With only a couple more weeks of the preseason to go, the countdown to the start of the 2016 NFL regular season is reaching its tipping point. But before we get ready for the real journey ahead, let’s look forward to another week of preseason action that’s just as engrossing to place some stakes on.
Like Week 1, Week 3 will have four-straight days on non-stop football. Let’s take a closer look at four games – one for each day of play – that are worth betting on beginning this Thursday.
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NFL Preseason Week 3 Predictions, Odds and Preview
Thursday, August 25
Dallas Cowboys (+5) at Seattle Seahawks (-5) – 10:00 PM ET
Seattle’s Trevone Boykin tried but failed to lead his team to another come-from-behind victory, and he finished with a 10-for-20 afternoon for 127 passing yards (albeit with an interception as well) against the Vikings in Week 2. Meanwhile, Dallas’ Dak Prescott appears to be the preseason’s MVP indeed, as he threw two touchdowns and ran for a couple more scores in the 41-14 beat-down of the Dolphins.
Count on Prescott to continue to amaze again in Week 3, especially with the Seahawks likely to sit out their intimidating D’s starting unit just as they have for most of the preseason.
Writer’s Prediction: Cowboys (+5) win, 33-21.
Friday, August 26
Green Bay Packers (-1) at San Francisco 49ers (+1) – 8:00 PM ET
We could expect more things from Green Bay running back Eddie Lacy this Friday, as his team is hot off a win with him getting nine carries for 45 yards and a touchdown. However, starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers has yet to see preseason action, and that will likely be the case for the next two weeks as well.
As such, look for San Francisco’s defense to seize the opportunity of not having to face Rodgers. And for all the dysfunction that the team has at the QB position, the Niners’ play-callers are actually doing pretty well. Christian Ponder, signed just earlier last week, went 7-of-8 for 86 passing yards, threw for a score and ran for another in the Week 2 win over the Broncos. Blaine Gabbert also looked better that day, as he went 6-of-9 for 69 yards with a passing TD of his own.
Writer’s Prediction: 49ers (+1) win, 21-16.
Saturday, August 27
Los Angeles Rams (+5) at Denver Broncos (-5) – 9:00 PM ET
Speaking of the Broncos, the defending Super Bowl champs have a huge problem at hand in the wake of the news that Mark Sanchez might lose his starting job soon. Sanchez failed to find the end zone in the loss to the lowly Niners, and his supposed backups, Trevor Siemian and rookie Paxton Lynch, each threw picks in Week 2 to make matters worse.
In turn, expect the Rams to steal this upcoming Saturday night game in Mile High. This year’s first-overall pick in the draft, Jared Goff, just connected on his first passing TD this past week. Star running back Todd Gurley also saw his first action of the preseason and ran in for a score, making Los Angeles’ offense much more potent on paper than where Denver’s own offense is at now.
Writer’s Prediction: Rams (+5) win, 20-14.
Sunday, August 28
San Diego Chargers (+4) at Minnesota Vikings (-4) – 1:00 PM ET
Kicking off Sunday’s action will be two teams that had exhibited depth in defense in Week 2. The Chargers have to thank cornerback Brandon Flowers and his 25-yard pick-six, as that was their only touchdown in the 19-3 win over the Cardinals. Josh Lambo kicked-in four field goals for the rest of the team’s scoring output, but that will not cut it against the Vikings ahead, especially with starting QB Philip Rivers likely not taking any snaps for a third-straight preseason game.
On the other hand, the Vikings also generated a defensive touchdown of their own against the Seahawks, with fourth-string cornerback Marcus Sherels returning a much more impressive pick for 53 yards in the fourth quarter to basically seal the game. And although Teddy Bridgewater sat out last Thursday’s contest after playing a good number of downs in Week 1, he’s more inclined to see some action again this weekend to give Minnesota’s offense a quick boost against San Diego.
Writer’s Prediction: Vikings (-4) win, 17-10.
Complete Odds and Schedule for Week 3 of the Preseason
| Date | Spread | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Aug. 25 | Atlanta (+3.5) at Miami (-3.5) | 40.5 |
| Dallas (+2.5) at Seattle (-2.5) | 40.0 | |
| Fri, Aug 26 | New England (+2.5) at Carolina (-2.5) | 37.0 |
| Buffalo (+3) at Washington (-3) | 42.5 | |
| Pittsburgh (+4) at New Orleans (-4) | 40.5 | |
| Cleveland (+3.5) at Tampa Bay (-3.5) | 38.5 | |
| Green Bay (+3.5) at San Francisco (-3.5) | 40.0 | |
| Sat, Aug. 27 | Kansas City (+3.5) at Chicago (-3.5) | 40.5 |
| Philadelphia (+1.5) at Indianapolis (-1.5) | 40.5 | |
| Detroit (+1) at Baltimore (-1) | 41.5 | |
| New York Giants (+2.5) at New York Jets (-2.5) | 40.0 | |
| Tennessee (+3) at Oakland (-3) | 41.0 | |
| Los Angeles (+3) at Denver (-3) | 40.5 | |
| Sun, Aug. 28 | San Diego (+3) at Minnesota (-3) | 41.0 |
| Arizona (+3) at Houston (-3) | 39.0 | |
| Cincinnati (+4.5) at Jacksonville (-4.5) | 40.0 |
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