The NFL can only be described as unpredictable. After all, who would have expected the Minnesota Vikings to be 2-0 and the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals to be a combined 0-4 two weeks into the 2024 season? It’s all part of the fun of the season: the uncertainty that “could happen on any given Sunday.” Still, looking ahead to Week 3, is it still possible to make “safe bets” on the next wave of high-profile matchups?
We’ve collected all of the best picks and gambling content from CBSSports.com and SportsLine and put it all in one place. Now you’ll get picks against the spread from our CBS Sports experts, as well as additional featured content for each game, including plays from our top SportsLine experts, the SportsLine projection model, our staff’s best bets and Survivor picks. Ready to get started? Let’s get started.
All NFL odds via SportsLine consensus odds.
Which picks can you be confident about going into Week 3 — and which Super Bowl contenders will take a blowout loss — go to SportsLine, whose incredible model simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, and has returned nearly $7,000 in profits to $100 players on its top-tier NFL picks since inception.
Giants vs Browns
When: Sunday, 1pm ET (Fox), streaming on fubo (free trial available)
Open: Browns -5.5, O/U 43.5
SportsLine’s projection model simulates every NFL game 10,000 times and has returned more than $7,000 in profits to players on $100 on its top-class NFL picks since inception. The model is 187-130 on its top-class NFL picks dating back to the 2017 season and entering Week 3 of the 2024 season. The Browns (-6.5, 38.5) have covered the spread against the Giants nearly 60% of the time in our projections, but you can see the full betting breakdown here.
Packers vs. Titans
When: Sunday, 1pm ET (Fox), streaming on fubo (free trial available)
Open: Packers -4, O/U 44.5
“If the Titans can go a week without blocking a punt, and if Will Revis can go a week without making a silly turnover, I think they can win this game. The Titans defense is pretty focused on stopping the run, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they go all out with that. If that happens, the game will be in Malik Willis’ hands.”
CBS Sports NFL reporter John Breech expects Tennessee to win by one point if Jordan Love does not play for the Packers, but predicts Green Bay will win if Love returns sooner than expected. Read his in-depth analysis of the game and his Week 3 predictions here.
Bears vs Colts
When: Sunday, 1pm ET (CBS), streaming on Paramount+ (click here)
Open: Colts -1, O/U 46.5
“Anthony Richardson’s talent is unmatched in the NFL, but where Indianapolis has struggled so far is his inconsistency. We saw that in last week’s loss to Green Bay, and now we’re entering territory where we need Richardson to throw at a more consistent level before we can trust him. The Bears defense has been really good this week, even troubling C.J. Stroud a week ago. And with Colts star defensive tackle DeForest Buckner on injured reserve, it won’t hurt the Bears’ chances of moving the ball offensively.”
CBS Sports NFL writer Tyler Sullivan projects Chicago to have a better than .500% chance of winning against the wayward Colts. Get a detailed analysis of the matchup and other predictions for Week 3 here.
Texans vs Vikings
When: Sunday, 1pm ET (CBS), streaming on Paramount+ (click here)
Open: Texans -4, O/U 47
“This is a big game between two undefeated teams. The Vikings were the surprise team and the Texans were expected to be good. Minnesota’s defense is really good. They’re going to give C.J. Stroud a lot of chances. I think that’s going to be the deciding factor in the game. They’re going to force turnovers and put a lot of pressure on him.”
CBS Sports senior columnist Pete Prisco expects Minnesota to remain unbeaten with a second straight home upset. Check out all of his predictions for Week 3 here.
Eagles vs Saints
When: Sunday, 1pm ET (Fox), streaming on fubo (free trial available)
Open: Eagles -3, O/U 45.5
“The Saints offense is playing well thanks to Derek Carr being in top form and Alvin Kamara being unstoppable. When you face an offense like this, you appreciate some time to prepare, but the Eagles don’t have that. They have to travel to New Orleans on a short week after losing on Monday night, but Philadelphia brings a defense that is allowing nearly 400 yards per game. When your defense is playing this badly, the Saints are the last team you want to face.”
CBS Sports NFL writer John Breech didn’t believe in a Saints win at the start of the season, but now he’s confident New Orleans will finish undefeated in Week 3. You can see all of his predictions for this weekend here.
Chargers vs Steelers
When: Sunday, 1pm ET (CBS), streaming on Paramount+ (click here)
Open: Steelers -1, O/U 43.5
“This game could be surprisingly low-scoring as the two offenses clash, but the difference between the two teams is the quarterback. Justin Fields has been a nice surprise this season, but the Bolts defense has contained questionable offenses in Las Vegas and Carolina this season, allowing less than 150 yards per game through the air. Arthur Smith is not going to attack vertically, so the Steelers will have to slam the ball up front to win. … If they can neutralize the Steelers up front, Justin Herbert could get a shot at a potentially breaking Quentin Johnston.”
CBS Sports senior writer Will Brinson expects this AFC battle to be intense, but he expects Jim Harbaugh’s team to win by a touchdown. Check out all of his best bets for Week 3 here.
Broncos vs Buccaneers
When: Sunday, 1pm ET (Fox), streaming on fubo (free trial available)
Open: Buccaneers -3, O/U 42.5
“Let’s take another home favorite, the Buccaneers. The Buccaneers beat the Washington Commanders in Week 1 and the Detroit Lions in Week 2 thanks to a strong defense. Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix has struggled in his first few NFL games, completing only 6 of 24 passes and having three intercepted passes of 10 yards or more. The Broncos’ offense is averaging 13 points and just 263 yards of total offense per game. Both teams rank in the bottom four in the NFL.”
CBS Sports NFL reporter Jordan Dajani expects Tampa Bay to continue its dominance and Baker Mayfield’s team to win by double digits. You can see all of Dajani’s predictions for Week 3 here.
Panthers vs Raiders
When: Sunday, 4:05pm ET (CBS), streaming on Paramount+ (click here)
Open: Raiders -4, O/U 43
“Who doesn’t love a good old Dead Cat Bounce Game? This game is as close as it gets, literally. The stinky Carolina Panthers are cheering on their cat mascot. With Bryce Young just being benched, the entire team 1) rallies around Andy Dalton and 2) knows that nobody’s job is safe. The Raiders are playing well, but I don’t think they’re going to pull away in this one. It was a low-scoring, close first half against the Chargers, but Jim Harbaugh’s team pulled away and then miraculously came back against the Ravens. Dalton will bring a higher standard to Carolina offensively; it can’t be any lower. I expect the Raiders to try to win this game almost entirely on the ground. This opens the back door for the Ginger King.”
CBS Sports senior writer Will Brinson may not like the Panthers as a functional organization, but he expects the Panthers to pull off an upset in a road game in Las Vegas. Check out all of his best bets for Week 3 here.
Dolphins vs. Seahawks
When: Sunday, 4:05pm ET (CBS), streaming on Paramount+ (click here)
Open: Dolphins -2.5, O/U 48.5
The SportsLine Projection Model has finished in the top 10 on NFLPickWatch’s straight-up NFL picks four times in the last six years, and has beaten more than 94 percent of CBS Sports Football Pick’em players four times during that span. Now, the model has simulated every snap for Week 3 and released its best parlay picks. One takeaway: The model projects the Seahawks (-4.5, 41.5) to cover the Dolphins at home in nearly 60 percent of simulations, with Skylar Thompson starting in place of injured quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in Miami. See the full breakdown here.
Ravens vs Cowboys
When: Sunday, 4:25pm ET (Fox), streaming on fubo (free trial available)
Open: Ravens -1, O/U 48.5
SportsLine pundit Eric Cohen, who hosts the weekly “Early Edge” NFL prop show on YouTube, went 39-28 with his NFL predictions last season. In Week 3, he predicts the Ravens will win at Dallas to avoid an 0-3 start. “Dallas’ defense showed some big holes against New Orleans, and Alvin Kamara scored four points against the Cowboys, so [Derrick] Henry should score at least two points on Sunday, right? I think he will, and Baltimore will pick up a much-needed road win.” Check out SportsLine now for his complete analysis.
49ers vs Rams
When: Sunday, 4:25pm ET (Fox), streaming on fubo (free trial available)
Open: 49ers -4.5, O/U 49
According to AI PickBot, built by SportsLine’s data science team using cutting-edge artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques, the Rams will cover the 49ers as seven-point underdogs at home. Both teams are coming off disappointing losses, with the 49ers losing 23-17 to the Vikings and the Rams getting crushed 41-10 by the Cardinals. However, Los Angeles has covered two of their last three head-to-head meetings with San Francisco and is 7-2 against the spread in their last nine meetings. AI PickBot predicts a close 20-19 win for the 49ers, making the Rams an A-rated pick against the spread. Check out the full breakdown here.
Lions vs Cardinals
When: Sunday, 4:25pm ET (Fox), streaming on fubo (free trial available)
Open: Lions -3.5, O/U 51
The Lions struggled in Week 2 against the Buccaneers and now they’re on the road to Arizona, where Kyler Murray is back healthy and the Cardinals are in great form. SportsLine expert Jason La Canfora, who has openly considered Detroit as his best bet this weekend, has compiled a list of his favorite ATS picks for Week 3. You can find out if the Lions qualify and which teams are worth betting on here.
Chiefs vs Falcons
When: Sunday, 8:20pm ET (NBC), streaming on fubo (free trial available)
Open: Chiefs -3, O/U 50
Kansas City is 2-0 and fresh off two consecutive close wins over AFC rivals the Bengals and Ravens. Next up they face Kirk Cousins โโand the Falcons, who stunned the Eagles with an upset on Monday night. Which team will win in primetime? SportsLine expert Larry Hartstein is now confident heading into this matchup, having a 79-48-2 record on his weekly NFL best bets since 2022. Check out his analysis and predictions here.
Jaguars vs Bills
When: Monday, 7:30pm ET (ESPN), streaming on fubo (free trial available)
Open: Bills -4.5, O/U 50
Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars are struggling as they try to avoid an 0-3 start, while Josh Allen and the Bills are cruising around trying to stay unbeaten at the top of the AFC standings. Can Buffalo keep their momentum going at home in this primetime matchup? SportsLine expert Mike Tierney has the answer. He has 154 wins, 124 losses and 9 ties in the NFL over the past two seasons, returning $1,586 to players who bet $100 (all bets are 1 unit). You can see his Week 3 predictions here.
Bengals coaches
When: Mondays, 8:15pm ET (ABC), streaming on fubo (free trial available)
Open: Bengals -6.5, O/U 47.5
Which team should you use in your Survivor pool for Week 3? RJ White has your needs covered, with a record of 636-534-34 (+4899) on ATS picks over the last seven years. He has the Bengals as one of his three choices this week, but warns that with the consensus pick losing in the first two weeks, it might be wise to pivot to one of his other two choices. Check it out here.