Admin September 22, 2024
NFL Week 3 picks and predictions: Why Texans, Packers are a smart play
Lorenzo Reyes is locked and loaded for Week 3 in the NFL and provides us with the smartest bets of the weekend.
Sports Pulse
The Arizona Cardinals will host the Detroit Lions in an NFL Week 3 clash between two teams that have started 1-1 this season.
For the Lions, the 2024 schedule kicked off well enough, with a win over the Los Angeles Rams in a playoff rematch. However, Detroit didn’t follow it up, falling flat in last week’s loss at home to Tampa Bay. Jared Goff threw for 307 yards, but two costly interceptions set the Buccaneers up for a late game-winning touchdown. In what’s expected to be a high-scoring game, execution in the red zone will be key for the Lions.
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Arizona, meanwhile, has to be feeling pretty good at the moment. A team largely projected to struggle in the NFC West pushed the Buffalo Bills in Week 1, losing a one-possession game, before clobbering the Rams in California last weekend. Marvin Harrison Jr. (130 yards, two touchdowns) and James Conner (132 total yards, one touchdown) were both superb, but the Cardinals‘ defense might end up being the make-or-break factor in this one.
Lions vs. Cardinals odds, moneyline, over/under
Detroit is favored to win this one, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2024 including the ESPN BET app and Fanatics Sportsbook promo code.
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- Spread: Lions (-3)
- Moneyline: Lions (-150), Cardinals (+125)
- Over/under: 51.5 points
Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered with Monday Night Football odds.
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NFL Week 3 odds, predictions and picks
Jets vs. Patriots | Browns vs. Giants | Colts vs. Bears | Vikings vs. Texans | Saints vs. Eagles | Steelers vs. Chargers | Buccaneers vs. Broncos | Titans vs. Packers | Raiders vs. Panthers | Seahawks vs. Dolphins | Cardinals vs. Lions | Cowboys vs. Ravens | Rams vs. 49ers | Falcons vs. Chiefs | Bills vs. Jaguars | Bengals vs. Commanders
USA TODAY: Lions 26, Cardinals 24
Tyler Dragon writes: “The Cardinals are a surprise team through two games. Arizona produced 489 total yards in what was Marvin Harrison Jr.’s welcome to the NFL coming out party. Can the Cardinals match Detroit’s physicality? The Lions will try to dominate the line of scrimmage in this one — and it might be too much for a young Cardinals team to handle.”
CBS Sports: Cardinals 31, Lions 29
Pete Prisco writes: “The Lions are out on the road for the first time, while the Cardinals are coming off an impressive home victory over the Rams. Arizona was outstanding on offense with Kyler Murray, which will stress the Lions defense. Look for Arizona to win a shootout that could get each team into the 30s.”
Sporting News: Cardinals 23, Lions 20
Bill Bender writes: “The Lions must lean on the running game against an improved Cardinals’ defense. The connection between Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. is strong, too. This is a tricky game for Detroit, but Aidan Hutchinson – who has 5.5 sacks – will be the X-factor. The Lions are 5-1 ATS as a road favorite since last season.”
Sports Illustrated: Cardinals 38, Lions 35
Iain MacMillan writes: “When it comes to the total, this game seems like a no-brainer of an OVER bet. Both teams have significantly better offenses than defenses and the Lions moved the ball at times last week against the Bucs, but just couldn’t punch the ball into the end zone. If Detroit can fix its red zone issues, this has all the making of an offensive shootout.”