Sunday's NFL Week 3 preseason betting primer and odds
It's Week 3 of the NFL preseason, which is usually the final dress rehearsal for teams before heading into the regular season. Starters usually play about three quarters in this final tune up, which means bettors can finally get a real feel for how games will play out. We break down the final three games of the week to help you get ready for the real thing in two weeks.
Chicago Bears at Tennessee Titans (-3.5, 43)
About the Bears
The spotlight is growing on the battle between expensive free agent Mike Glennon and first round pick Mitch Trubisky. As both took reps with the first-unit offense during practice this week. It is expected that Glennon will play the first half and Trubisky will take over at halftime.
Danny Trevathan is making the trip to Tennessee but coaches haven’t let word leak if he is going to dress. The inside linebacker hasn’t played since rupturing his patellar tendon last November.
The Bears are 1-1 straight up and against the spread, so far this preseason and the Over has cashed in both games.
About the Titans
The Titans have no question marks at quarterback with Marcus Mariota firmly entrenched and looking productive. In two drives versus the Panthers last weekend, he lead the offense to 10 points. Mariota is expected to play the entire first half at least.
Titans wide receivers Eric Decker, Corey Davis, Harry Douglas will not play, however, Tajae Sharpe will make his debut. Sharpe, started 10 games as a rookie last season, has been recovering from June surgery to repair a stress fracture in his foot.
DeMarco Murray has been nursing a hamstring injury and while he has been practicing Titans head coach Mike Mularkey was noncommittal Friday about last season’s AFC rushing leader playing against the Bears.
Line Moves
The Titans opened as 3-point chalk and have been bet up a full point to 4. The total hit the betting board at 43.5 and has dropped down an even 43.
Cincinnati Bengals at Washington Redskins (-3, 44.5)
About the Bengals
After a disappointing Week Two for Marvin Lewis and company the Bengals look to rebound in the nation's capital against Washington. Injuries have hindered the Bengals ability to field full units with George Iloka, Dre Kirkpatrick, Giovani Bernard and first round pick John Ross yet to take to the field in a preseason game.
Lewis has stressed he wants to see players get a run before the regular season starts, “I want them to get their wind,” Lewis said.
Cincinnati is expected to play its starting unit for at least the full first half against Washington.
About the Redskins
Head coach Jay Gruden told reporters on Friday he expects players to play ‘a half at least’ on Sunday and has no plans to play starters in Thursday’s fourth and final preseason game at Tampa Bay.
Washington’s offense has struggled scoring with just three total points in their first two preseason games against the opponents’ first-team defense and that field goal came after a fumbled punt and the offense went three and out.
Jordan Reed is expected to make his first start of the preseason after battling a strained toe.
Line Moves
No movement on the line or the total in this game.
San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings (-4, 43)
About the 49ers
San Francisco’s starters are expected to play the entire first half, lead by Bryan Hoyer. Rookie C.J. Beathard has been making great strides during camp and appears to have taken over the backup spot from Matt Barkley. Beathard has looked good through two preseason games (211 passing yards, three touchdowns and no picks), but Shanahan would have to be supremely confident that the 3rd round pick is ready to be a backup before the 49ers let go of the veteran Barkley. Expect them both to get reps in the second half.
The 49ers are 1-1 straight up and against the spread, so far this preseason and the Over has easily cashed in the both games.
About the Vikings
The Vikings play their first home game of the preseason Sunday and their offense could use some home cooking. Minnesota’s first team offense led by Sam Bradford sputtered against Buffalo before moving the chains and finding chunk plays both on the ground and through the air in Seattle. However, they’ve only been able to put up three points, a 29-yard field goal in two games.
Highly touted Dalvin Cook will start his third straight preseason game for the Vikings and Sunday will be the first game action for free-agent from Oakland Latavius Murray.
Minnesota won both of their 2016 home preseason games.
Line Moves
The Vikings opened as 3-point home chalk and that wasn’t large enough and the line has been raise to 4. The total hit the betting board at 43.5 and has been bet down to an even 43.
It's Week 3 of the NFL preseason, which is usually the final dress rehearsal for teams before heading into the regular season. Starters usually play about three quarters in this final tune up, which means bettors can finally get a real feel for how games will play out. We break down the final three games of the week to help you get ready for the real thing in two weeks.
Chicago Bears at Tennessee Titans (-3.5, 43)
About the Bears
The spotlight is growing on the battle between expensive free agent Mike Glennon and first round pick Mitch Trubisky. As both took reps with the first-unit offense during practice this week. It is expected that Glennon will play the first half and Trubisky will take over at halftime.
Danny Trevathan is making the trip to Tennessee but coaches haven’t let word leak if he is going to dress. The inside linebacker hasn’t played since rupturing his patellar tendon last November.
The Bears are 1-1 straight up and against the spread, so far this preseason and the Over has cashed in both games.
About the Titans
The Titans have no question marks at quarterback with Marcus Mariota firmly entrenched and looking productive. In two drives versus the Panthers last weekend, he lead the offense to 10 points. Mariota is expected to play the entire first half at least.
Titans wide receivers Eric Decker, Corey Davis, Harry Douglas will not play, however, Tajae Sharpe will make his debut. Sharpe, started 10 games as a rookie last season, has been recovering from June surgery to repair a stress fracture in his foot.
DeMarco Murray has been nursing a hamstring injury and while he has been practicing Titans head coach Mike Mularkey was noncommittal Friday about last season’s AFC rushing leader playing against the Bears.
Line Moves
The Titans opened as 3-point chalk and have been bet up a full point to 4. The total hit the betting board at 43.5 and has dropped down an even 43.
Cincinnati Bengals at Washington Redskins (-3, 44.5)
About the Bengals
After a disappointing Week Two for Marvin Lewis and company the Bengals look to rebound in the nation's capital against Washington. Injuries have hindered the Bengals ability to field full units with George Iloka, Dre Kirkpatrick, Giovani Bernard and first round pick John Ross yet to take to the field in a preseason game.
Lewis has stressed he wants to see players get a run before the regular season starts, “I want them to get their wind,” Lewis said.
Cincinnati is expected to play its starting unit for at least the full first half against Washington.
About the Redskins
Head coach Jay Gruden told reporters on Friday he expects players to play ‘a half at least’ on Sunday and has no plans to play starters in Thursday’s fourth and final preseason game at Tampa Bay.
Washington’s offense has struggled scoring with just three total points in their first two preseason games against the opponents’ first-team defense and that field goal came after a fumbled punt and the offense went three and out.
Jordan Reed is expected to make his first start of the preseason after battling a strained toe.
Line Moves
No movement on the line or the total in this game.
San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings (-4, 43)
About the 49ers
San Francisco’s starters are expected to play the entire first half, lead by Bryan Hoyer. Rookie C.J. Beathard has been making great strides during camp and appears to have taken over the backup spot from Matt Barkley. Beathard has looked good through two preseason games (211 passing yards, three touchdowns and no picks), but Shanahan would have to be supremely confident that the 3rd round pick is ready to be a backup before the 49ers let go of the veteran Barkley. Expect them both to get reps in the second half.
The 49ers are 1-1 straight up and against the spread, so far this preseason and the Over has easily cashed in the both games.
About the Vikings
The Vikings play their first home game of the preseason Sunday and their offense could use some home cooking. Minnesota’s first team offense led by Sam Bradford sputtered against Buffalo before moving the chains and finding chunk plays both on the ground and through the air in Seattle. However, they’ve only been able to put up three points, a 29-yard field goal in two games.
Highly touted Dalvin Cook will start his third straight preseason game for the Vikings and Sunday will be the first game action for free-agent from Oakland Latavius Murray.
Minnesota won both of their 2016 home preseason games.
Line Moves
The Vikings opened as 3-point home chalk and that wasn’t large enough and the line has been raise to 4. The total hit the betting board at 43.5 and has been bet down to an even 43.
