NFL Week 3 Over-Under Best Bets: The Air Raid's All the Rage

Published on 22-Sep-2019 by Sportbet Staff

Football - NFL    NFL Daily Stake

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NFL Week 3 Over-Under Best Bets: The Air Raid's All the Rage

Yes, the NFL's a copycat league, but which pro sport isn't?

If one team has success with a certain system or style, of course a trend is gonna spread. For example:

But it's one thing to be a copycat. It's quite another to succeed at it.

 

The NFL's seen its share of passing trends, such as ...

 

It'll take a couple of years to assess the Air Raid's staying power, but the system's definitely hot right now. There are now eight slingers who were steeped in the system starting in the NFL.

A few of them are gonna have an effect in Week 3, and they're on our list of suggested totals plays:

Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals: 45½

Both teams have bought into Air Raid concepts. The irony is how it's being treated in Arizona. Kliff Kingsbury's Cardinals only scored 17 points against Baltimore, but Kyler Murray passed for over 300 yards.

 

The Ravens, though, have one of the top defenses in the NFL. Carolina’s defense is often very good. But, it could have trouble matching up with Arizona while the Cardinals’ defense is gonna content with Kyle Allen, starting in place of Cam Newton.

Pick: Over
Result: Carolina 38 Arizona 20 ... over covers

 

Los Angeles Rams at Cleveland Browns: 51

The Browns won’t stop the Rams, which means their lone chance of winning this game rests on Air Raid alum Baker Mayfield throwing the pigskin to Odell Beckham Jr. He isn’t Cleveland’s only weapon, though. They'll also lean on Nick Chubb in both the rushing attack and in the short-passing game.

Jared Goff learned the system under Sonny Dykes at California, and Sean McVay has made the most of those skills.

Let’s go against the computer here and mark the Browns down for 24 points while the Rams clock 35.

Pick: Over
Result: Los Angeles Rams 20 Cleveland 13 ... under covers

Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles: 49½

No Air Raid proponent here, but this total seems too good to ignore. Detroit’s defense played well in Week 2. Philadelphia hasn’t been as sharp on offense.

This projects to go under the total, right? Nope.

Both teams have skill players to flatter their quarterbacks, Carson Wentz with the Eagles and Matthew Stafford with the Lions. Not only that, but the Eagles have trouble stopping the pass. Taking a shot on the over.

Pick: Over
Result: Detroit 27 Philadelphia 24 ... over covers

 

Atlanta Falcons at Indianapolis Colts: 47½

On paper, this one looks like an easy over game. Atlanta has the QB-WR duo of Matty Ryan and Julio Jones. The Falcons also have a healthy Devonta Freeman and it’s Calvin Ridley’s second season.

Although the Colts are without Andrew Luck, they do have a solid quarterback, a great running back, and plenty of pass-catchers.

But, these two squads also have decent defenses. The Colts run a ball-control offense with Jacoby Brissett at QB -- not that he can’t throw it deep -- while there’s something wrong with Atlanta’s offense.

Pick: Under
Result: Indianapolis 27 Atlanta 24 ... over covers

Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers: 48

Because of the two quarterbacks, we’d think this is an over game for sure.

However, both teams can also play some defense. The Chargers, especially, should contain DeShaun Watson. So, unless Philip Rivers lights it up, he didn’t in Week 2, this one’s going under.

Pick: Under
Result: Houston 27 Los Angeles Chargers 20 ... under covers

 

 

Bet at 5dimes

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Sportbet Columnist: Josh Bailey ... Today: 3-2

Aspiring to become the Mark Twain of sportswriting, Josh has been labelled as the up-&-coming sportswriter of the year by absolutely nobody and the new heavy hitter in sports handicapping by his mother.