NFL 2021 Week 3 betting preview, top picks & value bets

The Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs played a thrilling game last Sunday night, and we’ve got both of their games this week included on our list of NFL betting plays for Week 3. We’ve also got a play in Sunday’s Miami Dolphins vs Las Vegas Raiders matchup this weekend.

Baltimore Ravens (-8) vs Detroit Lions (+8)

Lamar Jackson rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns as the Baltimore Ravens (1-1-0) defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 36-35 on Sunday night. This nail-biting shootout came just one week after Baltimore found itself in another shootout against the Las Vegas Raiders, though they lost that one 33-27 in overtime.

The Detroit Lions (0-2-0) had one of the NFL’s worst defenses last season and have picked up where they left off in that department this season, losing their first game to the San Francisco 49ers 41-33 and their second game to the Green Bay Packers 35-17. The total on this matchup is set way too low at 50 points. Baltimore is a near lock to score into the high thirties, and the Ravens’ defense hasn’t looked like a shutdown unit in 2021. Expect this score to sail OVER the posted total in a Ravens win.

Los Angeles Chargers (+6.5) vs Kansas City Chiefs (-6.5)

The Kansas City Chiefs (1-1-0) have one of the best offenses in the NFL with elite quarterback Patrick Mahomes leading the way. Unfortunately for Chiefs fans, the team also has an extremely shaky defense. Kansas City is just 1-11-1 against the spread over its last 13 games despite an 11-3 straight up record over that stretch because its defense always allows opponents to stay in the game.

The Los Angeles Chargers (1-1-0) were 5-0 both straight-up and against the spread over their last five games before losing to the Dallas Cowboys 20-17 last Sunday. The Chargers have beaten Kansas City twice in their last six games against the Chiefs and have lost by 10 points or less in the other four games over that stretch. Take the points in what should be another close game for the Chiefs.

Miami Dolphins (+4) vs Las Vegas Raiders (-4)

Derek Carr is the NFL’s leading passer through the first two weeks of the season with 817 passing yards and four passing touchdowns. Carr led the Las Vegas Raiders (2-0-0) to a 26-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. Las Vegas is clicking on offense and looked a lot better on defense against Pittsburgh than it did against Baltimore in Week 1.

The Miami Dolphins (1-1-0) got crushed by the Buffalo Bills 35-0. In addition to looking terrible on both sides of the ball, the Dolphins also lost their starting quarterback as Tua Tagovailoa was carted off the field with a rib injury. Jacoby Brissett is a capable backup quarterback, but it’s hard to see Miami’s offense keeping up with the red-hot Raiders with Brissett under center.