It has been an unpredictable start to the NFL season, leaving fans and analysts scratching their heads. The first two weeks have seen many of the biggest favorites fall to unexpected defeats, thinning out the number of fans making eliminator pool picks. As Week 3 approaches, four teams are favored by at least 6.5 points, setting the stage for another potentially tumultuous slate of games.
Buccaneers' Early Promise
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one of the teams heavily favored in Week 3, boasting a 6.5-point advantage over the Denver Broncos. The Buccaneers have shown early promise with victories over Washington and Detroit, bolstering the confidence of their supporters. On the other side, Denver has remained competitive but has yet to clinch a win, losing each game by just one score. Their most recent defeat came at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who edged them out 13-6.
Denver's rookie quarterback Bo Nix has started to find his footing, which could make the matchup against the Buccaneers more interesting than the odds suggest. As the Broncos seek their first win, Tampa Bay will aim to solidify their standing as a team to watch this season.
White's Wisdom
One figure who has garnered attention in the betting world is White, who holds an impressive record of 643-543-34 against the spread since 2017. With a 56.7% hit rate on his Vegas contest picks over the last nine seasons, White’s expertise has been a reliable guide for many bettors. In 2017, he achieved an 18th place finish out of 2,748 entries, underlining his proficiency in navigating the unpredictable nature of NFL games.
"Anyone who followed his advice avoided two of the biggest NFL upsets of the season and advanced to Week 3," one article noted, emphasizing the value of his insights in navigating this year's turbulent start.
Unexpected Upsets
Speaking of upsets, Week 1 saw the Cincinnati Bengals fall to the New England Patriots despite being 8.5-point favorites, a result that sent shockwaves through the fanbase. Conversely, the New Orleans Saints delivered a resounding victory, winning by 37 points over the Carolina Panthers in their opener.
The trend of upsets continued into Week 2, with the Baltimore Ravens losing as 8.5-point favorites to the Las Vegas Raiders. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans clinched a victory over the Chicago Bears, adding another surprising turn to an already unpredictable season.
Bengals: A Case Study in Complexity
The Cincinnati Bengals are again in the spotlight as the biggest favorites of Week 3 at -7.5. However, their recent form raises questions about their ability to meet expectations. Last season, the Bengals lost five of their final nine games, and their performance in the preseason offered little hope, with losses in all three games.
Their struggles have continued into the regular season, with defeats in their first two games, including a disappointing loss to Kansas City last week. The Bengals’ rushing attack has been particularly worrisome, averaging just 3.4 yards per carry.
Commanders Make Their Mark
In contrast, the Washington Commanders have managed to start their season on a positive note. They clinched a 21-18 victory over the New York Giants, thanks in large part to the efforts of quarterback Jayden Daniels. Daniels threw for 226 yards and rushed for an additional 44, demonstrating his dual-threat capabilities and promising potential for the games ahead.
As the NFL season progresses, fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching to see if the trend of unpredictability continues or if the favorites can reclaim their footing. While the early season chaos has shaken the confidence of many, it is this very unpredictability that keeps the sport engaging and exhilarating. Week 3 will undoubtedly provide more answers—and perhaps a few more questions—for the season to come.