Unraveling the Third Week of the 2024 NFL Season: Key Matchups and Betting Predictions

Week 3 of the 2024 NFL Season: A Quick Overview

The 2024 NFL season’s third week is brimming with intriguing rivalries and divisional showdowns. The week’s action kicks off with a heated AFC East contest between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Thursday night. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys are eager to recover from a recent loss to the New Orleans Saints, with the Baltimore Ravens visiting Arlington on Sunday.

The Sunday night spotlight shines on Patrick Mahomes and the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs taking on the Falcons in Atlanta. The first Monday night doubleheader of the season sees Trevor Lawrence’s Jacksonville Jaguars facing off against Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills, followed by a showdown between rookie Jayden Daniels’ Washington Commanders and Joe Burrow’s Cincinnati Bengals.

Betting Analysts’ Perspective on Week 3 Lines

Our betting experts provide an early appraisal of Week 3 lines for those seeking value before the games draw closer. The odds mentioned below are current as of the article’s publication, thanks to various sportsbooks.

Joe Fortenbaugh’s First Bet: Arizona Cardinals – Detroit Lions over 52.5 points (-105)

Arizona is tagged as an early season “over” team, based on the simplest analysis: a strong offense and a weak defense. With two games under their belt, Kyler Murray and his team have proven this theory right. Detroit’s offense is expected to rebound significantly after a low score in Week 2, and a better performance in the red zone is anticipated.

Tyler Fulghum’s First Bet: Cleveland Browns – New York Giants under 38.5 points (-110)

This game’s total score is predicted to drop, making an early bet worthwhile. The Giants, with Daniel Jones underperforming, face a tough challenge in the Browns’ defense. On the flip side, the Giants’ defensive line is robust enough to keep Deshaun Watson at bay. This low-scoring game in Cleveland could be won with just 17-20 points.

Expert Predictions for Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Denver Broncos

Anita Marks’s Prediction

The Buccaneers have had a strong start this season, showing their prowess against the Washington Commanders and the Lions. With Baker Mayfield excelling at the quarterback position and the Broncos struggling, this bet should be made before the score moves to 7.5.

Pam Maldonado’s Analysis

The Broncos, with rookie quarterback Bo Nix struggling to adapt to NFL defenses, will find it hard to keep up with Tampa Bay’s scoring due to their offensive inefficiency. However, Tampa Bay’s high-performing offense, led by Baker Mayfield, is likely to dominate the game.

More Betting Predictions for Week 3

Ben Solak’s First Bet: New England Patriots (+6.5) at New York Jets

The Patriots’ strategy so far has been playing tight defense and running the football well, keeping the games close. Given the Jets’ underperforming offensive line and questionable run defense, Solak predicts the Patriots will maintain a lead within 6.5 points.

Seth Walder’s First Bet: New York Giants (+7) at Cleveland Browns

Despite the Giants’ current performance and Deshaun Watson’s struggles, getting a full seven points from any team with a significant weakness at the quarterback position seems generous. Walder predicts the Giants could turn the tables.

Andre Snellings First Bet: New Orleans Saints (+2.5) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (-110)

The Saints have emerged as the most impressive team in the NFL so far, with a scoring differential significantly higher than any other team. Snellings suggests that the Saints’ high performance will continue, making them favorites to win against the Eagles in Week 3.