NFL Week 3 Predictions: 3 Best Bets and Picks for Sunday's Games

NFL Week 3 Best Bets in Summary

• Browns Moneyline (+124)
• Dolphins +10.5 (-105)
• Cardinals +8.5 (-110)

The NFL season brings a full slate of opportunities for bettors each week. There are plenty of intriguing matchups and betting angles to consider across the schedule.

Here are our favorite NFL bets and predictions for this week. We’ll break down the matchups, key statistics and other factors behind each pick to help identify the best value on the board at FanDuel Sportsbook's NFL odds.

All NFL odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook's NFL betting odds and may change after this article is published.

NFL Best Bets and Predictions for Week 3

Browns Moneyline (+124)

Panthers vs. Browns (1 p.m. ET)

The Cleveland Browns are home underdogs to the Carolina Panthers, and I am intrigued by Cleveland to win outright at +124.

Cleveland looked substantially better in Week 2 than they did in Week 1, going on the road and beating Tampa Bay, 23-19, last week after a rough opener against Jacksonville. Deshaun Watson has completed 40 of 52 passes for 443 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception through two games while rookie Denzel Boston has emerged as a big-play threat with 154 receiving yards and 2 scores.

The matchup could also provide Cleveland with an opportunity to finally establish its ground game. The Browns have averaged only 65.5 rushing yards per game, but Carolina has surrendered an NFL-high 224 rushing yards per game through two weeks.

Carolina deserves credit for its dominant 34-3 win over Atlanta, but we're still dealing with a Panthers D that allowed 59 points in Week 1. Asking the Panthers to go on the road and win as a favorite feels aggressive after one strong showing — even if said road game is against the Browns.

At this number, I’ll back the Browns to win their second in a row.

Dolphins +10.5 (-105)

Chiefs vs. Dolphins (1 p.m. ET)

Taking an 0-2 Miami Dolphins team against the Kansas City Chiefs certainly isn't comfortable, but Miami getting 10.5 points at home is enough to get me interested.

Miami's first two weeks have been ugly. The Dolphins have scored only 13 points in each game, losing to Las Vegas and San Francisco by double digits. Kansas City, meanwhile, is 2-0 and averaging 32.0 points per game. But the market is fully baking in that massive gap in early-season performance — maybe too much so.

Kansas City needed overtime to notch a 33-30 home win over Indianapolis in Week 2, meaning the Chiefs have already shown they aren't necessarily going to suffocate every opponent defensively. This is also Kansas City's first road game of the season and Miami's home opener.

A 10.5-point spread where we get access to the key number 10 creates a lot of room for the Dolphins to cover without seriously threatening an upset. Miami could trail for most of the afternoon and still cover with a late touchdown, and playing at home should at least offer a better environment for a young roster that has opened with consecutive road games way out west.

Kansas City is clearly the stronger team, but I think this spread is a touch too big. I'll grab the points with Miami.

Cardinals +8.5 (-110)

Cardinals vs. 49ers (4 p.m. ET)

If the Miami bet wasn’t enough to make you squeamish, taking the Arizona Cardinals to cover on the road against a San Francisco 49ers team that is 2-0 with a pair of lopsided wins may do the trick.

The 49ers have certainly been fantastic thus far, sitting at 2-0 while averaging 31.0 points per game, and their offense has produced 6.7 yards per play. Arizona hasn't been nearly as efficient on O, averaging 16.5 points and just 4.6 yards per play, so this certainly isn't a bet based on the Cardinals having the better underlying profile.

Instead, the appeal is the number and San Francisco's growing injury issues. Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson is expected to miss multiple weeks with a high-ankle sprain, while Mike Evans exited last week's game with a hip injury and may be less than 100% even if he suits up. The 49ers were already dealing with several injuries elsewhere — including some to other pass-catchers — potentially leaving them thinner than their 2-0 record suggests.

Arizona also has enough in the passing game to keep this competitive. Jacoby Brissett has thrown for 372 yards with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception through two games while Trey McBride has already hauled in 17 passes for 136 yards and 2 scores.

San Francisco should understandably be a sizable favorite at home, but the Cardinals can put up a fight. With +8.5 giving us some wiggle room, I like Arizona to cover in this NFC West clash.

NFL Betting FAQ

What is an NFL point spread?

A point spread is designed to level the playing field between two teams. Favorites must win by more than the spread, while underdogs can either win outright or lose by fewer points than the spread.

What is an NFL moneyline bet?

A moneyline bet is simply picking which team will win the game. Favorites have negative odds, while underdogs have positive odds.

What are NFL player props?

Player prop bets focus on an individual player's performance, such as passing yards, rushing yards, receiving yards, touchdowns, or receptions, rather than the outcome of the game.

Take advantage of Bet Protect+. Stay covered all game, all September with FREE Bet Protect+ on eligible NFL bets, including live bets. Click here to check out the full details.

Which bets stand out to you this week? Check out FanDuel Sportsbook's latest NFL odds to see the full menu of options. You can also check out our How to Bet on the NFL guide.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel Daily Fantasy today!

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.