NFL Week 3 Best Bets
We took a bad Sunday last week, but we’ve more than made up for it since with Monday Night and Thursday Night Football. Let’s have Week 3’s main slate give us a nice bit of profit with a side, a total, and a player prop.
Saints vs. Patriots
Call me crazy, but I don’t think the Patriots are that good, at least not yet. Look, Bill Bellichick is obviously a mastermind and the greatest coach of all time, but that can’t always make up for the lack of playmakers. The concern here, obviously, is that Jameis Winston will not be able to read the schemes that Bellichick and his team come up with. If that’s the case, the defense will cause confusion for them all game and the Saints won’t win. Speaking of Winston, he returned to his careless ways with two interceptions against the Panthers. Which version of him will show up Sunday? I think Sean Payton will prepare him enough and have a strong game plan to keep Mac Jones from carving up an ailing defense. Personally, I think the wrong team is favored here. Play the Saints to win outright at +124. Playing them with the points (+3) at -122 is an option I’m good with too.
Ravens vs. Lions
This could be an ultimate trap game for the Ravens – they are on the road after an emotional win over the Chiefs (one they are very lucky to have gotten). Is it possible they come out and lay an egg? Of course it is, but the good news for them is that they are also playing a team that was just beaten on Monday Night Football and now turns around on a short week. Lamar Jackson should have a monster game this week (I’m going to sprinkle him to score 2+ touchdowns at +490). The running game from Baltimore should have no problem against a Lions team that just allowed four touchdowns to running back Aaron Jones (yes, mostly receiving touchdowns). As far as scoring on Baltimore, their defense is hurting. They also had to face the Chiefs and Raiders, two strong offensive teams, so it is hard to say if they are struggling or exactly what it is. Either way, there shouldn’t be much of a stretch for these teams to rack up points. Play the over 50.5 at -106.
Player Prop
Saquon Barkley seems to be on limited snaps or something so far. However, he now is coming to play against the Falcons on extended rest. Barkley has only had a total of 23 rushes this season over the two games. Looking at his game log, he actually isn’t that far off in attempts than he had been when he was healthy a few years ago. So far, the Falcons have allowed 127 rushing yards against them on average. I’m going to play Barkley to have a nice return and breakout game (hopefully Daniel Jones doesn’t steal all his yardage) and Barkley gets over 61.5 rushing yards at -114.
Parlay for Fun:
Barkley, Devante Adams, and Nick Chub anytime TD scorers: +386