Nat Coombs' NFL Week 3 Tips Including Bengals @ Vikings

In the blink of an eye, Week 3 in the NFL is upon us. 

The Buffalo Bills improved their record to 3-0 with a 31-21 win over the Miami Dolphins at the Highmark Stadium.

Nine more teams are looking to extend their perfect starts to the season, but four of those are involved in games against each other.

TalkSPORT's Nat Coombs has started the season 5-1 with his selections, and he has three more tips for Sunday's gridiron action, which pays out at around 11/2 on BetMGM.

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Bengals @ Vikings: Back-Up Errors Will Lead To Points Fest

The prominence of second-string quarterbacks in starting line-ups across the NFL in Week 3 will not make for happy reading for the teams facing life without their starter, either short term - like the Vikings - or in the unfortunate case of the Bengals and the great Joe Burrow, for the season. 

Just like their starting counterparts, there is a clear tiering system for back-up quarterbacks, where evaluation is predicated on familiarity with system, coaching and team-mates, alongside raw ability. 

As such, Jake Browning, Cincy’s number two, is amongst the most effective in this position. 

He has been with the team since 2021, has had double digits starts and is an acclimatised and accomplished deputy.

Errors will happen – as we saw against the Jacksonville Jaguars when Browning came in for Burrow during the 31-27 win – but there is a demonstrable upside.

Whilst the Bengals are clearly disadvantaged by losing one of the top five quarterbacks in the NFL right now, their offense will be able to flex reasonably well with Browning under center.

JJ McCarthy, Minnesota’s young starter who showed real moxie in the Week 1 comeback win over the Bears in Chicago but crashed and burned last week, has been ruled out.

Game Notes:

The Bengals have scored in 7 of 8 quarters
The Vikings have conceded points in every quarter

So the veteran Carson Wentz, a player who has not fulfilled his potential as an NFL player, steps in.

Wentz is a different kind of back-up to Browning. He has been a career back-up in so far as his trajectory in the league has been markedly different. 

Game Notes:

The Bengals have given up 3+ sacks in each game
The Vikings have given up 3+ sacks in each game

A former first-round pick and starter with the Philadelphia Eagles, he is part of the collective of back-ups (and in some cases third stringers) that were given ample opportunities to make a name as a starter, but could not sustain the level. 

In Wentz’s case, injuries have been a big part of that, but he has a chance now to deliver a virtuoso back-up cameo. 

That is, step in for a game or two, play solidly, protect the call and be the seasoned pro that carries them through.

Wentz's job will be harder with the news that running back Aaron Jones has been put on Injured Reserve (IR), but Jordan Mason was picking up more carries recently.

It will be interesting to see if the Vikes can establish a decent ground game against a Bengals run defense that allowed 5.1 yards per carry in their win against the Jags. 

I feel both offenses can land blows and in turn both quarterbacks will make errors, so the 'total points' market is of interest here and I’m taking the over. 

Nat Coombs' Panel Pick 1: Bengals @ Vikings: Over 42.0 Total Points - 9/10 With BetMGM 

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