Lions-Titans Point Spread: Lions -3.5
- Lions-Titans Over-Under Odds: 47
- Lions-Titans Pick: The Titans lost a laugher to the Chargers to drop to 0-2 last week. The Lions did lose 27-19 last week, but it was to the 49ers, so it was a tough game to say the least. The spread is surprisingly close in this game, and it is one that the Lions will easily cover. Lions -3.5
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts
- Jaguars-Colts Date: Sunday, September 23
- Jaguars-Colts Kickoff Time: 1 PM
- Jaguars-Colts TV Network: CBS
- Jaguars-Colts Point Spread: Colts -3
- Jaguars-Colts Over-Under Odds: 42
- Jaguars-Colts Pick: The Jaguars returned to their old ways, only garnering 117 total yards in a loss to the Texans. Andrew Luck earned his first career win against the Vikings, while throwing two touchdowns. The Jaguars are arguably the worst team in the league and will surely drop to 0-3 this week. Colts -3
New York Jets at Miami Dolphins
- Jets-Dolphins Date: Sunday, September 23
- Jets-Dolphins Kickoff Time: 1 PM
- Jets-Dolphins TV Network: CBS
- Jets-Dolphins Point Spread: Jets -3
- Jets-Dolphins Over-Under Odds: 40
- Jets-Dolphins Pick: The Jets had a major drop-off in production from Week 1 with a 27-10 loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday. The opposite was the case for Miami, as Reggie Bush ran for 172 yards en route to a 35-13 win over Oakland. The Jets are too inconsistent to pick in this game, so look for Miami to have another explosive day offensively and take home the win. Dolphins +3
San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings
- 49ers-Vikings Date: Sunday, September 23
- 49ers-Vikings Kickoff Time: 1 PM
- 49ers-Vikings TV Network: FOX
- 49ers-Vikings Point Spread: 49ers -7.5
- 49ers-Vikings Over-Under Odds: 43.5
- 49ers-Vikings Pick: Both of Minnesota’s games have been decided by a field goal, but they have only won one of those games. They lost to Andrew Luck and the Colts, while the 49ers easily handled the Lions 27-19. Even with the spread, do not pick against the 49ers until they provide a reason to do so. 49ers -7.5
Jim Harbaugh’s intensity has rubbed off on his 49ers, who play the most consistent and punishing brand of football in the NFL right now.
Kansas City Chiefs at New Orleans Saints
- Chiefs-Saints Date: Sunday, September 23
- Chiefs-Saints Kickoff Time: 1 PM
- Chiefs-Saints TV Network: CBS
- Chiefs-Saints Point Spread: Saints -9
- Chiefs-Saints Over-Under Odds: 53
- Chiefs-Saints Pick: The Saints have disappointed many bettors with two losses to open the season, but look for them to turn things around this week. The Chiefs are easily one of the worst teams in the NFL, considering they have lost by double-digits twice to open the season. The Saints will get to 1-2 while also covering this nine-point spread. Saints -9
Cincinnati Bengals at Washington Redskins
- Bengals-Redskins Date: Sunday, September 23
- Bengals-Redskins Kickoff Time: 1 PM
- Bengals-Redskins TV Network: CBS
- Bengals-Redskins Point Spread: Redskins -4
- Bengals-Redskins Over-Under Odds: 49
- Bengals-Redskins Pick: The Redskins have become the team to watch with RG III as quarterback, and are even the favorites in this game. They lost a close game to the Rams, while the Bengals barely escaped against the Browns. This game is in Washington, so look for the Redskins to take it. Redskins -4
Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals
- Eagles-Cardinals Date: Sunday, September 23
- Eagles-Cardinals Kickoff Time: 4:05 PM
- Eagles-Cardinals TV Network: FOX
- Eagles-Cardinals Point Spread: Eagles -4
- Eagles-Cardinals Over-Under Odds: 43.5
- Eagles-Cardinals Pick: Both the Eagles and Cardinals had close wins last week over Ravens and Patriots respectively. Both teams are now 2-0, which makes this game tough to pick. With the close games played by the Eagles, it is tough to take them with the close spread, but look for them to turn things around. The Eagles will win this game by a touchdown, and show everyone what kind of team they truly are. Eagles -4
Atlanta Falcons at San Diego Chargers
- Falcons-Chargers Date: Sunday, September 23
- Falcons-Chargers Kickoff Time: 4:05 PM
- Falcons-Chargers TV Network: FOX
- Falcons-Chargers Point Spread: Chargers -3
- Falcons-Chargers Over-Under Odds: 47.5
- Falcons-Chargers Pick: The Falcons held on late to defeat the Broncos on Monday to improve to 2-0. The Chargers made their way to 2-0 with a blowout win over the Titans. The home-field advantage will benefit the Chargers in this game, so take them in this matchup with the close spread. Chargers -3
Houston Texans at Denver Broncos
- Texans-Broncos Date: Sunday, September 23
- Texans-Broncos Kickoff Time: 4:25 PM
- Texans-Broncos TV Network: CBS
- Texans-Broncos Point Spread: Texans -2
- Texans-Broncos Over-Under Odds: 46
- Texans-Broncos Pick: The Texans are another 2-0 team that had an easy win last week, coming over the Jaguars. Peyton struggled against Atlanta, throwing three interceptions and only throwing one touchdown. It is tough to go against the Broncos at home, but the Texans are one of the top teams in the AFC when fully healthy as they are now. Texans -2
Pittsburgh Steelers at Oakland Raiders
- Steelers-Raiders Date: Sunday, September 23
- Steelers-Raiders Kickoff Time: 4:25 PM
- Steelers-Raiders TV Network: CBS
- Steelers-Raiders Point Spread: Steelers -4.5
- Steelers-Raiders Over-Under Odds: 44.5
- Steelers-Raiders Pick: The Steelers dominated the Jets in a 27-10 win in Pittsburgh to improve to 1-1. The Raiders dropped to 0-2 after being blown out by the Dolphins, and it does not look like things will turn around for the Raiders this week. Steelers -4.5
New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens
- Patriots-Ravens Date: Sunday, September 23
- Patriots-Ravens Kickoff Time: 8:20 PM
- Patriots-Ravens TV Network: NBC
- Patriots-Ravens Point Spread: Ravens -3
- Patriots-Ravens Over-Under Odds: 49
- Patriots-Ravens Pick: The Patriots dropped to 1-1 after being handed a certain win against Arizona that ended up being a missed field goal en route to a loss. The Ravens lost a tough game to the Eagles in Philadelphia, but get to come home this Sunday. While the Ravens are the favorites, look for the Patriots’ offense to bounce back after last week’s tough loss, and outright win this game. Patriots +3
Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks
- Packers-Seahawks Date: Monday, September 24
- Packers-Seahawks Kickoff Time: 8:30 PM
- Packers-Seahawks TV Network: ESPN
- Packers-Seahawks Point Spread: Packers -3.5
- Packers-Seahawks Over-Under Odds: 47
- Packers-Seahawks Pick: The Seahawks are coming off a huge win over the Cowboys, which explains why this spread is so close. The Packers’ defense actually played a great game against Chicago after having a short week. With Green Bay’s extra rest, this game should be no problem for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Packers -3.5
Week 2 Record: 6-8-2
Yearly Record: 15-15-2
About Steve Kubitza
