Docs Website

53 Years Strong! A Trusted Leader In Sports Picks, Best Bets and Predictions Since 1971.

Main Menu

NFL Betting Predictions: Week 3 Opening Line Report and Picks

by Spencer Toth - 9/16/2025

NFL betting predictions Week 3 opening line report Chris Jones Kansas City Chiefs

Staying ahead when picking games against the spread is no easy task in the NFL. However, using the opening lines can allow you to secure a favorable price early in the week when there is no guarantee it will be available when kickoff rolls around. An extra point or two in your favor is crucial to generating a long-term profit. Last week, we went 1-2 on our plays, with both losses coming by less than a field goal. The Cowboys got the win in overtime, but couldn’t cover the five-point spread, while the Broncos lost to the Colts on a last-second field goal. We got into the win column on Monday night when the Buccaneers (+2.5) took home the outright victory. Before we get into a tantalizing Week 3 slate, here are the biggest storylines from Week 2 in the NFL. 

Doc’s Sports offers NFL expert picks for every game on our NFL predictions page.

  • The Packers are contenders: Green Bay made it look easy against the Washington Commanders to kick off Week 2. Micah Parsons made an instant impact on defense, and the Packers' offense continues to roll with Jordan Love in the pocket. 
  • Thriller in Dallas: The Cowboys and Giants put on one of the games of the season with five fourth-quarter lead changes, including four in the final two minutes. The Cowboys squeaked out a 40-37 victory in overtime. 
  • Quarterback injury bug: Joe Burrow, JJ McCarthy, and Jayden Daniels all went down with injuries in Week 2, leaving massive question marks for these playoff hopefuls going forward. The best ability in the NFL is availability. 
  • Denver gets robbed: The Broncos were one kick away from a 2-0 start, but were penalized 15 yards for leverage on special teams. Late penalties have been a talking point to start the season, and the Colts move to 2-0 with Daniel Jones as a result. 
  • Tush Push Mush: The Super Bowl rematch between the Eagles and Chiefs saw the Tush Push take center stage once again. Multiple missed offsides and false starts allowed the Eagles to grind out a victory over Kansas City.
  • Panic button for the Chiefs? A 0-2 start can be fatal in the NFL playoff picture. Kansas City faced off against two truly elite rosters to open up its season, and it can still turn things around and make the playoffs. However, the Broncos and Chargers both appear capable of ending their lengthy reign at the top of the AFC West. 

Week 2 is in the rearview mirror, and it is time to look ahead at the opening lines for Week 3. These picks must be made immediately, as locking in these lines before they inevitably shift before kickoff is a non-negotiable for long-term profit in the NFL. 

 

Game 1: Green Bay Packers at Cleveland Browns

Opening Line: Green Bay Packers (-7.5)

The Green Bay Packers have looked unstoppable through the first two games of the season, and this is a great line to lock in immediately. On offense, Green Bay has no shortage of pass-catching options for Jordan Love and will be able to shred the Cleveland defense. Their balanced attack will be able to replicate what Baltimore did to the Browns last week, and it is hard to envision the Browns putting up much of a response. Joe Flacco looks every day of his 40 years in the pocket, and Cleveland will likely turn to their rookies sooner rather than later. Regardless of who is under center for the Browns, scoring points will not be easy. Green Bay suffocated the Lions and Commanders to start 2-0, two of the best offenses in the NFC. Micah Parsons has made an instant impact, and this is a team capable of winning by double digits on a weekly basis. Once you factor in the Browns' season trajectory, pulling off an upset, or even keeping this close, is a long shot for Cleveland. This line has already crept up to 8 points on some books, and I expect it to reach double digits before kickoff rolls around. Lock this in immediately. 

Pick: Green Bay Packers (-7.5)

Game 2: Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers 

Opening Line: Los Angeles Chargers (-2.5)

Getting the Chargers under a field goal at home is a fantastic lookahead pick for Week 3. Denver’s defense has looked fragile through the first two weeks, and Justin Herbert will not be contained. His pocket presence is excellent, and the Chargers' heavy investment in their offensive line is already starting to pay dividends. When Herbert has time to evaluate his options, he almost always makes the right choice, followed by an accurate throw down the field. On defense, Los Angeles will likely be without Khalil Mack, but he is just one piece of a dominant defense. The Chargers do a great job at stuffing the run, and Bo Nix has struggled in third-and-long situations this season. It’s easy to see why the Chargers are favorites against a well-rounded Broncos team, but this line should be above the crucial three-point margin rather than below. We saw two points of movement away from the Broncos leading up to their Week 2 matchup against the Colts, and could see a similar trend this week, too. Even if this line shrinks to -2 or -1.5 for the Chargers, that downside is far less impactful than a -3 or -3.5 line shift. Lock in this price while you still can. 

Pick: Los Angeles Chargers (-2.5) 

Game 3: Kansas City Chiefs at New York Giants 

Opening Line: Kansas City Chiefs (-5.5) 

The Kansas City Chiefs are desperate for a victory, and a trip to New York is a great place to find a win. The Giants have shown signs of life with Russell Wilson in the pocket, but they are still disjointed on both sides of the ball. Wilson will consistently follow up a vintage deep ball with an absolute duck downfield, and can’t be trusted against a hungry Chiefs defense. The pass-catching options for Kansas City are still limited, but their defense will be able to carry them over this line. Chris Jones and George Karlaftis will cause havoc in the trenches, and the Giants' offensive line is still far from a proven unit. Wilson doesn’t have the legs to escape collapsing pockets at 36 years old, and the Chiefs will get to him early and often. While maximum effort is expected from anyone under Andy Reid’s reign, the Chiefs may dial it up even further with their season on the line. A loss here with a Week 4 trip to Baltimore could have the Chiefs facing an 0-4 start, making this as close to a must-win game as an early-season affair can be. This line is under the key numbers of 6 and 7, making it another example of a pick with big upside and minimal risk with nearly a week to go until kickoff. 

Pick: Kansas City Chiefs (-5.5)

Get NFL picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bet premium picks by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.

 

Most Recent NFL Handicapping

One E-mail A Week Is All You Need!
Our weekly newsletter is loaded with exclusive free picks,insight and advice from our expert handicappers