Free NFL Best Bets & Picks Today – Week 3 (2024)
The 2024 NFL season is finally here, and we’ve got you covered with our free NFL best bets and picks today. In this article, we’ll break down our top free NFL picks against the spread and highlight the best bets for Week 3 action. Plus, we’ll share the top betting targets for your favorite sportsbook. Let’s win some money together.
In my five years of covering the NFL, Week 2 was one of the craziest Sundays I can remember. 11 underdogs covered the spread in their respective games, and eight won outright. In saying this, if you had a Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers money line parlay… Congratulations, you’re a better gambler than me, and enjoy your winnings.
It really has been the year of the underdogs. Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Derek Carr have all led their respective teams to 2-0 starts. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals remain winless. It all sets up for another fantastic Sunday. So, without further ado, coming off a 2-4 week, here are the picks.
Free NFL Best Bets & Picks Today: Week 3
Chicago Bears (+1.5) vs Indianapolis Colts (-1.5)
After an offseason littered with hype and speculation, the Bear’s offense has jumped out to a slow start to begin the 2024 season. Primarily due to their inability to run the football, D’Andre Swift is averaging less than three yards per carry. Along with this, Chicago has struggled to protect rookie Caleb Williams. The team surrendered seven sacks to the Houston Texans a week ago.
Fresh off a disappointing 16-10 loss to the Malik Willis-led Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis gave up 261 yards on the ground. Through two games, Gus Bradley’s defense has allowed 474 rushing yards, the highest mark in the NFL. Making matters worse, the Colts placed standout defensive tackle DeForest Buckner on the injured reserve list with a high ankle sprain. While Chicago’s offense has looked disconnected through two weeks, look for them to get right against an Indianapolis defense that is searching for answers.
Pick: Bears (+1.0)
Philadelphia Eagles (+2.5) vs New Orleans Saints (-2.5)
The Eagles will be left kicking themselves after falling to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football. They surrendered a 70-yard game-winning touchdown drive to Kirk Cousins and company after Saquon Barkley dropped a pass on 3rd and 3 with 1:46 left in the 4th quarter. With A.J. Brown likely out again this week, expect Barkley to play a key role in this one.
Arguably the hottest team in the NFL through two weeks, the Saints offense is on a historic pace. Fresh off a 44-19 beatdown of the Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans has scored on 15 straight drives to start the year, the longest streak since 1978. The team is also averaging 4.33 points per drive, the best mark this century. Nonetheless, look for Philadelphia to be motivated following their collapse on Monday Night. Giving Nick Sirianni’s group 2.5 points is way too much. Overall, that makes this one of my best bets this week.
Pick: Eagles (+2.5)
Houston Texans (-2.0) vs Minnesota Vikings (+2.0)
Houston knocked off the Bears on Sunday Night Football a week ago. Hitting and harassing Williams all game long, the team sacked the number one overall pick seven times while holding Chicago out of the end zone. Nico Collins hauled in eight receptions for 135 yards and a score to bring his receiving yards total to an NFL-high 252 through two weeks.
Off to a strong start to begin his Vikings career, Darnold has Minnesota sitting at 2-0 following their 23-17 upset victory over the San Francisco 49ers. The former first-round pick sits ninth in the NFL in completion percentage, at 72%, and passing yards (476) and tied for third in passing touchdowns (4). Nevertheless, while Justin Jefferson is expected to play on Sunday, the star wide receiver may not be at 100% following his quad contusion. The Texans have the better quarterback in CJ Stroud in this matchup and a group of skill position players that could give Brian Flores’s defense all sorts of problems. This makes for one of our best bets in Week 3.
Pick: Texans (-2.0)
Miami Dolphins (+4.0) vs Seattle Seahawks (-4.0)
Fresh off a crushing 31-10 loss to their bitter AFC East Rival Buffalo Bills last Thursday Night, the Dolphins also saw quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffer yet another concussion. As a result, the franchise placed the one-time Pro Bowler on the injured reserve list earlier in the week, meaning Skylar Thompson will start on Sunday. This will be the former seventh-round pick’s first start since the Wild Card round game against the Buffalo Bills in 2023.
Set to face a tall task in navigating a stout Seattle defense, the Seahawks rank second in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (128.5) and 12th in opponent points per game (20.0). Furthermore, the team also features a strong wide-receiving core, including second-year man Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who is coming off a 12-117 performance in a win over the New England Patriots a week ago. Despite the brilliance of Mike McDaniel as a play-caller, Thompson will not be able to make enough plays in a tough road environment. Swallow the points and take the Seahawks.
Pick: Seahawks (-4.0)
Washington Commanders vs Cincinnati Bengals (O/U 47.5)
Washington secured its first win of the season with a 21-18 victory over the New York Giants. The Commanders became the first team in NFL history to win a game in which they did not score a touchdown but allowed three touchdowns. Guided by the play of Brian Robinson Jr., the Alabama product rushed for 133 yards on 17 carries while averaging nearly eight yards per attempt.
Cincinnati lost in heartbreaking fashion to the Kansas City Chiefs. They appeared to have the game won after Patrick Mahome’s pass on 4th and 16th fell incomplete. However, Bengals defensive back Daijahn Anthony was called for pass interference, setting up Harrison Butker for the game-winning 51-yard field goal. Now 0-2 for the third straight season, Zac Taylor’s group is now in a must-win situation. Look for them to take care of business, with Jayden Daniels providing enough offense to push this game over the number. In the end, this should be one of our best bets for Week 3.
Pick: Over 47.5
New York Giants vs Cleveland Browns (O/U 39.5)
One of only eight winless teams in the NFL, the Giants’ defensive shakeup has yet to pay off. With former Tennesee Titans defensive coordinator Shane Bowen now at the controls, New York ranks 28th in the NFL in rush yards allowed per game through two weeks (163). They were gashed by the Washington Commanders, surrendering 215 yards on the ground.
Furthermore, the team’s offensive line has been unable to keep Daniel Jones upright after giving up five sacks to the Minnesota Vikings in the season opener. Squaring off against one of the best front sevens in football, look for Myles Garrett to make a major impact following a quiet start to the season. With a low number at 39.5 points, play the under in one of the uglier games of the weekend.
Pick: Under 39.5
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