The Trust Test: After Week 3, Which NFL Teams are Trustworthy to Bet?
After a crazy week in the NFL, I’m not sure I truly trust any team to bet. But let’s look around the league at where teams stand three weeks in to the season. Remember, the “trust-o-meter” isn’t about next week’s point spreads. It’s an attempt to look at teams in general that are trustworthy, or not, going forward. Follow @BetLifeBlog on X and our brand new Facebook page to give us your thoughts!
Lions: This is not a “top pick” like my first selection
last week; it’s merely the first team I’m writing about. But the Lions almost
literally ran over Baltimore last night with their run game. They crushed the
Bears and lost at Green Bay before the Packers incurred some more injuries.
Bills: Is it possible the team that started this whole
concept – I said I couldn’t trust them because they fell way behind to
Baltimore only to be handed the game in Week 1 – is the most trustworthy team
in the NFL? Buffalo is 3-0, but they beat the Jets and Dolphins in the last two
weeks. The next four weeks look pretty easy right now.
Eagles: The term “smoke and mirrors” comes to mind with
this team. Philadelphia is about three or four plays from being 0-3, but
they’re 3-0. And though this list is not about next week, I think they have
four straight games that should be easy Ws after
they’re at Tampa Bay on Sunday.
Chargers: LA squeaked out a win at Denver, and they are
3-0. Justin Herbert looks good, but the running game is weak. They have a
couple winnable games ahead with the Giants and Dolphins, but the Colts loom
and the Commanders are interesting depending on Jayden Daniels’ status.
Tempted to Trust
Colts: I’ve been missing the boat on Indianapolis. I
don’t know that they’ve beaten anyone special – Dolphins, Broncos, Titans – but
at 3-0 maybe you start looking at them.
Buccaneers: Tampa Bay is 3-0 after squeaking by the Jets,
but I give them a nod here because of their resiliency rebounding after a
blocked field goal attempt that should have sealed the deal (and the cover)
late in the fourth quarter. Instead, it was returned for a go-ahead TD by New
York. Yet, they still pulled out the W. As mentioned above, they have a tough
game coming up with the Eagles, followed by a visit to Seattle, at home against
the 49ers, then they’re at Detroit.
Rams: Nothing changes for me from last week after LA lost
to Philadelphia on a last-second blocked field goal attempt. They dominated the
first half. Obviously, allowing the comeback raises questions. Ironically, they
host the Colts next.
Losing Trust
Ravens: I didn’t have them on the board either way last week and thought maybe I could start forgiving the Week 1 debacle. After another
Week 3 disgrace that admittedly cost me some cash, I gotta shelve Baltimore for
a while. Derrick Henry had another critical fumble. Lamar Jackson was boxed in
a bunch. And the defense gave up two scoring drives of 90+ yards. They’re going
to burn some people, so stay away for a bit.
Cowboys: Is it Dak or Drek? Dallas got slapped by da
Bears, after barely surviving the Giants.
Packers: I’m going to guess last week’s loss was about
injuries, and this might be a temporary lack of trust. But the offense scored
10 points against the now 1-2 Browns.
