The NFL Odds Tell Us We Have Interesting Games in Week 3 Action
By Charles Jay
Let’s take a look at some of the NFL odds and the games that are taking place on Saturday, complete with the latest odds (as of this writing). The lines are a little different than many exptected going into week 3 of NFL action. The lines we are using are posted at BetAnySports:
New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers, 1 PM ET
NFL Odds: Saints -2.5 / Total 41
Baker Mayfield may prove to be an upgrade from Sam Darnold, but we wonder how much. Right now it appears as if Matt Rhule is in jeopardy after last week’s loss to the Giants. They’re not holding the ball for very long – a little more than 45 minutes combined in the two games. Christian McCaffrey may be the best player on the field, but he may have to dominate to keep the Panthers in ballgames.
Kudos to New Orleans for its balls-out defensive effort against Tampa Bay last week. But Jameis Winston became Jameis Winston again (three INT’s in fourth quarter). Nonetheless, we have respect for the Saints’ receivers like Jarvis Landry, Michael Thomas and rookie Chris Olave, as well as Swiss army knife Taysom Hill. Carolina has not forced a turnover in the last six games. The Saints are the preferable side. Lay the small number.
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Houston Texans at Chicago Bears, 1 PM ET
BetAnySports NFL Odds: Bears -2.5 (-118) / Total 39
In two games thus far, the Texans have been outgained by 334 yards. So the offense has a ways to go. But you know, the Bears haven’t been advancing the ball to freely themselves. Chicago is ranked 30th in the NFL in yards per drive, with Justin Fields struggling (53.6% completions). And THEY have been outgained by 313 yards. Houston has an emerging running back in Dameon Pierce, but they are weak along the offensive front. Davis Mills is developing, but not quite there yet.
What we’re trying to tell you is that points in this matchup may be hard to come by. It’s Lovie Smith against his former team. Maybe that means something. It’s more or less a question of competence. Let’s opt for the “under” play here.
Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals, 4:25 PM ET
NFL Lines: Rams -3.5 / Total 48.5
The Rams had a tight one with Atlanta this week, and that does not necessarily give us the “buy” sign. But history is on our side here; they have gone a sizzling 9-1-1 against the spread in the last eleven meetings, and matchups don’t hurt them too bad. Yes, Arizona managed to escape with an overtime win in Vegas last week, but the Cards have less of a running game (James Conner out of action) and Kyler Murray is a puzzle that Sean McVay has solved in the recent past. When management told Murray he needed to do more film study, they were thinking of moments like this. The “improv” won’t work as well this week (six career starts vs. Rams, 146 yards rushing). Lay the points.
Atlanta Falcons at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 PM ET
Football Betting NFL Odds: Pick’em / Total 42
Both of these teams, who are using “bridge” quarterback solutions, were supposed to roll over and play dead this season. But Seattle pulled an upset over former QB Russell Wilson and the Broncos, while the Falcons have fought hard in both losses. It’s hard to determine who has more upside here, but the Seahawks may be able to produce a little something extra with their “12th Man” thing. Even though Geno Smith is dead last among starting NFL quarterbacks in Intended Air Yards (5.3 per attempt), he has at least been accurate.
And if they can exhibit that “bend but not break” defense against Marcus Mariota & Co, and pound the line a little with Rashaad Penny, they have a real chance. When you look at this number, the value has to reside with Seattle.
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