Bears vs. Colts, Buccaneers vs. Broncos predictions: NFL Week 3 picks, odds

Post sports gambling editor/producer and digital sports editor Matt Ehalt is in his first season in the Bettor’s Guide. 

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (-6.5) over Denver Broncos

Listen, we know. The big favorites have been crushing us.

But this seems like a layup this week.

The Broncos offense is a disaster this season under rookie Bo Nix.

Denver scored 20 points in the opener on the road against the Seahawks, but four points came off a pair of safeties and two field goals following turnovers.

Another seven came in garbage time.

They scored six points at home last week against the Steelers. 

The Buccaneers, meanwhile, are humming.

Chris Godwin looks revitalized and they’re coming off a great upset win on the road against the Lions.

The Buccaneers tallied 37 at home in Week 1 against the Commanders, and have held two better offensive teams in the Commanders and Lions to 20 and 16 points, respectively.

We feel comfortable laying the 6.5 points here and betting on Tampa Bay to beat a bad Denver team by a touchdown. 

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (-1) over Chicago Bears

Let’s follow the big favorite with a small home favorite.

The Colts should have never lost to the Malik Willis-led Packers, but the Bears, ranking 28th in rushing yards per game, won’t be able to run all over them like Green Bay did.

The Bears also have offensive line issues right now, and it seems Caleb Williams is experiencing some early hiccups. 

Betting on the NFL?

If not for Tennessee’s Will Levis, the Bears could easily be 0-2.

The hope here is Shane Steichen should learn from phasing out Jonathan Taylor in the fourth quarter last time out.

Back the actual 0-2 team to be desperate at home against a team with offensive line issues and an inconsistent quarterback. 

Last week: 0-2. Ravens (L), Jaguars (L)
2024 season: 0-4.