NFL Week 3 Betting Insights
The 2023 NFL season is off to a roaring start and Bovada Sportsbook is here to help you cash in on all the gridiron action! Weeks 1 and 2 treated us to some unforgettable NFL moments, including some high-scoring shootouts, defensive masterclasses and a few unexpected underdogs pulling off major upsets. While the unpredictable nature of the NFL is part of what makes it so enthralling, it’s also what makes it a goldmine for sharp bettors looking to cash in on their football knowledge.
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From injury updates and weather forecasts to matchup breakdowns and the latest betting trends, this NFL article will equip you with the knowledge needed to emerge from Week 3 victorious. Bovada Sportsbook has NFL betting odds available on every Week 3 game, as well as tons of great props and futures that can add some extra excitement to your NFL experience.
Let’s dive right into the heart of Week 3, armed with a treasure trove of NFL analysis and invaluable betting insights. Whether you’re a seasoned sports bettor or just dipping your toes into the world of NFL betting, Bovada Sportsbook has got you covered!
Barkley’s Big Blue Ankle
The New York Giants we’re dealt a major blow on Sunday, as star RB Saquon Barkley went down with a sprained ankle in the closing minutes of his team’s epic comeback win over the Arizona Cardinals. While the x-rays came back negative, Barkley was diagnosed with an ankle sprain and is expected to miss “multiple weeks”.
Barkley certainly won’t be able to take the field this Thursday, when his New York Giants teammates travel to the Bay Area to take on the San Francisco 49ers. At 2-0, the 49ers are off to a great start and show no signs of slowing down any time soon. Sophomore QB Brock Purdy has looked great coming off offseason elbow surgery, while the rushing attack, led by NFL All-Pro RB Christian McCaffrey, looks as dangerous as ever. Combine that with San Francisco’s elite defensive unit and you’ve got a recipe for success
With Barkley sitting this game out, and the 49ers playing their home opener, San Francisco are 10.5-point favorites in this Week 3 matchup. If you’re tempted into taking the points in this one, consider this: Dating back to last season, the 49ers a perfect 5-0 over their last five games at home, both straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS).
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Dawg Pound Dilemma
Saquon Barkley wasn’t the only big name running back to go down last week, as Browns RB Nick Chubb suffered a season-ending knee injury during this team’s loss to the Steelers on Monday Night Football. Cleveland will need to rally in Week 3 as they host the 1-1 Tennessee Titans with backup RB Jerome Ford likely to fill in for Chubb in the backfield.
The Browns could have a tough time in this matchup for a number of reasons. In addition to losing their starting running back and best offensive player in Chubb, they’re also facing a feisty opponent in the Titans, who are coming off a galvanizing overtime win over the Chargers.
Cleveland are currently a three-point favorite, and that number is important because Titans Mike Vrabel has gone an incredible 24-9 ATS over the course of his head coaching career as an underdog of three or more points. With this game looking like another low-scoring, hard fought battle, don’t be surprised if Vrabel’s Titans pull out another ATS win against the Browns.
Winless Warriors
Heading into Week 3, there are nine winless teams remaining in the NFL. Two of those teams just happen to be facing off, as the Chargers and Vikings prepare to do battle this Sunday at US Bank Stadium in Minnesota. Starting the year off 0-2 makes it extremely difficult to reach the postseason. Lose again, falling to 0-3, and reaching the NFL Playoffs becomes nearly impossible. That’s the position the Chargers and Vikings find themselves in, as both teams are desperate for a win to salvage their season.
Since 2002, there have been 99 NFL teams to start the year 0-3. Of those 99 teams, only 1 (2018 Houston Texans) managed to qualify for the playoffs. While it may be slightly more achievable now that each conference has three Wild Card sports, the point is that you do not want to fall into an 0-3 hole to start the campaign.
Both of these teams know how to score points but have struggled on the defensive side of the ball. With that in mind, betting the over could be the way to go in this game. The total has gone over in four of the last five Chargers games, as well as five of the last six Viking home games. At 54.5, this matchup has the highest total in Week 3, but don’t let that scare you off taking the over and watching the points pile up on Sunday!
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Defensive Domination in Dallas
Boasting a lineup filled with defensive superstars like DE Micah Parsons and CB Trevon Diggs, Cowboys fans expected their team to have an elite stop unit this season. Even with that being the case, few people expected the complete defensive dominance put forth by ‘America’s Team’ to start the year. With a 40-0 shutout of the Giants in Week 1 and a 30-10 win over the Jets in Week 2, Dallas’ defense leads the NFL with just 5 points allowed per game. Having given both New York teams all they could handle over the first two weeks, the Cowboys now turn their attention to the 0-2 Arizona Cardinals.
Bovada Sportsbook has Dallas as a 12-point betting favorite in Week 3, but that may not be nearly enough to keep Arizona in this one. With the Cardinals once again starting the unproven Joshua Dobbs at quarterback, the underdogs will have a tough time putting up points against the Cowboys defense. The total has gone under in five of Dallas’ past six games and there’s a good chance that trend continues in Week 3.