Detroit Lions at Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Preview/Week 3 Preseason Picks
28 August 2022
Time: 4:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 111.284; Pittsburgh 125.242
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 14; 34
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 4 ½; 38 ½
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-4 ½); Under
We have reached the final day of the 2022 NFL Preseason, and there are just a handful of games that remain. The Pittsburgh Steelers host the Detroit Lions in one of those games, and each team wants to end the preseason by looking sharp.
Detroit is 1-1 so far in the preseason after picking up a win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2. The Lions are expected to be improved in 2022, but they won’t be a team that challenges for a playoff spot.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a perfect 2-0 so far in the preseason, and both games have been pretty tight. The Steelers are hoping to bounce back after a disappointing 2021 season, but they play in a division that will make things challenging.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are 4.5-point betting favorites over the Detroit Lions in this Week 3 Preseason game.
Lions Looking For Defense
If the Lions are going to find a way to keep this game close, then they will have to be better on the defensive side of the ball. Detroit has given up at least 26 points in both preseason games, and that just won’t work against good teams.
The Lions should be a solid offensive team during the 2022 season, and they have looked the part in the preseason. Detroit is averaging 25 points per game, and they are finally a team that has some offensive talent.
Quarterback Jared Goff is not expected to play much, if at all, in this game, but he is going to be in for a big year during the regular season.
Steelers Have Questions on Offense
The Pittsburgh Steelers no longer have Ben Roethlisberger as the quarterback position, and they don’t have a definitive starter year. Rookie Kenny Pickett is in competition for the job, but so too is Mitch Trubisky.
Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin is going to use the final preseason game as a way to audition for the starting quarterback job. The Steelers have averaged 24 points per game so far in the preseason, but they need better quarterback play.
One thing that you can rely on when betting on the Steelers is a solid performance from the defense. Pittsburgh could up a low number against Detroit, especially if the Lions aren’t going to play starters.
Steelers Show No Mercy
Both the Lions and Steelers have plenty to prove heading into the 2022 season, and that will make this game a bit different. There will be some starters on the field on both sides of the football, and it should lead to a more traditional game.
Pittsburgh has looked sharp so far through two preseason games, and they should finish the preseason slate in the same way. Detroit is not going to have much of a chance in this game as the Steelers are going to score early and often in a blowout win.
Bet the Pittsburgh Steelers -4.5 as they blast the Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon to wrap up the preseason slate.
Here is a look at all of the Preseason Week 3 matchups in the NFL.
GREEN BAY PACKERS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Time: 8:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Green Bay 122.455; Kansas City 116.410
Dunkel Line & Total: Green Bay by 6; 34
Vegas Line & Total: Green Bay by 3; 36 ½
Dunkel Pick: Green Bay (-3); Under
Super Bowl contenders meet up in Kansas City on Thursday night when the Chiefs host the Green Bay Packers. Both teams are 1-1 so far in the preseason, and don’t expect to see the biggest stars on the field in this game.
Green Bay is a three-point favorite in this matchup, and the Packers will play well enough to win and cover that spread.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT HOUSTON TEXANS
Time: 8:15 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco 122.052; Houston 124.594
Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 2 ½; 46
Vegas Line & Total: San Francisco by 3; 41 ½
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+3); Over
A pair of 2-0 teams meet up in Houston on Thursday when the Texans host the San Francisco 49ers. San Francisco is a three-point betting favorite in this game, but the 49ers don’t have any real motivation to win this win.
Houston still has some serious work to do, but they will pick up a win in this game and cover the three-point spread.
BUFFALO BILLS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 124.283; Carolina 133.512
Dunkel Line & Total: Carolina by 9; 49
Vegas Line & Total: Carolina by 6; 42
Dunkel Pick: Carolina (-6); Over
The Buffalo Bills are a perfect 2-0 this preseason, and they travel to face the 1-1 Carolina Panthers. Carolina is a six-point favorite in this game as Buffalo will not be playing many regular players on Friday.
The Bills would blow the Panthers out in the regular season, but Carolina will win this game and cover the six-point spread.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT DALLAS COWBOYS
Time: 8:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle 117.076; Dallas 117.699
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 1; 37
Vegas Line & Total: Seattle by 3; 40
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (+3); Under
The Dallas Cowboys are three-point underdogs at home against the Seattle Seahawks on Friday. It’s been a rough preseason for Seattle up to this point, but they have to find a way to get things going.
Dallas will not be playing regular players in this one, but they are still a more complete team. Take the Cowboys +3.0 as they end up winning this game.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Time: 8:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: LA Chargers 107.221; New Orleans 116.837
Dunkel Line & Total: New Orleans by 9 ½; 33
Vegas Line & Total: New Orleans by 1 ½; 36 ½
Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (-1 ½); Under
A pair of 0-2 teams meet in New Orleans as the Saints host the Los Angeles Chargers. New Orleans is a team that is looking for some momentum heading into the regular season, while the Chargers don’t need to show anything.
The Saints are a 1.5-point favorite on Friday, and they win this game and cover the spread.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
Time: 8:15 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: New England 125.770; Las Vegas 124.890
Dunkel Line & Total: New England by 1; 41
Vegas Line & Total: Las Vegas by 1 ½; 37 ½
Dunkel Pick: New England (+1 ½); Over
The Las Vegas Raiders are looking to move to 4-0 this postseason as they host the 1-1 New England Patriots. Las Vegas is a 1.5-point favorite on Friday night, but New England is going to pull off the upset.
Take the Patriots +1.5 as they keep the Raiders from winning a fourth straight game.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT ATLANTA FALCONS
Time: 3:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Jacksonville 116.282; Atlanta 111.651
Dunkel Line & Total: Jacksonville by 4 ½; 34
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 1; 37 ½
Dunkel Pick: Jacksonville (+1); Under
The Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons are expected to be two of the worst teams in the NFL this season. Atlanta is a slim one-point favorite, which shows how tight this game could be.
Jacksonville is 0-3 up to this point, but they win this game (+1.0) to pick up their first win.
LOS ANGELES RAMS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS
Time: 6:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: LA Rams 112.661; Cincinnati 120.678
Dunkel Line & Total: Cincinnati by 8; 48
Vegas Line & Total: Cincinnati by 2 ½; 37 ½
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-2 ½); Over
The Los Angeles Rams are 2.5-point underdogs in Cincinnati against the Bengals in a Super Bowl rematch. This game is not going to look like the game from a season ago as neither team is concerned about winning.
Take the Bengals -2.5 as they are able to play well enough to win this one.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 114.237; Baltimore 135.740
Dunkel Line & Total: Baltimore by 21 ½; 35
Vegas Line & Total: Baltimore by 6 ½; 39 ½
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (-6 ½); Under
The Washington Commanders are 0-2 as they face the 2-0 Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. Baltimore is a 6.5-point betting favorite in this game as they have won 22 straight preseason games.
The Ravens are going to win again on Saturday and cover the 6.5-point spread.
CHICAGO BEARS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 124.932; Cleveland 121.886
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 3; 41
Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 4 ½; 38 ½
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+4 ½); Over
The 2-0 Chicago Bears face the 1-1 Cleveland Browns on Saturday. Cleveland is a 4.5-team at home, but Chicago has made it clear that they are going to be playing starters a ton in this game.
Bet the Chicago Bears +4.5 as they not only cover the spread but win this game outright.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT MIAMI DOLPHINS
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 122.091; Miami 119.238
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 3; 43
Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 2 ½; 38
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+2 ½); Over
The Miami Dolphins are 2.5-point betting favorites at home against the Philadelphia Eagles in a matchup of 1-1 teams. Philadelphia is going to play well in this game, and they will cover the 2.5-point spread and pick up a win.
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT TENNESSEE TITANS
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona 117.362; Tennessee 129.559
Dunkel Line & Total: Tennessee by 12; 28
Vegas Line & Total: Tennessee by 3; 38 ½
Dunkel Pick: Tennessee (-3); Under
The Tennessee Titans are slim three-point betting favorites as they host the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday. Neither team has really been playing well up to this point, but Tennessee will change that in this game.
Bet on the Titans -3.0 as they blow out the Cardinals in this one.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Time: 7:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay 111.615; Indianapolis 126.745
Dunkel Line & Total: Indianapolis by 15; 31
Vegas Line & Total: Indianapolis by 5 ½; 40
Dunkel Pick: Indianapolis (-5 ½); Under
Both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts are 0-2 so far in the preseason. Indianapolis is a 5.5-point betting favorite in this game, and the Colts are going to want to play well at home.
Tampa Bay won’t have Tom Brady on the field, and the Colts are going to win and cover the 5.5 points.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT DENVER BRONCOS
Time: 9:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 121.682; Denver 117.286
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 4 ½; 42
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota by 1 ½; 38 ½
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-1 ½); Over
The Minnesota Vikings are 1.5-point favorites on the road at Denver, despite being 0-2 up to this point. The Broncos have picked up a win in the preseason, but Minnesota has yet to win.
Take Minnesota -1.5 as they are able to pick up their first win of the preseason in this one.
NEW YORK GIANTS AT NEW YORK JETS
Time: 1:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: NY Giants 121.306; NY Jets 120.051
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Giants by 1; 43
Vegas Line & Total: NY Jets by 2 ½; 38 ½
Dunkel Pick: NY Giants (+2 ½); Over
The New York teams are meeting up on Sunday as the Jets are slim 2.5-point betting favorites in this matchup. Both teams are a perfect 2-0 so far in the preseason, even though the games haven’t been playing well.
Take the Giants +2.5 as they pick up a win as an underdog against the rivals.
Keep up with your latest NFL news coverage and betting pick previews at The Dunkel Index.
All Media on this page by Associated Press.
