It’s already been a thrilling NFL season, and we’re just two weeks into the 2022 campaign! We’re expecting some offensive fireworks in a pair of early-window games this Sunday and are fairly confident in a pair of late-afternoon favorites to get the job done for chalk players.
Without further ado, here are our two top parlay plays for the third Sunday of the NFL season.
Week 3 NFL parlay picks
- Lions vs Vikings Over 52.5 (-110) + Ravens vs Patriots Over 44 (-107) = +269
- Rams Alt. Spread -3 (-125) + Chiefs -5 (-115) = +237
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
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Parlay Pick 1
PARLAY: Lions vs Vikings Over 52.5 (-110) + Ravens vs Patriots Over 44 (-107) = +269 (PointsBet)
Lions vs Vikings Over 52.5 (-110)
The first of two matchups between the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings this year has all the makings of a potential track meet.
“Primetime Kirk Cousins” struck again in Week 2, as the Philadelphia Eagles defense picked him off three times on Monday night. However, there shouldn’t be a carryover effect as Cousins takes on a Lions pass defense that’s allowed an average of 273.5 passing yards per game so far this year. The Michigan State product burned Detroit in both of their meetings last season, accumulating 615 passing yards while completing 74.5 percent of his throws.
Meanwhile, Jared Goff should have no problem locating Amon-Ra St. Brown against a Vikings defense that’s surrendered 275 passing yards per game in 2022. St. Brown is off to a fast start this season after gathering momentum at the end of his rookie campaign, amassing 180 yards and three touchdowns on 17 receptions.
Trend bettors should note that the Over is 8-2 in the Lions’ last 10 games played in September and 10-4 in the Vikings’ last 14 divisional tilts.
Ravens vs Patriots Over 44 (-107)
Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens offense were hardly to blame for their stunning loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 2. Their scoring potential, coupled with what should be an early-season high in points for the New England Patriots, should provide for a fairly easy Over.
Jackson put forth a monstrous effort last Sunday, accumulating 318 passing yards and 119 rushing yards. The Patriots have surrendered the fourth-fewest yards per game in the NFL through two weeks (275.0), but they had the benefit of playing a stagnant Pittsburgh Steelers squad led by Mitchell Trubisky in Week 2.
The Patriots are playing their home opener here, and that should mean a significant statistical improvement for quarterback Mac Jones, who sports a modest 2-2 touchdown/interception ratio through two weeks. In his rookie season, Jones’ touchdown/interception ratio was 6-6 on the road but 16-7 at Gillette Stadium.
The Alabama product will also have the benefit of playing a Baltimore defense that was torn to pieces by Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins last week. This unit was highly vulnerable in 2021, coughing up a league-high 278.9 passing yards per contest.
Parlay Pick 2
PARLAY: Rams Alternative Spread -3 (-125) + Chiefs -5 (-115) = +237 (BetRivers)
Rams Alt. Spread -3 (-125)
The defending champs have shown some signs of ring rust, as the Los Angeles Rams nearly blew a 28-3 lead to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2 just 10 days after the Buffalo Bills handed them their lunch in the 2022 opener. The Rams have had the Arizona Cardinals’ number in recent years, however, so they look like a solid play as road favorites.
Los Angeles is on a 9-1 run against the Cards, highlighted by a 34-11 thumping in the Wild Card round of last year’s playoffs. L.A. is also 8-1-1 against the spread in that sample. Matthew Stafford has been sharp as a tack against Arizona since uniting with Sean McVay last year, going 62-of-88 (70.5 percent) through the air with 769 yards, seven touchdowns, and only one interception.
Kyler Murray and Co. were trampled at home by the Chiefs in Week 1, then were a bit lucky to beat the Las Vegas Raiders in overtime on a scoop-and-score touchdown. The Cardinals have allowed the fifth-most yards per game in football through two weeks (406.0).
It only costs 14 cents to drop the hook on the standard spread at DraftKings, so we’ll gladly do it and get to the key number of three with the favored Rams.
Chiefs -5 (-115)
The Indianapolis Colts have been one of the league’s most disappointing teams early on this year, and the Kansas City Chiefs should add to the misery on Sunday afternoon.
The Chiefs have a deceive edge in the quarterback battle with Patrick Mahomes going up against a suddenly ancient-looking Matt Ryan. Mahomes has completed 73 percent of his passes through two games, gathering 595 yards and seven touchdowns with no picks. It’s no surprise that K.C. has opened the year at 2-0, despite a tough draw with the Cardinals on the road and the Chargers at home on a quick turnaround.
Ryan has a pedestrian completion rate of 60 percent through two contests — a tie against the Houston Texans and a decisive shutout defeat at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars — to go along with four interceptions. Mahomes has had the benefit of an outstanding offensive line, as he’s been sacked only once in 2022. By contrast, Ryan has been dropped seven times.
The Chiefs are somewhat steep road favorites, but they should reward their backers nonetheless.
