Week 3 NFL underdog report: Why Rams could pull off stunner

They say good things come in threes and these teams have a good chance to beat the odds in their Week 3 matchups. (For the latest odds, go to OddsChecker.)

New York Jets

It’s been said that Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has a way of taking away an opponent’s top weapon, but Aaron Rodgers' Achilles tendon took care of that weeks ago. The Jets must rely on their defense moving forward and the Patriots could lack the firepower needed to nullify players like Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner.

New England is 0-2 for the first time since 2001, but thanks to a 14-game winning streak against the Jets, the Patriots remain road favorites at MetLife Stadium. Their offense has been better than expected, averaging 335.5 yards per game, but the Patriots defense could struggle against two of the Jets’ young stars. 

Running back Breece Hall appears fully recovered from the torn ACL he suffered last season. He ran for 127 yards in the Jets’ win against Buffalo in Week 1 but had only four carries in last week’s loss to the Cowboys. Coincidence?

Wide receiver Garrett Wilson had a touchdown in both games but saw just two targets (for 83 yards) against Dallas. During his weekly appearance on ESPN’s "Bart & Hahn" show the second-year wideout seemed highly motivated to beat New England.

"It's time that things change around here," Wilson said. "I don't like talking about it too much, but this is one of the first steps. Fourteen straight is unacceptable.”

Obviously, the Jets need to get the ball to Wilson and Hall if they hope to beat Belichick’s Patriots. It won’t be easy with Zach Wilson at quarterback, but if they do, the Jets can win.

Los Angeles Rams

Sean McVay’s team is getting two points on the road against a Bengals team looking to avoid their 16th 0-3 start in franchise history. They last did it in 2019 while their starting quarterback was winning the Heisman with LSU, but if Joe Burrow’s calf injury doesn’t improve, they could be without him once again.

Obviously, Cincinnati has little chance of beating L.A. if Burrow can’t play. Even with Burrow, the team’s offense has looked anemic, averaging a league-worst 212 yards per game in 2023.

On the other hand, the Rams’ 406 yards per game are second only to the Dolphins while rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua has the second-most yards of any receiver. 

The Bengals defense is also bottom-five in yards allowed so far. Factor in quarterback Matthew Stafford with the league’s third-most passing yards and a Rams victory seems more probable than possible.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Say what you will about Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield, but not only is he undefeated since stepping into Tom Brady’s shoes, he has the fifth-best passer rating according to ESPN.

Philadelphia has allowed seven passing touchdowns this season, the highest number in the league. Cornerback Avonte Maddox looks to be out for the year with a torn pectoral muscle and safety Reed Blankenship remains questionable with a rib injury. 

For Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans, that can only mean good things. Evans is coming off six catches for 170 yards against the Bears in Week 2.

With the fourth-lowest passing numbers in the league, the Eagles have relied on their running backs to win games this year. D’Andre Swift had a career-best 175 yards against the Vikings last week, but he’s unlikely to hit that number against a Tampa team allowing the second-fewest rushing yards in the NFL.

If these trends continue Monday night, the Buccaneers could go 3-0.