It has undoubtedly been an unpredictable start to the NFL season. The first two weeks have presented numerous surprises, with even the most dominant teams facing unexpected defeats. Such a tumultuous beginning has, unsurprisingly, significantly reduced the number of fans making eliminator pool picks.
Week 3 promises to be equally intriguing, with four teams favored by at least 6.5 points. Leading this pack, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are favored by 6.5 points against the Denver Broncos.
Tampa Bay's Early Promise
The Buccaneers have shown early-season promise with triumphant victories over Washington and Detroit, setting a strong tone for their campaign. In contrast, the Denver Broncos have remained competitive despite their setbacks, losing each game by just one score. Last week, Denver lost 13-6 in a tightly contested match against Pittsburgh.
Of particular note is Broncos' rookie quarterback, Bo Nix, who has begun to find his footing amidst the challenging circumstances. Denver's resilience and Nix's developing confidence could potentially spell trouble for the favored Buccaneers.
White's Astounding Record
White, a notable figure in sports predictions, boasts an impressive record of 643-543-34 against the spread since 2017. Furthermore, White has maintained a 56.7% hit rate on his Vegas contest picks over the last nine seasons and even achieved 18th place out of 2,748 entries in 2017. "Anyone who followed his advice avoided two of the biggest NFL upsets of the season and advanced to Week 3," highlights the merit of White's predictions.
Early Upsets and Surprises
The season's early weeks have already seen several upsets. In Week 1, the Cincinnati Bengals were surprisingly defeated by the New England Patriots despite being 8.5-point favorites, while the New Orleans Saints delivered a resounding 37-point victory over the Carolina Panthers.
Week 2 witnessed similar shocks, with the Baltimore Ravens losing as 8.5-point favorites to the Las Vegas Raiders. Adding to the surprises, the Houston Texans secured a victory over the Chicago Bears.
Bengals' Struggles
Looking ahead to Week 3, the Cincinnati Bengals are the biggest favorites at -7.5. However, it's important to note the Bengals' recent struggles. They lost five of their final nine games last season and failed to win any of their preseason games this year. Their poor form has continued into the regular season, with losses in their opening two matches, including a defeat to Kansas City last week. The Bengals' rushing attack also remains a concern, averaging just 3.4 yards per carry.
In contrast, the Washington Commanders pulled off a narrow 21-18 victory over the New York Giants, buoyed by Jayden Daniels' performance. Daniels threw for 226 yards and rushed for another 44 in their hard-fought win, showcasing his versatility and effectiveness on the field.
The unpredictability and competitive spirit so far this season have rendered clear favorites less reliable. As Week 3 unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the favored teams will bounce back or if more upsets are on the horizon. One thing is certain: the enthralling instability promises to keep fans on edge and engaged throughout the season.