The NFL is nothing if not unpredictable. After all, two weeks into the 2024 campaign, who expected the Minnesota Vikings to be 2-0, or the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals to be a combined 0-4? It’s all part of the fun of the season: the “any given Sunday” uncertainty. And yet, as we look ahead to Week 3, is it possible there are still some “safe bets” to be made in the next wave of high-profile matchups?
We’ve collected all of the best picks and gambling content from CBSSports.com and SportsLine and put them in one place, so you can get picks against the spread from our CBS Sports experts as well as additional feature content for each game, including plays from top SportsLine experts and the SportsLine Projection Model, best bets from our staff, survivor picks and more. Ready? Let’s jump in.
All NFL odds via SportsLine consensus odds.
Which picks can you make with confidence in Week 3? And which Super Bowl contender goes down hard? Visit SportsLine, as its incredible model simulates every NFL game 10,000 times and is up almost $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception.
Giants at Browns
Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox), stream on fubo (try for free)
Open: Browns -5.5, O/U 43.5
SportsLine’s Projection Model simulates every NFL game 10,000 times and is up well over $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The model enters Week 3 of the 2024 season on a 187-130 run on top-rated NFL picks that dates to the 2017 season. The Browns (-6.5, 38.5) cover the spread against the Giants almost 60% of the time in projections, but you can find the full betting breakdow right here.
Packers at Titans
Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox), stream on fubo (try for free)
Open: Packers -4, O/U 44.5
“If the Titans can go a week without giving up a blocked punt and if Will Levis can go a week without making a dumb turnover, I actually think they can win this game. The Titans defense does a pretty solid job of stopping the run and it won’t be surprising if they go all in on that, which would put the game in the hands of Malik Willis.”
CBS Sports NFL writer John Breech likes Tennessee to squeeze out a one-score win if Jordan Love doesn’t suit up for the Packers, though he likes Green Bay to come out victorious in the event Love returns sooner than expected. Catch his full breakdown of the game, plus all his Week 3 picks, right here.
Bears at Colts
Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS), stream on Paramount+ (click here)
Open: Colts -1, O/U 46.5
“Anthony Richardson’s talent gives him a ceiling that is arguably unmatched in the NFL. However, it’s his inconsistency that has capped Indianapolis thus far. We saw that in the loss to Green Bay last week, and we’re now entering into the territory of Richardson needing to throw at a more consistent level before we can trust him. This week, he has a difficult matchup against a Bears defense that is flat-out good and even gave C.J. Stroud fits a week ago. It also doesn’t hurt the Bears’ chances to better move the ball offensively with Colts star defensive tackle DeForest Buckner now on injured reserve.”
CBS Sports NFL writer Tyler Sullivan likes Chicago to get back above .500 against the mercurial Colts. Check out his full analysis of this matchup, plus other Week 3 projections, right here.
Texans at Vikings
Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS), stream on Paramount+ (click here)
Open: Texans -4, O/U 47
“This is a big game between two undefeated teams. The Vikings are a surprise team, while the Texans were expected to be good. The Minnesota defense has been really good. They will throw a ton of looks at C.J. Stroud. I think that will be the difference in the game. They will force a turnover and get a lot of pressure.”
CBS Sports senior columnist Pete Prisco likes Minnesota to stay unbeaten with a second straight home upset. Check out all his Week 3 against-the-spread picks right here.
Eagles at Saints
Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox), stream on fubo (try for free)
Open: Eagles -3, O/U 45.5
“The Saints offense has been clicking because Derek Carr has been on fire and because Alvin Kamara has been unstoppable. When you’re facing an offense like this, it’s nice to have some time to prepare, but the Eagles won’t have that. They have to travel to New Orleans on a short week after losing on Monday night and Philly will be bringing a defense that’s surrendering nearly 400 yards per game. When your defense is that playing that badly, the Saints are the last team you want to be facing.”
CBS Sports NFL writer John Breech wasn’t buying the Saints going into the season, but now he’s confident New Orleans will leave Week 3 with a spotless record. Find all his picks for this weekend right here.
Chargers at Steelers
Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS), stream on Paramount+ (click here)
Open: Steelers -1, O/U 43.5
“This game could be crazy low scoring with two slam-it-in-your-face offenses. The difference between the two teams is the quarterback, however. Justin Fields has been a wonderful surprise this season, but I’m not sure he’s prepared for a Bolts defense that has shut down questionable offenses in Vegas and Carolina so far this season, yielding less than 150 yards per game through the air. Arthur Smith isn’t going to attack vertically, which means the Steelers have to win up front by pounding the ball. … Neutralizing the Steelers up front would allow Justin Herbert to take some shots to potential breakout Quentin Johnston.”
CBS Sports senior writer Will Brinson expects this AFC slugfest to be competitive, but he likes Jim Harbaugh’s squad to come away as touchdown winners. Check out all his best bets for Week 3 right here.
Broncos at Buccaneers
Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox), stream on fubo (try for free)
Open: Buccaneers -3, O/U 42.5
“Let’s take another home favorite in the Buccaneers, who destroyed the Washington Commanders in Week 1, then upset the Detroit Lions in Week 2, thanks to a strong performance from the defense. Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix has struggled in his first few NFL games, completing just 6 of 24 passes with three interceptions on throws of 10-plus air yards. The Broncos offense is averaging 13 points per game and just 263 yards of total offense per contest. Both rank bottom four in the NFL.”
CBS Sports NFL writer Jordan Dajani expects Tampa Bay to remain in cruise control, predicting a double-digit win for Baker Mayfield and Co. Catch all his Week 3 projections right here.
Panthers at Raiders
Time: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS), stream on Paramount+ (click here)
Open: Raiders -4, O/U 43
“Who doesn’t love a good ol’ dead-cat bounce game? It’s borderline literal for this one, with the stinky Carolina Panthers repping the feline mascot. Bryce Young just got benched, which means the entire team 1.) should rally around Andy Dalton and 2.) knows that no one’s job is safe. The Raiders are playing well, but I don’t think they’ll run away with this game. They were involved in a low-scoring close first half against the Chargers before Jim Harbaugh’s squad pulled away and they miraculously stormed back against the Ravens. Dalton will give Carolina a higher floor offensively — it’s impossible to be lower — and I expect the Raiders to try to win this game via the ground game almost entirely. That opens up the back door for the Ginger King.”
CBS Sports senior writer Will Brinson may not like the Panthers as a functional organization, but he does like them to pull off a road upset in Las Vegas. Catch all his Week 3 best bets right here.
Dolphins at Seahawks
Time: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS), stream on Paramount+ (click here)
Open: Dolphins -2.5, O/U 48.5
The SportsLine Projection Model has ranked in the top 10 on NFLPickWatch four of the past six years on straight-up NFL picks and beat more than 94% of CBS Sports Football Pick’em players four times during that span. Now, it has simulated every snap of Week 3 and revealed its best parlay picks. One piece: The model says the Seahawks (-4.5, 41.5) cover at home against the Dolphins in nearly 60% of simulations, with Skylar Thompson set to start in place of injured quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for Miami. Catch the full breakdown right here.
Ravens at Cowboys
Time: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox), stream on fubo (try for free)
Open: Ravens -1, O/U 48.5
SportsLine expert Eric Cohen, who hosts the weekly “Early Edge” NFL prop show on YouTube, finished last season on a 39-28 roll on NFL picks. In Week 3, he likes the Ravens to win in Dallas and avoid an 0-3 start: “Dallas’ defense showed major leaks against New Orleans. … Alvin Kamara scored four times against the Cowboys so [Derrick] Henry should score at least twice on Sunday, right? I think he does and Baltimore picks up a much-needed road win.” Catch his full breakdown at SportsLine right here.
49ers at Rams
Time: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox), stream on fubo (try for free)
Open: 49ers -4.5, O/U 49
Built using cutting-edge artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques by SportsLine’s Data Science team, the AI PickBot says the Rams cover as seven-point home underdogs against the 49ers. Both teams are coming off disappointing losses, with the 49ers falling 23-17 to the Vikings, while the Rams were throttled 41-10 by the Cardinals. However, Los Angeles has covered in two of its last three head-to-head matchups with San Francisco and is 7-2 against the spread over its last nine games. The AI PickBot is predicting a narrow 20-19 win for the 49ers, making the Rams an A-rated pick against the spread. Check out the full breakdown right here.
Lions at Cardinals
Time: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox), stream on fubo (try for free)
Open: Lions -3.5, O/U 51
The Lions ran into some trouble against the Buccaneers in Week 2, and now they’ll travel to Arizona, where the Cardinals have been red hot under a healthier Kyler Murray. SportsLine expert Jason La Canfora openly considered Detroit as a best bet for this weekend, but now he’s finalized his rundown of favorite ATS picks for the Week 3 slate. You can find out whether the Lions made the cut, and which teams deserve your bet, right here.
Chiefs at Falcons
Time: Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC), stream on fubo (try for free)
Open: Chiefs -3, O/U 50
Kansas City is 2-0, fresh off back-to-back tight wins over fellow AFC contenders in the Bengals and Ravens. Now they get Kirk Cousins and the Falcons, who stunned the Eagles with a Monday night comeback. Which side is poised to come through in prime time? SportsLine expert Larry Hartstein is 79-48-2 in weekly NFL best bets since 2022, and now he’s got a confident take on this matchup. Check out his breakdown and prediction right here.
Jaguars at Bills
Time: Monday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN), stream on fubo (try for free)
Open: Bills -4.5, O/U 50
Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars are reeling, desperate to avoid an 0-3 start. Meanwhile, Josh Allen and the Bills are rolling, looking to stay unbeaten atop the AFC standings. Can Buffalo keep the momentum going at home in this prime-time matchup? SportsLine expert Mike Tierney has an answer. He’s 154-124-9 in the NFL the past two seasons, returning $1,586 to $100 players (every bet 1 unit), and you can find his Week 3 projection right here.
Commanders at Bengals
Time: Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET (ABC), stream on fubo (try for free)
Open: Bengals -6.5, O/U 47.5
Which team should you use in your survivor pools in Week 3? R.J. White, who is 636-534-34 (+4899) on ATS picks over the last seven years, has you covered. He has the Bengals as one of his three options this week, but warns since the consensus pick has lost the first two weeks, it may be smart to pivot to one of the other two options. Check it out here.
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Author: Cody Benjamin
September 22, 2024 | 7:25 am
