It’s The Wife Hates Sports and SportsChump bringing you our top picks against the spread for both the NFL and College Football. You should join in. Undefeated weeks win prizes. There’s no Price is Right bidding structure where if you go over, you aren’t a winner. The only overs are in the game lines. You don’t need to have your pets spayed or neutered, although it’s likely a good idea (RIP Bob). Animal parts aside, we are ready to roll with our Week 3 Football Picks and Top Bets.

Last week’s performance didn’t quite match week one, but the marks for the season remain strong. Our guest picker from last week went 5-0 (congrats, J-Dub). Even a blind squirrel finds a nut, as they say. Just kidding, man. Great work. Good job, good effort (anyone remember that Miami Heat game quote?). Just in case you don’t, I’ll leave it to chasms of YouTube to never forget the humor and random one-liners that sports can provide us.

Contest Reminder

This is a season long contest with potential prizes going out to our winners, so if you want to join in on the fun, drop a comment here at The Wife Hates Sports… or over at the land of the SportsChump.  We take our top five games of the week against the spread. If you beat us and go undefeated, that leads to fun prizes and heaps of praise on our websites.

With that said, here are our TOP FIVE Best Bets for the week, including my Week 3 Football Picks and Top Bets. The list is ranked in order of confidence, from 50 “dollars” down to $10.

Week 3 Football Picks and Top Bets – Pets and Picks Edition

KP’s Picks: The Wife Hates Sports

$50: Green Bay Packers (-8.5) at Cleveland Browns

I debated on whether to downgrade this one, but will leave it. Why the second guessing? The short answer is total defense, where the Browns rank first (191.5 ypg) and the Packers are 3rd (238.0 ypg). That could signal a low scoring defensive battle, but… it’s just two games. Also, Green Bay has faced two offenses with explosive playmaking ability (the Lions and Commanders). The Packers have also had a few extra days for rest and preparation. Plain and simple, Micah Parsons and the Green Bay defense have looked dominant to open the season, and that is likely to lead to numerous headaches for Joe Flacco and the Browns. Packers cover on the road.

$40: Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers (-2.5)

Speaking of strong starts, how about Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers? Quentin Johnston as a legit deep threat has really helped Justin Herbert and the offense. On the flip side, it hasn’t been an electric start for Bo Nix (44.6 QBR, 4 TD, 3 INT) and Denver’s offense. It’s early, but the Chargers rank 3rd in passing offense (270.0 ypg). The early turnover battle tells the same story (Chargers +2, Broncos -3). Oh, and let’s toss in one more early season stat: the Chargers lead the league in Red Zone defense (16.7%). Add in home field and balance on offense and I like the Bolts by at least a FG. Chargers cover at home.

$30: New York Jets at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-5.5)

Justin Fields is out this week, leaving veteran Tyrod Taylor to lead the New York offense. Over the last two seasons, Taylor has appeared in three games, including last week (24-33, 175 yds passing, 4 TD, 0 INT). Dating back to 2018, Taylor has no more than 5 passing TD’s in a season. He’ll face Baker Mayfield and the Bucs on the road. When I picked the Bucs last year, it was always me wondering which Baker would show up. The Jets have allowed a 110.6 passer rating through the opening weeks. That ranks bottom ten in the league. Cook, Baker… cook. I love Tampa Bay’s firepower. Bucs cover at home.

$20: Illinois Fighting Illini (+6.5) at Indiana Hoosiers

This one stuck out for me, despite the risk. Perhaps it’s because I’m not a huge fan of Curt Cignetti. Talk about a guy who can barely get his ego to fit through the door. Indiana was overrated last season. This year’s opponents have been Old Dominion, Kennesaw State, and Indiana State. Same story as 2024. The Illini, not much better, but a beatdown of Duke and Manny Diaz’s defense was impressive. Bret Bielema is known for his focus on a power run game. Indiana ranks 54th in run defense, facing those three opponents. Illinois is ranked 13th, but opponents have likely had to throw most of the time. Expect a close game here, as each tries to dominate in the trenches. Give me Illinois and the points on the road.

$10: Oregon State Beavers (+34.5) at Oregon Ducks

If you’re looking for a spicy rivalry, look no further than “The Civil War”. The Beavers have been abysmal. But that’s where rivalry games get interesting. There’s always a heavier desire to compete against your most hated opponents, no matter what the record. The Ducks could be looking forward to next weekend’s White Out test at Penn State, but I doubt it. This is lopsided on paper, but again, the rivalry aspect has piqued my interest. Oregon State’s pass defense (122nd) is likely to get torched and their run game (132nd) is unlikely to challenge Oregon’s biggest weakness. Yet, here I am, because the Ducks have to win by five – COUNT ‘EM – FIVE touchdowns. Give me Oregon State and the points on the road.

On the Outside Looking In (Others I Considered):

  • Maryland Terrapins (+10) at Wisconsin Badgers – So tempting, but Cheese-land home field scares me
  • Atlanta Falcons (-5.5) at Carolina Panthers – Carolina back to being Carolina, or are they?
  • Indianapolis Colts (-4.5) at Tennessee Titans – I want to trust Daniel Jones, but I can’t yet.
  • Florida Gators at Miami Hurricanes (-7.5) – Line dropping, but Beck has been razor sharp
  • Las Vegas Raiders at Washington Commanders (-2.5) – Mariota has played well as a backup in DC

 

Week 3 Football Picks: SportsChump

$50 on Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers (-2 ½)

A few NFL lines stood out to me this week, which means I’ll probably be way off.  But there’s no way in my mind that the Chargers, even on a short week, should only be -2.5 favorites at home to the Denver Broncos.  The Chargers have already handled two pretty good teams, the Chiefs and Raiders.  Their defense looks to be one of the best in the league and we’re all slowly starting to see the kind of quarterback Justin Herbert can become. 

Meanwhile, the Broncos offense has been struggling.  Bo Nix is impolitely introducing himself to the sophomore slump, or vice versa.  While their defense remains solid, I’m not sure it’s as solid as we’d expected.  Although the Colts are unexpectedly 2-0 and turning heads, last week’s is a game Denver should have handled yet didn’t.  So far in this early season, we’ve seen the better divisional team manhandle its rival opponents, (i.e., Bills over Jets, Ravens over Browns, Lions over Bears) reminding them of their place in the pecking order.  I expect a driven and well-coached Jim Harbaugh Chargers to do that this weekend at home against the Broncos.  Chargers minus 2 ½.

$40 on Dallas Cowboys (+1 ½) at Chicago Bears

We’re still at the point of the season where teams are either over- or under-valued based on public opinion.  The Cowboys are one of those teams.  They’re not as bad as the SportsCenters of the world would have you believe.  On the other hand, we’re still inexplicably hyping up the Bears.  In a game that many thought would be competitive last week, the Bears got absolutely annihilated by Jared Goff’s passing attack.  Friggin’ guy passed for five touchdowns and almost singlehandedly won everybody who started him their fantasy last week. 

Meanwhile, Caleb Williams is still struggling to find his comfort zone.  I hate to break it to Chicago’s defensive war room (they have one?) but Dallas is just as pass happy as Detroit and it’s only a matter of time before Dak starts connecting with Lamb and Pickens.  The Bears are in a world of hurt already, leading Bears fans to start bitching about their team a little earlier in the season than they normally do.  Expect that bitching to continue as the Cowboys go into Chicago and win.  Cowboys plus 1 ½.

$30 on New York Jets at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (- 5 ½)

Is anyone else around the nation watching these Cardiac kids and is anyone watching this version of Baker Mayfield and wondering how three teams passed on him?  Now on yet another offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay, Mayfield is seeing opposing defenses like Neo at the end of the Matrix.  He owns the second longest steak in the nation for consecutive games with two or more passing touchdowns so keep betting that stat for money until it fails to hit.  My service currently has it at -140. 

This week the Jets come in with Tyrod Taylor starting in place of the recently concussed Justin Fields.  While starting Taylor makes me more nervous than if they’d be starting Fields, the Bucs have too much firepower for the Jets.  This is the home opener for the 2-0 Buccaneers and the drunken pirates at Ray Jay will be fired up in support of their team.  One more week of practice means one step closer for Baker perfecting his timing with his rookie wide receiver.  I also look for Bucky Irving to have a field day.  Bucs minus the 5 ½.

$20 on Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles (-3)

The Rams are good.  Sneaky good.  I like what I’ve seen from them so far this season.  Puca Nacua is an absolute nightmare cover.  This is a well-coached team, and Matt Stafford appears to be healthier than we’d thought, that back not giving him the problems that sidelined him in the pre-season.  That said, the Rams are not Philly good. 

The Eagles appear to be going through the motions so far this season barely getting out of second gear.  That’s good enough to get them two wins, albeit by a total of seven points.  This should be another close one as the Rams are no slouch, but this might be the moment we see the Eagles hit third gear and stake their claim on one of the top seeds in the NFC.  Eagles cover the three.

$10 on Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens (Over 50 ½)

The NFL enjoys fireworks.  They just don’t enjoy players kneeling for the flag.  But I digress.  Fans got an eyeful of those fireworks in Week One when the Ravens faced the Bills.  Neither team could stop the other.  Both offenses were downright frightening.  This Monday night, we’ll be treated to another matchup with similarly explosive potential.  The Detroit Lions would like to remind everyone that their Week One gaffe against the Packers was just that.  Their offense in Week Two opened things up against Chicago like a guy who’d been underwater too long gasping for breath. 

While defense wins championships, offenses like Detroit’s and Baltimore’s can’t be stopped, at least not this early in the season.  This will be a don’t-blink-or-your-miss-it kind of game where Vegas can’t get the over/under high enough.  It opened at 50 ½ and has already climbed a few points on most services.  Baltimore should take this one at home but not before the Lions do their damnedest to keep things close.  Give me this game over 50 ½ and have your popcorn ready.

 

Last Week’s Recap

  • $50: Los Angeles Rams (-5.5) at Tennessee Titans – CORRECT
  • $40: Clemson Tigers (-2.5) at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets – INCORRECT
  • $30: New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (-4.5) – INCORRECT
  • $20: Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions (-6.5) – CORRECT
  • $10: South Florida Bulls (+17.5) at Miami Hurricanes – INCORRECT

Season Stats for Kevin Paul at TWHS (Top Five Only)

  • NFL: 4-3 ($90)
  • CFB: 1-2 (-$30)
  • Overall: 5-5 ($60)

Season Stats for Kevin Paul at TWHS (By Confidence)

  • $50: 2-0
  • $40: 1-1
  • $30: 0-2
  • $20: 2-0
  • $10: 0-2

Week-by-Week for Kevin Paul and The Wife Hates Sports (Top Five Only)

  • Week 01: NFL: 2-2 ($50) | CFB 1-0 ($20) | Week: 3-2 ($70) | Overall: 3-2 ($70)
  • Week 02: NFL: 2-1 ($40) | CFB 0-2 (-$50) | Week: 2-3 (-$10) | Overall: 5-5 ($60)

Chime in with your top picks for the week.  Thank you for visiting The Wife Hates Sports!

——-

If you enjoy The Wife Hates Sports, you can support my work by buying from Fanatics through my site.  It’s of no additional charge to you.  I simply get a cut of any Fanatics sale purchased through links here.  That goes for any Fanatics Experience ad within posts or via the banners on the home page.