It has been an unpredictable start to the NFL season, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. The first two weeks have been particularly brutal, with many of the biggest favorites suffering unexpected defeats, a trend that has considerably thinned out the number of fans making eliminator pool picks.
Early Season Surprises
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, favored by 6.5 points against Denver for Week 3, have shown early promise with victories over Washington and Detroit. Meanwhile, Denver has remained a tenacious contender, losing each game by just one score. The Broncos’ latest setback came with a narrow 13-6 defeat against Pittsburgh. However, there's a glimmer of hope as rookie quarterback Bo Nix appears to be finding his footing.
In another twist, Cincinnati Bengals were upset by the New England Patriots in Week 1 despite being 8.5-point favorites. The New Orleans Saints demonstrated their dominance with a staggering 37-point win over the Carolina Panthers in the same week.
Unpredictable Outcomes
Week 2 continued the trend of unpredictable outcomes. The Baltimore Ravens, touted as 8.5-point favorites, fell to the Las Vegas Raiders. In contrast, the Houston Texans secured a victory over the Chicago Bears, sending shockwaves through fans and analysts alike.
The Bengals are facing mounting pressure as they prepare for Week 3, where they are the biggest favorites at -7.5. However, their recent performance raises questions—they lost five of their final nine games last season, all three of their preseason games this year, and their first two regular-season games, including a defeat against Kansas City last week. Their rushing attack has struggled, averaging just 3.4 yards per carry, which remains a significant concern.
Expert Insights
One shining light amidst the chaos is White, a seasoned analyst with a record of 643-543-34 against the spread since 2017. Renowned for his accuracy, White boasts a 56.7% hit rate on his Vegas contest picks over the last nine seasons. His prowess was on full display when he secured 18th place out of 2,748 entries in 2017. As the article context highlights, "Anyone who followed his advice avoided two of the biggest NFL upsets of the season and advanced to Week 3."
Standout Performances
The Washington Commanders showcased resilience with a hard-fought 21-18 victory over the New York Giants. Jayden Daniels played a pivotal role, throwing for 226 yards and rushing for an additional 44, enabling the Commanders to edge past the Giants.
The NFL season has already delivered thrilling moments and unexpected turns, captivating fans and analysts alike. As Week 3 approaches, all eyes will be on the outcome of these highly anticipated matchups and whether the early season surprises will continue to shake up the league. Will favorites like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cincinnati Bengals justify their odds, or will the season continue to defy expectations?