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Sunday's NFL Week 3 preseason betting primer
The NFC West will be the focus of Sunday's NFL preseason sked, with the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals hosting the final two games of Week 3. Here's a look at Sunday's matchups:
San Diego Chargers at San Francisco 49ers (-5.5, 41.5)
* The Chargers will have first-round pick Jason Verrett in the lineup against San Francisco; the standout cornerback missed the first two preseason games working his way back from offseason shoulder surgery. But San Diego will be without linebacker Manti Te'o (foot), and will likely go with veteran Kavell Conner to take Te'o's place alongside Donald Butler.
* Fans and bettors should keep an eye on field conditions, after the 49ers were forced to replace the turf at Levi's Stadium earlier this week due to uneven sod patches, large divots and a host of other issues. Running back LaMichael James is ahead of schedule in his return from a dislocated elbow and is expected to make his preseason debut.
Cincinnati Bengals at Arizona Cardinals (-2.5, 42.5)
* Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins - sidelined since last October after suffering a torn ACL - will make his much anticipated return Sunday; he's expected to start the game and play two or three series. The first-team offense will look to continue humming along - having scored on all four drives it has played so far - while the second-team unit needs a strong performance after struggling in each of the first two games.
* Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer faces his former team having looked sensational in the preseason; that said, head coach Bruce Arians likely won't play Palmer as much as other first-team quarterbacks in Week 3, and may even take him out before halftime. Starting running back Andre Ellington has just four carries in the preseason but should see more action, hoping to bolster a run attack averaging just 2.5 yards per carry through two games.
The NFC West will be the focus of Sunday's NFL preseason sked, with the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals hosting the final two games of Week 3. Here's a look at Sunday's matchups:
San Diego Chargers at San Francisco 49ers (-5.5, 41.5)
* The Chargers will have first-round pick Jason Verrett in the lineup against San Francisco; the standout cornerback missed the first two preseason games working his way back from offseason shoulder surgery. But San Diego will be without linebacker Manti Te'o (foot), and will likely go with veteran Kavell Conner to take Te'o's place alongside Donald Butler.
* Fans and bettors should keep an eye on field conditions, after the 49ers were forced to replace the turf at Levi's Stadium earlier this week due to uneven sod patches, large divots and a host of other issues. Running back LaMichael James is ahead of schedule in his return from a dislocated elbow and is expected to make his preseason debut.
Cincinnati Bengals at Arizona Cardinals (-2.5, 42.5)
* Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins - sidelined since last October after suffering a torn ACL - will make his much anticipated return Sunday; he's expected to start the game and play two or three series. The first-team offense will look to continue humming along - having scored on all four drives it has played so far - while the second-team unit needs a strong performance after struggling in each of the first two games.
* Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer faces his former team having looked sensational in the preseason; that said, head coach Bruce Arians likely won't play Palmer as much as other first-team quarterbacks in Week 3, and may even take him out before halftime. Starting running back Andre Ellington has just four carries in the preseason but should see more action, hoping to bolster a run attack averaging just 2.5 yards per carry through two games.
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