2014 NFL – Week 3 Preview and Betting Picks
Hello and welcome to week 3 of our 2014 NFL previews and picks. In week one we were on the wrong side of some half point losses and last week we were on the right side including our best bet (Chicago/San Francisco over) covering. There is currently a few shocks in the standings as NFC South favourite’s the New Orleans Saints are 0-2 and AFC South favourite’s Indianapolis Colts also winless at 0-2. The NFC North looks like it could be a tight race all season with Chicago, Minnesota, Detroit and Green Bay all split at one win a piece. Certainly shaping up to be an interesting year!
Be sure to read on and check out our 2014 NFL Week 3 preview and betting picks… Once again we will have five betting plays for the weekend, starting off with the Thursday Night Football game and finishing up on Tuesday with Monday Night Football.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons (Friday at 10:25am AEST)
Thursday Night Football heads over to the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are trying to avoid a 0-3 start against Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons. Buccaneers coach Lovie Smith is already making excuses and it looks like it’s going to be a long season. They lost last week to a St Louis team who were using a third string quarterback and did it in front of a home crowd.
It gets worse for Tampa Bay who will be without Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and starting line backer Mason Foster. A depleted defense will have Matt Ryan and is receiving core licking their lips. Ryan holds a great record at the Dome 37-10 , including 5-1 against Tampa Bay. That also includes a 100.6 passer rating. I’ve got a bad feeling for Lovie Smith and his team. The line opened at -4.5 and just keeps climbing. Currently at -6.0. Buy now before it gets to -7.5. I’ve got Atlanta blowing out Tampa Bay, something like 38-13.
San Diego Chargers at Buffalo Bills (Monday at 3:00am AEST)
San Diego are coming off a very impressive victory taking down the reigning Super Bowl champs. Although that came at a cost with starting running back Ryan Matthews sidelined with a sprained right MCL. I believe the public and media are putting too much emphasis on this injury. With Matthews out Phillip Rivers will certainly be relying on his veteran receiver Antonio Gates who has a very good record against Buffallo with four touchdowns in four games, including the most recent 37-10 win in 2011. There are also three guys at the running back position ready to make an impression.
We talked last week about a team’s “stocks” being either high or low. Right now the Buffalo Bills stocks are sky high and all the money is coming for them. The line opened at a pickem and is now out to -2.5 Bills. The odds makers originally thought this game was a coin toss, even in Buffalo. I agree with their original thoughts and believe San Diego are underrated even with the Matthew’s injury. I suggest you buy half a point at your sports book for +3.0 San Diego and bet the Chargers.
Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks (Monday at 6:05am AEST)
Last year’s Super Bowl rematch will be the buzz game of the week but instead of getting caught up in all the Peyton Manning / ‘Revenge’ match hype we are just going to look at matchups and facts. The quarter back battle between Manning and Wilson should almost cancel each other out. Both have similar QBR ratings and touchdown numbers but their best weapon are their minds. They never make mistakes. Quarter back battle = TIE
Running Back Marshawn the beast Lynch has ran for 146 yards, 2 TD’s and is averaging nearly six yards a carry. Although he is listed as ‘probable’ with a back injury, he trained both Tuesday and Thursday and looked fine. Denver’s Montee Ball is no slouch either he’s rushed for 127 yards on 35 carries and a TD. This would usually be a Lynch win, but because of the back and limited preparation we will also give this a tie. Running back battle = TIE
The Broncos get Wes Welker back but Emmanuel Sanders has been fantastic leading the Broncos in Rec.Yds at 185. Julius Thomas is the big weapon with143 yards and 4 TD’s. Demaryius Thomas is also very dangerous. Seattle are slightly different machine when it comes to receivers. Russell Wilson has no favorites, although having Percy Harvin back in the line-up would be very comforting. Wilson spreads the love all over the park. Having no favorites and go-to weapons can be a weapon in itself. Receiving Battle = Slight Edge Broncos.
Defense + CenturyLink Field x Wilson = 18-1 winning record
Seattle’s Defense and the Home Field advantage is too much to overlook. I can’t see Seattle losing two in a row this season. Seattle bounce back and win by a touchdown.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Carolina Panthers (Monday at 10:30am AEST)
Carolina will be without its star pass rusher Greg Hardy but they still have one of the best Defensive Lines in the NFL. Carolina’s D’ has forced three turnovers in both games and seven sacks for a fourth best overall record. The Panthers are on a hot-streak winning 13 of their last 14 regular season games at home by an average of 17 points. Pittsburgh were probably lucky to get their week one victory against Cleveland and they looked terrible against Baltimore. Roethlisberger is too inconsistent for my money. Carolina in Charlotte with a healthy Cam Newton and a scary Defensive unit. Sold.
Chicago Bears at New York Jets (10:35am AEST)
The Chicago Bears head to MetLife stadium in a Monday night match up vs the New York Jets. The Bears were involved in a thrilling comeback victory vs San Francisco and it really looked like a light bulb may have gone off in Jay Cutlers head. With his arm speed and receivers such as Brandon Marshall, the Jets safety’s and corners are going to have a hard time containing the Bears.
The Jets are a hard team to like. They have the talent but they just always seem to find ways to lose. Just like last week where they blew a 21-3 lead and ended up losing 31-24 to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Rex Ryan said “As a team you go and learn from this” but the Jets just never seem too.
The Bears have a habit of beating the Jets and I’m taking the high flying offense on the road.
2014 NFL Week 3 Best Betting Picks
Atlanta Falcons at the line (-6.5) - $1.91 at Luxbet ***
San Diego Chargers at the line (+2.0) - $1.91 at Luxbet *
Seattle Seahawks at the line (-4.5) - $1.93 at Luxbet **
Carolina Panthers at the line (-3.0) - $1.80 at Luxbet **
Chicago Bears at the line (+2.5) - $1.95 at Luxbet *
