Two weeks of NFL football are in the books. 10 teams have started 2-0, which gives them a 72 percent chance of making the playoffs. 14 games remain but having this early advantage is much better than trying to dig out of 0-2. Week 3 has some great matchups from Packers at Saints and Chiefs at Ravens. Let's get into the Week 3 spreads.
Miami Dolphins @ Jacksonville Jaguars (-2.5)
Thursday, September 24, 8:20 ET Miami and Jacksonville kick off the Week 3 slate on Thursday night. After both teams fell behind in their Week 2 matchups, the Dolphins and Jaguars had dramatic comebacks, but could not finish them off. Both teams covered the spread, which is all that matters at the end of the day. A battle of Florida bottom feeders as both teams are not expected to do much in 2020. This could end up being a sloppy Week 3 Thursday night matchup. Miami does feel like they are the better team on paper. However, traveling for a Thursday night matchup is never easy, so there is not a huge surprise that Jacksonville opened up as the favorite.
Chicago Bears @ Atlanta Falcons (-3)
Sunday, September 27, 1:00 ET The Bears and Falcons both got out to double-digit leads early on before they found themselves in a tight one late. The Giants and Bears came down to the final play of the game as Chicago had a goalline stand against the G-men. The Falcons could not hang onto their incredible first-half lead as the Cowboys won on a game-winning field goal. Atlanta feels like the side to take after the Falcons should have won Week 2. On top of that, there is an argument that the Bears should be in 0-2 after the meltdowns that have happened in their games. This also says a lot that the Atlanta is favored in the Week 3 matchup.
Houston Texans @ Pittsburgh Steelers (-5.5)
Sunday, September 27, 1:00 ET Houston heads to Pittsburgh in what could be the best 1:00 PM ET game of the week. The Steelers struggled to put away Denver after quarterback Drew Lock went down early in their matchup, and the Broncos were able to hang around. The Texans are off to a rough first two weeks with losses to Kansas City and Baltimore. The Steelers will be fortunate to be home back to back weeks as well. The Steelers have been very good on defense, but the offense has been stagnant at times. Look for the key matchup to come down to how Houston can limit Big Ben and Co. If they struggle to contain the offense, then the Texans will start 0-3.
Tennessee Titans (-1.5) @ Minnesota Vikings
Sunday, September 27, 1:00 ET Minnesota and
Tennessee are heading into opposite directions to start the early part of the year. The Titans picked up its second win this season after a 33-30 win over the Jaguars. The Vikings, however, fell to Indianapolis 28-11. This could be a buy-low spot for the Vikings after two tough losses. The Titans have also looked vulnerable in their two wins this season. However, Kirk Cousins has historically struggled against teams above .500 in his career, and the Titans currently sit 2-0. The spread is tight as Tennessee is a 1.5-point favorite in this matchup, but anything can happen on a Sunday.
San Francisco Giants (-4) @ New York Giants
Sunday, September 27, 1:00 ET The 49ers took care of business against the Jets on Sunday with a dominating victory. After the Giants fell behind 17-0 early on against the Bears, they roared back to get stopped on the goal line as time expired. This game could become an interesting matchup this week, given the injuries on both sides. San Francisco is dealing with an incredible amount of injuries this week. After George Kittle, Dee Ford, and Richard Sherman were all sidelines, and the 49ers lost Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas. Jimmy Garoppolo and Raheem Mostert both left the games with injuries as well. The Giants have been playing tough in the first two weeks, and the situation could allow them to capitalize on a banged-up 49ers team.
Las Vegas Raiders @ New England Patriots (-6.5)
Sunday, September 27, 1:00 ET Las Vegas will head to New England for their Week 3 matchup. The Patriots are coming off a tough loss in Seattle on Sunday night when they were stuffed at the goalline to lose the game. The Raiders will be coming off a short week after playing the Saints on Monday night. Although New England could not pull off the Week 2 win, something says the Bill Belichick will have this team ready to go against the Raiders. Defensively, Las Vegas is struggling to stop teams, and Cam Newton could have another big game next week. The short rest certainly puts the Raiders at a disadvantage heading into Sunday.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Philadelphia Eagles (-6.5)
Sunday, September 27, 1:00 ET Cincinnati will travel to Philadelphia for their Week 2 matchup. The Bengals have the extra rest this week after playing on Thursday night against the Browns while the Eagles fell to the Rams on Sunday. Both teams are 0-2 to start the season, as one of them will try to secure their first win in Week 3. The Eagles opening at 6.5-point favorites says a lot as a good amount of public money will coming in to back Joe Burrow this Sunday. Cincinnati was the worst team in the NFL last season, and the Eagles roster is still solid overall, despite the injuries. Something tells me Philadelphia will make sure it is not close.
Sunday, September 27, 1:00 ET Washington heads to Cleveland for Week 3. The Browns beat the Bengals on Thursday night while Washington could not find an answer with stopping Kyler Murray and
Arizona. Cleveland will have a slight edge with the added rest this week. However, Washington's front seven will give the Browns a rough go this Sunday. Dwayne Haskins is also improving each week but still needs to fill some holes on the offensive side. The Browns should be able to limit the Washington offense to an extent as well. 6.5-points for the Browns to cover does feel a bit steep even if Washington is not all too great.
Los Angeles Rams @ Buffalo Bills (-3)
Sunday, September 27, 1:00 ET Buffalo will host the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday to better early slate games on the schedule. The Bills took care of business down in Miami even though they did not cover the spread. Although the score was close, Miami was not really in it all game as Buffalo averaged 8.9 yards per play. The Rams took care of the Eagles on Sunday, but face the challenge of heading back to the east coast this week to take on the Bills. Buffalo is also a much better team in the trenches than the Cowboys and Eagles, so the Rams will not be as fortunate to dominate the line of scrimmage battle. This is where the game could make a difference.
New York Jets @ Indianpaolis Colts (-9.5)
Sunday, September 27, 4:05 ET The Jets are already turning into a dumpster fire after losing by double-digits the first two weeks of the NFL season. The Colts had a nice bounce-back win against the Vikings on Sunday, getting them to .500 for the early part of the season. Indianapolis as 9.5-point favorites might not be enough even playing the Jets. This New York team is bad and does not have anything going for them this season. Adam Gase could be fired before the season is over, as the Jets have too many holes on this roster. The Colts should have no problem moving the football on the Jets defense this week.
Carolina Panthers @ Los Angeles Chargers (-6.5)
Sunday, September 27, 4:05 ET The Panthers will head to the Chargers' new stadium in Los Angeles this week. The Buccaneers dominated Carolina in Week 2 while the Chargers could not pull off the upset against the Chiefs Sunday afternoon. Los Angeles did bring in rookie quarterback Justin Herbert this week after Tyrod Taylor sustained an injury during pregame warm-ups. Herbert did enough to keep the Chargers in the game. Head coach Anthony Lynn already said this week that Taylor would start next Sunday if he is healthy, putting some value on the Panthers this week. It's an ugly number, but Herbert should be the Chargers starter moving forward.
Dallas Cowboys @ Seattle Seahawks (-4.5)
Sunday, September 27, 4:25 ET Both the Cowboys and Seahawks came up with credible wins in Week 2. Dallas beat Atlanta on a game-winning field goal on Sunday after being down 29-10 at halftime. The Seahawks stopped the Patriots on the goalline in their Sunday night matchup against the Patriots to pull off their victory. Now, Dallas travels to Seattle for what should be a great Week 3 matchup. The Seahawks should be able to put up points as the Cowboys have not been able to stop anything defensively in the early part of the season. The Dallas offense finally came to life in Week 2 even as the fumbled the ball three times.
Detroit Lions @ Arizona Cardinals (-6)
Sunday, September 27, 4:25 ET The Lions and Cardinals will face off in Arizona this Sunday. The Lions are off to a slow 0-2 start while the Cardinals are off to a surprising 2-0 start. Detroit fell to the Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday as Arizona took care of Washington on the road. As for this week, expect a decent amount of points from both teams. The Lions offense is still productive with Stafford at quarterback while Kyler Murrays has been electric this season. Detroit's secondary is young and also banged up, which does not help when going up against Deandre Hopkins and Larry Fitzgerald. Detroit should also put up a decent amount against the Cardinals secondary, so look for potential over play this week.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-6) @ Denver Broncos
Sunday, September 27, 4:25 ET Tampa Bay bounced back in Week 2, knocking off the Panthers at home. They now have to travel to mile high and play the Broncos, who fell to the Steelers while quarterback Drew Lock suffered a shoulder injury. Playing in Denver is always tough in September, but the Buccaneers could catch a break playing Jeff Driskol instead of Drew Lock. However, Driskell did move the ball against a very good Steelers defense on Sunday, so you never know what could come about this game. Tampa Bay will want to get things going with Leonard Fornette to control the clock and line of scrimmage for Week 3.
Green Bay Packers @ New Orleans Saints (-3.5)
Sunday, September 27, 8:20 ET The Packers have impressed in their first two weeks, taking down the Vikings and Lions comfortably. They are reading to New Orleans to take on the Saints, who will be on short rest after playing in Las Vegas on Monday night. As good as the Packers have looked, it still says a lot that the Saints are 3.5-point favorites. The New Orleans secondary is better than the Vikings and Lions, so Green Bay will need to be more creative in moving the football this week. The Saints should be able to put up a decent amount of points at home, and the Packers defense is struggling at times to stop opponents.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Baltimore Ravens (-3)
Monday, September 28, 8:15 ET Kansas City heads to Baltimore in the best matchup of Week 3 and arguably one of the best matchups of the 2020 season. The Chiefs had an incredible comeback win in overtime against the Chargers in Week 2 while the Ravens took care of the Houston Texans comfortably on the road. With Baltimore dominating this past week, public money could come in heavy on the Ravens as the Chiefs did not look the best defensively in Los Angeles. However, Kansas City still has Patrick Mahomes on their side, so the Chiefs will always have a chance to win down the stretch. Mahomes could be another hero this week if the games are on the line.
