The underdogs had a good weekend at the betting window in Week 3 of the NFL season going 8-7 against the line through Sunday night’s game. All three home dogs covered the spread with two – Detroit and Washington – winning outright by double digits. The Arizona Cardinals covered the 5.5-point spread in their 2-point loss to Chicago, though there were anxious moments for backers. In the last minute of the game, the Bears intercepted a Josh Rosen pass and returned it for a touchdown, only to have their backdoor cover come off the board due to a defensive penalty.
Just when you think you have the NFL figured out, you don’t. Coming off two awful performances and playing the Vikings on the road, the Buffalo Bills pulled off the biggest upset in recent memory, not only covering the 16.5-point spread, but handing Minnesota an embarrassing 27-6 loss. Jacksonville was also double-digit chalk against the Titans and managed two field goals in a 9-6 loss. There have been four games this season with a team favored by at least 10 points and the dogs have won three of those outright.
NFL Week 3 Betting Summary
| WAGER |
Favorite/Underdog |
| Straight Up |
9 – 6 |
| ATS |
7 – 8 |
| WAGER |
Total (O/U) |
| Over/Under |
7 – 8 |
Biggest Week 3 Upsets
Buffalo Bills ( +16.5 ) 27, Minnesota Vikings 6
We typically don’t see lines get into double-figures, it’s happened only four times in the first three weeks, and there’s a reason why. Unlike the college game where the disparity between certain teams is enormous, that’s not always the case in the NFL. Buffalo was at the bottom of most NFL power rankings after getting mauled in its first two games by a combined score of 78-23. And sending rookie Josh Allen out against the Vikings in his second career start seemed like a mismatch.
But the Bills surprised just about everyone by dominating on the road, handing the Vikings their first loss and making Kirk Cousins look like the second coming of Rex Grossman. Allen took the game into his hands – and legs – leading the Bills to the biggest upset since 1995. The Vikings may have been looking ahead to their Thursday night contest with the Rams, but that’s the biggest mistake an NFL team can make. Allen threw a touchdown pass and ran for two others in the first half for a 27-0 lead at the break. Buffalo won against the spread for the first time this season.
Tennessee Titans ( +10 ) 9, Jacksonville Jaguars 6
Another outright loser as a double-digit favorite, the Jags aren’t as good as they think they are. And that win over New England was tarnished after the Pats were humbled in Detroit on Sunday night. The inconsistent play of Blake Bortles will prevent the Jags from reaching elite status, though their defense is already there.
The Jags did enough defensively to win this game, but Bortles and his group didn’t respond. They were missing Leonard Fournette and two starters on the offensive line, but the Titans were without Marcus Mariota, at least until Blaine Gabbert got knocked out of the game. The opening line was delayed in hitting the board due to the health of Mariota and the Jags may have breathed a sigh of relief knowing Gabbert was going to be behind center. The Jags failed to cover the spread for the first time this season falling to 2-1 ATS.
Taking Care of Business
Los Angeles Rams ( -7 ) 35, Los Angeles Chargers 23
The Rams are now the favorite to win the Super Bowl and they looked every bit like a champion in taking the battle for Los Angeles with a 35-23 cover win over the Bolts. The Rams have scored at least 33 points in every game and have been favored by at least 6.5 points each time, yet they improved to 3-0 ATS by holding off the Chargers. The Rams are the only double-digit favorite to win a game this season when they knocked off Arizona as 13.5-point chalk in Week 2. Under Sean McVay, the Rams are now 14-5 straight up and 12-7 against the spread.
Kansas City Chiefs ( -6 ) 38, San Francisco 49ers 27
Behind Patrick Mahomes the Chiefs continued their early season roll with another impressive offensive display against the Niners. Mahomes tossed three first half scoring passes and KC built a 35-7 lead in the first half, withstanding a late comeback attempt to win their third in a row against the line.
NFL Betting Odds
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