The NFL season strikes so shortly that you simply higher not blink, since you would possibly miss it.
It seems like simply yesterday we had been within the thick of coaching camps, however within the blink of an eye fixed we at the moment are into Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season, and a few contenders are beginning to emerge.
With a captivating slate forward of us, together with some tantalizing upset picks, the workers at SB Nation bought collectively to focus on their “upset specials” for Week 3. Will any of us be proper? Time will inform.
Arizona Cardinals over Detroit Lions – Mark Schofield
After a season-opening loss to the Buffalo Payments, the Arizona Cardinals rebounded of their dwelling opener with a 41-10 thrashing of the banged up Los Angeles Rams. Marvin Harrison Jr. regarded just like the huge receiver that was promised, Kyler Murray was operating round in and out of doors the pocket in a classic efficiency, and James Conner added 122 yards and a landing on the bottom.
Now they get the Detroit Lions coming to city, and whereas odds would possibly favor Arizona, the Lions haven’t regarded flawless over two video games. Positive they received again in Week 1, however they wanted additional time to beat the Rams at dwelling.
Is Arizona for actual? I consider so, and I feel that is the week we discover out for positive.
Jacksonville Jaguars over Buffalo Payments – Matt Warren
Pay attention, I do know the Payments have regarded excellent and the Jaguars have, nicely, not. That hasn’t stopped Jacksonville from beating Buffalo lately. For the reason that Payments employed coach Sean McDermott in 2017, Buffalo is 1-3 towards Jacksonville. That features a 10-3 playoff loss (albeit earlier than Josh Allen was the QB) and a 9-6 stinker in 2021. That 2021 contest represents precisely half of City Meyer’s wins as an NFL head coach throughout his 2-11 season in Duval. Buffalo took the Chiefs to the restrict within the AFC Divisional Spherical that 12 months, shedding within the closing 13 seconds, so that they weren’t a foul group, however they nonetheless discovered a option to lose to the Jags. In London final season, the Payments had been outrushed 196 to 29 and Trevor Lawrence was 25-of-37 for 315 yards and a landing in Jacksonville’s 25-20 win.
New York Giants over Cleveland Browns – Jared Mueller
Would I wager cash on the Giants? No probability. Do I feel New York will win in Week 3? Not likely. Is it doable? Very a lot so and for very a quite simple purpose:
The Giants energy is the Browns largest concern proper now.
With closing practices developing on Friday, Cleveland might have one, two, three or 4 of the next gamers beginning at left or proper sort out: Jed Wills, Jack Conklin, Dawand Jones and James Hudson III. From a well being perspective, Hudson, who has gotten beat fairly simply the primary two weeks, is the most definitely participant to be lively Sunday. Jones sat out apply early this week, Wills has been restricted and Conklin is hoping to return for the primary time from a Week 1 harm final 12 months and will play left sort out for the primary time since 2016-2017 when he performed a complete of 67 snaps.
On the opposite facet of the ball are Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux on the surface and Dexter Lawrence up the center. New York could not have many different strengths however many groups would beg for these three to be on their line of defense. Cleveland has allowed 33 pressures in simply two video games up to now. Dealing with that trio with uncertainty at each beginning sort out spots is a recipe for catastrophe that might result in an upset.
