Week 3 of the NFL season is here, and some teams could already be out of the running at this early point of the season.
Only two teams have made the playoffs after 0-2 starts since they expanded to seven play-off teams, so adding another loss makes it rather tough to get anything out of your season.
There are several 0-2 teams who we expected to be challenging at the other end of things.
The Baltimore Ravens have a tough matchup in Dallas against a Cowboys team who were embarrassed at home last weekend.
The Cincinnati Bengals lost to the Chiefs last week to fall to 0-2. They play the Commander on Monday in desperate need of a win. I was expecting the Colts to do well this year, but they sit at 0-2 after losing to Malik Willis.
The Rams, with a decimated roster, look like their season is over, as they'll be facing the 49ers tonight.
Best Spread
Indianapolis Colts -1 vs Chicago Bears
I am keeping my faith in Anthony Richardson and the Colts this week. They will have to give their all to get off the mat and into the win column. They need their wide receivers to get themselves sorted out.
They lead the league in drops so far this season, which has been killing drives before they start. However, they are always going to be on for a deep touchdown with Richardson at quarterback, as he's got one of the biggest arms in the league.
If they have any sense they'll lean more on Jonathon Taylor in the run game as one of the best running backs in the league and use him to move the ball.
This handicap, though, is as much my lack of faith in the QB on the opponent's team, though, as Caleb Williams has had an inauspicious start to his NFL career, relying on his defence to bail him and the team out.
Two games so far, he's got a QBR under 30, he's thrown for 267 yards combined and zero touchdowns. The offense is anaemic and while I don't think the Colts D is anything special I do think it will be able to restrict the Bears in this one.
Best Total
Eagles vs Saints o49.5
It is one of the biggest lines on the board tonight, but there's a reason for that: the Saints have been the best offense in the league through two games of the season, comprehensively taking apart the Cowboys last week with 35 points by half time as Alvin Kamara ran in for a hat-trick and took one to the house from 57 yards out through the air as well.
The Cowboys couldn't keep up, but I think that Saquoan Barkley and the Eagles offense will do a better job of keeping things close, even without AJ Brown for the second week.
The Saints' defense has done well. They've been playing with leads, knowing that opponents need to throw the ball, but I trust in the Eagles to move the ball against them and put up at least 20 points. With the level of the Eagles' defense, which allowed the Falcons a late comeback last week, I think the Saints will be able to continue their dominant start to the season and put up a lot of points themselves.
Best TD Scorer
Brandon Aiyuk 6/5 (Skybet)
The 49ers face a Rams defense that allowed 2 TDs and 130 yards to rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. in the first quarter last weekend and doesn't look like it will be much better now against one of the best teams in the league. I had a choice between Juaun Jennings, who gets a nice matchup in the slot, and Brandon Aiyuk, who has had a slow start after a rough off-season filled with contract issues.
With Deebo Samuel and George Kittle missing the game, I've gone with the big-bodied star to kick-start his season in what should be a comfortable divisional win for the 49ers
Mike Evans – 6/5 (Bet365)
Another big-bodied WR1 takes to the field in a nice matchup in Tampa as the Buccaneers host the Denver Broncos. The Buccs offense has started well this season and nearly stole a win in Detroit last week, with Chris Godwin turning out to be the star man in that one.
Back home in Tampa, though, it's usually a different story, and while Evans is probably going to go against Patrick Surtain, the only half-decent player on the Broncos this year, I think he'll be finding the endzone this weekend.
Best Player Prop
Justice Hill o12.5 receiving yards – 5/6 (PaddyPower/BetFair)
I'm taking a receiving running back who recently signed a two-year extension with the team and should be looking at an involved role in what I expect to be a high-scoring game in Dallas.
Hill has already proven his worth on the ground and through the air this season with 50 and 12 rec. yards in the opening two games. In a game they may well be trailing in at some point, I think he'll come to the fore once again and take two or three catches to go over his low line tonight.
In December 2020 we sadly 
