The third week of the NFL’s preseason has a different sort of feel than the others. It’s a dress rehearsal for the regular season, as coaches usually play their starters well into the third quarter.
So the betting lines for these games are probably as close as the preseason gets to what we’d see in the regular season.
This week, we have one game on Thursday, five on Friday, eight on Saturday and two on Sunday. Seven of these games will be televised live – three on NFL Network, two on CBS, and on Sunday, one each on Fox and NBC.
While there are some wagering angles from which we believe we can profit during the exhibition slate – and we’ll discuss some of those over the week, of course – we recommend keeping your bets small relative to their size once meaningful games commence.
Here are the consensus Las Vegas point spreads and totals for Week 3 of the NFL preseason, as of Tuesday morning. For updated numbers, visit our live odds page.
Thursday, Aug. 21
Steelers at Eagles (-3.5, 50), 7:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network
The Steelers have covered just two spreads in their last seven preseason games, dating back to August 25, 2012 – and both of those point-spread victories have come against the Bills. The Eagles, meanwhile, are 0-2 this preseason, losing a pair of high-scoring affairs. The total for this game is the highest of the preseason so far.
Friday, Aug. 22
Jaguars at Lions (-3, 44.5), 7:30 p.m. ET
The Stratosphere opened Detroit -4, a number that was devoured by dog bettors, and the line was moved to -3. Some books are dealing -3.5 as of this posting.
Panthers at Patriots (-5.5, 45), 7:30 p.m. ET
One wonders if New England has revenge in mind for its controversial loss in Carolina on a Monday night last November, when a pass interference call against Luke Kuechly on Rob Gronkowski – that would have given the Pats a chance from the 1-yard line – was waved off.
Giants at Jets (pick ‘em, 42.5), 7:30 p.m. ET
Neither New York team has lost so far this preseason, the Giants boasting an additional win, thanks to the Hall of Fame Game against Buffalo. Since Rex Ryan because coach in 2009, his Jets have alternated wins and losses in the annual preseason tilt vs. their Meadowlands co-tenants. For what it’s worth, the Jets – as a 1-point favorite – won last August, 24-21 in OT. The Strat opened the Giants -1 for this week’s meeting.
Raiders at Packers (-7, 43), 8 p.m. ET, CBS
One figures this game is more meaningful to Oakland, as the team tries to get new QB Matt Schaub up to speed. Through two preseason games, Schaub is 11-for-20 for 108 yards, 0 TDs and 1 INT.
Bears at Seahawks (-7, 45), 10 p.m. ET, NFL Network
Pete Carroll takes the preseason seriously, apparently. After a 41-14 whitewashing over the Chargers last Friday, the Seahawks have covered 11 of their last 12 exhibition games, the lone loss in that run coming this season against the revenge-oriented, Super Bowl-losing Broncos. Still, laying 7 points in the preseason causes some trepidation.
Saturday, Aug. 23
Bucs at Bills (-3. 42), 4:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network
Tampa is still looking for its first win under new coach Lovie Smith, as it has lost to fellow Floridians the Jaguars and Dolphins. The Bills are 1-2 thus far, but will be playing at home for the first time this preseason. Some books have Buffalo -3 (-120) or -3.5 for Saturday’s game.
Cowboys at Dolphins (-3.5, 45), 7 p.m. ET
Speaking of teams that need something to hang their hat on, Dallas is 0-2 this preseason, getting outscored by San Diego and Baltimore by a combined 64-37. There just doesn’t seem to be much positive going on in Big D. William Hill opened Miami -4, but moved to -3.5 a few hours later.
Titans at Falcons (-3.5, 44), 7 p.m. ET
Both teams won their first game of the preseason and lost their second, Atlanta in rather spectacular fashion, 32-7 at Houston.
Redskins at Ravens (-4, 43), 7 p.m. ET
Baltimore, in typical John Harbaugh style, has rolled to a 2-0 preseason start, and the Ravens are now 17-9 SU in exhibition games during the coach’s tenure. Washington is also 2-0 this preseason, holding on against Cleveland Monday night, but disappointing backers – including us – who were laying 2.5 points by allowing a Hail Mary touchdown.
Saints at Colts (-2.5, 47), 8 p.m. ET, CBS
While Indy has yet to win this preseason, New Orleans is a wallet-fattening 10-1 ATS in exhibition games since 2012. CG Technology is dealing -2 for this game, and totals range between 46.5 and 47.5.
Vikings at Chiefs (-3.5, 44.5), 8 p.m. ET
Minnesota rookie Teddy Bridgewater led a comeback win on Saturday, but it was against Arizona’s reserves. Veteran Matt Cassel is expected to start in K.C., as well as in Week 1 of the regular season at St. Louis.
Rams at Browns (-3, 42), 8 p.m. ET
Cleveland coach Mike Pettine might need more convincing to name either Johnny Manziel or Brian Hoyer his starting QB after each turned in a drab performance in Washington on Monday (Update: Hoyer has been named the starter). The Rams and the Browns are both 0-2 on the preseason.
Texans at Broncos (-7, 46), 9 p.m. ET
Denver has beaten two of the NFC’s best this preseason, the aforementioned win over Seattle and a 34-0 beatdown of the 49ers in San Francisco on Sunday. After losing 32-0 in its exhibition opener at Arizona, Houston found some redemption in the form of a 32-7 win over the Falcons on Saturday.
Sunday, Aug. 24
Chargers and 49ers (-6, 41.5), 4 p.m., Fox
It’s difficult to dispute this statement: San Francisco has been the worst team through two-plus weeks of the preseason. The Niners have been outscored 57-3 combined by Baltimore and Denver.
Bengals at Cardinals (-2.5, 43), 8 p.m. ET, NBC
Cincy, 0-2 thus far, looks to get on the winning track here. Andy Dalton figures to play well into the game, but handicappers will want to note that backup Jason Campbell is unlikely to play.
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