With two weeks in the books, we have data points to suggest which NFL offenses and defenses are among the league’s best and which ones could be in for long seasons.
We’ll use those to discuss the best spread, moneyline or point total bets found on odds boards for several of Week 3 NFL games.
New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers
The New York Giants were blown out 40-0 by the Dallas Cowboys, then needed a historic comeback to squeak by the rebuilding Arizona Cardinals 31-28. Without star running back Saquon Barkley (ankle), this road game against the 2-0 San Francisco 49ers is more likely to resemble Week 1 than Week 2 for Big Blue.
Best Bet: 49ers to cover -10 (-110 at BetMGM)
Watch: Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET, NBC or fuboTV
Denver Broncos at Miami Dolphins
After losing at home to the Las Vegas Raiders and Washington Commanders, the Denver Broncos are on the road, facing the Miami Dolphins. The road hasn’t been kind to them, they went 1-8 last year.
Denver’s two losses this year have come by a combined three points, so the Broncos might be able to keep it close, but Miami should ultimately improve to 3-0.
Best Bet: Dolphins moneyline (-230 at BetMGM)
Watch: Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS or fuboTV
Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions
This battle of non-playoff teams from last year with higher hopes for 2023 figures to come down to the wire. Take the points with the 2-0 Atlanta Falcons over the Detroit Lions. The Falcons potent running game and veteran defense should keep them competitive every week.
Best Bet: Falcons +3.5 (-110 at BetMGM
Watch Sunday, 1 p.m. ET. FOX or fuboTV
Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Houston Texans held Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence without a touchdown last season. These AFC South rivals averaged 26.5 combined points per game in their two 2022 meetings. C.J. Stroud showed improved play in Week 2, but his progress isn’t going to be that linear on a weekly basis.
Best Bet: Under 44 points (-112 at BetRivers)
Watch: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX or fuboTV
Los Angeles Chargers at Minnesota Vikings
The Los Angeles Chargers first two games of the season averaged 60.5 combined points per game. The Minnesota Vikings are also proficient in scoring. Both of these explosive passing games can pile up points in a hurry.
Best Bet: Over 54 points (-109 at BetRivers)
Watch: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox or fuboTV
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Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens
The offense of the Indianapolis Colts should actually be better in the short term if veteran Gardner Minshew starts at quarterback over Anthony Richardson (concussion).
Each of the Colts’ first two games went over 50 combined points. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens have their top pass catcher Mark Andrews back in the mix and are dealing with a beat-up secondary.
Best Bet: Over 44 points (-111 at BetRivers)
Watch: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS or fuboTV
New England Patriots at New York Jets
This is a low number to clear, but the New York Jets and New England Patriots offenses are uninspiring. There’s not much reason to believe these AFC East rivals will improve much on their average of 26.0 combined points per game in their two 2022 meetings.
Best Bet: Under 37 points (-110 at Caesars)
Watch: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS or fuboTV
Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals
The Dallas Cowboys have outscored its first two opponents by a combined margin of 70-10, so while the Arizona Cardinals have been more competitive than expected early on, this one could get ugly for rebuilding Arizona.
Best Bet: Cowboys -12 (-110 at Caesar)
Watch: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX or fuboTV
Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Both the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 2-0. Each of Philadelphia’s wins came by one possession. The Buccaneers are unlikely to win this one given their significantly lower preseason expectations, but they’re capable of keeping it close at home.
Best Bet: Buccaneers +5 (-110 at Caesars)
Watch Monday, 7:15 p.m. ET, ABC or fuboTV
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