The NFL pre-season comes to an end this week as teams play their final exhibition games before the 2025 regular season kicks off.

With the injury risk attached to playing starters in meaningless games, many of the 32 teams will likely sit their most important players as they bid to avoid suffering a significant blow just a couple of weeks before the new campaign.

It is difficult for coaches to balance wanting to get their rosters as ready for the new season as possible with the desire to protect their players from injury. 

That is part of what can make pre-season football so difficult to judge when it comes to placing your bets. 

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But if you keep abreast of who is likely to play and study the lower reaches of the depth charts in each matchup, there is profit to be made betting on pre-season.

Here The Sporting News runs you through the full slate of the final week of pre-season and picks the best bet from each game.

NFL pre-season week 3 predictions and betting tips

Odds correct at time of publish.

Pittsburgh Steelers (11/10 alternative handicap -5.5, Bet365) @ Carolina Panthers

Panthers coach Dave Canales has already made it clear Bryce Young and the starters will not be playing in the final pre-season game, hence the heavy lean towards a Pittsburgh team that would still be superior to Carolina even if Young and Co. were involved.

The Steelers are 4.5-point favourites. Juice that line by a point and take slightly better than even money.

New England Patriots @ New York Giants (6/4 Over 42.5 total points, Betway)

The Patriots are not expected to play their starters, which will probably hinder their capabilities on the defensive side of the ball.

Meanwhile, the Giants have scored 65 points across two pre-season games, racking up over 30 in each, making over 42.5 an appealing value play here.

Philadelphia Eagles (23/20 moneyline, VirginBet) @ New York Jets

The Jets are favoured despite the decision being made to rest their starters.

Philadelphia’s underdog status is probably tied to the number of injuries with which the Eagles are dealing. However, the Eagles still have the stronger roster and the 23/20 price is definitely worth taking.

Atlanta Falcons (1/1 handicap +1.5, AKBets) @ Dallas Cowboys 

Both teams are winless in pre-season, but the Falcons’ two defeats have each come by a one-score margin.

It’s tricky to read anything into pre-season results but, for the chance to get even money, we’ll back the Falcons to keep another one close.

Minnesota Vikings (31/20 moneyline, 10Bet) @ Tennessee Titans

This is first overall pick Cam Ward’s fine tune-up for the Titans before the real stuff gets going. Even in pre-season, the challenge posed by Brian Flores’ Minnesota defence is likely to be a daunting one.

Chicago Bears @ Kansas City Chiefs (9/5 alternative handicap -6.5, Bet365)

The Chiefs are set to play Patrick Mahomes and their starters against the Bears. How long they will play remains to be seen, but you can rarely go wrong betting on Kansas City in any scenario.

Playing at home, the Chiefs are 1.5-point favourites. There’s value to be had if you think the Chiefs can take care of business by at least a touchdown and move the spread accordingly.

Baltimore Ravens @ Washington Commanders (5/4 Over 38 total points, Bet365)

It remains to seen if Jayden Daniels and Lamar Jackson will face off for any part of this exhibition finale.

Still, these are two offenses for whom points are no problem. The points total is set at 35.5, but moving that up slightly gets you some value.

Indianapolis Colts (11/8 moneyline, 10Bet) @ Cincinnati Bengals

The Colts this week named Daniel Jones their starting quarterback ahead of former fourth overall pick Anthony Richardson.

Expect to see plenty of Richardson in this game. Bengals starter Joe Burrow has already played enough in pre-season for his presence to be unlikely in this one. Take the value of Richardson helping the Colts beat the Cincinnati backups.

Los Angeles Rams @ Cleveland Browns (21/10 Under 39 total points, Spreadex)

Matthew Stafford is back in practice for the Rams, but the Rams are unlikely to risk him playing in a meaningless game after a cross-country flight.

The Browns’ quarterback options are far from compelling, making it difficult to imagine a high-scoring affair.

Houston Texans @ Detroit Lions (7/5 Under 16.5 team points, Bet365)

The Lions have scored 27 points across two pre-season games, and fireworks are unlikely to be on the cards in the finale.

Detroit and Houston are taking part in joint practices this week, making extended playing time for the starters in the game itself unlikely. Take a shot on the under with the Lions’ backups.

Denver Broncos (27/20 alternative handicap, -7, Bet365) @ New Orleans Saints

The Saints are still in the middle of an uninspiring quarterback competition involving Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler. Neither quarterback is likely to fare well against the Denver defence. The Broncos are 5.5-point favourites, but it’s definitely worth moving that line and backing them to win by at least a touchdown.

Seattle Seahawks (11/10 moneyline, Betway) @ Green Bay Packers

Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold and his Green Bay counterpart Jordan Love may play briefly at Lambeau Field, with the Packers continuing to deal with injuries at wide receiver. 

There’s not too much to choose between these two teams. Given Green Bay’s issues, taking the Seahawks as a slight underdog makes sense.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Miami Dolphins (21/10 alternative points total over 39.5, Bet365)

No pre-season game this year featuring either the Jaguars or Dolphins has seen fewer than 34 points.

Neither team boasts a defence to be feared, so backing another high-scoring affair here makes sense.

Buffalo Bills @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (27/20 moneyline, 10Bet)

Josh Allen is not expected to play for the Bills as they keep him wrapped up in cotton wool ahead of the real business getting going.

Similarly, Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is likely to sit out. However, the Buccaneers backups have fared well on both sides of the ball in pre-season, making them a solid bet to round out the exhibition schedule with a third victory.

Los Angeles Chargers (7/5 alternative handicap -3.5, Bet365) @ San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers probably saw enough in an impressive cameo from Brock Purdy last week to not need to play their quarterback in the exhibition finale.

They are also without backup Mac Jones and are facing an injury crisis at receiver, which is why the Chargers are two-point favourites. Moving that line up slightly nets some good value.

Las Vegas Raiders (11/10 alternative handicap -2.5, Bet365) @ Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals are said to be undecided on whether they will play their starters to finish pre-season.

Las Vegas lost to the 49ers by a field goal and, prior to that, tied with the Seahawks. Another close game could be on the cards in this one.

£30 in FREE bets when you place any bet as a new customer with Sky BetNFL Pre-season week 3 schedulePittsburgh Steelers @ Carolina PanthersFriday, August 22, 12:00 AM BSTNew England Patriots @ New York GiantsFriday, August 22, 1:00 AM BSTPhiladelphia Eagles @ New York JetsSaturday, August 23, 12:30 AM BSTAtlanta Falcons @ Dallas CowboysSaturday, August 23, 1:00 AM BSTMinnesota Vikings @ Tennessee TitansSaturday, August 23, 1:00 AM BSTChicago Bears @ Kansas City ChiefsSaturday, August 23, 1:20 AM BSTBaltimore Ravens @ Washington CommandersSaturday, August 23, 5:00 PM BSTIndianapolis Colts @ Cincinnati BengalsSaturday, August 23, 6:00 PM BSTLos Angeles Rams @ Cleveland BrownsSaturday, August 23, 6:00 PM BSTHouston Texans @ Detroit LionsSaturday, August 23, 6:00 PM BSTDenver Broncos @ New Orleans SaintsSaturday, August 23, 6:00 PM BSTSeattle Seahawks @ Green Bay PackersSaturday, August 23, 9:00 PM BSTJacksonville Jaguars @ Miami DolphinsSunday, August 24, 12:00 AM BSTBuffalo Bills @ Tampa Bay BuccaneersSunday, August 24, 12:30 AM BSTLos Angeles Chargers @ San Francisco 49ersSunday, August 24, 1:30 AM BSTLas Vegas Raiders @ Arizona CardinalsSunday, August 24, 3:00 AM BSTHow to watch NFL in the UK: TV details and live stream

The 2025 NFL season can be watched in the UK on Sky Sports and on NFL Gamepass via DAZN. Sky Sports broadcasts all primetime games and also selects two games for broadcast on a Sunday. The NFL Red Zone channel is broadcast on Sky Sports Mix.

DAZN subscribers can watch all games live online and via the DAZN app, except for those selected for Sunday broadcast on Sky Sports.

All pre-season games are also available on DAZN, while Sky shows selected pre-season games each week.

The games between the Bears and Chiefs and the Seahawks and Packers will be broadcast on Sky Sports this week.

SUBSCRIBE to all the NFL action in 2025 with DAZN here!

When does NFL 2025 season start?

The 2025 NFL season begins on Thursday September 4, with the Eagles starting their title defence against the Cowboys.

The Chiefs face the Chargers a day later in Sao Paulo. Thirteen games will be played on the opening Sunday of the season, before a Monday night clash between the Bears and Vikings in Chicago.