A third of the NFL regular season will have played out following the conclusion of this weekend’s games, and we’re beginning to get a clearer idea as to who the true playoff contenders are and which teams are the most exciting to watch.
Two of the three highest points over/under lines this week have been set for primetime games and BetMGM are offering newcomers multiple free bets ahead of another busy week of action.
Those setting up an account with them for the first time can unlock £40 in free bets by depositing and wagering £10 on any sports market within seven days. Among the free betting tokens are two £10 bet builders, which can be used to combine multiple prop bets on any individual NFL game.
Here are three hotly-anticipated games this Sunday to consider using those bet builders on.
Bryce Young seeks rare back-to-back wins
Bryce Young turned a corner after being benched in the early weeks of last season, but despite his play improving, and Carolina becoming more competitive towards the end of the campaign, not many wins followed. Young has only managed back-to-back victories once since turning pro, but the next couple of weekends represent a great chance to match that or go one better.
After leading a clutch game-winning drive, including a vital 4th & 5 completion, Young now goes up against a frail-looking Dallas Cowboys defence who’ve given up over 30 points on three separate occasions already this season. The Panthers, however, may lean more on the ground game after former Cowboy, Rico Dowdle, posted the most rushing yards by any player in a single game so far in 2025 – he ran for 206 against Miami.
The Cowboys find themselves at 2-2-1 after a thrilling 40-40 tie in the Micah Parsons “revenge game” in week 4 and a 37-22 rout of the New York Jets this past Sunday – which was 30-3 in their favour before a late Jets rally. Few quarterbacks are playing as well as Dak Prescott right now, who threw seven touchdown passes in those two games.
BetMGM are backing the Cowboys to win in another high-scoring contest. They’re the 3.5-point favourites, with the points over/under line being set at 49.5.
The Chiefs “aren’t in Kansas anymore” as they prepare to host the not-so cowardly Lions
The Kansas City Chiefs would’ve felt that they were turning their season around after back-to-back wins brought them back to .500 after starting with two defeats. The Super Bowl hangover is proving difficult to shake off, however, as the Jacksonville Jaguars handed them their third loss – which is already more than they suffered in the whole of the 2024 regular season.
For one week, the Detroit Lions looked a shadow of last season’s free-scoring NFC North champions, who also claimed the top seed in the NFC with a record of 15-2. Since that opening day loss in Green Bay, however, they’ve won four in a row and have racked up more points than anyone else after five weeks – picking up from where they left off last season as the NFL’s most potent offence.
Dan Campbell’s team have built their identity on creating chaos, throwing caution to the wind and not fearing anyone. They won’t be afraid of going into Arrowhead either after winning on their last visit at the start of the 2023 season.
If 0-2 was uncharted territory for the Chiefs, being 2-3 – with the prospect of going 2-4 – seems truly unthinkable during the Patrick Mahomes era. Bookies seem to agree, with BetMGM giving them a very slight 1-point edge to win at home during primetime, but most metrics would surely point to another successful away day for the Lions here.
It’s also one of the highest points over/unders of the week – Lions games are rarely dull and defensive. The line has been set at 51.5.
Top two picks in 2024 NFL Draft meet in Washington
Jayden Daniels returned after two weeks sidelined with a knee injury, helping the Washington Commanders secure their first away win since last season’s playoffs as they defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 27-10. The Chicago Bears were also winners last time out as they beat the Las Vegas Raiders, albeit that came two weeks ago before their early bye week.
While Daniels was immediately able to transform Washington’s fortunes, Caleb Williams’ rookie year was solid if unspectacular. In year two, however, the gap between the top two picks of the 2024 draft seems to have closed, with Williams benefitting from the coaching of former Lions offensive mastermind Ben Johnson. He’s averaging two touchdown passes a game, and enjoyed a “career day” against the Dallas Cowboys in week 3. Daniels, meanwhile, has yet to truly get his sophomore season up and running due to the injury.
BetMGM are expecting fireworks, however, in a repeat of the game from last season which was decided by a Daniels hail mary. The points over/under line has been set at 50 this time around.
The rest of the week 6 schedule
All kick off times on Sunday 12th October at 6:00pm unless stated:
- Atlanta Falcons v Buffalo Bills (Tues, 12:15am)
- Baltimore Ravens v Los Angeles Rams
- Carolina Panthers v Dallas Cowboys
- Green Bay Packers v Cincinnati Bengals (Sun, 9:25pm)
- Indianapolis Colts v Arizona Cardinals
- Jacksonville Jaguars v Seattle Seahawks
- Kansas City Chiefs v Detroit Lions (Mon, 1:20am)
- Las Vegas Raiders v Tennessee Titans (Sun, 9:05pm)
- Miami Dolphins v Los Angeles Chargers
- New Orleans Saints v New England Patriots
- New York Giants v Philadelphia Eagles (Fri, 1:15am)
- New York Jets v Denver Broncos (Sun, 2:30pm)
- Pittsburgh Steelers v Cleveland Browns
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers v San Francisco 49ers (Sun, 9:25pm)
- Washington Commanders v Chicago Bears (Tues, 1:15am)
The week begins with what has become a very one-sided NFC East rivalry on Thursday night as the Philadelphia Eagles aim for what would be an eighth win over the New York Giants in the last nine meetings. The intensity of these games was dialled up even further with Saquon Barkley having crossed the divide after the Giants failed to agree to a new contract with the star running back. Barkley made them pay last season, running for 176 yards and a touchdown on his return to MetLife Stadium, in what became a 2000+ yard season.
The league’s last winless team – the New York Jets – travel to London for the second of three UK games this season. They’ll have to upset the Denver Broncos, fresh off of handing the Eagles their first defeat, if they are to avoid falling to 0-6.
Few would’ve regarded the AFC South to be one of the most competitive divisions heading into the season but both the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars sit at 4-1, with home games at 6pm on Sunday.
Conversely, the usually explosive AFC North race has been anything but so far with both the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals reeling following injuries to several big-name players – including their star quarterbacks. While Joe Burrow is definitely out for the season, Lamar Jackson could be back this weekend or next, but the Rams will be a tough opponent with or without him. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers could pull well clear of both with a win over the Cleveland Browns.
About the author
Craig Mahood
Craig Mahood is an expert in sports betting and online casinos and has worked with the company since 2020. He joined the Betting & Gaming team at The Sun in June 2022 and works closely with the leading bookmakers and online gaming companies to provide content on all areas of sports betting and gaming. He previously worked as a Digital Sports Reporter at the Scottish Sun, covering Scottish football with particular focus on Celtic and Rangers, As well as football, he has covered horse racing, boxing, darts, the Olympics and tennis for the Sun.
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