NFL Odds Week 3: Underdogs That Will Cover Spread

Week 3 doesn't have the best matchups, but there are still some key underdogs that are going to cover the spread this weekend.

There are few interesting storylines for the slate of games this week.  The biggest one will come on Thursday Night Football, as Andy Reid returns to Philadelphia to play his former team.  

Let's take a look at some of these underdogs that will have little problem covering the spread.

Note: All odds are provided by Bovada.com

San Diego Chargers (+3) at Tennessee Titans

No one is giving the Chargers any love to start the season.

A last-minute loss to the Houston Texans and a thrilling shootout win over the Philadelphia Eagles put the Chargers at 1-1 to start the year, but the real story has been the resurgence of Philip Rivers.

Other than a critical interception against the Texans, Rivers has looked great.  He's passed for 614 yards and seven touchdowns with just one turnover and is completing 65.8 percent of his passes.

The Tennessee Titans lost a close game to the Texans as well.  The passing game hasn't been very productive, and this feels like the last season for Jake Locker to prove himself.  With how many pieces they've put around him, he's officially on a short leash.

I actually think the Chargers should be favored in this game.  The offense looks very high-powered and that will lead them to more wins than critics are anticipating in 2013.

Atlanta Falcons (+3) at Miami Dolphins

Did anyone think that the Falcons would be underdogs heading into this game before the season began?

Hobbled receivers aside, the Falcons are a very strong team.  Julio Jones, who was questionable to play last week, went off for 182 yards and a touchdown on 11 catches against the St. Louis Rams.  Matt Ryan is a good quarterback with a number of weapons, and the offense will be fine even without Steven Jackson.  

On defense, the Falcons have looked solid as well.  The pass rush needs to be more effective, but other than that they've allowed few yards on the ground and 23.5 points per game.

The Dolphins are 2-0 after pulling off the thrilling upset over the Indianapolis Colts.  Despite being sacked five times on Sunday, Ryan Tannehill still went 23-for-34 with 319 yards and a touchdown.

The secondary for the Dolphins looks much improved from 2012.  Brent Grimes has looked like one of the better cornerbacks in the league, and the pass rush of Cameron Wake and Co. has been truly frightening through the first two games.

Still, the Dolphins should have probably lost to the Colts.  The Colts shot themselves in the foot several times late in the game, and that cost them a likely comeback victory.

I like the Falcons to show everyone that the Dolphins aren't as good as we think they are at this point in the year, and for Matty Ice to put up some big numbers by sharing the love with all of his target.

Oakland Raiders (+15) at Denver Broncos

I mean, I know the Raiders are bad, but are they really this bad?

Terrelle Pryor has stepped up and filled in as a serviceable starting quarterback for this team.  He's proved to be a valuable dual-threat quarterback that provides an extra dimension that Matt Flynn just wouldn't have had.  Darren McFadden was able to break out in Week 2, running for 129 yards.

The defense hasn't been bad in pass coverage up to this point, either.  According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), the Raiders have been the eighth-best team in pass coverage.

That secondary is going to be put to the test against Peyton Manning and his deadly weapons, however.  Manning will be throwing to Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, Eric Decker and Julius Thomas as they look to make play after play.  

Still, a 15-point spread is a really big gap.  I don't think there's really a chance for the Radiers to win this one, but I think they can keep it at or within two touchdowns by the end of the game.