Week 3 Upset Alert: Skins & Bolts Cashing on Sunday

Last week we correctly predicted that the Chiefs would upset the Steelers, but that winner was offset by a lackluster performance by the Giants in Dallas. Let’s see what the oddsmakers are dealing on the point spread and money line in the pair of games we’ve isolated this week as having upset potential. 

Packers at Redskins – Sunday, 1 PM ET

The Redskins may have caught the Packers in a very good spot on the schedule after Green Bay’s tumultuous game against their divisional rivals from Minnesota that ended in a 29-29 tie. The Packers had the win sewn up, leading by eight, when an absurd roughing the passer call on Clay Matthews gave the Vikings new life and ultimately allowed them to tie the game and send it into overtime. However, Green Bay caught a break – or a series of breaks - when now released Minnesota kicker Daniel Carlson missed on all three of his field goal attempts, including two in overtime, that would have given Minnesota a big early-season victory. 

As we take a look over to Sportsbook Review where the best online sportsbooks are on display as well as their latest point spreads and money lines we see that the Packers are 2½ to 3-point road chalk while being offered as high as -155 money line favorites. Therefore, the reverse of those numbers tells us that we can get the Redskins with as much as a three-point head start or if we want to go all-in and eschew the points in return for a better return on our investment then we can bet Washington to win straight up and get back $135 for every $100 we invest.

But why bet the Redskins in this spot apart from predicting an emotional letdown for the Packers? Well, the Washington run defense unit will shut down Packers lead tailback Jamaal Williams because their defensive front is that good. It will force a gimpy Aaron Rodgers (if you think he’s fully recovered from his knee injury - he’s not) to throw more than he would like. 

The Washington secondary will see Josh Norman blanketing Davante Adams, while Jimmy Graham will see tough sledding on what will possibly be double coverage. Conversely, the Packers’ secondary is struggling and Washington’s Alex Smith may not be spectacular, but he is surgical and limits his mistakes. Let’s grab the Skins on the point spread and the money line as we look for an outright Washington win over a dangerous foe. 

Chargers at Rams – Sunday, 4:05 PM ET

The battle for the City of Angels commences with the Chargers toting a 1-1 straight up and ATS mark while the Rams are a perfect 2-0 straight up and ATS. The best online sportsbooksover at Sportsbook Review are dealing the Rams as touchdown favorites over their LA neighbors, but we believe that’s too high and the Bolts could actually pull the upset for bragging rights in Los Angeles. If the Chargers do win outright and you take a chance on the money line then the online sportsbooks will reward you with as high as +260 back on every $100 you bet on the Bolts. 

The Chargers have proven that their run defense can stop top-notch backs like Kareem Hunt and LeSean McCoy, limiting both backs to a combined 88 yards rushing, so the specter of Todd Gurley gashing that Chargers’ defensive line is definitely in doubt. Of course, there is the Rams’ Jared Goff who is proving that he is among the elite young passers in the game today. Goff won’t have to worry about Chargers’ stud lineman Joey Bosa who is on the shelf with a foot injury and that is obviously a concern if you’re backing the Bolts. 

However, Phillip Rivers is a tested veteran and he has weapons of his own in terms of Melvin Gordon, who is a dual threat in terms of running and receiving. Reception magnet Keenan Allen is also a top target for Rivers, and when the day is done expect the Chargers to keep it close if not win this LA showdown.