This past Sunday was a rollercoaster in the NFL, filled with incredible highs and painful lows. Football fans saw a little bit of everything in Week 3, including a few shocking collapses and some nail-biting finishes that kept bettors sweating until the final whistle.
Here are your key takeaways from Week 3 in the NFL.
Browns with Shocking Upset over Packers
In the biggest upset of the week, the Packers were up 10-0 late in the fourth quarter before things fell apart down the stretch. Cleveland kicked a field goal to make it a one-score game with 3:38 remaining, and followed that up with a key interception to set up a quick touchdown and tie the game at 10.
The Packers managed to drive right back down the field to set up a 43-yard field goal attempt with just 27 seconds left to play, only for Cleveland to block the kick and make a game-winning field goal of their own from 55 yards out with no time left on the clock.
It was an ugly loss for Green Bay, who are dealing with some injuries on the offensive line and it showed. On the Browns’ side, their defence looked great as they helped secure a huge win for the team (and any bettors who took them on the moneyline).
Jets Fall Short in Comeback against Bucs
Tampa Bay looked like they were in cruise control in this one, taking a 23-6 lead into the fourth quarter versus the Jets. Credit to Jets rookie head coach Aaron Glenn for keeping his team focused, as New York rallied with impressive touchdown drives on both of their offensive possessions in the final frame.
Still ahead 26-20 with less than two minutes to go, Tampa Bay lined up a short field goal to ice the game, only for the Jets’ Will McDonald IV to block the kick and return it 50 yards for a touchdown and a one-point lead. New York’s joy was short-lived, however, as Baker Mayfield quickly led the Bucs down the field for the game-winning kick with no time remaining.
This wild ending was further proof that Mayfield is a top-tier quarterback in the NFL, and Tampa Bay is now 3-0 for the first time since 2005. For Jets fans, it was yet another heartbreaking finish, once again snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
Eagles Edge Rams in NFC Thriller
The Eagles and Rams faced off in Philadelphia on Sunday and this marquee matchup did not disappoint. The Eagles struck first but Los Angeles quickly fought back and went into halftime with a 19-7 lead. The Rams increased their lead to 26-7 early in the second half, before the reigning Super Bowl champions finally woke up.
Philadelphia erupted in the second half with touchdowns on three of their next four possessions, taking a 27-26 lead into the game’s final minutes. It looked like Los Angeles was going to respond with a game-winning field goal late, only for the Eagles’ Jordan Davis to block the kick and take it back 61 yards to seal the win.
The Rams played well but this game showed that they’re not quite ready for the title of best team in the NFC. For Philly fans, it was just good to see Jalen Hurts come alive in the second half after 10 straight quarters of uninspired offence to start the year. This one also had a wild finish for bettors, with the Eagles covering the 3.5-point spread thanks to a scoop-and-score by Davis on the game’s final play.
Lions Outlast Ravens on MNF
Week 3 ended on a high note with an epic battle between two teams with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. This was a vintage Lions performance, running all over the Ravens en route to a 38-30 victory. Detroit put up 224 yards on the ground, with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery accounting for two rushing scores each. It was a tight contest for most of the night, but in the end, the Lions imposed their will. The rushing attack was rolling and the offence flashed a number of creative gadget plays, showing the rest of the league that they still have plenty of tricks left up its sleeve. If there were any doubts about Detroit now that OC Ben Johnson has moved on, they were put to bed with Monday’s performance.
While they gave up 30 points, Detroit’s front line played well, coming up with several key stops throughout the night. They completely dominated Baltimore at the line of scrimmage, accounting for seven sacks on Lamar Jackson. The Ravens quarterback played well (21 of 27 for 288 yards and 3 TDs) but it’s clear that this team’s once-vaunted defence is now a major liability.
Looking Ahead to Week 4
There’s no time to rest, with a fresh slate of NFL games coming your way in Week 4. The action kicks off on Thursday night with an NFC West battle between the Seahawks (2-1) and Cardinals (2-1). Seattle opens the week as a one-point road favourite, with the total currently sitting at 43. Check out Bodog’s odds for every Week 4 matchup and lock in your plays to get in on the action.