We’re heading into Week 3 of the NFL’s 2021 regular season, and what we’re seeing is even more parity than usual. Only two teams in the AFC have 2-0 records — and those teams are the Broncos and the Raiders, rather than teams that we expect to make deep postseason runs. Will order be restored a bit in Week 3?
Check out our NFL betting thoughts for your straight up picks this week.
NFL News: Week 3 SU Picks
Thursday Night Football
Carolina Panthers (-400) at Houston Texans (+310)
Houston won’t be playing Deshaun Watson, even if Tyrod Taylor’s hamstring is not ready to go. That means either a slowed Taylor or rookie Davis Mills against a Panther defense that leads the NFL in fewest yards permitted per game (190). Panthers win.
Sunday Games
Washington Football Team (+310) at Buffalo Bills (-400)
Buffalo righted the ship in a 35-0 waxing of Miami. Washington got 336 passing yards out of Taylor Heinicke against the Giants, but the Giant defense is quite inferior to the Bills’. Bills win.
Chicago Bears (+260) at Cleveland Browns (-330)
Justin Fields could start this game, depending on Andy Dalton’s knee. Chicago could bottle up Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, but Baker Mayfield’s passing has been stronger this far in terms of avoiding turnovers. Browns win.
Baltimore Ravens (-420) at Detroit Lions (+320)
Detroit’s defense has a lot of questions to answer, and the Ravens have an offense designed to make that type of defense pay dearly. Ravens win.
Indianapolis Colts (+210) at Tennessee Titans (-260)
The Colts almost pulled off the upset against the Rams, but now they are 0-2 with a key AFC South road game coming up. Tennessee finally figured out its offense late against Seattle and should be able to hold off a hobbled Carson Wentz. Titans win.
L.A. Chargers (+250) at Kansas City Chiefs (-320)
Kansas City’s offense is firing — but that defense is still a bit of a mess. Justin Herbert already has three interceptions through two games, and he should make enough mistakes for the Chiefs to prevail. Chiefs win.
New Orleans Saints (+130) at New England Patriots (-150)
The Patriot defense has permitted 11.5 points per game and has picked off five passes. Jameis Winston has a tendency to throw interceptions, although his ball security has been improved so far this season. I’m going with the value here in a fairly even matchup. Saints win.
Atlanta Falcons (+140) at N.Y. Giants (-160)
In this pair of toss-up games, the Falcons look much better on paper…and are the underdogs. I like this moneyline value. Falcons win.
Cincinnati Bengals (+160) at Pittsburgh Steelers (-190)
Cincinnati last won at Pittsburgh in 2015. I like what Joe Burrow brings, but he wasted a lot of opportunities against Chicago last week. Will he learn his lesson? This is another upset I like, given the problems Pittsburgh has had moving the ball on offense. Bengals win.
Arizona Cardinals (-350) at Jacksonville Jaguars (+280)
Kyler Murray has 740 all-purpose yards through two games — and Jacksonville has a -5 ratio on turnovers so far. That will give the Cardinals way too many chances with the ball. Cardinals win.
N.Y. Jets (+450) at Denver Broncos (-650)
The Broncos have only permitted 13 points per game, as Von Miller has already posted three sacks. Teddy Bridgewater has been terrific running the offense so far. Broncos win.
Miami Dolphins (+175) at Las Vegas Raiders (-210)
We’re still waiting to hear whether Tua Tagovailoa will play (rib), or whether it will be an aging Jacoby Brissett running the Miami offense. Either way, the Raiders should be able to pull this off. Raiders win.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-125) at L.A. Rams (+105)
This duel between Matthew Stafford and Tom Brady should be a terrific one, and the Rams might have the better defense. I’m taking the slight edge on value, especially with the Rams at home. Rams win.
Seattle Seahawks (-125) at Minnesota Vikings (+105)
Since he signed with the Vikings, Kirk Cousins is 0-3 against the Seahawks. Minnesota comes in having lost two straight nailbiters thanks to the kicking game. I’m going with the Seahawks here if I have to choose, but I’m not putting any wagers down on this game myself. Seahawks win.
Green Bay Packers (+155) at San Francisco 49ers (-180)
Green Bay has defensive issues that even Detroit was able to exploit for a half. The 49ers have problems moving the ball, but Jimmy G will have more openings this week. 49ers win.
Monday Night Football
Philadelphia Eagles (+160) at Dallas Cowboys (-190)
Dallas has made key mistakes in each of their first two games, and the Buccaneers played a cleaner game and won. The Chargers were even more sloppy and lost. The Eagles have some problems in the running game, but they don’t make as many mistakes. Even so, Dak Prescott should be able to outduel Jalen Hurts. Cowboys win.
NFL Betting Odds
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