NFL Week 3 opening line report

Every week, we'll dive into the opening lines for notable games on the NFL calendar to see how oddsmakers are reacting to the previous week and where the early money is coming in.

A pair of Week 3 lines have yet to be released as oddsmakers are forced to re-evaluate following injuries to future Hall of Famers Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger, but there's still plenty to dissect, including a pair of massive home favorites and a battle between two electrifying young quarterbacks at Arrowhead Stadium.

Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs

Opening line: Chiefs -6.5

We'll find out what the Baltimore Ravens are made of this week. Lamar Jackson has been near-flawless in leading them to a 2-0 start. Those wins came against significantly weaker opposition in the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals but, as the adage goes, you can only beat what's in front of you.

A visit to Arrowhead to face Patrick Mahomes and the 2-0 Kansas City Chiefs is a massive step up in class that should tell us a lot about the Ravens' Super Bowl credentials. The Chiefs needed a late Mahomes touchdown pass to force overtime in their 27-24 win over Jackson and the Ravens at home last season, and the Ravens' hot start might make them a popular underdog this week. Early money has been fairly split, with the line staying put so far. We'll be watching to see if sharp money pushes this to the key number of seven before possible buyback on Baltimore.

Miami Dolphins at Dallas Cowboys

Opening line: Cowboys -20.5

Congratulations to the Dallas Cowboys for being the season's first 20-point favorite, and the biggest since the Denver Broncos were favored over the Jacksonville Jaguars by 26.5 in 2013. It's the first time in 32 years that the Cowboys are laying more than 20 points. They were -21.5 over the Philadelphia Eagles in 1987 and won 41-22 but failed to cover the spread. The line is already up to -21 in most places with early money backing the Cowboys, so it will be fascinating to see how high it can go - or if sharps will buy back on the dog at this key number.

While the Cowboys started the season 2-0 against the spread, easily brushing aside a pair of NFC East opponents, the Miami Dolphins are 0-2 and lost by an average of 46 points. Both of those games were at home, so there's no telling just how bad the Dolphins could be on the road. They're 3-12 ATS in their last 15 road games, while the Cowboys are 4-2-1 ATS (7-1 straight up) as home favorites with Dak Prescott under center since the start of last season.

New York Jets at New England Patriots

Opening line: Patriots -17.5

For the second week in a row, the New England Patriots are going to lay more than 17 points against a divisional opponent - only this time, they're at Foxborough. The defending Super Bowl champions obliterated the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dolphins over the first two weeks by a combined score of 76-3. They've looked untouchable on both sides of the ball, and a visit from the New York Jets in Week 3 will hardly concern Bill Belichick. The line is up to -18 in some spots, with all the early money on the Pats.

More sharp money should come in Tuesday after the Jets play Monday night. Trevor Siemian is starting in place of Sam Darnold, who faces a lengthy absence with mononucleosis, and Siemian's performance against the Cleveland Browns could sway bettors. A disastrous display from the Jets' offense could lead this line to climb above 20, but if New York upsets the Browns, the line will likely keep hovering around the key number of 17. The Jets have lost in their last eight trips to Foxboro and have been dogs of 14 or more in their last three visits. The Patriots covered in all three of those contests.

Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers

Opening line: Chargers -3

The Houston Texans travel to the City of Angels in Week 3, looking for the franchise's first ATS win over the Los Angeles Chargers (0-6 to date). Both of these sides are 1-1, putting added pressure on each team to avoid dipping below .500 and losing what could be a massive AFC wild-card tiebreaker. Early money on the favorite pushed the line up to -3.5, which could be enough for sharps to buy back on the Texans. The Chargers are just 2-5-1 as home favorites since the start of last season, while Deshaun Watson is 7-1-1 ATS in his career as a road underdog.

Chicago Bears at Washington Redskins

Opening line: Redskins +6.5

The Chicago Bears have scored just one touchdown and 19 points through two weeks. This anemic offense laying close to a touchdown seems criminal, but the Washington Redskins own a horrific record on Monday nights (1-10 ATS and SU in their last 11). While the Bears got a pair of generous refereeing decisions to avoid an 0-2 start, they're still looking for their first ATS win of the season. Under Jay Gruden, the Redskins are 1-5 SU and ATS as a home dog of more than three points. This might be a good game to stay away from completely.

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.