NFL Week 3 picks, best bets: 49ers set to smash, Titans a live dog, Falcons a threat to Lions

Apparently I would like to swim within the Taylor Swift waters extra regularly. After a disastrous Week 1 for my best bets, we bounced again in a giant approach in Week 2 with a particularly prime selection of Swiftie references using a staff of alternatives that, rather frankly, must have resulted in a sweep if the Patriots took care of commercial. 

In lieu of extra Swift references, possibly we’re going to cross one thing else? I may just cross ocean references as an alternative (Miami is Dolphinally going to win, and many others) however that feels extra pressured than ordering the rest with cod in/on/round it. 

But let’s be transparent: I used to be at the vanguard of the T-Swift references. I began slinging them on Wednesday afternoon and let it elevate over into a Thursday hit on HQ Spotlight (watch it on CBS Sports Network) to the purpose I used to be being “Hassel’d” by means of our host about jamming the references into “my” display.  

The venerable Rich Eisen of NFL Network dropped a slew of them on Sunday and my wildly underrated colleague Ian Eagle had a completely timed “Blank Space” name when Travis Kelce (rumored to be courting Taylor) scored a landing for the Chiefs on Sunday. 

Did making a bunch of T-Swift references reason me to get sizzling on my bets final week? Probably no longer! I believe it used to be no longer shifting off my priors, ignoring Week 1, no longer worrying concerning the unfold motion and backing the groups I assumed have been in higher form. Also, like maximum robust NFL weeks, I were given fortunate. 

We can get fortunate once more and once I run sizzling I in most cases keep sizzling so bounce on board — all my picks are up at SportsLine (first month for $1 by means of the use of promo code PICK). You too can see my complete Week 3 alternatives right here and try our Pick Six Podcast (*3*), or concentrate anytime anyplace you get your podcasts. 

There’s a ton of giant spreads this week and underdogs are sizzling at this time … anyway to the best bets! 

49ers (-10) at Giants

Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET (Stream: Amazon Prime Video)

It’s too early within the season to be backing this giant a line … excluding the 49ers don’t seem to be being given sufficient credit right here. There are more than one groups with larger level spreads this week (Dallas and Kansas City). Neither is on a quick week and just one is at house. The 49ers could be the best staff in soccer, the Giants are exhaling on a quick week when they did not get to cross house after surviving a miracle comeback towards the Cardinals and their run protection is a drawback. Christian McCaffrey goes to cross off Thursday. I’d lean underneath as neatly as a result of I believe Kyle Shanahan desires to decrease this sport and save you a ton of second-half performs. 

Falcons (+3.5) at Lions

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)

I authentic cannot imagine I pale the Falcons in Week 1. Thankfully I’m getting issues with Atlanta for the second one directly week and I’m glad to take the ones issues for the second one directly week particularly when it is towards a staff that, similar to the Falcons, must be taking part in various one-score video games. Atlanta confirmed they might come from at the back of in Week 2 and Desmond Ridder’s taking part in the precise position I was hoping he would, a more youthful, deficient guy’s (possibly?) Ryan Tannehill. Bijan Robinson is moment within the NFL in speeding yards and must devour right here. The Falcons protection most certainly would possibly not close down the Lions however they will create a turnover or two, the offense will gradual issues down for Detroit and this sport will finally end up being inside of a subject purpose. 

Seahawks (-5.5) vs. Panthers

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

Seattle is the “worst” protection Carolina’s noticed thus far this yr, however it would no longer subject. The Panthers offense appears slow, did not do the rest till rubbish time at house on MNF and now they are touring around the nation on a quick week to cross towards a Seattle staff feeling it might in point of fact get within the NFC West race with a win right here. Defensively, the Panthers are superb — that used to be my best worry, however Shaq Thompson is completed for the yr, Jaycee Horn is on IR and Brian Burns used to be banged up on Monday. The Seahawks must be a lot more fit a week later, particularly at the offensive line. This is a difficult spot for Bryce Young. My second-biggest worry is me in spite of everything fading Carolina and getting bit within the butt for it, however the instances simply don’t seem to be nice for this younger staff. 

Titans (+3.5) at Browns

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

Short model: Mike Vrabel as an underdog is a in point of fact excellent guess over the past a number of years and he is already 2-0 ATS as a canine this yr and 1-1 (just about 2-0) directly up in the similar spot. Cleveland’s protection is excellent, however the Steelers had some explosive performs towards them. The Titans would possibly not possibility it rather as a lot and can most likely feed Derrick Henry extra. He’ll be higher than Najee Harris. There’s additionally the surprise issue of Nick Chubb right here — the Steelers did not run a unmarried offensive play within the pink zone on Monday evening and gained the sport. That’s lovely uncommon! Deshaun Watson does no longer seem like any individual who used to be worthy of more than one first-round alternatives and a record-setting contract (say not anything concerning the off-field problems that led to him being suspended for a long time frame) at this day and age. Vrabel believes he could make the playoffs and that is a high spot to scouse borrow a win.

Rams (+2.5) at Bengals

Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET (ABC, fubo)

This is a straightforward fade of a conceivable Joe Burrow absence for me. To be transparent: I imagine the Rams can win the sport outright anyway. Matthew Stafford’s appeared most commonly exceptional two video games into the season, the Rams are doing a lovely excellent task cross protective for him, the run sport has been a marvel and is most effective exceeded by means of the receiving surprises which have been Puka Nacua and TuTu Atwell. Obviously we might favor to get the Rams at greater than a subject purpose however although we get a gimpy Burrow taking part in I do not understand how prime the quantity will finally end up getting at this level with the worries over the Bengals quarterback’s calf. I’d ~bet~ it finally ends up maxing out at Bengals +4, assuming we do not get the rest considerably assured about Burrow main up to the sport. It’s Monday so the rest giant would most likely come on Sunday morning relying at the ultimate harm file Saturday. If Burrow’s dominated out, the Rams shall be liked, and I lean in opposition to that taking place these days, so I’m going to try to get at the proper facet of this line as early as I will.