NFL Preseason Week 3 Betting Odds, Trends & Predictions

Aug 2015

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NFL Preseason Week 3 Betting Odds, Trends & Predictions

This is the week of the NFL preseason that everyone looks forward to as most team’s starters are expected to play well into the second half. These dress rehearsals should give bettors their first real glance of which teams are ready to start the regular season and which ones could use another few weeks of practice.

BetOnline sportsbook has released the NFL betting odds for all 16 games in Week 3 of the NFL preseason, but the following is a look at my “best bets” for the week.

Friday, Aug. 28

Detroit at Jacksonville (-1) 44

In last week’s 21-17 loss to Washington as three-point road underdogs, the Lions had to be happy with the play of their front seven after holding the Redskins to just 40 yards rushing. The total has now stayed UNDER in their first two preseason games. The Jaguars come into Friday’s game 1-1 both straight-up and against the spread in the preseason following a 22-12 loss to the New York Giants as 3.5-point underdogs on the road. Blake Bortles enters his second season as Jacksonville’s starting quarterback and last week against the Giants he went just 8-fo-16 for 98 yards.

Detroit squeezed-out a 13-12 victory against the Jaguars in Week 3 of last year’s preseason as a three-point home favorite. I like the Lions’ chances to win this game SU as well as slight road underdogs.

Saturday, Aug. 29

Philadelphia at Green Bay (PICK) 49.5

I went with the OVER in Philadelphia’s first two games as “best bets” against Indianapolis and Baltimore and the Eagles did not disappoint with a combined 76 points in those two games. Using a four quarterback rotation, it does not seem to matter which one is under center when it comes to this team scoring points. Green Bay’s offense suffered a major setback when wide receiver Jordy Nelson tore the ACL in his knee in a 24-19 loss to Pittsburgh as a two-point road underdog this past week.

The total also went OVER a closing 42.5-point line in the Packers’ loss and while I am not quite sure which of these two teams wins on Saturday night, I am sticking with the OVER again in this matchup between the two NFC offensive powers.

Seattle at San Diego (+1) 42.5

There is never a reason to panic in the preseason since the games do not count in the standings, but there still has to be some level of concern with Seattle’s 0-2 start both SU and ATS. The Chargers are off to a solid 2-0 start both SU and ATS following last week’s 22-19 victory against Arizona as four-point road underdogs. The Seahawks have really struggled on offense both passing and running the ball, while San Diego’s defense is ranked eighth in the NFL preseason in total yards allowed.

I am going with the home team in this inter-conference clash as slight underdogs at home. The Chargers appear to be a bit further along in their preparation for the new season and quite possibly a bit hungrier for a win on Saturday night.

Sunday, Aug. 30

Houston at New Orleans (-3) 44

The Texans split their first two preseason games both SU and ATS with the total staying UNDER in both contests. New Orleans is off to a slow 0-2 start (SU and ATS) with the total going OVER each time. Following this past week’s 14-10 loss against Denver as a one-point home favorite, Houston head coach Bill O’Brian stated that he is going with Brian Hoyer as his starter against Kanas City at home in the season opener. The Saints still have Dree Brees as their starting quarterback, but they are going to have to fill a major hole on offense with the departure of tight Jimmy Graham in a trade with Seattle.

I like the Saints at home in Sunday’s game. They have not been in top form through their first two preseason outings, but with Brees getting some extended playing time to run this offense in the friendly confines of the Superdome, they should hold on to cover the three points.