Week 3 is key for NFL’s 0-2 teams
Week 3 in the NFL is important for teams that have opened the 2-0 but pivotal for ones that are 0-2.
According to my database, over the previous 10 seasons, there were 83 teams that began 0-2. Ten of them went on to make the playoffs — six the past four seasons — including the Miami Dolphins last year. Among that group, the New York Giants have been the lone team to make it to the Super Bowl (after the 2007 season) after losing their first two games.
Only the Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers and the New England Patriots have managed to avoid 0-2 starts since 2007.
The New Orleans Saints have opened up 0-2 four of the last five seasons. They failed to make the postseason all four times.
On the flip side, 83 teams won their first two games of the season since 2007. Thirty-four of them failed to make the playoffs. Included in the group are the 2013 Houston Texans, who went 0-14 following their 2-0 start, along with the 2015 Cowboys, who managed to win just two more games after beginning 2-0.
Let’s see what on tap for the NFL Week 3 games.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 21
Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers
The Rams are 2-5 SU (straight up) and 1-6 ATS (against the spread) in division games on Thursdays. ... Winless NFL firstyear coaches are 8-4 ATS in Game 3 of the season since 2010.
Key stat: The Rams are 1-14 SU and 3-12 ATS in their last 15 road openers.
Who wins: San Francisco, 26-20
SUNDAY, SEPT. 24
Baltimore Ravens vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
NFL teams with winning records are 7-1 SU and 5-3 ATS in games played in London. ... This will mark Jacksonville’s fifth game in London in the last five years.
Key stat: NFL underdogs of four or more points are 0-6 SU and 1-5 ATS in London.
Who wins: Baltimore, 27-16 Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts
The last time the Browns were favored away from home was in 2014 at Jacksonville, where they lost 24-6. ... The Colts are 12-3 SU and 10-5 ATS in Game 3 of the season since 2002, including 6-1 SU and ATS in non-division games.
Key stat: The Colts are 14-4 SU at home against AFC North opponents.
Who wins: Indianapolis, 24-16 Pittsburgh Steelers at Chicago Bears
Pittsburgh is 10-4 SU and ATS in the first of consecutive away games following consecutive wins. ... Chicago is 2-7 SU and 3-6 ATS in non-division games before facing the Packers.
Key stat: The Steelers are 8-1 ATS as favorites in the second of consecutive non-division games.
Who wins: Pittsburgh, 28-20
Miami is 2-5 SU and ATS away in division games following an away game. ... The Jets are 14-5 SU and 16-2-1 ATS following consecutive losses in this series.
Key stat: NFL home teams in Game 3 of the season are 5-1 SU and 4-1-1 ATS against opponents playing their second game of the season, including 4-0 SU and 3-0-1 ATS in division games.
New York, 24-23
Away teams are 3-7 ATS as favorites after defeating the Dallas Cowboys. ... Buffalo is 0-7 SU and 1-6 ATS in its last seven games versus AFC West opponents.
Key stat: The Broncos are 1-6 ATS the last seven games in this series, including 0-4 ATS the last four games as host.
Buffalo, 24-20
The Texans lost twice to the Patriots last season, including 34-16 in the playoffs. ... The Patriots are 8-1 SU and 7-2 ATS all time in this series.
Key stat: Following a previous home loss behind Bill Belichick, the Patriots are 2-13-2 ATS as home favorites against opponents with a .500 or less winning percentages.
Who wins: New England, 27-20
The Saints are 9-4 ATS away following consecutive SU and ATS losses since 2000. ... The Panthers are 0-4 ATS in this series the last two seasons, and also 0-3 ATS at home in this series the last three.
Key stat: The Panthers are 4-12 ATS at home following a home game since 2011, including 4-6 SU and 0-10 ATS versus .500or-less opponents.
Carolina, 28-27
Bucs coach Dirk Koetter is 4-1 ATS away vs. non-division opponents. ... The Vikings are 14-3 ATS at home versus non-division foes under Mike Zimmer, including 10-1 SU and ATS as favorites.
Key stat: The Vikings are 4-0-1 ATS in the first of consecutive home games. Minnesota, 27-20
Atlanta is 0-5 ATS following a Sunday night game and facing a non-division foe. ... The Lions are 5-0 SU and 3-2 ATS in their last five games versus NFC South opponents.
Key stat: Super Bowl runnersup are 27-47-5 ATS as away favorites in non-division games.
Detroit, 28-24
The Giants are 1-5 ATS the last six games in this series, including 0-3 ATS the last three away. ... Philadelphia is 7-12 SU and 7-11-1 ATS in home-opening games, including 3-7 SU and 2-8 ATS following an away game.
Key stat: The Giants are 9-1-1 ATS away following a Monday night game when facing a .500-orgreater opponent, including 5-0 SU and ATS in division games.
New York, 27-20
The Seahawks are 8-1 ATS following the 49ers. ... Tennessee is 1-5 ATS at home following the Jaguars. Key stat: The Titans are 0-6 ATS in their second home game of the season when hosting an opponent they beat last time. Seattle, 28-24
The Chiefs are 12-4 SU and ATS following NFC opponents since 2013. ... The Chargers are 0-4 ATS in the last four games at home in this series.
Key stat: Chiefs coach Andy Reid is 34-20 SU and 38-16 ATS away in division games in his career.
Who wins: Kansas City, 31-21 Cincinnati Bengals at Green Packers
Cincinnati is 5-1 SU and ATS in games following two losses. ... The Packers are 3-8 SU and 4-7 ATS when playing without rest against AFC North opponents.
Key stat: Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis is 17-3-2 ATS as an underdog versus NFC opponents, including 10-0-1 ATS when his team has a winning percentage of less than .400.
Who wins: Green Bay, 30-28 Oakland Raiders at Washington Redskins
Oakland is 5-11-1 ATS away before Denver when facing nondivision opponents who are .500 or less. ... Washington is 4-1 ATS at home between away games.
Key stat: The Raiders are 1-8 SU and 3-6 ATS versus NFC East opponents, including 0-3 SU and ATS following a win.
Who wins: Washington, 28-24
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals
Dallas is 0-4 SU and ATS in its last four games in this series. ... Arizona is 12-3 SU and 14-1 ATS in its last 15 games against NFC East opponents, including 11-0 ATS following a win.
Key stat: The Cowboys are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 Monday night games, including 1-8 ATS against foes coming off a win.
Who wins: Arizona, 27-24
Marc Lawrence publishes the “Playbook Football Preview Guide” magazine and the weekly online Playbook Football Newsletter (Playbook.com). You can follow him on the Playbook Cube app (PlaybookCube.com).