Top 3 NFL Bets for Week 3: Lions, Bengals and Buccaneers

Week 3 of the 2026 NFL season brings three point-spread opportunities that stand out from the rest of Sunday’s schedule. Detroit returns home after a difficult road loss. Cincinnati has an opportunity to take early control of the AFC North. Tampa Bay is still searching for its first victory but returns to Raymond James Stadium as a slight home underdog.

The three selections are the Detroit Lions -6.5 against the New York Jets, the Cincinnati Bengals -3.5 at the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers +1.5 against the Minnesota Vikings.

These picks use the requested numbers. NFL lines can move quickly on game day, so always confirm the spread before making a selection.

1. Detroit Lions -6.5 vs. New York Jets

Sunday, September 27 — 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Detroit enters Week 3 with a 1–1 record after suffering a 41–17 loss at Buffalo. That final score is concerning, but the circumstances surrounding this matchup make the Lions an appealing bounce-back candidate.

The Lions return to Ford Field, where their offense is far more comfortable operating at tempo. Jared Goff benefits from the controlled indoor environment, while Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown give Detroit two elite playmakers capable of creating explosive gains without requiring low-percentage throws.

New York has been more competitive than many expected. The Jets defeated Tennessee 23–10 in Week 1 and held a 17–7 fourth-quarter lead over Green Bay before losing 20–17 in overtime. Their improvement helped move the spread from Detroit -9.5 to -6.5.

The Jets deserve respect, but this is a difficult matchup for their defense. Detroit can attack with Gibbs out of the backfield, test the middle with its tight ends and isolate St. Brown against favorable coverage. If the Jets commit additional defenders to stopping the run, Goff should have opportunities to attack through play action.

Detroit’s concern is its depleted secondary. Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph remain on the physically unable to perform list, while Avonte Maddox has been lost for the season. That gives the Jets a chance to create plays through the air, especially if Garrett Wilson receives favorable matchups.

Even with those injuries, the Lions should control the line of scrimmage and place the Jets in a game script that forces them to throw. Detroit is returning home after an embarrassing national performance and should play with urgency from the opening drive.

The key is getting the number below seven. At -6.5, a touchdown victory is enough to cover. Detroit’s offensive advantages and home-field environment make that the preferred side.

Pick: Detroit Lions -6.5

Projected score: Lions 31, Jets 20

2. Cincinnati Bengals -3.5 at Pittsburgh Steelers

Sunday, September 27 — 1 p.m. ET, CBS

Cincinnati is 2–0 and has reached that mark without receiving a complete performance from its offense.

That should worry the rest of the AFC North.

Joe Burrow threw for 207 yards and two touchdowns in Cincinnati’s 20–6 victory at Houston. Both touchdowns went to Ja’Marr Chase, while Tee Higgins added five catches for 95 yards and Chase Brown rushed for 80 yards.

The biggest development was Cincinnati’s defense. The Bengals kept Houston out of the end zone and stopped all four of the Texans’ fourth-down attempts. Burrow and the offense did not need to carry the entire team, which represents a major change from last season.

Pittsburgh enters at 1–1 after a 20–3 loss at New England. The Steelers scored on their opening possession and were shut out for the remainder of the game. Aaron Rodgers lost a fumble, the running game failed to establish control and Pittsburgh rarely threatened the Patriots’ defense.

The Steelers will be more dangerous at home, especially in a divisional matchup. Their defense can pressure Burrow, and Cincinnati allowed five sacks against Houston. If the Bengals become one-dimensional, Pittsburgh can keep the game close by creating negative plays and forcing field-goal attempts.

The matchup still favors Cincinnati.

Pittsburgh’s secondary entered the week with injury questions, and that is a dangerous situation against Chase and Higgins. If Burrow receives reasonable protection, the Steelers will struggle to contain both receivers without creating lighter boxes for Brown.

Cincinnati also has an important special-teams advantage. Evan McPherson connected on two field goals from beyond 50 yards against Houston, giving the Bengals a reliable scoring option if drives stall outside the red zone.

Divisional road favorites always carry risk, but Pittsburgh has not demonstrated that it can score consistently enough to keep pace. Cincinnati can win through Burrow, its running game, defense or kicking game. Pittsburgh currently has fewer dependable paths to victory.

At -3.5, the Bengals need to win by more than a field goal. Cincinnati’s stronger quarterback, superior receiving talent and improved defense should create enough late separation.

Pick: Cincinnati Bengals -3.5

Projected score: Bengals 24, Steelers 16

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers +1.5 vs. Minnesota Vikings

Sunday, September 27 — 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX

Tampa Bay is 0–2, but this is the point where the Buccaneers become an attractive home underdog.

The Buccaneers opened with a competitive 33–27 loss at Cincinnati before blowing a 10-point second-half lead in a 23–19 loss to Cleveland. The second defeat included a weather delay of more than two hours, making it a frustrating and unusual afternoon for Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay offense.

Minnesota is 2–0 and has already shown it can win defensive games. The Vikings rallied past Green Bay in Week 1 and defeated Chicago 9–3 in Week 2. Their defense has been excellent, but the offense has not consistently created separation.

Kyler Murray has cleared concussion protocol and will return as Minnesota’s starting quarterback. He left the season opener after completing three of five passes for 18 yards with an interception. Carson Wentz helped complete the comeback against Green Bay and then protected the football against Chicago.

Murray’s return raises Minnesota’s offensive ceiling, but it also introduces uncertainty. He has played only a small portion of one regular-season game in this system. Timing, decision-making and communication could be uneven, particularly on the road.

Tampa Bay should approach this game with desperation. Falling to 0–3 would place the Buccaneers in a significant hole, but a victory would immediately change the direction of their season.

Mayfield is comfortable playing aggressively, and Tampa Bay should give him opportunities to attack Minnesota’s defense downfield. The Buccaneers must avoid the turnovers and stalled second-half drives that cost them against Cleveland, but they have enough offensive talent to challenge a Vikings team that has not scored freely.

The most important factor is the number. Tampa Bay is receiving 1.5 points at home in a game that appears close to a coin flip. The Buccaneers can cover by winning outright or losing by one point.

Minnesota deserves credit for starting 2–0, but the Vikings’ offensive limitations and Murray’s return from a concussion make Tampa Bay the stronger value.

Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers +1.5

Projected score: Buccaneers 23, Vikings 20

Final Week 3 Card

1. Detroit Lions -6.5 vs. New York Jets
2. Cincinnati Bengals -3.5 at Pittsburgh Steelers
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers +1.5 vs. Minnesota Vikings

Detroit is the strongest bounce-back selection, Cincinnati is the better all-around team in Pittsburgh, and Tampa Bay provides value as a desperate home underdog.

The Lions must overcome their secondary injuries, the Bengals must protect Burrow, and the Buccaneers must avoid the mistakes that contributed to their 0–2 start. If those three teams execute in their most important areas, each is positioned to cover the requested spread.

Point spreads can change before kickoff. Confirm the current number and player availability before making any selection. Sports wagering involves risk, and no outcome is guaranteed.