The NFL season moves so quickly that you better not blink, because you might miss it.
It feels like just yesterday we were in the thick of training camps, but in the blink of an eye we are now into Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season, and some contenders are starting to emerge.
With a fascinating slate ahead of us, including some tantalizing upset picks, the staff at SB Nation got together to highlight their “upset specials” for Week 3. Will any of us be right? Time will tell.
Arizona Cardinals over Detroit Lions – Mark Schofield
After a season-opening loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Arizona Cardinals rebounded in their home opener with a 41-10 thrashing of the banged up Los Angeles Rams. Marvin Harrison Jr. looked like the wide receiver that was promised, Kyler Murray was running around in and outside the pocket in a vintage performance, and James Conner added 122 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Now they get the Detroit Lions coming to town, and while odds might favor Arizona, the Lions have not looked flawless over two games. Sure they won back in Week 1, but they needed overtime to beat the Rams at home.
Is Arizona for real? I believe so, and I think this is the week we find out for sure.
Jacksonville Jaguars over Buffalo Bills – Matt Warren
Listen, I know the Bills have looked very good and the Jaguars have, well, not. That hasn’t stopped Jacksonville from beating Buffalo recently. Since the Bills hired coach Sean McDermott in 2017, Buffalo is 1-3 against Jacksonville. That includes a 10-3 playoff loss (albeit before Josh Allen was the QB) and a 9-6 stinker in 2021. That 2021 contest represents exactly half of Urban Meyer’s wins as an NFL head coach during his 2-11 season in Duval. Buffalo took the Chiefs to the limit in the AFC Divisional Round that year, losing in the final 13 seconds, so they weren’t a bad team, but they still found a way to lose to the Jags. In London last season, the Bills were outrushed 196 to 29 and Trevor Lawrence was 25-of-37 for 315 yards and a touchdown in Jacksonville’s 25-20 win.
New York Giants over Cleveland Browns – Jared Mueller
Would I bet money on the Giants? No chance. Do I think New York will win in Week 3? Not really. Is it possible? Very much so and for very a very simple reason:
The Giants strength is the Browns biggest concern right now.
With final practices coming up on Friday, Cleveland could have one, two, three or four of the following players starting at left or right tackle: Jed Wills, Jack Conklin, Dawand Jones and James Hudson III. From a health perspective, Hudson, who has gotten beat quite easily the first two weeks, is the most likely player to be active Sunday. Jones sat out practice early this week, Wills has been limited and Conklin is hoping to return for the first time from a Week 1 injury last year and could play left tackle for the first time since 2016-2017 when he played a total of 67 snaps.
On the other side of the ball are Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux on the outside and Dexter Lawrence up the middle. New York may not have many other strengths but many teams would beg for those three to be on their defensive line. Cleveland has allowed 33 pressures in just two games so far. Facing that trio with uncertainty at both starting tackle spots is a recipe for disaster that could lead to an upset.
