The ManDog takes you through his favorite NFL Week 3 bets against the spread, along with a 6-point teaser.
Current Record: ATS: 3-5; Teasers: 0-2
After a couple of rough predictions and a BRUTAL backdoor cover against the Chiefs, we went 1-3 ATS last week. It’s time to bounce back for Week 3:
Ravens at Patriots (+2.5)
- Belichick… at home… as an underdog? 15-4 against the spread over his career.
- The Pats famously focus on stopping the opponent’s best player and they’re pretty good at it. The Ravens have been relatively one-dimensional with Lamar Jackson doing almost everything for them. He passed for 318 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 119 yards and a TD. I expect Belichick to slow down and contain the mobile quarterback.
- Jackson has been a human highlight reel thus far, but the rest of the Ravens’ offense is limited in talent. JK Dobbins may return, yet that might not be enough for the Ravens to open it up against New England.
- Patriots are 6-0 against the Ravens in Foxborough in the regular season. I’ll take the Pats as home dogs.
Bears (+6.5) at Vikings
- Are the Vikings the better team here? Perhaps. But seven points are a lot for a Lions team to be taking — especially after posting 35 and 36 points to start the season.
- The Vikings struggled against Philadelphia last week, scoring a single touchdown on Monday night. Kirk Cousins couldn’t generate anything under immense pressure the whole game — posting 221 yards, a touchdown, and three interceptions.
- Expect Aidan Hutchinson to give Cousins a significant headache after he sacked Carson Wentz three(!!) times last week
- The Vikings need to prove they are the better overall team before I could take them as a touchdown favorite over the Lions. Give me the points in this divisional matchup.
Texans (+3.5) at Bears
- Another tricky line. Do the Bears deserve to be favored in this game? Sure. They’re at home, so they earn approximately three points in their favor. Meaning this game is a true toss-up.
- The Bears didn’t have anything to show on Sunday night in Green Bay. Justin Fields had 11 passing attempts despite the Bears playing from behind. The Green Bay rushing attack got to the second level with no answers from the Bears’ defense.
- Houston had the lead against the Broncos entering the fourth quarter, showing some real fight against a potential playoff team.
- In Week 1, the Bears surprisingly beat the 49ers in a monsoon with Trey Lance under center. I struggle to take that home-opener win at face value and I think the Bears still need to prove their offense is somewhat competent. I’ll take my chances on the Texans to keep the game within a field goal.
49ers (-1.5) at Broncos
- Jimmy Garoppolo is back in the driver’s seat for the 49ers. A proven game-manager who can win close games, he’ll have a chance to prove his worth against a tough opponent in the Broncos. After filling in for Trey Lance last week, Jimmy G had 150 yards and a touchdown — finally reinvigorating a dangerous 49ers team.
- The Broncos hardly escaped with a win against an average Texans team last week, as their new QB/HC combo is proving to take a longer time than expected to mesh.
- San Francisco is optimistic that George Kittle will return this week. Kittle opens up the run-and-pass game and gets to reunite with his QB from the last couple of years.
- I like the 49ers to hold their own at Mile High and scrape out a win against the Broncos. I’ll ride the Niners -1.5 on the road.
6 Point Teaser: Chiefs -0.5 & Eagles -0.5
