NFL Week 3 Odds: Ravens, Saints, Seahawks Flip To Favorites After Opening As Underdogs

NFL Week 3 odds reflect a wave of upsets and low scoring to start the season, with four teams flipping from underdogs to favorites.

Underdogs went 10-5-1 against the spread and 8-8 straight up last weekend, the most outright upsets in a Week 2 since 2018. The public backed favorites in 14 of those games, as NFL sportsbooks capitalized, holding 21% on spreads, according to Macquarie research.

Along with injuries and sharp action, those results have propelled the Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks from underdogs to favorites in Week 3. Totals have dropped through the week on 12 games, as teams averaged 21.4 points through the first two weeks, on pace for the second-lowest scoring season since 2006.

“Everything’s within a touchdown, not just single digits but within one score for the most part. Punts are up, passing yards are way down, and the public’s starting to see that. Folks are starting to hit the under a lot more than the first two weeks,” said Ethan Useloff, a trader at Fanatics Sportsbook.

Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of Week 3 odds, spreads, and betting trends, featuring insights from various sportsbooks on the evolving market. Be sure to check back for the latest updates.

NFL Week 3 odds tracker

Here’s a look at how spreads have evolved for NFL Week 3. The Current Spread updates automatically; the Opening Spread refers to lines released on Sunday as game week opens (Sept. 15); Lookahead Lines are spreads released last week (Sept. 12, before any Week 2 games were played); Preseason Odds are consensus odds from when sportsbooks released them in the spring (May 29).

NFL Week 3 Sunday matchups and odds

Denver Broncos at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Spread: Buccaneers ; opening spread: Buccaneers -7
• Moneyline: Buccaneers , Broncos ; opening moneyline: Buccaneers -340, Broncos +270
• Total: ; opening total: 41

The Buccaneers are –6 favorites on Sunday morning. It is one of the biggest reactions to Week 2, as they were just -3.5 on the lookahead line.

The Buccaneers are 2-0 after upsetting the Lions 20-17, a game in which they closed as 6.5 underdogs. Their defense ranks fifth in the fewest points per play. The Broncos, meanwhile, are 0-2 after their 13-6 loss to the Steelers, a game in which they nearly went scoreless.

Broncos quarterback Bo Nix has struggled to start his NFL career. His four interceptions are tied for the most in the league, and his QBR ranks lower than only the recently benched Bryce Young’s.

“There’s not a whole lot of money on this game yet. The Buccs are just a tough out, and their defense has been super good and will probably make it really tough on Bo Nix there,” DraftKings Director of Race and Sportsbook Operations Johnny Avello said.

The total is at 40.5 on gameday, a half-point from the opening total of 41.

It is a small sample size, but 82% of money is on the under at Fanatics.

Houston Texans at Minnesota Vikings

• Spread: Texans ; opening spread: Texans -3
• Moneyline: Texans , Vikings ; opening moneyline: Texans -148, Vikings +124
• Total: ; opening total: 46.5

This line ranged from Texans -1.5 to -2.5 this week before settling at -1.5 on Sunday. That is 1.5 points down from its opening at Texans -3 against the Vikings.

The Vikings are 2-0 after upsetting the 49ers in Week 2, a game in which they opened as touchdown underdogs to Super Bowl contenders. Quarterback Sam Darnold has played well in the purple and gold and is tied for the second-most passing touchdowns this season with four.

“I think where this opened shows the Vikings were still being underrated,” said Joey Feazel, head of football at Caesars Sportsbook.

Notably, this line swayed half a point toward Minnesota after a report that star receiver Justin Jefferson will likely play despite a quad injury.

“The Vikings moved pretty quickly to +2 flat, and I’d expect this could continue to move towards them with the public narrative on Sam Darnold rejuvenating himself in Minnesota and them playing at home with Jefferson. I could see it settling at 2.5,” Useloff of Fanatics said.

The Texans have been a popular team to bet on since last season and are coming off a 19-13 victory Sunday night against the Bears. They currently have the fourth shortest Super Bowl odds of any team at +1100 at DraftKings. Houston running back Joe Mixon was ruled out ahead of Sunday’s game, but there has been no indication that has impacted betting.

“The Vikings are certainly playing much better than anticipated, but the Texans seem to be everything as advertised so far. It’s a tough betting one here. I’m sure the Texans will take money in this one. So far, we have some Viking money at the higher number, but it pretty much cooled off since we moved to 2.5”

The total is 45.5 on game day after opening at 46.5, which was unchanged from the lookahead line.

Los Angeles Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers

• Spread: Steelers ; opening spread: Steelers -2.5
• Moneyline: Chargers , Steelers ; opening moneyline: Chargers +114, Steelers -135
• Total: ; opening total: 38

After a dip late in the week, the Steelers were back to -2.5 favorites against the Chargers on Sunday, the same as the opening line.

More bettors picked the Chargers than any other team last week and they were one of the few favorites that delivered, trouncing the Panthers 23-3. The Steelers were the most lopsided bets of Week 2, though their matchup against the Broncos drew much less overall action. They were another rare favorite to cover.

DraftKings anticipates more action on this one, with fewer games sharing the 1 p.m. ET time slot this week. Last week there were 10 on at the same time. This week there are seven.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert left last week’s game with an injury but could play Sunday, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting Herbert as a game-time decision. Last week, running back J.K. Dobbins recorded his second-straight 100+ rushing-yard game since returning from a torn Achilles injury last season.

The Steelers are undefeated behind Justin Fields, who will make his third consecutive start in place of Russell Wilson. Oddsmakers have been vocal about neither quarterback’s status impacting Pittsburgh from a betting perspective.

“I think the Steelers will probably get a little bit of a push by Sunday, but it looks like one of those hard-fought games where either team could win by a few points,” Avello of DraftKings said.

This is the lowest total of Week 3. It was down to 34.5 on Sunday after opening at 38, which was 4.5 points down from the lookahead line.

“Bettors aren’t expecting a lot of firepower, and to be honest, I don’t know if anyone will play the over on this, with the Chargers giving up an average of six and a half points and the Steelers giving up an average of eight,” Avello said. “It’s not like these are two high-powered offenses either.”

Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints

• Spread: Saints ; opening spread: Eagles -2.5
• Moneyline: Eagles , Saints ; opening moneyline: Eagles -148, Saints +124
• Total: ; opening total: 48.5

The first of several big flips, on Saturday, this line is up to Saints -2.5, a reverse of where it opened.

The Saints opened last weekend as a +2.5 underdog to the Eagles despite coming off the biggest blowout upset of Week 2. After Philly’s loss to Atlanta on Monday night, the odds flipped in favor of the Saints at -1.5. It climbed to Saints -2.5 on Wednesday and briefly hit -3 at some sportsbooks before settling back down.

Teams that open as underdogs and close as favorites are 44% against the spread over the least five seasons, according to SportsOddsHistory.com. On the flip side, Jalen Hurts and the Eagles are 3-7 against the spread in their last ten games as underdogs.

New Orleans leads the NFL in points so far with 91, the most through the first two weeks of any team in the last 15 years. The Saints dismantled the Cowboys 44-19 for their second consecutive double-digit win, behind four touchdowns from running back Alvin Kamara. The Eagles, meanwhile, gave up a game-losing drive to the Falcons on Monday night, after running back Saquon Barkley dropped a short pass with less than 2 minutes left instead of icing the game with a first down.

“The public really likes the Saints here. This is one of the more bet-on games for Sunday, which also says something,” Useloff said. “Going into the season, you would have thought the Saints would be underdogs here, even at home, but now they’re almost field goal favorites.”

At 49, this is the second-highest total of the week and will likely surpass 50 before kickoff, according to Avello of DraftKings.

“Some of the early money was on the Saints and the over and it’s no surprise,” Avello said. “But his could be a game where they settle down a bit. It wasn’t so far-fetched for them to blow out Carolina, but to go to Dallas and do it opened some eyes.”

Green Bay Packers at Tennessee Titans

• Spread: Titans ; opening spread: Titans -1
• Moneyline: Packers , Titans ; opening moneyline: Packers +100, Titans -120
• Total: ; opening total: 39.5

This line has steadily climbed throughout the week, all the way to Titans -3 after opening at Titans -1. At Fanatics, it’s one of the most-bet games of the week with action relatively down the middle on both sides.

The Packers upset the Colts 16-10 in Week 2 despite playing without quarterback Jordan Love, who is recovering from a sprained MCL. Love’s injury swayed the line by 6.5 points against Green Bay last week. He is questionable for Week 2, though Malik Willis is expected to once again start in his place and oddsmakers expect another run-heavy game.

The Titans have struggled with quarterback Will Levis under center and are still searching for their first win after losing 24-17 to the Jets. Their defense, however, has held opponents to the fewest yards per game so far this season and is 10th in defending the run.

Another lower-scoring affair is projected. The total is down to 37.5 on Sunday after opening at 39.5. That is the lowest total on a Packers game since 2007.

“There won’t be any interest in the over on this one,” Avello said. “It could settle at 37 because it’s such a key number, but both teams haven’t shown much.”

New York Giants at Cleveland Browns

• Spread: Browns ; opening spread: Browns -7
• Moneyline: Giants , Browns ; opening moneyline: Giant +270, Browns -340
• Total: ; opening total: 37.5

This line is up to Browns -6.5 on Sunday, after bouncing down to -6 in the middle of the week.

As of Thursday, the Browns were drawing 65% of the money on the spread at Fanatics.

New York is searching for its first win after a historic 21-19 loss to the Commanders on Sunday, in which it played most of the game without a kicker. It marked the time an NFL team failed to win despite scoring three touchdowns and giving up none.

“Folks that are betting the Giants are probably fans or recreational, thinking they’ll have an easier week,” Useloff of Fanatics said.

The Browns, meanwhile, held on late to defeat the Jaguars 18-13. Quarterback Deshaun Watson bounced back from a rough past few starts to grab his first win of the season.

“You have to be careful with the Giants because they’re going to come up with a few surprise good games this year, and this could be one,” Avello of DraftKings said. “They’re desperate, and Watson hasn’t been great. It’s a tough game to bet, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the Giants keep this close.”

This total is at 38 ponts on Sunday, up a half-point from where it opened. Both teams combined for 37 points in Week 2.

Chicago Bears at Indianapolis Colts

• Spread: Colts ; opening spread: Colts -1
• Moneyline: Bears , Colts ; opening moneyline: Bears -102, Colts -118
• Total: ; opening total: 45.5

The Colts are up to -1 favorites on Sunday, half-a-point higher than where the line opened.

Indianapolis disappointed the betting public in Week 2 with a loss to the Jordan Love-less Packers. The Colts struggled to score, despite totaling 338 yards of offense and are averaging just 18.5 points per game with second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson. One thing that will help the QB is that wide receiver Michael Pittman is expected to play despite injuries, Schefter reported for ESPN.

“The Colts’ loss to the Packers lost a lot of confidence in them from bettors, but the Bears have their own issues,” Useloff said. “This probably ends up as a pick’em with money coming in on the Bears from the Chicago fanbase.”

Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams once again struggled in his second career start on Sunday night, completing 23 of 37 passes for just 174 yards and two interceptions. He is still searching for his first career touchdown. Despite his woes, the Bears are 2-0 against the spread for only the second time since 2006.

This total is down to 43.5 on Sunday, another notable drop from where it opened at 45.5.

Miami Dolphins at Seattle Seahawks

• Spread: Seahawks ; opening spread: Seahawks -6
• Moneyline: Dolphins , Seahawks ; opening moneyline: Dolphins +205, Seahawks -250
• Total: ; opening total: 42

The Dolphins are +4.5 underdogs after opening at +6.5 to the Seahawks, eight points down from the lookahead line of Dolphins -2.

Miami will be without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who suffered a concussion in last week’s 31-10 loss to the Bills. Backup quarterback Skyler Thompson struggled in his absence, completing eight of 14 passes for 80 yards.

“The Dolphins would be favorites with Tua. He’s worth six to seven points, maybe even more,” Avello said. “But a game like this is so difficult to play because you have seen so little of what Miami looks like or wants to do without him.” 

The Seahawks held on late to defeat the Patriots 23-20 in overtime, securing a push for bettors with their walk-off field goal. Their rookie head coach, Mike Macdonald, is known for the exotic schemes he ran when he was the Ravens’ defensive coordinator, and bookmakers believe that bodes poorly for Thompson, who has completed just 68 passes in his short career.

“This line is more of Sykler Thompson having so little quality NFL experience than Tua being so great,” Useloff said. “He faces a bad matchup in Mike McDaniel, who doesn’t have Seattle at the legion of boom level exactly but is known for his exotic schemes, a lot of zero blitzes that Thompson probably won’t read as well.”

A lower-scoring affair is projected with a total of 41.5, six points lower than the lookahead. The total has stayed around that opening number all week.

“Don’t think that we have a ton of under money on this game because the total dropped. We adjusted it because of Tua,” Avello said.

Carolina Panthers at Las Vegas Raiders

• Spread: Raiders ; opening spread: Raiders -6.5
• Moneyline: Panthers , Raiders ; opening moneyline: Panthers +240, Raiders -298
• Total: ; opening total: 38.5

This line opened at Las Vegas -6.5 after they pulled off the biggest upset of Week 2, beating the Ravens 26-23. It has dropped sharply down towards the Panthers throughout the week and is Raiders -5,5 on Sunday.

The Raiders should never be touchdown favorites to any team, according to Avello. This week, however, they face the odds-on the favorite to go 0-17 at +1800 at DraftKings.

Despite their poor play, the Carolina Panthers consistently drew sharp action through the first two weeks of the season, not unlike the winless Cleveland Browns in 2017, according to Feazel of Caesars. That could be changing though.

Carolina has scored the fewest points of any team through Week 2, with just 13. Following their Week 2 loss to the Chargers, the team benched second-year quarterback Bryce Young, who, by metrics, has been the worst starter in the league this season. Veteran quarterback Andy Dalton is set to take his place.

“I don’t think we’ll see much Panther money, but Dalton coming in may be the worst thing that could’ve happened to the Raiders,” Avello said. “Young probably would’ve struggled mightily against this defense.”

On game day, this total has been bet up to 39.5 at most sportsbooks, a point higher than where it opened and two-and-a-half points lower than the lookahead line of 42.

Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys

• Spread: Ravens ; opening spread: Cowboys -1
• Moneyline: Ravens , Cowboys ; opening moneyline: Ravens -108, Cowboys -112
• Total: ; opening total: 48.5

The Ravens are -1 favorites after opening as +1 underdogs to the Cowboys.

Two of Week 2’s biggest favorites, both these teams are looking to bounce back after surprise losses. The Ravens are still searching for their first win after their 26-23 loss to the Raiders and opened as underdogs for the first time this season.

The Cowboys opened favored after a surprise 44-19 trouncing by New Orleans. That opening line was unchanged from the lookahead line.

“We’re getting a lot more money on the Ravens,” said Useloff of Fanatics. “Part of that could be that we’re in Maryland and Texas hasn’t legalized, but Dallas fans live everywhere. The public does like to lean on them as a pretender.”

Avello expects this to be the most-bet game of Sunday’s slate, if not the entire week.

“The feeling from the general public is that a Super Bowl contender is 0-2, and we haven’t adjusted them that much,” Avello said. “it’s not like you can get Baltimore at a great price to win the Super Bowl right now. We know they’re still capable, but if they lose this game and start 0-3 we’re having a much different conversation.”

The total is down to 47.5 on Sunday after opening at 48.5, which was up from lookahead line of 42 points.

San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams

• Spread: 49ers ; opening spread: 49ers -6.5
• Moneyline: 49ers , Rams ; opening moneyline: 49ers -310, Rams +250
• Total: ; opening total: 47.5

Despite coming off of an upset loss to the Vikings, the 49ers are -6.5 favorites against the Rams, one of the biggest spreads of the week.

The Rams are dealing with a dearth of injuries, as their two-star receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, along with guard Jonah Jackson, are all expected to miss the game. San Francisco will be playing without several key players, as Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle are expected to miss time.

“The 49ers still have some weapons, but the Rams just don’t play well without Cupp and Nacua,” Avello said. “That’s a big reason this number is at 7, and it could go higher because there’s a big question in how the Rams will score.”

Despite also being listed on the injury report, 49ers star defensive end Nick Bosa (ribs) is expected to play, ESPN’s Schefter has reported.

The total dipped to 43.5 points, a steep drop from where it opened at 47.5. Oddsmakers have attributed that to injuries and a lack of pass-catching options on both teams.

Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals

• Spread: Lions ; opening spread: Lions -3.5
• Moneyline: Lions , Cardinals ; opening moneyline: Lions -185, Cardinals +154
• Total: ; opening total: 51.5

The Lions are –3 favorites after opening at -3.5 following an upset loss to the Buccaneers in Week 2. This line dropped to -2.5 Wednesday before Lions money moved it back the other way.

“A few weeks ago you would think this line would be higher, but this could even fall under 3 because the Cardinals are at home,” Avello said. “We have a low juice of -102 on the Lions, which tells me we’ll be pushing toward the Cardinals early.”

The Cardinals are coming off a 41-10 upset of the Rams in Week 2. Rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. wowed for Arizona in his second game, finishing with four receptions, 130 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Kyler Murray had a perfect passer rating of 158.3, completing 17 of 21 passes for 266 yards and three touchdowns and adding an extra 59 yards with his legs.

Murray is expected to have wide receiver Greg Dortch (questionable with hamstring injury) available for the game, according to ESPN’s Schefter.

On game day, the total stayed at 51.5. That was the highest opening total of the week and a point-and-a-half up from the lookahead line of 50. It was as high as 52.5 on Wednesday before money came in on the under.

NFL Sunday Night Football odds

Kansas City Chiefs at Atlanta Falcons

• Spread: Chiefs ; opening spread: Chiefs -4.5
• Moneyline: Chiefs , Falcons ; opening moneyline: Chiefs -218, Falcons +180
• Total: ; opening total: 47

The Chiefs are -3 favorites over the Falcons ahead of their primetime Sunday Night Football matchup. That is a point down from where it opened at -4.5, amove came following news of Kansas City running back Isiah Pacheco’s broken ankle.

Money came in on the Falcons +4 at DraftKings; however, according to Avello, there has been more steady two-way action at 3.5 since then.

The Chiefs are coming off a narrow 26-25 victory over the Bengals just a week after Isaiah Likely’s toe saved them from a last-minute loss to the Ravens.

“There will certainly be more Chiefs’ money,” Avello said. “There always is.”

The Falcons, meanwhile, are coming off a late, last-minute win as underdogs against the Eagles on Monday night. Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is still searching for his first win against the Chiefs. He’s 0-4 straight up against Kansas City in his career.

As of Wednesday 71.9% of spread bets and 68.3% of handle was on the Chiefs at ESPN Bet.

The total is at 46.5 on Saturday, half-a-point down from its opening line, which was one of the highest of Week 3.

NFL Monday Night Football odds

Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills

• Spread: Bills ; opening spread: Bills -4.5
• Moneyline: Jaguars , Bills ; opening moneyline: Jaguars +190, Bills -230
• Total: ; opening total: 47

In the first of this week’s two Monday Night Football games, the Bills are priced as -4.5 or -5.5 favorites, depending on the sportsbook. This line opened at -4.5 after Buffalo upset the Dolphins last week, their first game as a public fade in over a year. At 32.5 points per game, the Bills are averaging the third-most points through two weeks, notable considering how much scoring is down across the league.

The Jaguars are still searching for their first win after losing 18-13 to the Browns at home, a game they were favored in. That loss followed a three-point loss to the Dolphins in Week 1.

“I think this is a game where sharps take the dog because the Jags are one of those quality teams that has played tightly contested games,” Avello said.

The total opened at 47, two points lower than the lookahead line of 49. It was down to 45.5 on Sunday.

Washington Commanders at Cincinnati Bengals

• Spread: Bengals ; opening spread: Bengals -7
• Moneyline: Commanders , Bengals ; opening moneyline: Commanders +275, Bengals -345
• Total: ; opening total: 47.5

The Bengals opened as -7 favorites against the Commanders and it’s back there on Sunday for the second MNF game.

According to Avello, they could be as high as -9 by kickoff, which would make them the biggest favorites of the week. Cincintatti is still searching for their first win at 0-2 and is coming off of a narrow 26-25 loss late to the Chiefs.

“The Bengals are 0-2 and are just going to get bet because they’re a good team and the commanders are not,” Avello said. “This thing could get high, it’s a spot where they need to win, and it looks like they should. They should have beat Kansas City, they looked lethargic in week 1

The Commanders held on late to defeat the Giants on Sunday, covering the spread and securing their first win. They did it without scoring any touchdowns. However, Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels completed 23 of 29 passes for 226 yards and added 44 more yards with his legs.

The total opened at 47.5, half a point lower than the lookahead line of 48. It was back down to 46.5 on Sunday after climbing as high as 48.5 on Wednesday.