NFL Week 3 parlay: Titans, Giants, Saints
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We fell short of what was almost a 9-1 payout in Week 2, but you're not going to be winning every week when you're taking shots with moneyline parlays like these.
Hopefully, luck is on our side in Week 3.
Titans ML -140 (at Vikings)
Books still haven't adjusted to the terrible state in which the Vikings find themselves right now, with their preseason perception still baked into this line. But there's a lot going wrong in Minnesota at the moment - on both sides of the ball. The secondary is vastly inexperienced, linebacker Anthony Barr was just placed on season-ending injured reserve, and defensive end Danielle Hunter remains out. The Vikings can't rush the passer, stop the run, or cover wide receivers.
That's especially problematic given the offense has been unable to generate much of anything. Kirk Cousins has struggled, but much of that can be attributed to a banged-up offensive line and a receiver group that lacks talent. Dalvin Cook is the offense's only redeeming quality right now, and Gary Kubiak is strangely reluctant to give him the ball early and often. The Titans are dealing with their own injuries, but they'll comfortably handle Minnesota on Sunday.
Giants ML +170 (vs. 49ers)
No team has been hit harder by injuries than the 49ers, who will trot out something resembling a second-team offense Sunday with Jimmy Garoppolo, Deebo Samuel, Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman, and likely George Kittle all out. The defense has been ravaged as well, and it's inevitable that these injuries start catching up to San Francisco.
The Giants limp into this contest with an 0-2 record, but they've shown a strong compete level over the first two weeks, keeping things close into the fourth quarter against the Steelers and having a shot to beat the Bears on the final play. Now they're getting four points at home to a 49ers team that will resemble what San Francisco would deploy in its second game of the preseason. Keep the points, I don't want them. Daniel Jones is without Saquon Barkley and Sterling Shepard, but he still has enough offensive weapons to make an impact, and the defense's performance through two games suggests it can handle an offense missing just about everyone.
Saints ML -160 (vs. Packers)
Bettors are easy victims of recency bias, which means the Packers will likely be a very popular play at plus-money on Sunday night. The Saints are coming off a stunning road loss to the Raiders, but there was a lot more to that game than the score suggests.
The Saints' offense was remarkably efficient to the tune of 7.4 yards per play compared to just 4.9 for the Raiders, but New Orleans wasn't able to overcome an astounding 10 penalties for 129 yards. Drew Brees struggled without Michael Thomas, but we can put our faith in the offensive genius of Sean Payton scheming the ball into the hands of his playmakers here.
The Packers, meanwhile, have looked like world-beaters through two weeks, but games against the Vikings and Lions - who were decimated by injuries in the secondary - aren't exactly sound measuring sticks. It's a step back down to earth for Green Bay on Sunday night.
Full parlay: Titans ML, Giants ML, Saints ML ($100 to win $652.14)
(Odds source: theScore Bet)
Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.