The start to this NFL season has been nothing short of unpredictable. The first two weeks have upended expectations, with many of the league's biggest favorites stumbling right out of the gate. This trend has notably impacted eliminator pools, as a swath of fans have seen their carefully plotted picks dashed by underdog victories.
Significant Spreads
In Week 3, four teams are favored by at least 6.5 points, a testament to the volatility we’ve witnessed. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, for instance, are favored by 6.5 points against Denver. The Buccaneers have shown early promise, securing wins over Washington and Detroit. On the other hand, Denver has managed to stay competitive, despite losing each game by merely one score, including a narrow 13-6 defeat to Pittsburgh last week. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix has started to find his groove for the Broncos, injecting some hope for their future games.
The Cincinnati Bengals are entering Week 3 as the biggest favorites with a -7.5 point spread. This comes despite a tough run—the Bengals lost five out of their final nine games last season, all three of their preseason games this year, and their first two regular-season games, including a matchup against Kansas City last week. The Bengals’ struggles can be partly attributed to an underwhelming rushing attack, which has averaged just 3.4 yards per carry so far.
Contrasting Outcomes
The early weeks have already delivered some shocking results. In Week 1, the Cincinnati Bengals were upset by the New England Patriots, despite being 8.5-point favorites. Conversely, the New Orleans Saints delivered a dominant 37-point win over the Carolina Panthers. Week 2 continued this unpredictable streak, with the Baltimore Ravens falling as 8.5-point favorites to the Las Vegas Raiders, while the Houston Texans managed to outplay the Chicago Bears.
Expert Insights
According to seasoned NFL analyst White, "Anyone who followed his advice avoided two of the biggest NFL upsets of the season and advanced to Week 3." White’s credentials speak volumes: he boasts a record of 643-543-34 against the spread since 2017 and a 56.7% hit rate on his Vegas contest picks over the last nine seasons. His expertise shone particularly brightly in 2017, when he achieved 18th place out of 2,748 entries. Such insights have proven invaluable to fans navigating the season's unpredictability.
The Washington Commanders offered a riveting performance last week with a 21-18 victory over the New York Giants. Jayden Daniels played a crucial role, throwing for 226 yards and rushing for another 44, demonstrating his versatility and command on the field.
As Week 3 approaches, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the trend of underdog victories continues or if the favored teams can reassert their dominance. The NFL, known for its drama and unpredictability, is once again living up to its reputation.