NFL Preseason Week 3 Predictions, Odds, and Picks

NFL Preseason Week 3 Predictions – Recommended Bets

• Seattle Seahawks @ Dallas Cowboys: Seahawks -4, -110 at PointsBet
• Los Angeles Rams @ Cincinnati Bengals: Rams +2.5, -110 at Caesars
• Buffalo Bills @ Carolina Panthers: Bills to win, +200 at BetMGM

NFL Preseason Week 3 Odds Make Rams and Bills Attractive Underdogs

The NFL preseason comes to a close this week, with a full slate of games on the schedule. On Friday, the Dallas Cowboys look to follow up their first preseason win in three years as they host the Seattle Seahawks as home underdogs according to the NFL preseason Week 3 odds. 

On Saturday, meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills look like a solid NFL preseason Week 3 pick as a road underdog in Carolina, while the champion Rams and the Bengals stage a Super Bowl rematch in Cincinnati.

It's worth paying a close eye on these games, this will be the last chance fans before betting on overall win totals for the 22-23 season. 

Seattle Seahawks @ Dallas Cowboys

Friday, August 26, 8 pm ET on the NFL Network

The Cowboys rode an outstanding special teams performance by KaVontae Turpin - who returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown and later returned a punt 86 yards for a score of the contest - to a 32-18 road win over the Chargers last week, snapping a six-game preseason losing streak. However, the offense must find ways to generate points if the ‘Boys are to make it two in a row for the first time in three years. The preseason Week 3 odds tell us that bettors don’t fancy their chances to do this.

While Turpin was awesome in bolstering his chances of making the regular-season Week 1 roster, neither Will Grier nor Cooper Rush distinguished themselves in the battle as Dak Prescott’s backup. It was reflective of a Cowboys’ attack that has wilted in preseason action, failing to record a passing TD, with all three of their offensive touchdowns coming on runs of 12 or fewer yards.

The Seahawks, meanwhile, are coming off a disappointing 27-11 loss to the Chicago Bears and are facing some tough decisions. In last week’s contest, veteran Geno Smith failed to take advantage of the absence of QB competition rival Drew Lock, who was sidelined by COVID-19. In the game, Smith completed just 10 of 18 pass attempts for a mediocre 112 yards and no scores before leaving the game with an injury. 

Lock is set to return to action in Week 3 of the preseason. As a result, the third-year QB, who received praise from head coach Pete Carroll after tossing a pair of touchdown passes in a heartbreaking 32-25 loss to Pittsburgh two weeks ago, boosts the Seahawks’ value as a four-point favorite in the NFL preseason Week 3 odds. 

NFL Preseason Week 3 Prediction: Recommended Bet

• Seahawks -4, -110 at PointsBet

Los Angeles Rams @ Cincinnati Bengals

Saturday, August 27, 6 pm ET on the NFL Network

 In theory, the NFL preseason Week 3 schedule is headlined by a Saturday Super Bowl rematch between the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals. That said, we probably shouldn’t expect a heated clash between last season’s Super Sunday combatants. Both teams’ starters have been almost entirely absent from preseason action - Bengals head coach Zac Taylor did, of course, work in L.A. under Sean McVay, who’s not a fan of using his frontline starters in the preseason.

Of course, that does not mean sparks won’t fly. Both teams’ coaching staffs have publicly expressed concerns about fighting between the two sides. If anything goes down on Saturday night, it will almost certainly be between the youngsters on these two rosters who are battling for regular-season roster spots and playing time. 

This is good news for Bryce Perkins, who seemingly gained the edge in the battle for the Rams’ backup quarterback spot in a 29-22 preseason-opening win over the Chargers, with 133 passing yards, two passing TDs, 39 rushing yards, and another score on the ground. Perkins should enjoy a big night against a Bengals defense that’s allowed 61 points in two preseason games to the Giants and Cardinals. As a result, our Week 3 pick is to look for the Rams to find success as slight underdogs.

NFL Preseason Week 3 Prediction: Recommended Bet

• Rams +2.5, -110 at Caesars

Buffalo Bills @ Carolina Panthers

Friday, August 26, 7 pm ET

Bettors who’ve backed the Super Bowl favorite Buffalo Bills in the preseason have thus far been generously rewarded. The Bills have authored an impressive 27-24 comeback win over the Colts, as slight underdogs in their opener, before crushing the Denver Broncos 42-15 last week. With a growing number of starters potentially making their way into the lineup this week (and, given the gulf in quality between these rosters, even when they switch to the backups), there’s little reason to deter us from our preseason week 3 prediction of another big Buffalo win against an overmatched Panthers squad. 

With starter Josh Allen limited to three pass attempts this month, journeyman backup Case Keenum has stepped in and shone under center. Most recently, against the Broncos, Keenum completed an outstanding 16 of 18 pass attempts for 192 yards and a TD. Also worth watching this weekend is rookie running back Raheem Blackspear, who’s made his presence felt in the preseason, with 69 rushing yards, two touchdowns on 11 carries, and 81 receiving yards on six caught over two games.

With Baker Mayfield officially winning the battle for the Panthers’ starting quarterback job over rival Sam Darnold, there’s little reason to expect either veteran to see too much playing time against Buffalo. Thus, the Panthers’ offense, which has produced just two touchdowns throughout the preseason, will be led either by rookie third-round pick Matt Corral (10-of-24, 69 yards, 0 TDs in two games) or third-year signal caller Phillip Walker (18-of-34, 243 yards, 0 Tds, 2 INTs). Either way, it’s tough to justify making the Panthers as an NFL preseason Week 3 pick. 

NFL Preseason Week 3 Prediction: Recommended Bet

• Bills to win, +200 at BetMGM

Other Games: Preseason Week 3 Odds

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When is Week 3 of the NFL Preseason?

Week 3 of the NFL preseason kicks off on Thursday, August 25, with the Green Bay Packers at the Kansas City Chiefs in an evening kick-off. The NFL preseason Week 3 odds tell us the Packers are favored to finish their preseason with a win (-115 at BetMGM).

There are subsequent games on the Friday and Saturday of the same week, with the Detroit Lions at the Pittsburgh Steelers closing out the preseason on Sunday, August 28, with a 4:30 pm ET start time. The Steelers are -200 for the win with Caesars.

Where can I watch NFL Preseason Games?

Week 3’s match-ups that are on TV are:  

• Green Bay Packers @ Kansas City Chiefs: Thursday, August 25 at 8 pm ET on NFL Network 
• San Francisco 49ers @ Houston Texans: Thursday, August 25 at 8:15 pm ET on Prime Video 
• Seattle Seahawks @ Dallas Cowboys: Friday, August 26 at 8 pm ET on NFL Network 
• Jacksonville Jaguars @ Atlanta Falcons: Saturday, August 27 at 3 pm ET on NFL Network 
• Los Angeles Rams @ Cincinnati Bengals: Saturday, August 27 at 6 pm ET on NFL Network 
• Minnesota Vikings @ Denver Broncos: Saturday, August 27 at 9 pm ET on NFL Network 
• New York Giants @ New York Jets: Sunday, August 28 at 1 pm ET on NFL Network 
• Detroit Lions @ Pittsburgh Steelers: Sunday, August 28 at 4:30 pm ET on CBS