Travel and body clocks are shaping up to be a bigger factor than usual in Week 3, a theme already visible earlier this season when teams played overseas in Australia. Long flights and shifted schedules can quietly tilt a game before a snap is played. 

Two West Coast teams find themselves on the wrong end of the clock this week, both landing 1 p.m. ET kickoffs on the East Coast. That's a tough ask physically, and oddsmakers appear to be factoring it in when setting some of this week's lines. 

Beyond the travel angle, Week 3 also features one of the more unusual matchups of the season, with a game being played well outside the United States altogether, a reminder of the NFL's push to grow its global footprint. 

With that in mind, here's a closer look at the matchups worth watching, along with the numbers and model-based predictions shaping Week 3 according to the reports put out by CBS Sports. 

1. Atlanta Falcons vs Green Bay Packers 

Green Bay opens the week as 4.5-point favorites at home, with the total set at 43.5. It's the lone Thursday matchup on the slate, giving both teams a short week to prepare. 

2. Kansas City Chiefs vs Miami Dolphins

Kansas City heads to Miami as sizable 11.5-point favorites, with the total sitting at 46.5, one of the largest spreads of the week. 

3. Tennessee Titans vs New York Giants  

The Giants are favored by 2.5 points at home over the Titans, with the total set at 39.5, the lowest of the week's slate. 

4. Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers 

The Bengals travel to Pittsburgh as 3.5-point favorites, with the total set at 42.5 for an AFC North divisional clash. 

5. Los Angeles Chargers vs. Buffalo Bills 

Two West Coast teams face early East Coast kickoffs this week, starting with the Chargers heading to Buffalo. The Bills are 7-point favorites, a number that reflects both the quality gap and the travel disadvantage working against Los Angeles. The total is set at 50.5. 

6. Seattle Seahawks vs. Washington Commanders 

Seattle also makes the cross-country trip, landing as 7-point favorites over Washington, with the total at 40.5. The line is aided by uncertainty around Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, who is expected to be sidelined for an extended stretch with an elbow injury. 

7. New York Jets vs. Detroit Lions 

The Lions are favored by 6.5 points at home, with the total set at 47.5. The Lions get a rest advantage after a Thursday loss, and head coach Dan Campbell has a strong track record bouncing back from defeats. 

Detroit is 12-3 against the spread since 2023 following a loss, a league-best 80 percent cover rate, with the model favoring them to cover over 60 percent of the time. 

8. Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts 

Texans are favored by 2.5 points on the road, with the total set at 42.5 in what shapes up as a close AFC South matchup.  

9. Carolina Panthers vs. Cleveland Browns 

The Panthers are favored by 2.5 points despite being on the road, with the total set at 42.5. 

10. New England Patriots vs. Jacksonville Jaguars 

The Jaguars are favored by 3 points at home, with the total set at 45.5. 

11. Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers

49ers are favored by 8.5 points at home, with the total set at 47.5. The 49ers rank top five in scoring offense, scoring defense, and red zone efficiency. Arizona is coming off a 24-point home loss to a backup quarterback and ranks near the bottom of the league in both rushing and passing offense.

12. Minnesota Vikings vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Vikings are favored by 1.5 points on the road, with the total set at 42.5, making this one of the closest lines of the week.  

13. Baltimore Ravens vs Dallas Cowboys (in Brazil) 

No team faces a stranger trip than Baltimore and Dallas, who meet in the first-ever NFL game held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Dallas is technically the designated home team, but that hasn't stopped oddsmakers from installing the Cowboys as 3.5-point underdogs, a rare setup for a "home" side. The total is set at 52.5, the highest of the week. 

14. Las Vegas Raiders vs. New Orleans Saints 

The Saints are favored by 3 points at home, with the total set at 43.5.

15. L.A. Rams vs. Denver Broncos 

The Rams are favored by 2.5 points on the road, with the total set at 45.5.

16. Philadelphia Eagles vs. Chicago Bears (Monday) 

Closing out the week's Monday slate, details for this matchup were not included in the odds table provided. Let me know the spread and total if you'd like it added.  

With travel, injuries, and one truly unique overseas matchup all in play, Week 3 offers plenty for fans to track heading into Sunday. 

Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco