Week 2 is in the books, but several betting factors linger that are impacting NFL Week 3 odds. That includes the typical injury information, most notably on a quartet of quarterbacks: Tua Tagovailoa, Carson Wentz, Andy Dalton, and Ben Roethlisberger.
This week and every week, Props.com’s Countdown to Kickoff serves as a one-stop-shop for details on injuries, weather conditions and Pros vs Joes action. Check back regularly for injury updates, significant weather impacts, and notable contrasts between NFL sharp bets and public money.
NFL Week 3 Injuries
Miami Dolphins: Tagovailoa left Sunday’s game against Buffalo on a stretcher after suffering a rib injury on Miami’s second drive. The Dolphins opened +4 Sunday at The SuperBook and stretched to +4.5, then dropped to +3.5. However, when news broke Wednesday that Tagovailoa has fractured ribs and was ruled out for Sunday’s game in Las Vegas, Miami jumped back to +4.5. Apparently the fact Jacob Brissett is starting in place of Tua didn’t scare off bettors, as Miami slid back to +3.5 by Friday. The total is down to 44 from a 45.5 opener.
Las Vegas Raiders: It looks like running back Josh Jacobs (toe/ankle) will miss his second straight game, as Jacobs on Friday was listed as doubtful for the Raiders’ tilt against visiting Miami. Quarterback Derek Carr (ankle) was listed as questionable Monday but by Wednesday was announced as good to go. As noted above, this line has been yo-yoing all week, with The SuperBook opening Raiders -4, quickly jumping to to -4.5, then to -3.5 by Monday afternoon, back to -4.5 on Wednesday, down to -4 on Thursday and down again to -3.5 Friday.
Indianapolis Colts: Wentz has two sprained ankles, and probably only because it’s not possible to sprain three. The injury-prone QB is officially listed as questionable but is said to be a game-time decision for Sunday’s AFC South battle at Tennessee. The Colts opened as 4.5-point underdogs Monday at The SuperBook, quickly stretched to +5.5, reached +6 Thursday, then went to +5.5 again Friday.
Chicago Bears: The Bears on Wednesday ruled Dalton (knee) out of Sunday’s game at Cleveland. That means rookie Justin Fields, who came off the bench in Sunday’s 20-17 home win over the Bengals, will get his first start. “We will keep an eye on the Bears’ QB situation, but it doesn’t impact the line much,” SuperBook executive director John Murray said. Chicago wideouts Darnell Mooney (groin) and Marquise Goodwin (ankle) are questionable, although both practiced fully Friday. The Bears opened +7.5, slipped to +8, then interestingly shortened to +7 by Tuesday afternoon. The line then bounced between +7 and +7.5 a couple more times, and settling at +7.5 as of Friday night.
Cleveland Browns: After missing his team’s first two games while continuing to recover from knee surgery, Browns standout wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was a full participant in practice this week and is on track to make his debut Sunday against the Bears. The Browns moved from -7 to -7.5 Friday at The SuperBook.
Los Angeles Rams: Running back Darrell Henderson (rib injury) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s big home game against Tampa Bay, but there is optimism that he will play. Los Angeles opened -2.5 and by Monday morning, the Bucs-Rams clash was a pick ’em at The SuperBook, where the number reached Rams +1.5 by Tuesday morning. On Thursday, the Rams went to +1. The total shot up three points during the week, going from 52.5 to 55.5.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Roethlisberger (pectoral injury) was questionable early in the week but a full participant in Friday’s practice, so he’s good to go. However, star linebacker T.J. Watt (groin) and wideout Diontae Johnson (knee) are both out. The Steelers moved from -4 to -4.5 pretty much right out of the gate Sunday night at The SuperBook, but the number dropped to -3 by Wednesday morning. The total is down a full field goal, going from an opener of 46 to 43.
Cincinnati Bengals: Wideout Tee Higgins (shoulder) is doubtful Sunday at Pittsburgh. Still, bettors continue to back the Bengals, who opened +4.5 at The SuperBook and are now +3.
Minnesota Vikings: Running back Dalvin Cook (ankle) did not practice this week and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s home game against Seattle. However, this line is down from Vikings +2.5 (opener) to Vikings +1.5 at The SuperBook.
Arizona Cardinals: Wideout DeAndre Hopkins (ribs), who did not practice Friday, is officially questionable for Sunday at Jacksonville and expected to be a game-time decision. Despite that news, the Cards on Friday moved from -7 to -7.5 at The SuperBook.
Philadelphia Eagles: Tight end Zach Ertz was put on the reserve/COVID list after reportedly testing positive despite being vaccinated. As such, he could play Monday night at Dallas if he goes 48 hours without symptoms and passes two tests. The Eagles bounced between +3.5 and +4 several times early in the week at The SuperBook and were at the lower number as of Thursday. The total moved from 52 to 50.5 to 51.5.
Houston Texans: Taylor exited Sunday’s loss at Cleveland with a hamstring injury and is out this week. “It makes a slight difference to the point spread, but not enough of one to take the game off the board,” Murray said early in the week. Houston will start rookie Davis Mills. The Texans opened +7 at The SuperBook and were up to +8 by Tuesday evening.
NFL Week 3 Weather
Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns: The forecast calls for a clear, sunny day. But wind (10-20 mph) could be a factor. The SuperBook’s total moved from 46.5 to 46 on Tuesday, and by Saturday afternoon the number had plummeted to 44.5
Washington Football Team at Buffalo Bills: Early in the week, the forecast called for a slight chance of rain in Buffalo, but it’s now expected to be dry. Instead, the weather issue could be sustained 15 mph winds. The total is down to 45.5 from a 47 opener at The SuperBook.
Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs: Temperatures at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday could creep into the upper-80s, which is quite warm in K.C. for this time of year. Wind also could be an issue, with the late-week forecast calling for breezes approaching 20 mph. The total is down a point to 54.5 at The SuperBook.
NFL Week 3 Pros Vs Joes
Arizona Cardinals at Jacksonville Jaguars: As bad as Jacksonville has looked through two weeks, TwinSpires Sportsbook still saw sharp play this week on Trevor Lawrence and Co.
“Pros are on the Jags and Joes are on the Cardinals. The pros took Jags +7.5, and we’re now sitting at Jags +7,” TwinSpires trading analyst Zachary Lucas said.
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers: Pittsburgh is down to -3 (even) from a -4.5 opener at BetMGM Nevada.
“Sharp play on Bengals spread and Bengals moneyline, multiple pops,” BetMGM Nevada’s Scott Shelton said. “Tickets almost exactly 2/1 Steelers, a little bit more money on the Bengals. It’s Pros vs. Joes.”
Washington Football Team at Buffalo Bills: “The biggest pro-public divide of the week, across the market,” BetRivers’ Zach Schlouch said. The Bills dropped from -9.5 to -7, but they’re the public choice, taking 80% of tickets and 76% of money. Sharp money came in on WFT.