NFL Week 3 might be without one of the most prolific passers in league history. Covers checks in on the opening odds and early action for three games, with insights from John Murray, director of The SuperBook at Westgate.
Los Angeles Rams at Cleveland Browns (+3)
Los Angeles is out of the gate 2-0 SU and ATS in defense of its NFC championship. The Rams, certainly benefiting from Drew Brees’ throwing hand injury, were tied at 6 with New Orleans five minutes into the third quarter. However, L.A. pulled away for an easy 27-9 win laying 2 points at home Sunday.
Cleveland still has Week 2 work to do, as it travels to face the New York Jets in the Monday nighter. The Browns were arguably the most-hyped team in the offseason, then got waxed by Tennessee 43-13 giving 5.5 points at home in Week 1.
“We decided to open it at Rams -3, knowing we will need the Browns pretty big by kickoff,” Murray said, alluding to expected heavy Cleveland action. “The line could go even higher if the Browns struggle Monday night against the Jets.”
For the moment, Cleveland is priced at -120 at +3, while L.A. is -3 (even). The Browns are in prime time two straight weeks, as this matchup is the Week 3 Sunday night game.
Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs (-6.5)
Through two weeks, Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City look every bit a Super Bowl contender. On Sunday at Oakland, Mahomes threw four touchdown passes – giving him seven in two weeks – to lead the Chiefs (2-0 SU and ATS) to a 28-10 victory as 7-point favorites.
Baltimore is also off to a 2-0 SU start (1-1 ATS) after surviving a much-tougher-than-expected Week 2 test. The Ravens went off as 13-point home favorites against Arizona and held on for a 23-17 victory.
“It’s the first real test for the Ravens’ new offense, after facing the Dolphins and Cardinals to start the season,” Murray said. “Their defense will be tested, as well. Mahomes is the best player in the league and is firing on all cylinders.”
Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers (-3)
Houston could certainly be 2-0, but could just as easily be 0-2, so it’s probably fair enough that Bill O’Brien’s squad is 1-1 SU and ATS. After nearly stealing a Week 1 game at New Orleans, the Texans scrapped to fend off Jacksonville 13-12 as 7.5-point faves. Houston clinched the win when the Jags went for 2 and failed after a last-minute TD.
Los Angeles put up 30 points in a Week 1 overtime home win against Indianapolis, but the banged-up unit barely mustered double digits on the road in Week 2. The Chargers (1-1 SU, 0-1-1 ATS) led Detroit 10-6 at halftime, then didn’t score another point in a 13-10 setback laying 1 point.
This was one game that saw early action after going up late Sunday afternoon.
“We opened it Chargers -3 (-120), and it’s been moved to -3.5 (even) off money,” Murray said. “We were between those two numbers, but decided to open it low because the Chargers are battling so many injuries.”
