Week three in the National Football League will be all about September the 23rd (mostly) and the 24th.
The predictions for the games are a good reflection of pre-season assessments, in a word: pre season favs will be the favs and the dogs will be the dogs.
Let’s begin with the most popular (most heavily bet on) game:
The Colts will play the Texans at Reliant Stadium, with both teams being 2-0-0 so far this season. While the Colts are the 70-30 favs for the game, it’s a match-up, that could present some hidden value under the right circumstances…After all, The Texans are the home team, they are 2-0-0, and people love away favs a tad too much.
The 49ers are playing in Pittsburgh, and whether you like it or not, this game looks a lot like a lock. Both teams are 2-0-0 coming into the game, but only one will leave 3-0-0 and – according to the experts – that team won’t have 49 in its name. The Steelers are the 71-29 favs.
The third most popular game (with sports bettors, of course) is the Titans-Saints match-up. With a win and a loss so far this season, the Titans go into this game as favorites ( about 66-34) against the winless Saints. Once again, the fact that the favorite plays away could hide some value, although I’m not particularly trusting in the Saints’ capability to beat the spread.
What about Dallas vs Chicago though? with a win and a loss so far, the Bears are not looking too hot. Experts don’t like them either, thus they hold the yet undefeated Cowboys a 78% favorite against them.
The Pats are once again a popular team with the bettors. This game of theirs though, looks more like a throw-down and a wrap than anything else. They’ll be hosting the winless Buffalo Bills as 74% favorites.
The Chargers vs the Packers, looks like a game in which a lot of money will change hands. It is fairly well bet on, too. This is one of the closes match-ups of the week. The 2-0-0 Packers will be hosting the 1-1-0 Chargers, being a 41% underdog. This is certainly one of the most interesting games. Don’t underestimate the advantage granted by the home-field though.
The Vikings Vs the Chiefs should be a no brainer too, and it would be if it didn’t take place in KC. This way however, things look a bit more complicated. Minnesota gets away with 60% odds, however, even though still without a win this season, the Chiefs could generate some good value here.
The Bengals vs the Seahawks will be another tightly contested and interesting game to see. Cincinnati is a 51% fav here, by the smallest of margins, so careful where you put your money on this one. Both teams are 1-1-0 so far.
Other games will be Lions v the Eagles (Lions, -60%) Dolphins and Jets (Jets -75%), Cardinals v Ravens (about even), Rams vs Buccaneers (same here), Jags v Broncos (Broncos, -73%), Browns v Raiders (a 56-43 here, in favor of the Browns), Panthers v Falcons (Panthers landslide – 88%), and Giants vs Redskins (looks like the Giants will struggle on as a 20% underdog).
