We are back for another week of Best Bets from our TSN Betting team.
After going 3-1 in Week 2, the guys are back with a 5-3 record on best bets this season. The team is still looking for our first clean sweep, so let’s get right to the action.
Domenic Padula - Bijan Robinson over 81.5 rushing yards
Bijan Robinson torched the Panthers when these teams met last season and there’s no reason for me to believe he won’t do the same today. The Panthers have really struggled against the run. We know that the Falcons want to establish Bijan early and be able to use the run to buy time and space for Michael Penix Jr. to beat Carolina through the air. I gave out this pick in Friday’s Morning Coffee column and I’ll stick with Robinson over 81.5 rushing yards as my FanDuel Best Bet for Sunday.
Connor Ford - Tyquan Thornton 30 or more Receiving Yards (-108)
I’ve already had a lot of fun betting Tyquan Thornton alternate receiving props through two weeks, so why not bring it to the column for Week 3? Despite getting in some limited practices, Xavier Worthy won’t be available for the Chiefs in their Sunday night matchup against the Giants. That leaves the door open for Thornton to see additional run.
Kansas City finds themselves lacking weapons at wide receiver once again, and Thornton has benefited early on. The speedy wideout has played 86 offensive snaps, which ranks second among Chiefs wide receivers. Patrick Mahomes hasn’t hesitated to look for him downfield – which is why Thornton ranks fifth in total air yards (271) and third in aDOT (33.9) this season.
The Giants have allowed the third most yards to wide receivers and the Chiefs rank near the top of the league in PROE – as they always do. While Thornton may not draw a lot of target volume, his role should be secure as the deep threat in this KC offence. I’ll lock in Thornton to record 30 or more receiving yards against a suspect defence in New York.
Drew Morrison - Kareem Hunt 29 or more Rushing Yards
Isiah Pacheco stayed under his modest rushing yards number last week to cash my best bet. I’ve been watching the Chiefs backfield closely since the start of last season and it’s obvious to me that Kareem Hunt is KC’s best option at running back. He out-rushed Pacheco by 8 yards last week on two fewer carries. The Chiefs running backs’ totals could be flipped on a weekly basis. It’s possible Pacheco gets going against the Giants this week, but he still won’t cut into Kareem’s carries. And when the Chiefs need a first down going forward, I expect Hunt to be on the field.
Luke Bellus - Tyrod Taylor at least 25 rushing yards
I need to be better. Through two weeks, I am 0-2 with two awful reads and bad bets.
Last week, the fellas went 3-0, and I tanked our ticket with a rookie tight end on the road… what am I doing?
This week feels dangerous. In a world of underdogs, it’s been nothing but chalk to start the NFL season. As someone who snuck in the Buffalo Bills for survivor on Thursday night, I’m personally hoping today is the day we see carnage to favourites.
As for a best bet, I’ve circled Tyrod Taylor’s rushing prop.
With Justin Fields hurt, Taylor gets the start today for the New York Jets, an offence we saw explode in Week 1 and come back to earth in Week 2.
I have always liked Taylor, even dating back to his time with the Bills, there was always such a stable floor he brought to an offence with his rushing ability.
The 36-year-old is set to make the 59th start of his career, he has gone over this rushing number in 39 of them.
Last week, despite taking less than 40 per cent of snaps at QB, Taylor rushed three times for 21 yards.
This week, he gets a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defence on a short week, which is very blitz happy and has given up at least 20 yards on the ground to both quarterbacks they’ve seen in 2025.
I like Taylor to get this offence moving today and think his legs will be a big reason why.
