The golden rule after Week 1 is simple: don’t panic and don’t overreact. Anyone who ignored it received a helmet-to-helmet reality check in Week 2.
After scoring the most points in franchise history, the Chicago Bears managed just 3 against Minnesota. Philadelphia struggled against lowly Tennessee; Cleveland upset Tampa Bay; New Orleans upset Baltimore; Las Vegas upset the Los Angeles Chargers.
Outside of maybe Buffalo, we’re still a ways from finding a consistent squad for NFL Week 3 against the spread (ATS), moneyline, and total.
Week 3 begins Thursday in Green Bay, includes Baltimore and Dallas meeting in Rio de Janeiro, and ends with Philadelphia at Chicago on Monday night. Here are our NFL Week 3 odds, betting trends, and tips against the spread.
Check out the latest NFL odds on Bovada.
NFL Week 3 Games to Watch
Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers – 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video
- Spread: Packers -6
- Moneyline: Packers -280, Falcons +230
- Total: 44.5
After Atlanta scored just three points against Carolina, Falcons fans are now looking forward to the return of third-year QB Michael Penix Jr. to right the ship on Thursday night. His return should raise the offense’s ceiling, particularly for Drake London and Bijan Robinson, while also adding uncertainty on a short week.
Green Bay rallied from 10 points down to beat the Jets 20-17 in overtime, although 14 penalties and injuries to Jayden Reed and right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele create new concerns. The Packers obviously have the better quarterback situation, but their offensive struggles have already moved a seven-point advantage to six.
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers – 1 p.m. ET, CBS
- Spread: Bengals -3.5
- Moneyline: Bengals -185; Steelers +154
- Total: 42.5
Cincinnati’s defense is the early surprise. It sacked C.J. Stroud four times and held Houston to six points, allowing Joe Burrow to win efficiently despite taking five sacks. The super-early odds for this game was -1.5 for the Steelers at home. But Aaron Rodgers’ string of lumbering performances has eaten away at oddsmakers’ confidence in the Steelers resiliency at home – they’ve shifted to +3.5 homedogs.
That said, it’s still the Steelers, and their defensive line can still cause fits, especially against a division opponent with a QB that consistently eats multiple sacks per game.
Los Angeles Chargers at Buffalo Bills – 1 p.m. ET, CBS
- Spread: Bills -7
- Moneyline: Chargers +250; Bills -310
- Total: 50.5
No Week 3 line reacted more dramatically to Week 2. Buffalo moved from -2.5 to -7 after scoring 41 against Detroit, while Los Angeles lost 26-14 to Las Vegas and fell to 0-2. The entire Chargers team, QB Justin Herbert included, appears to be regressing despite an experienced and well-regarded coaching staff. Their one shot appears to be a steady dose of second-year RB Omarion Hampton, but Buffalo’s ability to drop 30-plus with ease could take him out of the game early.
New England Patriots at Jacksonville Jaguars – 1 p.m. ET, CBS
- Spread: Jaguars -3
- Moneyline: Patriots +130; Jaguars -155
- Total: 44.5
Both teams are 1-1, but neither offense is settled. For New England, TreVeyon Henderson’s 39-yard touchdown and Aaron Rodgers’ failing arm drove their 20-3 win over Pittsburgh – QB Drake Maye struggled again with his fourth interception this year. Jacksonville lost 20-13 in Denver as QB Trevor Lawrence couldn’t solve the vaunted Mile-High defense.
The Jaguars earn their -3 handicap with home-field advantage and more receiving depth, but the Patriots can keep this close if Henderson creates more explosives and Maye gets his 2025 swagger back.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys – 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
- Spread: Ravens -3
- Moneyline: Ravens -155; Cowboys +130
- Total: 52.5
The first NFL regular-season game in Rio de Janeiro pits two teams packed with offensive firepower but lacking in consistency. Baltimore surrendered 15 unanswered points in a 24-17 loss to New Orleans and failed to generate much pressure. Dallas beat Washington 37-20 behind four Dak Prescott touchdown passes, but its running backs have not produced a rush longer than nine yards this season. The week’s highest total reflects the quarterback talent and both defenses’ vulnerability through the air.
Los Angeles Rams at Denver Broncos – 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
- Spread: Rams -2.5
- Moneyline: Rams -135; Broncos +114
- Total: 45.5
Matthew Stafford threw four touchdown passes as the Rams overwhelmed the Giants 28-6, with Davante Adams supplying 184 receiving yards. Denver’s defense presents a much harder test, especially with Patrick Surtain II capable of changing how Los Angeles distributes targets. The Broncos beat Jacksonville 20-13, but they’ve struggled in the red zone and on third down.
Denver’s home environment and pass rush can make this a four-quarter game, but Denver will be hard-pressed to beat a Super Bowl-ready squad like L.A. if its offense doesn’t do some of the heavy lifting.
Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears – 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC
- Spread: Eagles -3
- Moneyline: Eagles -180; Bears +155
- Total: 44.5
Philadelphia is 2-0 after Jalen Hurts directed a late touchdown drive to beat Tennessee 24-20, but they’ve shown cracks with shoddy line play and struggles in the run game.
But they may have lucked out with a Monday night tilt with Chicago. QB Caleb Williams struggled against Minnesota and left with a hamstring injury; he’s day-to-day. If Tyson Bagent starts, the Bears will need their running game and defense to reduce the burden. The injury uncertainty explains why Philadelphia moved from a 1.5-point underdog to a road favorite.
Key Players to Watch in NFL Week 3
These players could perform above or below expectations because of matchup, role, or recent changes.
- Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys – Better Than Expected: Prescott completed more than 80% of his passes and threw four touchdowns in Week 2. Baltimore struggled to pressure New Orleans, giving Prescott an opportunity to attack a secondary that cannot rely on a dominant rush.
- TreVeyon Henderson, RB, New England Patriots – Better Than Expected: Henderson returned from an ankle injury with a 39-yard score and gives New England the explosive element it lacked in Week 1. Jacksonville failed to sack Nix last week, which could mean the Pats lineman could create space for screens and perimeter runs.
- Michael Penix Jr., QB, Atlanta Falcons — Lower Than Expected: Penix brings upside for the Atlanta offense, but his first game after ACL surgery comes on a short week at Lambeau Field. Atlanta may protect him with a run-heavy plan, limiting his attempts and exposing him to obvious passing situations if Green Bay gets ahead.
- Davante Adams, WR, Los Angeles Rams – Lower Than Expected: Adams is coming off 184 yards against the Giants, making any yardage total a tempting over bet. Denver can counter with Surtain and a pass rush that battered Trevor Lawrence, so Stafford may be forced to spread the ball around.
- Omarion Hampton, RB, Los Angeles Chargers – Better Than Expected: Los Angeles needs a way to slow Buffalo’s offense and protect Herbert. Hampton’s career-high 23 carries in Week 2 established him as the lead back, and he’s likely to get another high-volume game.
NFL Week 3 Betting Trends
Quick tips and trends for NFL Week 3 against the spread, moneyline, and total.
- Week 2 finished 8-8 ATS, but five ‘dogs – Cincinnati, Cleveland, Minnesota, New Orleans, and Las Vegas – won straight up.
- Low scoring dominated: unders went 10-6. The Vikings-Bears game produced only 12 points, and five teams failed to reach double digits.
- Week 2 results produced major Week 3 line moves: Buffalo shifted from -2.5 to -7 against the Chargers, Cincinnati moved from +1.5 to -3 at Pittsburgh, and Kansas City climbed from -7 to -11.5 at Miami.
- The market also reacted to injuries: Philadelphia opened as a 1.5-point underdog at Chicago but became a 3-point favorite after Williams’ injury. Atlanta-Green Bay’s total fell from 46.5 to 44.5 after the Falcons scored three points.
- Detroit enters Week 3 on an 8-0 ATS run in third-week games, Cincinnati is 4-0 ATS in its past four road games, and the under has hit in the Chargers’ past five games overall.
NFL Week 3 FAQs
When does NFL Week 3 begin?
Week 3 begins Thursday, September 24, when Atlanta visits Green Bay at 8:15 p.m. ET.
Where can I bet on NFL Week 3?
Bovada offers odds on every NFL Week 3 matchup, including spreads, totals, and player props. Earn 2x reward points on same-game parlays on any NFL matchup.
What is the biggest Week 3 spread?
Kansas City is currently the largest favorite at approximately -11.5 on the road against Miami.
Which Week 3 game has the highest total?
Baltimore-Dallas currently has the highest listed total at 52.5 points.
Where is Ravens-Cowboys being played?
The teams meet at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sunday, September 27.
Which injuries matter most before betting Week 3?
The hamstring injury to Bears QB Caleb Williams is the biggest news; RB Saquon Barkley has a stinger, and Buffalo receiver DJ Moore is day-to-day with an AC joint sprain.