NFL Preseason Week 3 Odds and Picks

Unfortunately, I had a losing week once again in Week 2 of the NFL Preseason as my picks went 1-2 ATS. Things started off on a high note with Cincinnati easily covering the number against Atlanta, but I was dead wrong when it came to my second pick of the week. Kansas City blew the doors off a listless Arizona team as the Chiefs’ four quarterbacks combined to complete 31 of 38 passes for 393 yards with three touchdowns. That meant a winning or losing week would be determined by the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night. The Chargers decided to play fifth-year quarterback Easton Stick the entire game, and he turned the ball over three times in a 22-17 loss. The game was relatively even aside from the turnovers, so that loss was somewhat unlucky.

NFL Preseason Week 3 Betting Odds at BetRivers Sportsbook

New England Patriots -1.5
Tennessee Titans +1.5
Total 38.5

You might be under the impression that seasoned coaches like Bill Belichick don’t care about the preseason, but that hasn’t been the case historically. Belichick has a 51-39 record in the preseason during his time in New England, and he has only finished with a losing record twice since 2008. The best coach in the modern era knows the importance of winning no matter the time of year, and he will want to end the preseason on a high note.

That’s why New England is a short road favorite by the NFL betting odds here. The Patriots are likely to give significant minutes to backup quarterback Bailey Zappe, and the second-year quarterback out of Western Kentucky did see action in four games last season. Trace McSorley and Malik Cunningham are both solid backups, but Tennessee looks to have one of the worst reserve quarterback situations in the league. The Titans used a high draft pick on Malik Willis last year, and they used the first pick of the second round on Will Levis this season, but both players need a lot of development.

Pick: New England -1.5

New York Jets -4.5
New York Giants +4.5
Total 38.5

The buzz surrounding the New York Jets entering the 2023 season is reaching absurd levels. Most pundits seem to believe that Aaron Rodgers will immediately become the Rodgers of old despite taking a step back last season, and they are conveniently ignoring the fact that he will turn 40 in December. The Jets don’t have a great (or even good) offensive line, and the drop-off from Rodgers is steep as the next two signal callers on the depth chart are Zach Wilson and Tim Boyle.

That makes the Jets one of my favorite teams to bet against this upcoming season, and that will start on the final week of preseason. Gang Green was unable to move the ball well at home against Tampa Bay last week, finishing with just 281 total yards and three turnovers. The Giants have one of the best backup quarterbacks in the league in Tyrod Taylor, and that will make all the difference in this game.

Pick: NY Giants +4.5

Houston Texans +3.5
New Orleans Saints -3.5
Total 37.5

The final game of the NFL Preseason will pit the Houston Texans against the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans is favored by the NFL betting line thanks to a 2-0 record with wins over Kansas City and the Los Angeles Chargers. The Saints have the benefit of having four solid quarterbacks as rookie Jake Haener has been impressive in his debut season, so it doesn’t really matter if Derek Carr takes snaps at all in the final tuneup before the regular season.

Conversely, the Houston Texans have one of the thinnest depth charts in the league. There isn’t a lot of talent on this team, and that’s especially the case at quarterback. However, that should lead to the Texans starting rookie C.J. Stroud or playing Davis Mills, and the Texans will be able to score enough points to push this game over the total with the Saints scoring at least 24 points on their own. That will put a bow on the 20223 NFL Preseason slate.

Pick: Over 37.5