NFL Week Three preview: Predictions & best bets for the latest NFL action including Ravens @ Chiefs, Jets @ Patriots & Broncos @ Packers
Paul Higham previews this Sunday's NFL action where the two best players in the league so far go head-to-head, while Tom Brady is set to enjoy another comfortable day at at the office.
Recommended bets
1pt New England Patriots (-14.5pts) and under 48.5 total match points at 11/8
1pt Under 43.5 points in Broncos @ Packers at Evens
1pt Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers & Seattle Seahawks all to win at 7/4
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
New York Jets @ New England Patriots
The Patriots shut out the Dolphins last week, and now get the winless Jets who were thrashed at home by the Browns and are down to their third-string quarterback – this could get ugly in a hurry! As 22-point favourites, the Pats are the second-biggest fancies of the week.
Pats coach Bill Belichick has a strained relationship with the team he left after just a day in charge back in 2000 and he’ll be out to stomp all over them at home, so don’t expect the hosts to go easy once they’re ahead.
New England are 76-3 on aggregate after two games and will enter historic territory if they enjoy at least a 24-point win, as their start will be in the top five all-time, while allowing nine points or fewer would make them the stingiest in the Super Bowl era after three games – as their defence somehow manages to outshine Tom Brady and Antonio Brown.
New England’s defence will work exclusively on shutting down Le’Veon Bell and confusing new QB Luke Faulk, and they should run out wide-margin winners, but the total points line might be a tad high so we’re going with a similar combination that came in for us last week.
Verdict: New England Patriots -14.5 and Under 48.5 Total Match Points at 11/8
Touchdown: Rex Burkhead anytime TD scorer at 9/4
Baltimore Ravens @ Kansas City Chiefs
We can make a case for a lot of NFL games being mouth-watering contests, but this one between the two hottest quarterbacks in the league has many positively salivating at the prospect of reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes taking on surprisingly excellent Lamar Jackson.
We knew what to expect from Mahomes, yet he’s still exceeded those lofty expectations, but Jackson has improved beyond recognition in the throwing stakes after being labelled as ‘just a runner’ in pre-season. With the two teams leading the league in big passing plays, but both defences also allowing plenty, the fireworks should continue at Arrowhead.
Jackson and the Ravens may decide to run it more against the Chiefs, to keep Mahomes off the ball and then back their fine defence to limit his impact – and that actually should keep the points total down beneath some sky-high predictions. The Ravens are a scary prospect, but the Chiefs should just have enough.
Verdict: Chiefs (-5.5) and under 55.5 total match points at 2/1
Denver Broncos @ Green Bay Packers
The Packers should make it 3-0 this week against a surprisingly ineffective Broncos defence that has failed to get a turnover or sack in two games despite having elite pass rushers Vonn Miller and Bradley Chubb in its ranks. The way they allowed middle-of-the-road QB Mitch Trubisky to engineer a last-second win for Chicago last week typified their toothless start to the campaign.
Denver have also never won at Lambeau Field, while head coach Vic Fangio is 1-4 when coaching against the Packers in Green Bay. New Packers coach Matt LaFleur has transformed the team into a defensive giant, which is lucky because Aaron Rodgers and the offence hasn’t fired at all – they failed to score a point in 11 consecutive drives last week.
Both teams have been operating a ‘no-hurry’ offence this season so this could be slow viewing, and points should be low, but with Rodgers on the field the hosts are up to getting the job done.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Buffalo Bills
The Kings of New York return home with the Buffalo Bills entertaining the troubled Bengals fresh off back-to-back wins at MetLife Stadium against the Jets and Giants. Neither were very good teams, but neither are the Bengals who put up a good show in Seattle but were crushed at home by the 49ers last week. QB Josh Allen is looking good for the Bills and there's just too much strength in their defence to let Cincy breathe.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ San Francisco 49ers
No Ben Roethlisberger spells trouble for the Steelers, especially with them making the long trip out west to face a Niners side who looked better than the Joe Montana version last week - although playing the Bengals can do that. There is talent in this side though and head coach Kyle Shanahan just seems to be working out the best way to play his new offence. Watch out for rookie receiver Deebo Samuel who may well have claimed the number one spot.
New Orleans Saints @ Seattle Seahawks
Another team crippled by losing their Super Bowl-winning quarterback, the Saints could hardly ask for a worse game next up then in Seattle, where the noise reaches record levels and makes it a tough prospect even for the most seasoned QB. Saints coach Sean Payton will use both back-up Teddy Bridgewater and the versatile, play-anywhere, Taysom Hill and will have to dig deep into his coaching box of tricks to try and get some meaningful production. Payton may not have an answer for Seattle's run game though, given the Saints are the worst in the league at stopping the run.
Sunday treble: Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers & Seattle Seahawks all to win at 7/4
NFL Week Three schedule
Sunday, September 22, 2019
- Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills
- Miami Dolphins at Dallas Cowboys
- Denver Broncos at Green Bay Packers
- Atlanta Falcons at Indianapolis Colts
- Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs
- Oakland Raiders at Minnesota Vikings
- New York Jets at New England Patriots
- Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles
- Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals
- New York Giants at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers
- New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks
- Pittsburgh Steelers at San Francisco 49ers
- Los Angeles Rams at Cleveland Browns
Monday, September 23, 2019
- Chicago Bears at Washington Redskins
Odds correct as of 1301 on 20/09/19
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