Sunday's NFL Preseason Week 3 Betting Primer

[Udog]

Sunday's NFL Preseason Week 3 Betting Primer

The third week of the NFL preseason concludes with two on the board Sunday. With this being the last time before the regular season most starters will see action and camp injuries claiming plenty of players already, it can be hard to stay on top of the action.

Houston Texans at New Orleans Saints (-3.5, 43.5)

* The Texans named Brian Hoyer their starting quarterback this week so expect him to roll with the ones into the 3rd quarter. Last season's No. 1 overall pick, defensive end JaDaveon Clowney returned to practice this week, but won't be playing in the preseason as the Texans hope to have him ready for Week 1.

* Everyone's biggest concern with the Saints is that Drew Brees lost the majority of his pass catchers this offseason. So look to see if Brees can create some chemistry with rookie wide receiver Brandon Coleman, who has reportedly been dominating practice, but has yet to make an impact in games.


Arizona Cardinals at Oakland Raiders (PK, 40)

* Former Titans and Jets running back Chris Johnson was recently signed by the Cardinals and despite just returning to practice this week CJ2K could see some action against Oakland. It will be interesting to see if he has any juice left in those legs and how the carries get split between him and the other backs.

* The third week of the preseason is usually the game teams us as their final tune up heading into the regular season, but with all the injuries teams have suffered Raiders coach Jack Del Rio might take a more conservative approach with his starters in this game.




Houston @ New Orleans

Game 279-280
August 30, 2015 @ 4:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
128.352
New Orleans
125.235
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 3
49
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New Orleans
by 3 1/2
44
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(+3 1/2); Over

Arizona @ Oakland

Game 281-282
August 30, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Arizona
118.956
Oakland
117.236
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arizona
by 1 1/2
43
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oakland
by 1
40
Dunkel Pick:
Arizona
(+1); Over

[Udog]

NFL roundup: Manuel shines in Bills' win

EJ Manuel stated his case to be the Buffalo Bills' starting quarterback with a strong performance in the Bills' 43-19 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in a preseason game on Saturday in Orchard Park, N.Y.

Manuel made his first preseason start after Matt Cassel and Tyrod Taylor had their chances to start the first two preseason games.

Manuel was 7-for-8 for 170 yards and two touchdowns. He led the Bills to scores on their first two possessions, including a 67-yard touchdown pass to tight end Charles Clay on the Bills' second drive.

The other two Bills quarterbacks also played well Saturday, with Taylor going 12-for-13 for 122 yards and Cassel hitting six of his seven passes for 38 yards in his two series.

For the Steelers, the focus was on quarterback Michael Vick, who took over for starter Ben Roethlisberger in the first quarter.

Vick, who was signed by the Steelers on Tuesday, completed a 63-yard pass to wide receiver Martavis Bryant on his first play from scrimmage and finished 4-for-5 for 116 yards. He was sacked once in the two series he played.

Browns 31, Buccaneers 7

Buccaneers rookie quarterback Jameis Winston struggled, going 6-for-15 for 90 yards with one interception and no touchdown passes in the loss in Tampa, Fla. Winston was also sacked four times and wound up with a passer rating of 32.6.

Browns starting quarterback Josh McCown went 17-for-23 for 117 and two touchdowns. Browns backup quarterback Johnny Maziel did not play because of a sore right elbow.

Vikings 28, Cowboys 14

Minnesota starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and reserve quarterback Taylor Heinicke were both perfect, with Bridgewater completing all seven of his passes and Heinicke going 11-for-11 in the victory in Arlington, Texas. Neither threw a touchdown pass, however.

Running back Dominique Williams scored two rushing touchdowns for the Vikings, who are 4-0 in the preseason.

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was 5-for-8 for 88 yards and two scores.

Jets 28, Giants 18

Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, playing in place of injured Geno Smith, threw two touchdown passes, and Antonio Cromartie returned an interception 59 yards for a score late in the first half to help the Jets win in East Rutherford, N.J.

Fitzpatrick completed 9 of 14 passes for 127 yards, and Walter Powell returned a punt 52 yards for a Jets touchdown in the third quarter.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning was 12-for-16 for 91 yards but threw the interception Cromartie returned for a score.

Dolphins 13, Falcons 9

Quarterback Ryan Tannehill completed 15 of 19 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown to lead the host Dolphins to a victory.

Dolphins receiver Jarvis Landry had five receptions for 84 yards.

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was just 3-for-7 for 49 yards, and Atlanta failed to score a touchdown.

Bengals 21, Bears 10

Bengals starting quarterback Andy Dalton completed all six of his passes and engineered a 77-yard touchdown drive before leaving the game in Cincinnati in the second quarter with a sore neck. Coach Marvin Lewis said afterward that Dalton was fine.

Dalton's replacement, A.J. McCarron, completed his first seven passes and finished 12-for-17 for 149 yards and a touchdown.

The Bears' starting offense again failed to get a touchdown. Quarterback Jay Cutler was 13-for-17 for 98 yards without an interception.

Redskins 31, Ravens 13

With Robert Griffin III sidelined with a concussion, Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 20 of 27 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown with one interception in the victory in Baltimore.

Colt McCoy started the third quarter for Washington (3-0) and produced touchdowns on his first two drives against the Ravens' reserves.

Ravens receiver Steve Smith had four catches for 95 yards and a touchdown, and quarterback Joe Flacco was 8-for-13 for 137 yards and a score.

Eagles 39, Packers 26

Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford completed all 10 of his passes and threw three touchdown passes to lead Philadelphia to victory in Green Bay, Wis.

The Packers, who lost wide receiver Jordy Nelson for the season to a knee injury earlier in the preseason, lost receiver Randall Cobb to a shoulder injury in this game.

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay's No. 1 quarterback, did not play, and rookie Brett Hundley was 22-for-31 for 315 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Colts 24, Rams 14

Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck threw his first touchdown pass of the preseason and passed for 161 yards in the victory in St. Louis.

The Rams' new quarterback, Nick Foles, also threw his first touchdown pass of the preseason while completing 10 of 11 passes.

The Edward Jones Dome appeared to be no more than one-fourth full.

Seahawks 16, Chargers 15

Steven Hauschka kicked a 60-yard field goal with 16 seconds left to give Seattle the win in San Diego. Hauschka also made field goals of 40 and 27 yards and missed one from 58 yards away.

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers was 13-for-19 for 140 yards, while Seattle's Russell Wilson completed seven of his 15 passes for 56 yards. Neither threw an interception or a touchdown pass.

Broncos 19, 49ers 12

Neither starting quarterback was particularly effective in the Broncos' victory in Denver.

Denver's Peyton Manning completed 14 of his 21 passes but threw an interception, was sacked three times and failed to get the Broncos into the end zone in his seven possessions.

San Francisco's Colin Kaepernick was just 2-for-5 passing for 13 yards and was sacked twice. However, Kaepernick was game's leading rusher, gaining 53 yards on three carries.

Forty-Niners backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert completed nine of his 11 passes for 96 yards.