It looks like the Green Bay Packers have found their offense just in time for primetime football. After scoring just 3 points in Week 1, the Packers went off for 35 points against the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football in a 35-17 win.
Now, the Packers will take on the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football at Levi’s Stadium in Week 3. Green Bay’s defense has plenty of work to do before the matchup, as they’ve allowed over 300 yards of offense in the first two games of the season.
Meanwhile, the 49ers have started the season 2-0 with wins over the Lions and Philadelphia Eagles. And although neither game was pretty, two wins are two wins. Both were on the road, and the Niners will enjoy playing their first game at home.
This week’s edition of Sunday Night Football should be a great one, so continue on for betting tips in the SNF football predictions series.
Sportsbook Play Of The Day
Before reading our Sunday Night Football Week 3 predictions and tipster picks, you should know that Caesars Sportsbook is one of the best around. Take advantage of Caesars’ outstanding welcome bonus, which gives you a risk-free bet of up to $5,000 when you use our promo code .
Read Chris Wassel’s Caesars Sportsbook review for more insight and get your welcome bonus below, or continue reading this analysis for our SNF picks of the day.
Sunday Night Football Prediction Week 3
The Packers’ offense seriously trolled the world in Week 1. After scoring just 3 points against the Saints to open up the season, the Packers dominated the Lions with a 35-17 win.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw 4 touchdowns along with 255 yards in the air. He was also sacked three times for 28 yards.
However, the offensive line still needs to improve, and the defense looks completely shot through two weeks. The pass protection did its thing in Week 1, but had issues in Week 2 against the Lions.
The Packers will contend with one of the better offenses in the league, but other teams will stick around as long as the they continue to struggle in the secondary.
I should note that the Packers made some big plays on defense and generated two turnovers against the Lions. However, the fumble wasn’t forced. Rather, it was an unforced error by Lions QB Jared Goff.
On the other hand, the 49ers have won two straight games by just one possession. The Niners almost coughed up a 28-point lead against the Lions in Week 1. Because of that, there were questions about San Francisco being able to close out games.
The Niners answered those questions with a 17-11 win over the Eagles. The offense hasn’t been bright, but the defense, save for the fourth quarter against the Lions, has looked fine. The pass rush has been effective, and the special teams has become a real difference-maker for this squad.
The real concern for the 49ers is at running back at this point. Raheem Mostert was already out for the year when, against the Eagles, the 49ers watched their next three running backs go down in Elijah Mitchell, JaMycal Hasty, and Trey Sermon.
Even fullback Kyle Juszczyk left the game against the Eagles due to leg cramps in the fourth quarter.
It should be known that none of the injuries for the 49ers are considered to be season-ending. In the event that the 49ers need some insurance backs for the time being, there are several viable options out there.
San Francisco’s defense has looked great for most of the season and should continue to do so moving forward, but there are serious questions about this offense, which is reflected in the NFL gameday odds. For that, feel comfortable in taking the Packers here.
SNF Week 3 Pick: Packers 34, 49ers 20
Given their lack of healthy options at running back, the San Francisco 49ers could look to get George Kittle even more involved in their Week 3 matchup with the Green Bay Packers.
Sunday Night Football Best Bets Week 3
SNF Best Bet: Packers +3.5 (-115) at BetMGM
The Packers proved that they can move the ball down the field. Even if it was against the Lions, they rebounded from an abysmal Week 1 and played a terrific second half. That could be a turning point for the Packers, even this early in the season.
The 49ers are known for running the football, and without potentially their top four running backs, it will be difficult to establish that portion of their offense. The Packers aren’t all that defensively, but at the end of the day, these fifth-string running backs aren’t necessarily difference-makers.
And while I can admit that running backs are replaceable, it’s still extremely difficult to run the football without a guy that has speed and vision.
Through two weeks, the 49ers have shown a solid pass rush, but have struggled to make tackles. They’ve also allowed 397.5 yards per game this season along with 133.5 yards on the ground. The rushing defense isn’t as we’d expect out of the 49ers.
You can’t trust San Francisco’s offense, and the defense hasn’t nearly been as good. Sure, the 49ers have allowed just 22 points and had one bad quarter against the Lions. But it’s deeper than this.
The Packers can absolutely get down the field against San Francisco, making this our NFL bet of the day.
SNF Best Bet: Over 50 Points (-110) at DraftKings
After watching this Packers defense, it’s hard to take an under at this point. While the defense has done well tackling in the open field this season, the coverage, pass rush and rushing defense hasn’t been good for Green Bay.
Nobody knows who will be the 49ers running back in this game. It could be one of the rookies, or they might have to settle for Kerryon Johnson from the practice squad.
Either way, the game plan should be for the 49ers to air it out. I know the Niners love to run the football, but when you look at what you’ve got, the game plan has to change. The Packers have a terrible secondary that has struggled to cover in the first two weeks of the season.
I’m thinking the 49ers trust Jimmy Garoppolo on Sunday Night and let him throw a bit more. He’s got plenty of talented weapons in Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Brandon Aiyuk, who needs to get involved more.
If San Francisco gets these guys involved in their offense more and air it out against the Packers, they’ll stick around with Rodgers and Green Bay’s offense.
The over was more appealing at 48.5 when it opened, but I’ll still take it at 50, especially with Rodgers and Green Bay scoring 35 points in Week 2. Feel comfortable with this pick of the day.
Thanks for reading our Packers vs. 49ers Sunday Night Football Week 3 Predictions & Best Bets! Check out more of our NFL Week 3 Best Bets.
