Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Indianapolis Colts Betting Preview/Week 3 Preseason Picks
27 August 2022
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 3; 40
Dunkel Pick: Indianapolis (-3); Under
The preseason of the NFL will come to a close on Sunday, August 27th. Before it's officially over, however, there is a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Indianapolis Colts.
The Buccaneers are coming off of a 13-3 loss to the Tennessee Titans last week. The good news is that Tom Brady is expected to take the field and play a few drives tonight.
The Indianapolis Colts are likely to send out Matt Ryan, their starting quarterback. Ryan getting a few drives in with his first-team offense should help them before Week 1.
Indianapolis is 0-2 in the preseason, but they've kept these games very close. Their most recent game was a 27-26 loss to the Detroit Lions. Let's look at each of these teams and make our pick for tonight.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: What will Brady's return look like
After being away from camp and the first two preseason games, we'll finally see Tom Brady. With him leading the Buccaneers' offense, we expect they'll get at least a score.
The only problem is we aren't sure how much time he's had with his offense. Remember, this is a team that only scored three points last week. We wouldn't be surprised if they were out of sync.
Last week, Buccaneers backup QB Kyle Trask went 11-24 with 105 yards and an interception. As a team, they had two turnovers and only earned 174 yards. With only nine first downs through the game, it's not surprising they lost.
However, if they want to have better luck in the regular season, they'll need to do better on offense. This is where Tom Brady comes in.
Indianapolis Colts: Colts have been close but haven't won yet
The first two preseason games haven't gone in favor of the Indianapolis Colts. Their first loss was a 27-24 loss to the Buffalo Bills. They followed that up with the 27-26 loss to the Detroit Lions.
The first game we're going to look at is their match against the Bills. Sam Ehlinger had a great game against Buffalo, going 10-11 with 88 yards and two touchdowns.
The Colts' defense forced five turnovers in that game and still lost. This is likely because they had two turnovers of their own. When they played the Lions, Ehlinger had an even better game, going 9-11 with 136 yards and two touchdowns.
Still, even with Ehlinger playing well, the Colts were unable to pull off a win. It'll be on their defense to get them a win in tonight's game.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Indianapolis Colts Betting Pick
Although they've yet to win a preseason game, the Indianapolis Colts are three-point favorites. This isn't surprising when you see how well their offense has performed.
Tampa Bay is 2-4 against the spread (ATS) in their last six games; keep that in mind. Even with Brady on the field, he'll only be out there for a few drives.
This game will come down to the backup quarterbacks, Kyle Trask and Sam Ehlinger. Ehlinger has shown he has a command of the offense against both the Lions and the Bills.
We think the Colts are the better bet to win this game, even as three-point favorites. They're also 4-1-1 ATS in their last six games played on a Saturday.
DunkelIndex Free Pick: Indianapolis Colts -3, UNDER
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.
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.
DETROIT LIONS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS
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
The Pittsburgh Steelers are 4.5-point favorites when hosting the Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon. Detroit looks like a team that can turn things around this season, but they will struggle on Sunday.
Take the Steelers -4.5 as they roll to a win in this game.
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