Week 3 NFL Picks: Predictions for Sunday’s Games, Odds Guide and Over/Under Tips

Bettors have every right to look at Week 3 NFL lines out of Las Vegas with skepticism.

In a normal week, those who enjoy going against the house can find some success with straight-up lines and pad bets with smart plays on over/under odds.

Then Thursday Night Football happened. The New England Patriots beat the Houston Texans with third-string quarterback Jacoby Brissett under center. Bettors couldn’t even grab the over/under in any significant way, either, not with the final score a 27-0 mark.

Now is the time for bettors to make a rebound. It seems risky given how the week started, but several opportunities to rebuild losses and add in prep for next week exist.

NFL Week 3 Odds

Odds courtesy of Odds Shark.

Minnesota at Carolina (-7) O/U: 43

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See? Easy enough.

The Carolina Panthers, for all the hype around Cam Newton and the return of No. 1 wideout Kelvin Benjamin, only scored 20 points in the face of an elite Denver Broncos defense to start the season before hanging 26 on the lowly San Francisco 49ers.

Led by head coach Mike Zimmer, the Minnesota Vikings live in Denver’s neighborhood when it comes to elite defenses. The unit has allowed no more than 16 points in a game thus far, including limiting Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers to 14. 

Back in 2014, Minnesota hosted this encounter and took a lopsided 31-13 decision while holding Newton to 194 passing yards. The unit can manage dual-threat quarterbacks, especially if the offense can uphold its end of the deal.

The under is the only play here, with the Vikings keeping it close on the road. The visitors won’t have Adrian Peterson in the backfield, and the hosts won’t have Jonathan Stewart.

In other words, this sets the stage for a …

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