Mangold Takes Another Crack at the Spread in Week 3 of Sports Betting Journey

• After suffering defeat in Week 2, Nick Mangold is back to bet the spread again in Week 3
• Mangold is 1-1 on his weekly pick (-0.67 units) and 3-1 with his MNF props (+1.74 units); he’s 4-2 and +1.07 units in total
• See who Nick is taking in Week 3

Every great journey involves some adversity. Or at least that’s what I’m telling myself after the bad pick I put out in Week 2 …

Luckily, my journey continues here at SportsBettingDime after the New York Giants got beat up at home by the Buffalo Bills. Unfortunately, not everyone who had a stake in that game gets another crack to prove themselves in Week 3.

With the loss, I’m now 1-1 on my weekly picks for the season. But my Week 1 moneyline bet didn’t pay out very much, so I’m down 0.67 units with these. Thanks to my Monday Night Football props, I’m at least still +1.07 units in total.

The loss also stalls my ascent up this sports betting mountain, as our Editor-in-Chief, Matt McEwan, has informed me I need a winning pick to continue moving on to other types of bets. So here we are, betting the spread again in Week 3.

If you were with me last week, you probably understand how to bet against the spread. If you weren’t, and would like a quick lesson, check out SBD’s guide on betting the spread. I’m ready to get back to it.

Mangold’s Week 3 ATS Pick

I learned my lesson last week. And you can bet that I won’t be betting on the Giants again anytime soon.

I will, however, be taking another home team who opened as an underdog this week. Thanks to the visiting team’s starting quarterback being ruled out of the game, the spread now favors the home team.

Panthers officially ruled out QB Cam Newton due to his foot injury, meaning Carolina QB Kyle Allen will start Sunday vs Cardinals.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 20, 2019

That’s right, I’m talking the Arizona Cardinals.

Before I dive into why the Cardinals are a great pick, I mentioned a very interesting aspect of not only betting the spread, but all odds: line movement. The Panthers vs Cardinals game has seen the spread move all the way from CAR -2.5 at opening to ARI -2.5, and has now landed at ARI -2.

In this instance, the line has moved so much due to Cam Newton being ruled out and Kyle Allen being thrust into action. But SportsBettingDime has also taught me there are other reasons why spreads move. I recommend you read up on it in our guide on how and why the line moves.

Panthers vs Cardinals Week 3 Spread

*Odds taken September 21

The Cardinals 2019 season got off to a very slow start against Detroit. But they found their offense in the fourth quarter and managed to escape with a tie.

Then they really impressed me in Week 2, going into Baltimore and nearly upsetting the Ravens.

The tape doesn't lie.

"If you don't believe this (@AZCardinals) offense with Kliff + @K1 can work, watch this." (via @BaldyNFL) #RedSea pic.twitter.com/IGDrd3Lrc0

— NFL (@NFL) September 21, 2019

As much as I’m liking what I see out of Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray, this pick is more about fading the Panthers.

There are two big reasons I have for betting Arizona this week:

1. I don’t believe in Kyle Allen under center; I foresee the Panthers offense looking all too similar to what we saw on Thursday night of Week 2
2. This is a long trip for Carolina to make and travel fatigue is a real thing; if you don’t believe me on this one, SBD even notes it in their guide on home team advantages in sports

For these two reasons, I’m placing my money on the Cardinals -2 in Week 3. If you wanted to make a different bet in this game, see SBD’s Panthers vs Cardinals odds & stats.