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Saturday's NFL Week 3 preseason betting primer
The third week of the NFL preseason continues with a whopping 11 games on the board Saturday. With so many preseason games on the schedule and camp injuries claiming plenty of players already, it can be hard to stay on top of the action.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills (-2.5, 42.5)
* With Martavis Bryant out for the first four games of the regular season, the role of WR2 now falls to Markus Wheaton. Expect quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Wheaton to keep working together to give Wheaton a bit of a confidence boost heading into Week 1.
* The Bills will start EJ Manuel under center Saturday. This adds a little more speculation to who will actually be the Bills' No. 1 quarterback to begin the season. Manuel played well in the Bills' second preseason game against the Cleveland Browns, completing nine of 14 passes for 11 yards.
Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins (-4, 43.5)
* Atlanta Falcons rookie running back Tevin Coleman will make his debut versus the Miami Dolphins Saturday. Coleman, a third-round pick in this year's draft, has missed the first two games due to a hamstring injury. Devonta Freeman's status is unknown.
* The third week of the NFL preseason is widely used as a "dress rehearsal" for the starters and things are no different in Miami. The starters are expected to play the entire first half, including quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill has completed 81 percent of his passes thus far in the preseason, but the Fish are 0-2 SU (1-1 ATS).
Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5, 41)
* Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel will sit out the final two games of the preseason to heal his sore right elbow. This limits the Browns to two healthy quarterbacks in Josh McCown and Thad Lewis.
* Bucs QB Jameis Winston showed progress in the second preseason game and will get his most playing time tonight. Winston was eight of 13 for 90 yards and registered a rushing touchdown in Tampa's 25-11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2. The Bucs covered as 2.5-point home faves.
Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys (-1, 42)
* If anything the Vikings have been red-hot in the preseason. Minnesota is 3-0 both straight up and against the spread heading into their clash with the Cowboys. The Vikes have won by 11 (vs. Pittsburgh), 10 (vs. Tampa Bay) and eight points (vs. Oakland) in their trio of preseason games.
* Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant will not play versus the Vikings and is likely to sit out for the remainder of the preseason, according to Jerry Jones. "I’m not so sure we’re satisfied that it’s necessary for him to extend that [hamstring] that he’s got, since he did extend it with probably a suddenness that had he probably been out there for longer periods of time, he might not have had that happen," Jones said on his radio show on 105.3 The Fan Friday morning. "Let’s give him the rest. We don’t have to have him [Saturday] night. That’s the way I would look at it, and do look at it."
New York Jets at New York Giants (-1.5, 42)
* The Jets and Giants meet every summer since 1969 and while the Jets hold the edge (24-21-1 SU), they are really hot when billed as the "away" team. The two teams have played in the same stadium since 1984 and the Jets have won the previous four meetings and eight of the last nine when they've been in the role of the visiting team as they are Saturday.
* Despite the above the stat, the Giants are the top pick on Saturday's NFL board with just under 69 percent of the support from users according to Covers Consensus. Click here to check out the latest.
Chicago Bears at Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5, 42)
* Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery has remained "day-to-day" and his status for Saturday's meeting with the Bengals is up in the air. Jeffery hasn't practiced since Aug. 12 as he nurses a calf injury. He's not the only WR banged up, however, as Kevin White (leg) is on the PUP list and Marquess Wilson (hamstring) and Eddie Royal (hip) also have knocks.
* There hasn't been a ton of offensive fireworks in Bengals games in the preseason. The Under has cashed in both of Cincy's preseason matchups as they defeated the Giants 23-10 (Under 37) and lost the Bucs 25-11 (Under 40) in weeks one and two respectively.
Washington Redskins at Baltimore Ravens (-4, 43.5)
* The Redskins had announced Thursday that RGIII, who was diagnosed with a shoulder stinger and concussion after repeated hits at Detroit last week, was cleared to play in the Redskins' preseason game Saturday in Baltimore. However, Dr. Robert Kurtzke said Friday in a statement: "Upon further scrutiny today of the neuropsychology data, I agree with the neuropsychologist that he should be held from game play this weekend and be retested in one to two weeks before a firm conclusion to return to game play can be made."
* Points have been plentiful in Ravens games this season as the Over has cashed in both of their contests. The Raves defeated the New Orleans Saints 30-27 (Over 38) in Week 1 and were thumped by the Philadelphia Eagles 40-17 (Over 44.5) in Week 2.
Seattle Seahawks at San Diego Chargers (+2.5, 42)
* Multiple Seahawks players battling injury could return for Saturday's game as Richard Sherman (hip), Marcus Burley (groin), Will Blackmon (groin), Bruce Irvin (concussion protocol) and Jesse Williams (illness) could suit up. Safety Earl Thomas (shoulder) remains out and is prepping for a Week 1 return.
* Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers sat out Week 2 meeting with the Arizona Cardinals, but head coach Mike McCoy confirmed that his QB would play versus the Seahawks Saturday.
Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers (+6, 47.5)
* The Eagles have been the highest-scoring team in the preseason by a wide margin. The Eagles have put up 76 points in two games while opponents have managed just 27. The Over has cashed in both Eagles games by 5.5 and 12.5 points in Weeks 1 and 2 respectively.
* It looks as if Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will not play versus the Eagles. The offensive line is not 100 percent and Rodgers says that he is happy with that work that's been done with the No. 1 offense and he should be ready to go in Week 1.
Indianapolis Colts at St. Louis Rams (-2.5, 42.5)
* If you're a Colts bettor and you've backed them in the first two preseason games, you've been left disappointed. The Colts are 0-2 both straight up and against the spread following losses to the Eagles (326-10, +4.5) and Bears (23-11, -3.5).
* The Rams' offensive line still has a lot of work and the players know it. "We want to do well and we want to clean up a lot of mistakes we've made," Barrett Jones, who is competing for the starting center job, said. "We feel like we've shot ourselves in the foot too many times — too many penalties and mental errors. But at the same time we're not putting too much pressure on it. We know we've still got time to fix everything that we've done wrong, so we're excited about it. We're looking forward to hopefully getting out there and putting up a good showing."
San Francisco 49ers at Denver Broncos (-5, 42.5)
* 49ers' starting linebacker Ahmad Brooks was sent home this week following his misdemeanor sexual battery charges. Linebacker NaVorro Bowman commented simply, "That's a big loss for us." Corey Lemonier appears to be the starter now.
* The Broncos are one of six teams that remain unbeaten both straight up and against the spread in the preseason. Denver is 2-0 SU and ATS following a 22-20 win at the Seattle Seahawks as 4.5-point dogs and a 14-10 win at the Houston Texans as 2.5-point pups.
The third week of the NFL preseason continues with a whopping 11 games on the board Saturday. With so many preseason games on the schedule and camp injuries claiming plenty of players already, it can be hard to stay on top of the action.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills (-2.5, 42.5)
* With Martavis Bryant out for the first four games of the regular season, the role of WR2 now falls to Markus Wheaton. Expect quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Wheaton to keep working together to give Wheaton a bit of a confidence boost heading into Week 1.
* The Bills will start EJ Manuel under center Saturday. This adds a little more speculation to who will actually be the Bills' No. 1 quarterback to begin the season. Manuel played well in the Bills' second preseason game against the Cleveland Browns, completing nine of 14 passes for 11 yards.
Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins (-4, 43.5)
* Atlanta Falcons rookie running back Tevin Coleman will make his debut versus the Miami Dolphins Saturday. Coleman, a third-round pick in this year's draft, has missed the first two games due to a hamstring injury. Devonta Freeman's status is unknown.
* The third week of the NFL preseason is widely used as a "dress rehearsal" for the starters and things are no different in Miami. The starters are expected to play the entire first half, including quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill has completed 81 percent of his passes thus far in the preseason, but the Fish are 0-2 SU (1-1 ATS).
Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5, 41)
* Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel will sit out the final two games of the preseason to heal his sore right elbow. This limits the Browns to two healthy quarterbacks in Josh McCown and Thad Lewis.
* Bucs QB Jameis Winston showed progress in the second preseason game and will get his most playing time tonight. Winston was eight of 13 for 90 yards and registered a rushing touchdown in Tampa's 25-11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2. The Bucs covered as 2.5-point home faves.
Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys (-1, 42)
* If anything the Vikings have been red-hot in the preseason. Minnesota is 3-0 both straight up and against the spread heading into their clash with the Cowboys. The Vikes have won by 11 (vs. Pittsburgh), 10 (vs. Tampa Bay) and eight points (vs. Oakland) in their trio of preseason games.
* Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant will not play versus the Vikings and is likely to sit out for the remainder of the preseason, according to Jerry Jones. "I’m not so sure we’re satisfied that it’s necessary for him to extend that [hamstring] that he’s got, since he did extend it with probably a suddenness that had he probably been out there for longer periods of time, he might not have had that happen," Jones said on his radio show on 105.3 The Fan Friday morning. "Let’s give him the rest. We don’t have to have him [Saturday] night. That’s the way I would look at it, and do look at it."
New York Jets at New York Giants (-1.5, 42)
* The Jets and Giants meet every summer since 1969 and while the Jets hold the edge (24-21-1 SU), they are really hot when billed as the "away" team. The two teams have played in the same stadium since 1984 and the Jets have won the previous four meetings and eight of the last nine when they've been in the role of the visiting team as they are Saturday.
* Despite the above the stat, the Giants are the top pick on Saturday's NFL board with just under 69 percent of the support from users according to Covers Consensus. Click here to check out the latest.
Chicago Bears at Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5, 42)
* Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery has remained "day-to-day" and his status for Saturday's meeting with the Bengals is up in the air. Jeffery hasn't practiced since Aug. 12 as he nurses a calf injury. He's not the only WR banged up, however, as Kevin White (leg) is on the PUP list and Marquess Wilson (hamstring) and Eddie Royal (hip) also have knocks.
* There hasn't been a ton of offensive fireworks in Bengals games in the preseason. The Under has cashed in both of Cincy's preseason matchups as they defeated the Giants 23-10 (Under 37) and lost the Bucs 25-11 (Under 40) in weeks one and two respectively.
Washington Redskins at Baltimore Ravens (-4, 43.5)
* The Redskins had announced Thursday that RGIII, who was diagnosed with a shoulder stinger and concussion after repeated hits at Detroit last week, was cleared to play in the Redskins' preseason game Saturday in Baltimore. However, Dr. Robert Kurtzke said Friday in a statement: "Upon further scrutiny today of the neuropsychology data, I agree with the neuropsychologist that he should be held from game play this weekend and be retested in one to two weeks before a firm conclusion to return to game play can be made."
* Points have been plentiful in Ravens games this season as the Over has cashed in both of their contests. The Raves defeated the New Orleans Saints 30-27 (Over 38) in Week 1 and were thumped by the Philadelphia Eagles 40-17 (Over 44.5) in Week 2.
Seattle Seahawks at San Diego Chargers (+2.5, 42)
* Multiple Seahawks players battling injury could return for Saturday's game as Richard Sherman (hip), Marcus Burley (groin), Will Blackmon (groin), Bruce Irvin (concussion protocol) and Jesse Williams (illness) could suit up. Safety Earl Thomas (shoulder) remains out and is prepping for a Week 1 return.
* Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers sat out Week 2 meeting with the Arizona Cardinals, but head coach Mike McCoy confirmed that his QB would play versus the Seahawks Saturday.
Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers (+6, 47.5)
* The Eagles have been the highest-scoring team in the preseason by a wide margin. The Eagles have put up 76 points in two games while opponents have managed just 27. The Over has cashed in both Eagles games by 5.5 and 12.5 points in Weeks 1 and 2 respectively.
* It looks as if Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will not play versus the Eagles. The offensive line is not 100 percent and Rodgers says that he is happy with that work that's been done with the No. 1 offense and he should be ready to go in Week 1.
Indianapolis Colts at St. Louis Rams (-2.5, 42.5)
* If you're a Colts bettor and you've backed them in the first two preseason games, you've been left disappointed. The Colts are 0-2 both straight up and against the spread following losses to the Eagles (326-10, +4.5) and Bears (23-11, -3.5).
* The Rams' offensive line still has a lot of work and the players know it. "We want to do well and we want to clean up a lot of mistakes we've made," Barrett Jones, who is competing for the starting center job, said. "We feel like we've shot ourselves in the foot too many times — too many penalties and mental errors. But at the same time we're not putting too much pressure on it. We know we've still got time to fix everything that we've done wrong, so we're excited about it. We're looking forward to hopefully getting out there and putting up a good showing."
San Francisco 49ers at Denver Broncos (-5, 42.5)
* 49ers' starting linebacker Ahmad Brooks was sent home this week following his misdemeanor sexual battery charges. Linebacker NaVorro Bowman commented simply, "That's a big loss for us." Corey Lemonier appears to be the starter now.
* The Broncos are one of six teams that remain unbeaten both straight up and against the spread in the preseason. Denver is 2-0 SU and ATS following a 22-20 win at the Seattle Seahawks as 4.5-point dogs and a 14-10 win at the Houston Texans as 2.5-point pups.
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