NFL Week 3 Upset Picks (Colts Shock Chiefs, Two NFC South Upsets and Another Lions Win Are Top Predictions)

Not one. Not two. But THREE of the four upset picks given out by the BetSided team hit in Week 2 of the NFL season.

So far through two weeks, we've gone 5-3-0 in our straight-up NFL underdog picks, putting us at +7.38 units.

Week 3 presents a unique challenge to try and stay hot.

There isn’t a single team this week that is favored by more than a touchdown, so chaos could ensue in what has already been an upset-filled 2022 season. 

Do the Detroit Lions start a winning streak? Can the Indianapolis Colts finally get a win? Let’s jump into the BetSided’s teams upset picks for Week 3, with odds from FanDuel Sportsbook: 

Best NFL Upset Picks for Week 3 of 2022 Season

Atlanta Falcons (+108) at Seattle Seahawks

The betting public tends to have a selective memory.

Despite Seattle’s expected road loss to the San Francisco 49ers on the road in Week 2, the Seattle Seahawks should be public darlings at home this week vs. the Atlanta Falcons, given what everyone remembers from their Week 1 upset over Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos.

The Falcons, meanwhile, have given their fanbase two consecutive heart attacks over the last two weeks, finding new and creative ways to lose games to much stronger teams.

This week, I think the tables turn.

Atlanta currently owns a top-nine offense with star tight end Kyle Pitts only collecting 38 receiving yards through two games. That should change this week vs. a Seahawks secondary that no longer has Jamal Adams.

There’s a lot of the 2021 Detroit Lions in the “Dirty Birds” this year. A season ago, the Lions were 3-13-1, but actually 11-6-0 against the spread. So far in 2022, despite Atlanta’s 0-2 straight-up record, the Falcons are actually 2-0 against the spread this year.

Atlanta is also staying on the west coast, which gives it a leg up compared to most teams making a long trek and throwing off their body clock. The Falcons are a better team than Seattle, and I expect them to prove it this week as a slight road dog. -- Ben Heisler

Carolina Panthers (+132) vs. New Orleans Saints

I think now is the time to buy low on the Carolina Panthers. Yes, they're 0-2, but they played the first two games relatively well, especially on defense. Through the first two weeks, the Panthers defense ranks fourth in opponent yards per play, first in opponent yards per pass attempt and fourth in red zone defense. 

Those kinds of numbers will prove pivotal against a Saints offense that looked lackluster at best against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while being quarterbacked by a guy with a broken back. New Orleans is only converting 30.77% of its third down attempts, which is going to hurt it against this stout Carolina defense.

I'm also a Baker Mayfield believer. He hasn't looked great in the first two games, but as we know with Baker, he's a rollercoaster of a quarterback. He's going to have some good games this season, and I think his first one with the Panthers comes on Sunday. I'll take Carolina to win outright. – Iain MacMillan

Pittsburgh Steelers (+184) at Cleveland Browns

Cleveland isn't used to this whole "being a favorite" thing, and the Browns haven't covered the spread in five straight games when favored as a result. They're a pathetic 3-10 ATS in their last 13 games as home favorites, while Pittsburgh has four consecutive wins as an underdog against AFC North opponents.

Watching the New York Jets pull off a miracle upset has to be demoralizing. It's like letting your two-year-old nephew somehow stomp you in Madden when you're actually trying. I'd probably never play Playstation again.

But the Browns have to turn around and play on Thursday Night after that epic collapse, and I don't have faith in Jacoby Brissett and a ragtag group of skill position players to respond against Pittsburgh's stellar defense.

Back the Steelers to pick up a third consecutive win as road underdogs as Cleveland's misery as a favorite continues. – Joe Summers

Indianapolis Colts (+235) vs. Kansas City Chiefs

There isn't a favorite of over a touchdown this weekend, so I expect chaos to ensue. With that in mind, let's get aggressive with our upset pick and take a team nobody believes in anymore in the Indianapolis Colts. Sure, they are 0-1-1 and were just blanked by the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road, but I'm going to trust this offense to get going against a Kansas City pass rush that may be a bit overrated at the moment. 

The team feasted on a below average Arizona Cardinals front and a Los Angeles Chargers line that was down two starters on a short week by the end of it.

The Colts have the best OL in the NFL and will hopefully get Michael Pittman Jr. back on the field, the team's best vertical threat.

It's the perfect buy low sell high spot and I'll take a shot at another wild week in the NFL. – Reed Wallach

Houston Texans (+118) at Chicago Bears

The Texans are 0-1-1 and it’s time for them to get their first win. Houston has played extremely close in both games this year, and has a couple playmakers that will be able to get loose against Chicago. The Bears have the worst rushing defense in the league, giving me hope that Dameon Pierce and Rex Burkhead will both be impact players.

On top of that, Chicago’s passing offense is a mess. The Bears rank 32nd in attempts, 28th in yards per pass and 32nd in passing yards per game. Houston’s run defense isn’t spectacular, but due to Chicago being one-dimensional on offense, the Texans will be able to fully commit to stopping the run.

This game feels more like a pick ‘em to me, so I love the value we’re getting on the Texans. – Donnavan Smoot

Detroit Lions (+205) vs. Minnesota Vikings

Why not take a bit of a longshot here on the upstart Lions coming off their first win of the 2022 season?

Minnesota looked dreadful in Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles, and while things may come easier on offense, the Vikings currently rank 28th in yards per carry allowed this season (5.3). 

That’s going to be problematic against a Lions team that would love to pound the rock with D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams all game long. The Lions are frisky, and if they play as well as they did offensively against the Commanders, they may be able to pull off the upset on the road. – Peter Dewey