NFL Week 3 Betting: Best Bets Vs. The Spread

Hi! Do you enjoy football? How about winning money? If you answered yes to either or both of those questions, the following is in your wheelhouse. Here are the Smarter picks for Week 3 of the NFL season. These are against the spread, and the spreads and percentages are courtesy of Pregame.com. 

Season Record: 3-3

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (+1) over Baltimore Ravens

I love me some home underdogs, and this one is ripe! The Jaguars were a preseason darling, but two losses – one of which came against a Super Bowl contender in the Packers – and people are ready to jump ship. This team is likely too good to go 0-3, and don’t forget the Ravens were down 20 points in the first quarter last week to the Browns.

The Jags are due for a big game from WR Allen Robinson, and they are expecting to have RB Chris Ivory back, which will add some teeth to a running game that floundered with T.J. Yeldon as the lead dog. As long as Jacksonville’s defense doesn’t get torched deep by Joe Flacco and his speedsters, they’re a very solid bet to put a mark in the win column.

Oakland Raiders (+2) over TENNESSEE TITANS

The Titans are home and fresh off looking competent vs. the Vikings, then rugged vs. the Lions. But in those games they faced Shaun Hill at QB, and then a Lions team that no one expected much from. This week, they're up against the No. 1 offense in the NFL right now. Maybe Tennessee is not the doormat we all expected, but are they ready to put the brakes on Derek Carr and Amari Cooper? Unlikely. 

Chicago Bears (+7) over DALLAS COWBOYS

The Bears lost Jay Cutler, so obviously they’re going to go straight in the tank right? Wrong. Cutler stinks, let’s be honest, and his backup, Brian Hoyer, is very much in the category of capable. Hoyer is intelligent enough to throw it up to WR Alshon Jeffrey, and the Bears will be able to move the ball on the ground against the Cowboys.

So far, the Cowboys’ vaunted running game has been underwhelming, and Dak Prescott scares no one with his passing. The Cowboys should be able to win this one at home, but for them to give a full touchdown it’s pretty tempting to go the other way.