NFL Week 3 Betting Tips: Tom Collins selects two anytime touchdown scorers in his acca

Injuries are starting to hurt teams and coaching has already come under question. Can the unbeaten sides continue to fly high or will the slow starters bounce back? 

Tom Collins answers all those questions and more as he provides his week three NFL selections.

Atlanta Falcons (+3) @ Detroit Lions (-3)

Kick-off: 6pm Sunday BST

The unbeaten Atlanta Falcons go on the road for the first time this season to face the Detroit Lions, who are coming off a shock 37-31 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks after beating the Super Bowl champions in week one. The Lions are rightly favourites, but they have some injuries to overcome.

Star wide receiver Amon-Ra St Brown is questionable with a toe injury, while veteran running back David Montgomery will miss the game due to a thigh bruise. Surely, that opens up the playbook for rookie Jahmyr Gibbs to strut his stuff?

Gibbs has impressed so far this season without reaching the end zone, but he figures to get plenty of chances on Sunday. He is averaging 4.2 yards per carry and 6.3 yards per reception, so appears to be a threat no matter the playcall. You can expect quarterback Jared Goff to find him early and often.

Prediction: Jahmyr Gibbs anytime touchdown @ 11/10

Indianapolis Colts (+8) @ Baltimore Ravens (-8)

Kick-off: 6pm Sunday BST

Even with a season-ending injury to lead running back JK Dobbins, it seems like this Baltimore Ravens rush attack cannot be stopped. They tallied an impressive 178 yards on 37 carries against the Cincinnati Bengals last week and now come up against a Colts’ defence that allowed two rushing touchdowns against the Jags in week one.

Lamar Jackson is the key to Baltimore’s success and he has thoroughly enjoyed playing the Colts in two previous match-ups, running for 58 yards and a touchdown against them in 2020 and 62 yards in 2021. He’s averaging nine carries per game so far this season and might get loose on several occasions.

Even-money seems a fair price on Jackson recording an anytime touchdown given their lack of weapons through the air, especially given tight end Mark Andrews is playing hurt. 

Prediction: Lamar Jackson anytime touchdown @ Evens

Chicago Bears (+12.5) @ Kansas City Chiefs (-12.5)

Kick-off: 9.25pm Sunday BST

It was tempting to recommend backing the Chiefs -12.5 in this match-up. Patrick Mahomes and his offensive unit have underwhelmed so far, but it’s only a matter of time before they explode and it’s feasible that will happen against the Bears. 

In fact, I’m pretty confident it will come this week but I wouldn’t be surprised if Chicago matched them for part of this game. Quarterback Justin Fields has been brash with his social media posts and interview responses in the last week and will be determined to play better than he has so far this campaign. I certainly don’t think he will go down quietly.

Chicago are conceding 32 points per game this year, while Kansas City’s defence is always vulnerable against a dual-purpose quarterback. I’m taking the over in this match-up - it just looks a touch safer than an easy Chiefs win. 

Prediction: Over 47.5 @ 10/11

Los Angeles Rams (+2) @ Cincinnati Bengals (-2)

Kick-off: 1.15am Tuesday BST

Third-time lucky for the Cincinnati Bengals? I hope so. After starting their year with a couple of shocking defeats, Joe Burrow and Co need to bounce back in a rare game against the LA Rams. These two sides have only faced each other six times since 1999 and have three wins apiece.

Burrow’s calf injury is obviously holding him back as he’s not playing like an MVP candidate at this point of the season. But with all the weapons around him and the benefit of time, it won’t be long before that changes. 

Meanwhile, the Rams are heavily reliant on rookie receiver Puka Nacua. The BYU product is making a real name for himself, but he will be heavily tested this week with the likelihood of double coverage. I’m taking the Bengals once again - watch out for a Ja’Marr Chase masterclass.

Prediction: Bengals -2 @ 10/11

NFL Week 3 Tips

Falcons @ Lions: Jahmyr Gibbs anytime touchdown @ 11/10
Colts @ Ravens: Lamar Jackson anytime touchdown @ Evens
Bears @ Chiefs: Over 47.5 @ 10/11
Rams @ Bengals: Bengals -2 @ 10/11
Accumulator pays 14.37/1