NFL Picks 2024: Early Week 3 Odds to Exploit after Final Week 2 Results

Untangling the NFL hierarchy in 2024 continues to be a drawn-out process. Week 1 brought several surprises, and Week 2 yielded more of the same. On Sunday, the vaunted San Francisco 49ers got smacked by the upstart Minnesota Vikings, while the Baltimore Ravens lost at home to a Las Vegas Raiders team that looked pedestrian in Week 1.

While a couple of teams have yet to stumble and a couple more appear totally lost, there's a wide middle swatch of teams that are hard to pin down. That said, the uncertainty can provide some enticing betting opportunities. Here, you'll find a few early lines that can be exploited heading into Week 3.



*Lines via DraftKings Sportsbook Despite a winless start to the season, the Denver Broncos have been competitive thanks to a solid defense. That defense will at least give Denver a chance in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers, however, have really found an identity on offense, and it doesn't simply rely on Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and a potent passing attack.

Tampa's passing attack looked great in Week 1, but quarterback Baker Mayfield and the Bucs had to grind out a win over the Detroit Lions in Week 2. Mayfield is as tough a competitor as you'll find at the quarterback position, and he should be able to handle whatever the Broncos throw at him on Sunday. Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix won't be as poised against Tampa's playmaking defense.

While the Buccaneers employ a bend-but-don't-break style of defense, they are capable of generating big plays. Nix has operated Denver's offense well enough to suggest that the NFL game isn't too much for him, but he can be baited into making rookie mistakes. Nix has thrown for 384 yards with four interceptions and a 51.

0 quarterback rating. Expect Todd Bowles to fluster the rookie throughout Sunday's game, while Mayfield and Co. do just enough to pull away by more than a score.

With Jordan Love recovering from an MCL sprain, the Green Bay Packers relied on recently acquired backup Malik Willis in Week 2. Willis (12-of-14 for 122 yards, 1 TD) fared well enough that Green Bay is unlikely to rush Love back before Sunday. Willis, though, is unlikely to perform as efficiently against his former team.

The Titans know Willis' deficiencies well, and they boast one of this year's more underrated defenses. That said, the points are too enticing to pass at this point in the week. Green Bay's defense looked like an entirely different unit in Week 2 than it did in Week 1, and it is quite capable of making life difficult for a young quarterback.

That's what Tennessee has in Will Levis, who has been a roller-coaster ride in 2024. The 2023 second-round pick has flashed legitimate playmaking ability, but he's also made some of the most baffling decisions we've seen this year. Levis had two picks and a fumble in Week 1 and turned it over twice in Week 2.

"It was dumb. It was the same exact thing he did last week, and he cost us points in the red zone, and it is what it is," Titans head coach Brian Callahan told reporters after Tennessee's latest loss. It may sound strange, but at this point, fans can probably trust Willis to make fewer mistakes than Levis on Sunday.

Right now, it feels like anything less than a double-digit spread is worth backing against the Carolina Panthers. Their defense has some talent—though it's without its best player in Derrick Brown. Their offense is an absolute mess.

Quarterback Bryce Young appears to have lost every ounce of confidence he may have had entering the NFL, and he's being benched for journeyman Andy Dalton ahead of Week 3, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero . However, Young hasn't been Carolina's only problem. "This is not a Bryce Young issue.

This is an offensive team issue," receiver Adam Thielen told reporters . Unfortunately, the Panthers offense is unlikely to begin clicking with a new quarterback against a Las Vegas Raiders defense that found its groove in Week 2. The Raiders stunned the Ravens in Baltimore thanks in large part to the ability of Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins to disrupt Lamar Jackson.

If the Raiders can frustrate the reigning MVP, they're going to make life miserable on Dalton. Las Vegas' offense is still trying to find its way, but with playmakers like Davante Adams and Brock Bowers on the roster, the Raiders can pull away from Carolina at home. Gambling problem? Call (877-8-HOPENY) or text HOPENY (467369).

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