NFL Week 3 betting odds, early predictions: Fade underdog Colts, Pats

We thought Week 1 was wild, but we truly had no idea what was in store in Week 2. Three teams erased a deficit of at least 13 points in the fourth quarter, which had only happened on the same day once before in NFL history (Oct. 4, 1992). Two of those included 20-point second-half comebacks, both of which featured two of the craziest endings you’ll ever see.

That sets the stage for Week 3, which has to be at least a little bit calmer … right? Here’s a look at the full slate of games at BetMGM, including which ones we’re targeting early in the week:

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NFL Week 3 betting odds, point spreads (via BetMGM)

Ravens -3 @ Patriots

I can’t believe oddsmakers had the audacity to hang this line after what we’ve seen through the first two weeks of the season.

Yes, the Ravens deserve plenty of criticism after allowing the Dolphins to erase a 21-point comeback in the fourth quarter. But did you see the first three quarters? This offense is clearly humming with Lamar Jackson (437 total yards, 4 TDs) at the helm, and this young defense mostly did its job until a few crucial – and inexcusable – lapses in the final quarter.

I’d expect veteran coach John Harbaugh to have his group prepared for this get-right spot against the Patriots, who might be the most quintessentially average team in the NFL across the entire roster. Mac Jones simply doesn’t have the experience nor innovative play-calling to overcome the mediocre weapons around him, and this ho-hum defense will have its hands full containing Jackson in a revenge spot from his frustrating loss at New England in 2020.

Chiefs -6.5 @ Colts

Are we sure the Colts are good? Or, let me rephrase: are we sure they aren’t one of the worst teams in the league?

I hate to overreact after the first two weeks, but this team clearly has some underlying issues after tying with the Texans and getting blanked by the Jaguars a week ago. It seems like maybe Carson Wentz wasn’t the problem on the heels of Matt Ryan’s 3-INT day, and even Jonathan Taylor (54 yards) couldn’t save this offense from a shutout.

The Chiefs need no introduction after a blowout win in Week 1 and a physical win over the Chargers in Week 2, and I’m frankly surprised they aren’t laying a touchdown or more in this spot. Don’t be surprised if that changes by kickoff.

Betting on the NFL?

Chargers -7 vs. Jaguars

This feels like a pretty obvious numbers play to grab early in the week, which might be the only time we see this line at 7 if Justin Herbert (ribs) can’t suit up for Week 3.

He’s questionable for this one after gutting it out to close last Thursday’s loss in Kansas City. It was obvious to anyone watching how much pain the third-year star was fighting through, and we still don’t have much clarity on his status for this one. However, it seems like an obvious spot to rest the MVP candidate against a clearly inferior opponent.

The talent gap between these two doesn’t mean you should discount the Jaguars entirely, though, after their dominant win over the Colts. As we said above, it’s hard to know how much stock to put into that, but the post-Urban Meyer era is already off to a much better start, and Trevor Lawrence (235 yards, 2 TDs) looks like a different quarterback, too. I’m fine grabbing the points in this one, anyway, but it’ll prove especially fruitful if Herbert can’t go.