Week 3 of the NFL preseason is fast approaching, and we're calm enough to continue betting on the final preseason games. Three of our five bets were winning last week, and we're hoping to cash in again this time. Our preseason total is now 7-3, so we're in the money. Just like last week, the preseason can be tricky. You never know how long your starters will play. It's also hard to predict how your backups will play, especially when they're going up against first-team players. Let's take a look at our picks and best bets for Week 3 of the NFL preseason.
Week 3, the final week of the preseason, is the toughest week to bet on as most of the starters will be out, making it hard to know which teams to bet on, although there are a few teams with veteran backups hoping to make the roster.
Other teams will have young players looking to make the roster. Finally, this is also a job interview for many players with the hope that they will be picked up by another team if they are cut.
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NFL Preseason Week 3 Predictions, Picks and Best Bets
San Francisco 49ers @ Las Vegas Raiders (+9.5)
The first game of the third week of the preseason is between the 49ers and the Raiders. This game has seen more line movement than any other game. The 49ers went from a 3-point favorite to a 9.5-point favorite now.
Considering the 49ers announced they would be fielding their entire starting lineup for the first time this preseason, they're bound to be the heavy favorites to win, especially against a Raiders team that will be playing mostly with reserve players and no starters on the bench.
But let's not forget that their backup quarterback, Aidan O'Connell, was named QB2 after losing the battle to Gardner Minshew. He'll be coming into this game with a lot of frustration and wanting to prove something. I think O'Connell can perform well, even with the limited time he has, despite playing with the reserves.
Another factor in this handicap, other than the fact that the line has moved a lot, is that the 49ers likely won't play their starters very long. I would expect to see a quarter or maybe two series before the first regular season game to give their starters some practice and fluidity. The 49ers have struggled with injuries the last few years and won't want to risk their starters for too long.
NFL Preseason Week 3 Betting: Raiders +9.5
Miami Dolphins @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3)
The next NFL preseason Week 3 game on our picks list is the Dolphins vs Buccaneers battle in Florida. The lines are the opposite of what we saw for the 49ers game. When the 49ers announced their starters would play, the line spiked. When the Buccaneers announced their starters would play, the line went up 1.5 points.
The Dolphins are resting their starters, so they'll be playing Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans and the starters against the reserves. I think 9.5 points is too high against the 49ers, but I think 3 points is too low.
People forget how good Baker was last year, leading the Bucks to a division title and a playoff win. They won't play the whole game, but they should have an advantage in the first quarter against the reserves.
Former Florida Gators quarterback Kyle Trask should also be there. When the Buccaneers first acquired Mayfield, he was supposed to compete against Trask. Trask has since become a distant memory, but he's looking to show he can still compete, whether it's with this team or another.
NFL Preseason Week 3 betting: Buccaneers (-3)
Carolina Panthers (-2.5) @ Buffalo Bills
The third game on our prediction list for Week 3 of the NFL preseason is the Carolina Panthers vs. the Buffalo Bills. The Bills have been plagued with injuries and have multiple players who will miss several weeks of football. This will mean that their starters will be benched, as well as some of their backup players, including backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.
One player who won't be sitting on the bench is quarterback Ben DiNucci. If you've watched Ben DiNucci's time with the Seattle Sea Dragons in the XFL, you know he was a gunslinger. But he was also a turnover machine. As CJ Sullivan, co-host of the XFL (not the UFL) Gamling Podcast, says, “Everybody dined with DiNucci.”
It's unclear whether the Panthers will use their starters. Coach Dave Canales was noncommittal when asked about it, but he said he's open to using his starters. Given how poorly the starters have performed so far in the preseason, it makes sense the coach would want to give them some practice.
Bryce Young struggled last year but will be looking to make a breakthrough in Year 2, especially with some new weapons. The Panthers have added Dionta Johnson, Xavier Leggett and a few others to help Young take the next step, so it makes sense to try to get some reserve players to build his confidence going into the season.
NFL Preseason Week 2 betting: Panthers (-2.5)
Minnesota Vikings @ Philadelphia Eagles (-1.5)
This matchup is intriguing. We don't yet know which team the starters are playing for. However, when you look closely at the matchup, one particular injury stands out. That injury is JJ McCarthy, and it's one of the reasons this matchup is a great Week 3 NFL preseason game for our pick list.
With JJ McCarthy out for the season, the Vikings need to have a backup plan for Sam Darnold. Currently, Nick Mullens is likely to be used as the reserve, but Jalen Hall has performed well enough to compete for the position. Hall was drafted last year and the Vikings wanted to develop him, and maybe they still can.
Another thing to watch is whether Ty Chandler plays. Aaron Jones' rating has actually dropped because of all the attention Chandler is getting, but he missed last week so we didn't get a good look at him. Chandler could get a decent amount of minutes if the starters don't play.
Even if the Eagles use their starters, it won't be for long. They know what they're made of. They'll likely win a series or two before spending the rest of the game on the sidelines. The Vikings are the better choice, as they have a lot of question marks on their roster.
NFL Preseason Week 3 Betting: Vikings +1.5
Pittsburgh Steelers (-6.5) @ Detroit Lions
It's easy to see why this Week 3 NFL preseason game makes it onto our picks list. There is a quarterback controversy in Pittsburgh, and perhaps the quarterback position isn't the only controversy because the offensive line is also in terrible shape, so it seems like a younger, more mobile quarterback has a chance to win.
Russell Wilson and Justin Fields have both played well and struggled this preseason. Mike Tomlin said the quarterback battle is an unfinished study after last week's poor showing. Their pass blocking was also really awful. Wilson and Fields are both veterans and know what's at stake. Both have high egos and want a starting spot. This should translate into good performances for the Steelers.
The Lions have shown they are willing to rest their starters. Without much turnover on offense, there seems to be no reason to bring in a starter and risk injury to him. Dan Campbell's tough mentality notwithstanding, it's more important for the Steelers. Fantasy football managers, keep an eye on this game, as the outcome could determine the quarterback position.
NFL Preseason Week 3 Betting: Steelers (-6.5)
