Best Value NFL Week 3 Betting Odds

The third week of the 2016 NFL season begins on Thursday, Sept. 22 with Houston visiting New England in a matchup of 2015 division winners and closes on Monday, Sept. 26 when Atlanta visits New Orleans in matchup of non-playoff teams from the NFC South. Here are three games with good early betting value on NFL odds.

Here’s a Closer Look at the Best Value NFL Week 3 Betting Odds

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Houston Texans at New England Patriots (-3 on NFL odds)

These two played in Houston in Week 14 last year and the Patriots on a two-game losing streak at the time. No worry, they won 27-6 to clinch a playoff spot. Tom Brady threw for 226 yards and two touchdowns. Brady threw TD passes to Keshawn Martin and Rob Gronkowski in the first half to help New England build a 17-6 lead. Gronkowski had four receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown in his return after missing the previous game with a knee injury. Houston QB Brian Hoyer was terrible, going 11 of 22 for 155 yards. Hoyer was sacked five times and left the game to be evaluated for a concussion with about 9 minutes remaining. The Texans could not get star receiver DeAndre Hopkins involved in the game, a week after insisting they would figure out a way to get him the ball more. Houston didn't target him until late in the second quarter and he caught that pass for 5 yards. So why do I like Houston here? Because they have replaced Hoyer with Brock Osweiler and because Brady won’t play. This is game No. 3 of his four-game suspension. I think that Texans defense will have plenty of success against Jimmy Garoppolo.

Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers (-8.5 in NFL betting)

The Lions ruined everyone’s Survivor Pool last year. They entered their Week 10 matchup at Lambeau with just one win all season and having a 24-game losing streak on the road in the series against Green Bay. So what happened? The Lions pulled out an 18-16 stunner. Matthew Stafford threw for two touchdowns, and Detroit won despite a late blunder by Calvin Johnson. Mason Crosby missed a 52-yard field goal as time expired after the Packers recovered an onside kick that was mishandled by Johnson with about 31 seconds left. Detroit had stopped Green Bay on a 2-point conversion attempt after Aaron Rodgers hit Justin Perillo for an 11-yard touchdown pass on the previous drive. Backup cornerback Crezdon Butler, signed from the practice squad on Friday, stuck a hand in front of Davante Adams to break up the conversion try. The Detroit Lions’; 24-game losing streak in Wisconsin, one that spanned 13 starting quarterbacks, nine head coaches and four U.S. presidents — and took place in two different stadiums (Lambeau Field and Milwaukee County Stadium) — was no more. Green Bay will get payback.

Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers (-6)

Could this be an NFC playoff preview? The Vikings won the NFC North Division last year but were upset in the wild-card round by Seattle. Of course the Panthers finished 15-1 and won the NFC title before losing the Super Bowl. These teams last played in Week 13 of the 2013 season in Minnesota and the Panthers lost 31-13. Adam Thielen and Everson Griffen each returned blocked punts for touchdowns, the first time in 24 years one team had two in the same game. So that was a fluke. The last time a team scored on two blocked punts in the same NFL game was on Sept. 30, 1990, when Kansas City did it against Cleveland. Teddy Bridgewater threw for two scores without a turnover. Cam Newton really struggled and was sacked four times. The Vikings are pretty good but the Panthers are elite and giving less than a TD so they are the pick on NFL odds.