NFL Week 3 Underdog Betting Picks, Odds, and Bets: Can Lions Take Advantage Of Vikings’ Short Week?

Week 3 is underway with a handful of interesting matchups. Get your underdog betting picks, odds, and best bets for NFL Week 3

Week 3 NFL Underdog Betting Picks & Bets

With Week 1 overreactions behind us, the NFL season is in full swing. Week 3 brings us some entertaining games, with no team favored by more than a touchdown. Let’s take a look at which underdogs might give you real value this weekend.

Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings are impossible to gauge week-to-week. We discovered in Week 2 that their inconsistency didn’t end with Mike Zimmer’s firing. After such a poor showing in Philadelphia, though, we know they’re vulnerable.

The Lions played two close games against the Vikings last season – a two-point loss in Minnesota, and a win in Detroit. This is a much-improved Lions team, led by a rock solid offense that is firing on all cylinders early in the season. Even if the Vikings bounce back and pull out a home win, Detroit should at least have enough offense to keep up with them and make this a close game.

The concern is the Lions’ defense. There are still plenty of issues in the secondary, and Justin Jefferson torched this team last year. As long as the Lions offense of the last two weeks shows up though, you have to like Detroit’s chances of keeping up and at least covering +6.

Los Angeles Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals

Could this be a Cardinals revenge game? Arizona split the season series against the Rams last season but was pummeled by LA in the playoffs. So far, the Rams look vulnerable. Matthew Stafford’s turnover issues continue to be a problem, and the defense has had a tough time slowing down receivers. Depth at corner outside of Jalen Ramsey is an issue. Just when you thought the Rams were fixed last week, they nearly saw a 25-point lead slip away against the Falcons.

There’s always the chance the Cardinals ride their thrilling comeback against the Raiders and morph into something that resembles the team we saw early last season. Kyler Murray looked dangerous in the second half of the win. With his confidence restored and a chip on the shoulder of these Cardinals, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they notch a home win. Cardinals +3.5 and Cardinals +150 both have value.

Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins

Teams with a great offense can win any game. It doesn’t mean they will, but it makes it possible. The Dolphins look like they (finally) have a great offense. Tua Tagovailoa isn’t Josh Allen, but Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle might have the talent to balance it all out on Sunday.

A team that just overcame a 21-point deficit on the road deserves a look in this one. Yes, even with the most dominant team in the NFL on the other side. The Bills’ secondary has been great early in the season, but the cornerback position is still young with Tre’Davious White out. With Dane Jackson coming off a scary neck injury and both Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer dealing with day-to-day issues, this could be an opportunity for the Dolphins to keep their passing game thriving.

With the Dolphins +5.5 and +184 on the moneyline, there’s enough value to consider both.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders

I don’t think the Commanders have enough in the tank to beat the Eagles, even at home, but I’m intrigued by the narrative of Carson Wentz getting some revenge against his former team.

What I mentioned about great offenses above also might apply here: The Commanders’ offense has been pretty solid early in the season, which gives them at least a chance to stay in this game. Wentz has established connections with Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel in addition to Terry McLaurin, and Darius Slay won’t be able to cover all three.

Jalen Hurts looks improved this season, and why wouldn’t he? The offense has gotten much better around him. Still, we know he was prone to some genuine clunkers last season, and I’m not ready to say two games have completely erased the problems he’s had with consistency in the past.

The talent advantage goes to the Eagles in this one, which is the most important factor. But after such a dominant win, it’s not out of the question that this could be a trap game. The Commanders are 6.5-point underdogs and sit +240 on the moneyline.