The NFL season is already entering Week 3, and we’ve had plenty of information to go off of. There have been upsets. There have been questions answered as well as more questions to ask. This is already off to an interesting start as teams like the Bucs and Chargers are scratching their heads. Teams like the Chiefs are proving they might be back. Quarterback and wide receiver injuries are also already in effect. Still, we are degens, and questions or not, we’re going to make bets. Let’s take a look at my NFL Week 3 best bets and a parlay I like with them.
2026 NFL Week 3 Best Bets And A Parlay That Pays!
LA Chargers @ Buffalo Bills: Over 50.5 Points
The Chargers need a get-right game. They’ve scored 14 points in both games against the Cardinals and the Raiders. Unfortunately, this doesn’t feel like the appropriate get-right spot. However, I’m banking on them improving when they face the Bills, and they’re going to have to score to keep up.
The Bills have been on a tear. They scored 41 points against the Lions last week and 36 against a very good Texans’ defense in Week 1. The Chargers’ defense has allowed 26 points to offenses that aren’t anywhere close to what the Bills are. Last week, on one of my totals, I failed to check the total. The weather looks good here in Buffalo, and LA is traveling a long way.
They’re facing 0-3, and in their division, that’s tough to come back from. Therefore, I expect them to do everything they can to win. However, that will mean scoring more than Josh Allen and company. The over feels like the play here.
Tennessee Titans At New York Giants: Under 39.5 Points
The Titans did look more put together this week than they did in Week 1. They scored 20 points this week compared to 10 in Week 1. Now they face a Giants defense that isn’t only stingy, but is embarrassed and pissed off after allowing 28 points to be scored on them on Monday night.
I’m taking into consideration that this is a short week for the Giants, and that Jaxson Dart is facing an out-for-the-season injury. They thought it wasn’t too serious, but the MRI showed otherwise. That’s a team-deflating injury. Jameis Winston is a veteran, but he didn’t look great against the Rams’ defense.
The good news is, he won’t have to look as good against the Titans, because I don’t believe their defense is all that good. The Giants’ current team total is sitting at 21.5 points. That feels a little high for the team that just lost their starting quarterback. On top of that, their starting wide receiver did come back in the game. However, swelling can make those dislocations more painful as the week goes on. The offense didn’t look great running the ball either.
The Titans team total is sitting at 17.5. Combine those, and we’re right at 39 points. Therefore, for the game to go over, we’re asking both teams to go over their projected team totals. I don’t know if either of them will, let alone both. I’m riding the under.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers: Bengals -3.5
I know you usually would ride with the Steelers at home. However, this offense hasn’t looked great. Now they face a defense that has looked very solid so far. The Bengals took care of Tampa Bay 33-27, and then went down to Houston and beat the Texans 20-6.
Meanwhile, the Steelers scored 20 points against the Atlanta Falcons and beat them by seven points before hitting the road to lose to the Patriots 20-3. 23 total points doesn’t give a lot of confidence when facing a team that looked solid last week.
Again, observing the team total points, the Bengals are sitting at 23.5 points. The Steelers are sitting at 17.5. Both of these defenses are good, and the under is intriguing. However, I like just riding with the Bengals to keep the train moving and get a win here. The spread is at 3.5 points, but the team total gap is at six points. Ride with the Bengals -3.5.
Minnesota Vikings @ Tampa Bay Bucs: Bucs Moneyline (+100)
I did not expect the Tampa Bay Bucs to be sitting at 0-2. Although I also did not expect the Vikings to be sitting at 2-0. It’s been a great start for one of the teams and the opposite for the other. However, the Vikings’ two wins came against division opponents. You know those opponents. You buckle down extra for those opponents.
Now they travel to Tampa Bay to play in a humid 80-degree environment against a Bucs team that absolutely needs a win. Tampa Bay underperformed the spread by 13 points last week. They were nine-point favorites and lost to the Cleveland Browns by four. That feels like a low point. Meanwhile, the Vikings are fresh off wins against the Packers and the Bears.
Kyler Murray comes back. I think he’s better than Carson Wentz, but his return could lead to a few adjustments getting used to the cadence again, as well as him finding his rhythm. Which, to be fair, he didn’t have a lot of in the first game before he was knocked out of it with a concussion. Situationally, I think you have to ride with the Bucs moneyline here.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Chicago Bears: Eagles -4.5
The last one on my NFL Week 3 best bets is the Eagles and Bears game. I’m a Bears fan. So maybe I’m just trying to jinx this pick to give the Bears an edge. However, this is more of a feeling. Last year, the Eagles faced the Bears on Black Friday and were embarrassed. The Bears ran all over them. Therefore, the Eagles have to have this one circled as a possible revenge spot.
It made sense at the time. They were accounting for Caleb Williams, and then Ben Johnson drew up a great game plan where he didn’t have to do much. This time they don’t have to account for Caleb Williams. That’s not official, but I doubt he plays. Hamstring injuries are very susceptible to re-injury. So why risk it?
In fact, the Eagles may not even have to account for Tyson Bagent. He’s in the concussion protocol, and the majority of players do end up missing the next game after entering it. Therefore, we will be seeing Case Keenum. Look, I’ll be honest. I love that we have the veteran presence of Case Keenum. However, I like him in the locker room and helping to coach. Not starting the game.
The Eagles should win this one easily, not only a revenge spot, but a spot where the Bears are beat up. I’m taking the -4.5 because once it’s announced that Keenum is for sure starting, you’ll see this get closer to seven.
The Parlay
You could parlay all of these. However, I’m taking the two favorites, Eagles (-4.5) and Bucs (-3.5), and pairing them with the Bucs Moneyline. Your 3-leg parlay will pay +613.
