The 2026 NFL season has already delivered plenty of twists and turns, and we’re only two weeks into the marathon. With more information emerging on all 32 teams, it’s time to put those early-season developments to work and find the best betting opportunities on the Week 3 slate.
The USA TODAY Sports staff went 2-3 with its Week 2 best bets, highlighted by Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III clearing his alternate rushing total in overtime, which was a tasty (+216) win for one of our experts. The other winning bet was Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins comfortably staying under his rushing prop. Unfortunately, one of our experts lost a player to injury before they could win their wager, but no excuses. There’s plenty
of room to improve, and our NFL experts are back with another loaded card.
With 14 games on tap Sunday, our staff has combed through the available markets to identify the best plays, from spreads and totals to player props and anytime touchdown scorers.
Here are our best NFL bets for Sunday's Week 3 games. Best of luck if you tail.
Best bets NFL Week 3
All odds listed are provided by DraftKings Sportsbook. Access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a complete list.
Participating analysts: Nick Brinkerhoff, Jack McKessy, Jacob Camenker, Adam Kaufman, Tom Viera
Cleveland Browns RB Quinshon Judkins OVER 60.5 rushing yards (-110)
Nick Brinkerhoff: It has been a rough start to the season for yours truly. It has also been a rough start for Judkins. That can only mean one thing – both of us are going to get right in Week 3.
The Browns are back in Cleveland, opening the home slate with a matchup against the Panthers. The same Panthers that are allowing a league-high 173.5 rushing yards per game to running backs through two weeks. The same Panthers that were sliced and diced by D’Andre Swift, Kyle Monangai and Atlanta’s duo of B. Robinsons.
Judkins has 24 carries for 54 yards so far this season. Not great. However, we’re spinning this in a different direction. The breakout is coming for the second-year back, who will have no shortage of opportunities to get the job done. Cleveland is riding high after a stunning Week 2 victory. Now one of its young stars can join the fun with a big day against Carolina. Don’t be surprised if he gets into the end zone as well. After all, if not now, when?
Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson OVER 6.5 rush attempts (+110)
Jack McKessy: This line and the plus odds on the over feel almost too good to be true. Through two games, Jackson is technically "averaging" 5.5 rush attempts per game – with seven rush attempts in Week 1 and four last week – there's so much more that goes into this.
For one, the Cowboys' defense this year has allowed the highest success rate to opponents (54%) through two weeks. That unit has also allowed the third-highest dropback EPA (0.333) and highest dropback success rate (58.2%) allowed in the NFL – and quarterback scrambles count as dropbacks.
Last week, Commanders QB Jayden Daniels had 23 dropbacks on a limited count of 39 snaps (due to his elbow injury). He scrambled six times and finished with seven rush attempts. A week prior, Giants QB Jaxson Dart scrambled three times on 34 dropbacks and finished with 11 rush attempts. Seeing the pattern? Mobile quarterbacks have rushed often against Dallas this year.
If that weren't convincing enough, Jackson also has a history of rushing against this team. The Ravens' quarterback recorded 13 and 14 rush attempts against Dallas in 2020 and 2024, respectively. Yes, the players on each team are different in 2026 than they were in Jackson's last two clashes with the Cowboys, as are the play-callers on each side. But both previous inter-conference matchups rank among the top 25 games with the most rush attempts by Jackson in his 118-game career, and each was against a different defensive coordinator.
The Cowboys lacked the right scheme or personnel to stop Jackson using his legs in either of their previous matchups with Baltimore. Given how well two other mobile quarterbacks rushed against Dallas to start this year, Jackson should easily surpass 6.5 rushing attempts.
New York Jets TE Kenyon Sadiq OVER 28.5 receiving yards at Detroit Lions (-110)
Jacob Camenker: If you are a fan of USA TODAY's Sports Seriously NFL podcast – and especially the "Big Take Jake" segment at the end of it – you'll know I entered this week favoring Adonai Mitchell in a good matchup against the Lions.
However, Mitchell is dealing with a finger injury he picked up in Thursday's practice. It isn't clear whether he will play, and even if he does, his injury could impact his ability to catch the ball with ease. So, as much as I'd like to back him in normal circumstance, the more prudent move is to pivot and trust a different Jets target to have a strong performance.
The Lions have an excellent offense, but their defense has been beyond porous through two weeks of the 2026 NFL season. They have particularly struggled against tight ends, allowing 187 receiving yards to the position, second-most league-wide, and a whopping four touchdowns through two games.
Detroit will likely remain weak against tight ends as long as star safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are sidelined, so backing Sadiq to have the best game of his young career seems smart. Sadiq has only been targeted six times across two games, but he should see a higher volume of opportunities in a potential shootout with the Lions. He should be able to log at least 30 receiving yards, and laddering him up to 50 yards could prove to be a lucrative move.
Cincinnati Bengals -3.5 at Pittsburgh Steelers (-105)
Adam Kaufman: Favorite bet on the board. Only wish we didn't see the line move beyond a field goal. Whatever, I'm still laying it. Bengals are back, baby! It was offensive seeing Cincinnati as a road dog last week in Houston and I was happy to take the plus-money on the moneyline. The Steelers aren't a good football team. That couldn't have been more apparent in an offensive no-show at New England. Pittsburgh's scored one touchdown through eight quarters and Cincy's defense is feeling itself under Al Golden to open the year. Expect more of the same in a lopsided finish this weekend.
Chiefs WR Rashee Rice anytime TD scorer (+140)
Tom Viera: It's time to get in the win column and we're headed to South Beach to get it done. The Kansas City Chiefs are double-digit favorites on the road this week against the Miami Dolphins and we're counting on one of their core pieces to get back on track in Week 3. We're firing up a wager that qualifies as a "banker," or a wager we are confident enough to put two units on.
Rashee Rice already found the end zone in Week 1, catching a 13-yard touchdown from Patrick Mahomes, then followed it up with 83 receiving yards on six targets in Week 2. The Chiefs are 2-0 to start 2026, and the early results suggest the Kansas City machine is getting back to its familiar form.
The matchup sets up a potential game script where Kansas City controls the action. If the Chiefs dictate the game, Mahomes should have plenty of opportunities to get his No. 1 receiver involved. Rice should finally garner a healthy dose of targets, which could help build his confidence while giving him multiple chances to find the end zone. At +140 anytime touchdown odds, Rice has plenty of appeal and enough to make this a two-unit wager.
Yes, Rice is off to a slow start. His target share is down to 12% through two games but part of that can be blamed on Kenneth Walker dominating Week 1. His snap share and route participation are both at career highs through two weeks and the matchup with Miami is too good to pass on. The Dolphins have already allowed five passing touchdowns despite only facing the third-fewest pass attempts. Ride with Rice this Sunday.
Best bets overall records:
- Nick Brinkerhoff: 0-2 (-2.0 Units)
- Jack McKessy: 2-0 (+3.16 Units)
- Jacob Camenker: 2-0 (+3.45 Units)
- Adam Kaufman: 0-2 (-2.0 Units)
- Tom Viera: 0-2 (-2.0 Units)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What are the best NFL bets for Week 3? Expert predictions, player props for Sunday
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