After a thrilling Week 1, most bettors and handicappers are focused on the Week 2 lines. We’ve always got our eye on what’s around the curve, which is why we’re taking a quick peek at the Week 3 look-ahead lines. Here are the Week 3 NFL betting lines as they stand before the Week 2 games have taken place:
New York Jets at Cleveland Browns -1.5
The Jets have been an early surprise after stomping the Detroit Lions in their opener. How they perform in Week 2 as a small home favorite could change this line significantly. If the Browns lose in New Orleans as a big dog and the Jets win, we could see the Jets swing into the favorite role.
Indianapolis Colts at Philadelphia Eagles -7
We still aren’t quite sure what Carson Wentz’ story is for Week 3 but the Eagles don’t look like they’re rushing him. This will be the Colts second consecutive road game after visiting Washington in Week 2.
Cincinnati Bengals at Carolina Panthers -4.5
The Bengals play on Thursday night in Week 2, so they’ll have had 10 days to prepare for this game. That’ll make two straight opponents for the Panthers in that role as the Falcons – their Week 2 opponent – also had 10 days to prepare.
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons -3
What we see from both teams in Week 2 could shift this line a lot. Both teams are laying at least six points in Week 2 following disappointing losses in Week 1.
Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens -5.5
We still have a lot to learn about these teams after quality efforts in Week 1.
New York Giants at Houston Texans -4.5
Both teams have tantalizing offensive weapons but are limited by weak offensive lines. That should setup an interesting matchup. This will be the Texans home opener.
Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins -4
The Raiders will get a slight reprieve in Week 3 after facing two strong defenses in their first two games.
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings -15
The Vikings will be the biggest favorite of the young season, laying more than two touchdowns against a lousy Bills team with a rookie quarterback (Josh Allen) making his first road start.
San Francisco 49ers at Kansas City Chiefs -4
The 49ers are doing a ton of traveling in the early part of the season. They played Week 1 in Minnesota, then flew across the country to host Detroit in Week 2 and then fly to Kansas City for Week 3. It should be an entertaining matchup between two young quarterbacks in Jimmy Garoppolo and Patrick Mahomes.
Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Rams -5.5
The all-Los Angeles matchup finds the Chargers as a 5.5-point “road” dog.
Chicago Bears -2.5 at Arizona Cardinals
The fact that the Bears are a road favorite shows just how poorly the Cardinals are viewed these days. The Cards lost 24-6 at home to the Washington Redskins in Week 1.
New England Patriots -6.5 at Detroit Lions
The Patriots are a touchdown favorite in Detroit and some might be surprised that it’s not higher. If the Lions look as bad in Week 2 (at San Francisco) as they did in Week 1, expect the Patriots to close laying more than a touchdown.
Pittsburgh Steelers -4 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Road games with the Steelers are always an adventure. This will be the third and final game of Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston’s suspension as he’ll be eligible to return in Week 4.
Green Bay Packers at Washington Redskins NO LINE
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars NO LINE
