NFL Week 3 odds, picks, greatest bets: Bucs roll in opposition to Broncos, Texans-Vikings shootout, sneaky two-leg teaser

For the second straight 12 months, we collectively counted out Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers. And for the second straight 12 months, they’re making us all look actually silly. Tampa is off to a 2-0 begin and Baker is taking part in some nice soccer. Over his final 10 begins, he leads the NFL in passing touchdowns (22) and is tied with Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes for many wins (eight, together with the postseason). 

Tampa’s protection is banged up on the again finish, however that should not be a difficulty in opposition to this Broncos offense, which is admittedly struggling to do something down the sphere with Bo Nix underneath middle. Denver would like to run the ball, however I do not assume will probably be as simple because the stats indicate. Tampa’s rush-defense numbers are skewed by taking part in Jayden Daniels and a few lengthy runs by the Lions. The Broncos have to win by way of the move in the event that they wish to take down the Bucs. 

Nix has tried 47 passes to this point this season, is averaging 5 yards per try, has 4 picks and has but to throw a landing. I am keen to take that gamble. 

On the offensive aspect, anybody who thought it is perhaps Dave Canales creating the magic certainly feels off base at this level, with the Panthers limping out to 13 complete factors and benching Bryce Young for Andy Dalton. New OC Liam Cohen has moved Chris Godwin to the slot extra typically and he, together with Jaleel McLaughlin, might eat on this matchup with Patrick Surtain II probably shadowing Mike Evans. This can be a sneaky Rachaad White spot as nicely, with Kenneth Walker III and the Najee Harris/Jaylen Warren combo each having cheap success in opposition to Denver’s run protection. 

If the Bucs get a lead, they’ll pound the ball and Todd Bowles will blitz the hell out of Nix whereas he tries to mount a comeback. The Bucs have one cruise-control win at residence to this point this season in opposition to a rookie quarterback and a questionable offense. 

Signal me up for one more.

Choose: Buccaneers (-6.5)

Greatest Bets Week 2: 0-5
Greatest Bets YTD: 2-8

Different greatest bets

Teaser: Chargers (+7) at Steelers 

This sport may very well be loopy low scoring with two slam-it-in-your-face offenses. The distinction between the 2 groups is the quarterback, nonetheless. Justin Fields has been an exquisite shock this season, however I am undecided he is ready for a Bolts protection that has shut down questionable offenses in Vegas and Carolina to this point this season, yielding lower than 150 yards per sport by way of the air. Arthur Smith is not going to assault vertically, which suggests the Steelers should win up entrance by pounding the ball. I do not anticipate one other monster sport from J.K. Dobbins however I would not put something previous the Chargers within the run sport with the best way their offensive line is taking part in. Neutralizing the Steelers up entrance would enable Justin Herbert to take some pictures to potential breakout Quentin Johnston. That is the Jim Nantz/Tony Romo sport and it needs to be a great one, however I am going to take the Bolts to discover a strategy to win and definitely hold it inside a landing regardless. 

Teaser: 49ers (-1) at Rams

The Niners are on the second leg of back-to-back highway video games right here, so it is not a simple spot, significantly in opposition to a division rival. However we have seen Kyle Shanahan dominate Sean McVay in the previous couple of years and now he will get the Rams at their most weak. A number of offensive linemen for Los Angeles went on injured reserve this week and Matthew Stafford goes to be lacking each of his major weapons in Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. Deebo Samuel is lacking as nicely however this profiles as a doable Brandon Aiyuk explosion and George Kittle will not be simple to cope with both. If the Niners get a lead it is Jordan Mason time in opposition to a protection not sporting Aaron Donald. Laying the complete landing is doable however robust — I actually anticipate the 49ers to discover a strategy to win. 

Texans/Vikings Over 46.5

I do not wish to name the Vikings offense an unstoppable power with Sam Darnold, however so long as Justin Jefferson is on the market he’s going to supply massive numbers. Simply kidding — he truly performed nice soccer with out Jefferson on the market. With Jefferson on the sphere, Darnold attacked down the sphere from his personal finish zone. Houston’s protection profiles as a probably elite unit, particularly the best way Derek Stingley Jr., is taking part in however the Vikings safety up entrance and weapons give them sufficient to reply any scores the Texans hearth off. And I believe there will likely be a lot in opposition to Brian Flores’ hyper-aggressive blitz protection — this 12 months C.J. Stroud is 15-for-19 for 151 yards, one landing and no picks in opposition to the blitz. The Texans offensive line can maintain up and Nico Collins/Tank Dell are deadly deep/explosive play weapons in these conditions. I am anticipating a sneaky-ish back-and-forth affair right here.

Which picks are you able to make with confidence, and which three must-see underdogs must you lock in now? Visit SportsLine to see which teams win and cover the spread, all from a proven computer model that has returned well over $7,000, and discover out.

Lions/Cardinals Over 51.5

The Cardinals have already been concerned in two high-scoring affairs this season, going forwards and backwards with the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 and hanging a forty burger on the banged-up Rams final week. Detroit’s protection is way improved and it might be robust sledding within the run sport for Arizona, however Kyler Murray’s taking part in some Large Boy soccer already this season and may be capable to hold it going in opposition to a Lions secondary that’s nonetheless discovering its footing with lots of new items added. It is laborious to not be impressed with Kyler and the weapons he is acquired ought to discover success in opposition to Detroit. Marvin Harrison Jr., was unimaginable final week and left some yards on the sphere. Trey McBride’s utilization is thru the roof and he is perhaps in retailer for a breakout sport quickly. Detroit’s not afraid to maintain up with anybody and Amon-Ra St. Brown/Jameson Williams/Sam LaPorta give them passing-game weapons to get entangled in a shootout.

Panthers (+5.5) at Raiders

GULP. Who does not love a great, previous dead-cat bounce sport? It is borderline literal for this one, with the pungent Carolina Panthers repping the feline mascot. Bryce Younger simply acquired benched, which suggests the complete crew 1) ought to rally round Andy Dalton and a pair of) is aware of that nobody’s job is secure. The Raiders are taking part in nicely, however I do not assume they will run away with this sport. They have been concerned in a low-scoring shut first half in opposition to the Chargers earlier than Jim Harbaugh’s squad pulled away they usually miraculously stormed again in opposition to the Ravens. Dalton will give Carolina the next ground offensively — it is unimaginable to be decrease — and I anticipate the Raiders to attempt to win this sport by way of the bottom sport nearly completely. That opens up the again door for the Ginger King worst case.