Zolak & Bertrand: The Football Card – Week 3
We’re onto the third Sunday of the NFL season, which means it’s time for Week 3 of The Football Card from Zolak & Bertrand.
The crew owns a record of 5-5 after Week 2, with Hardy and Zo coming away with wins. Beetle, Hardy, and Milliken weren’t so fortunate. Just a quick refresher on last week’s picks:
Zo had taken the Packers -1.5 over the Falcons. Beetle picked the Browns (-2.5) over the Steelers. Hardy put his money on the Chiefs (-3.5) against the Jaguars. T-Bone put his hopes in the Raiders (+8.5) against the Bills and finally Milliken had the Chargers (-2.5) over the Titans.
One of the biggest questions we get each week is what betting lines do we make our picks from. In past years, sports betting wasn’t allowed in Massachusetts, but that barrier has finally been broken down. Check out Bet MGM to see the exact same lines the guys are looking at.
Scott Zolak (2-0): Bills @ Commanders – Bills (-6.5)

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills scrambles with the ball during the fourth quarter of the NFL game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 11, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Zo is the only undefeated member of The Football Card remaining and he’s betting on the Bills staying hot against the Commanders. After a disappointing Week 1, the Bills came out against the Raiders with something to prove. That continues against a rookie QB in Sam Howell, even after Washington started the season 2-0.
Marc Bertrand (1-1): Chargers @ Vikings – Chargers (+1)

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 23: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers signals a play during a 37-23 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Beetle is looking at strictly talent in this matchup, so he’s going with the Chargers. Both teams are desperate after starting 0-2, so a shootout is likely. Just hard to picture Justin Herbert and that roster falling out of things so early in the year.
Hardy (1-1): Falcons @ Lions – Lions (-3)

(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Coming off a tough loss against the Seahawks last week, Hardy is all in on the Lions bouncing back against the Falcons. Detroit’s home-field advantage is the real deal this season. Not to mention, Amon-Ra St. Brown returning to practice a few days back is massive for the offense.
T-Bone (1-1): Patriots @ Jets – Patriots (-2.5)

FOXBOROUGH, MA: Mac Jones of the New England Patriots reacts after officials overturned a spot to turn the ball over and end the game at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 17, 2023. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Many are looking at Week 3 as a must-win for the Patriots, T-Bone believes Bill Belichick keeps his streak of beating the Jets going. If Belichick can’t make Zach Wilson see ghosts like Sam Darnold, it’ll say a lot about his future. Weather could complicate things though, especially if it takes the ball out of Wilson’s hands.
Milliken (0-2): Chargers @ Vikings – OVER 54

LANDOVER, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 06: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings catches a pass for a touchdown in the first quarter of the game against the Washington Commanders at FedExField on November 06, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Milliken joins Beetle on betting Chargers @ Vikings, but he’s taking the very high over of 54. Brandon Staley’s defense has been horrendous, and with the Vikings having the 30th ranked pass-rush in the NFL, it should allow Justin Herbert and Kirk Cousins to cook. Expect fireworks.
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