The NFL’s Week 3 odds are giving bettors an early-season idea of how valuable a starting quarterback is to the point spread.
In the case of the Chicago Bears, it’s a lot.
“You’re looking at the full swing from Caleb Williams leaving,” Caesars Sports head of football merchandising Joey Feazel said. “Last week, we opened the Bears -1.5 against the Eagles on the line of sight.
“Move six points the other way without Williams. So we now have the Eagles -4.5.”
Odds shooters and sharp bettors offer their midweek insights on Monday night’s game and more as we dive into the NFL’s Week 3 betting portions.
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Williams suffered a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter of the Bears’ 9-3 home loss to the Vikings on Sunday. He has yet to be ruled out for Week 3, but as of Wednesday, he was listed as questionable and reports suggest he could miss several weeks.
That could be a huge blow to a team that nearly reached the NFC Championship game last season and began the 2026 campaign as a house on firein a 59-37 rout of the Panthers.
Now, the Bears are 1-1 straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS), with Tyson Bagent likely to be the starter against the Eagles (2-0 SU and ATS). And that’s if Bagent can clear the concussion protocol before Monday’s 8:15 PM ET kickoff.
The line was shaky in the Bears-Eagles game after the injury to Caleb Williams. (Getty Images)
The backup QB went down after going into the Williams game against Minnesota.
Late Sunday night, Caesars opened Eagles-Bears in Philadelphia -3.5 (-115). The Eagles advanced to -4.5 on Tuesday, with the increased chance that Williams will be out.
“It’s a one-sided move toward the Eagles and toward the mother,” Feazel said Wednesday afternoon.
The total is at a low of 41, after opening at 43.5 on Sunday night and initially reaching 44.5. And last week’s predictive number was 47.5.
NFL Rocks On FOX
In Week 3, FOX takes on arguably the best team in the NFL thus far. The Bills (2-0 SU and ATS) opened with an impressive 36-31 road win over the Texans, then followed up last Thursday with a 41-31 win at home over the Lions.
On the other hand, the Chargers (0-2 SU and ATS) are one of the biggest disappointments so far. Los Angeles opened with home games against the Cardinals and Raiders, who each lost 14 times last season.
However, the Bolts were hurt in both games. So Caesars opens Buffalo as a 7-point home favorite in NFL Week 3 odds for a Sunday 1:00 PM ET start.
Bettors are taking note of Josh Allen and the Bills. (Getty Images)
“Bettors are taking note of the bills. Last Thursday night was very good for the punters,” Feazel said of Buffalo’s win over Detroit. “Right now, we’re seeing action coming to the Bills. Buffalo has been very good offensively and the Chargers haven’t lived up to expectations so far.
“It’s still going to be one-way traffic for the Bills in this one. The book will need the Chargers plus points.”
NFL Sharp Side
Pro bettor Randy McKay is 2-0, winning at Broncos -2.5 against the Jaguars last week. In the NFL’s Week 3 odds, he’s in for one of the early season surprises.
The Saints (1-1 SU/2-0 ATS) nearly beat Detroit in Week 1, then knocked off Baltimore 24-17 as an 8.5-point road underdog in Week 2. McKay likes the Saints -3 at home against the Raiders, another early surprise at 2-0 SU and ATS.
“I’m going with the hot Saints,” McKay said. “This is the first real road test for Las Vegas, which had most of its fans in Los Angeles last week against the Chargers. And this is a sandwich spot for the Raiders, with the Chiefs on deck.
“It’s the first of three straight home games for the Saints. I see a big effort coming against a Raiders offensive line that will struggle in the dome.”
Will you perform it in Rio?
The Ravens and Cowboys are both 1-1 SU and ATS, but Baltimore has the far more stunning loss. As mentioned above, in Week 2, as 8.5-point home favorites, the Ravens fell to the Saints 24-17.
Meanwhile, Dallas bounced back from a Week 1 road loss to the Giants by outscoring the Commanders 37-20 as a 4.5-point home favorite.
Now, the two teams head to Rio de Janeiro for a showdown on Sunday at 4:25 PM ET. Caesars opened the Ravens as 3-point favorites and moved to -3.5 on Tuesday, where the number remains as of Wednesday afternoon.
Odds say bettors are intrigued by the Ravens. (Getty Images)
“There’s a little more two-way action right now. But I still think the public is more intrigued by this Ravens team,” Feazel said, before the total is actually more intriguing. “There are two explosive attacks, both teams can score points.
The Ravens-Cowboys total opened at 52.5 and remains there at midweek. That’s the highest total on the board, two more than the Chargers-Bills (50.5).
Sunday night fight
The Rams and Broncos both bounced back from Week 1 losses. But Los Angeles (1-1 SU and ATS) was far more impressive, outscoring the Giants 28-6 as a 6.5-point home favorite. Denver, a 2.5-point home favorite, had to rally from a 13-3 second-half deficit to beat the Jaguars 20-13.
In NFL Week 3 odds, Caesars opened the Rams as 2.5-point road favorites. And the line remains Rams -2.5 Wednesday afternoon, for a Sunday start at 8:20 PM ET.
“It’s almost a two-way game now, with a little bit more on the Rams. They looked sharper in Week 2,” Feazel said. “I would expect the crowd to come to the Rams more as we get closer to game time.”
I like big bets and I can’t lie
By Sunday, there will be countless six-figure games in the NFL. And maybe even a big seven-figure bet or two.
For now, though, Caesars Sports pointed out a couple of five-figure bets through midweek, both on solid money favorites:
- $20,000 Money Line Seahawks -280 Vs
- Bills Cash Line $18,000 -335 vs. Chargers
As long as Seattle beats Washington, regardless of the margin, the bettor wins $7,142 (total payout $27,142). And if Buffalo does the same against LA, then the bettor wins $5,373 ($23,273 total payout).
