NFL preview & betting tips: Preview, predictions & latest odds for week three in the NFL

By Paul Higham

09:09 · MON September 24, 2018

Paul Higham takes you through week three of the NFL with his preview, predictions and best bets for the big games on Sunday.

Saints @ Falcons (1800 BST Sky Sports Action)

The NFC South is again a brutal division as the Falcons face the Saints on the back of slugging it out with the Panthers last week. Both teams sit on 1-1 but Atlanta have looked much better and should have really beaten the Super Bowl champion Eagles in the season opener.

The Saints were stunned by Tampa Bay on the opening Sunday and only beat Cleveland due to Browns kicker Zane Gonzalez, who’s since been replaced, missing field goals AND extra points during the game.

That said, the Falcons are hurting on both sides of the ball and losing your top safety and linebacker is not ideal when facing New Orleans’ attacking power that contains all-action running back Alvin Kamara and dominant receiver Michael Thomas.

The duo have 509 yards of total offence and six touchdowns between them in just two games and both should be expected to find their way into the end zone in some form during the game.

Prediction: Saints to beat the Falcons at 5/4

Touchdowns: Michael Thomas & Alvin Kamara both to score at 5/2

Chargers @ Rams (2100 BST Sky Sports Action)

The lesser-spotted Los Angeles derby rears its head with the Rams in the rare position of being 6/1 Super Bowl favourites following their strong 2-0 start but their new city rivals offer a step up from the Raiders and Cardinals teams they’ve previously beaten.

The Chargers rather threw their opening game away against the Chiefs so could easily be 2-0 themselves, and despite not being as well fancied as the Rams they’re pretty well matched in all departments.

QB Philip Rivers is still operating at a high level and has receiver Keenan Allen and running back Melvin Gordon as excellent skill position players that can match Rams QB Jared Goff and Brandin Cooks – although running back Todd Gurley is the best of the lot given his monstrous production.

They’ve both got decent defences – the Rams in fact haven’t allowed one single point in the last six quarters after shutting out the Cardinals last week, and it’s here where the main difference could come as the Chargers are struggling with injuries to key defenders.

Prediction: Rams win (-7) at 10/11

Touchdown: Todd Gurley first LA Rams touchdown at 2/1

Patriots @ Lions (0110 BST (Mon) Sky Sports Action)

It’s an intriguing match-up in Detroit for a number of reasons – firstly in the fact that Lions head coach Matt Patricia faces the team he spent 14 years with and five of those regularly trying to stop Tom Brady in practice as defensive coordinator.

If anyone has any inside knowledge on Brady then it’s Patricia, but whether he has the players to carry out any masterplan is another story – they’ve been sliced open by opposing running backs to the tune of a league-worst 359 yards while also conceding 78 points.

They are an aggressive unit though with eight sacks already but three-time MVP Brady is a master of the quick release throw to get himself out of danger and James White will be a key man both running the ball and catching passes out of the backfield.

It’s unsure if new signing Josh Gordon will play after the talented but troubled receiver joined from Cleveland in what could be another Patriots masterstroke, but it could be too soon for him to make the impact many feel he will eventually this season.

Given that the Patriots have hardly been water tight in defence themselves there could be points aplenty in this one especially if Lions QB Matthew Stafford gets embroiled in another shootout as he has two great receiving weapons in Kenny Golladay and Golden Tate.

Prediction: Patriots win (-7) at Evens

Touchdowns: James White anytime at 5/4