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NFL Week 3: Odds for each game

By Joseph Karbousky

Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) completes a pass against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) completes a pass against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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The early NFL Week 3 odds for are out.

Week 2 of the 2016 NFL season is 90 percent in the books, and already NFL fans are looking forward to Week 3. When you only play 16 games a season, it is fair to say that Week 3 is definitely a must win for several teams.

According to CBS Sports as of this report, the Saints, Dolphins, Bills, Browns, Colts, Jaguars and Redskins have all started the season at 0-2.  If the Bears lose on Monday night they will also be part of the winless club.

History has shown us that starting 0-3 is basically a death sentence for making the playoffs. Teams who start the season 0-3, or 1-4 have a 22 percent chance of making the postseason. That’s why , more than in any of the four major sports, every game counts in the NFL.

On the other hand, starting 3-0 doesn’t guarantee a playoff spot, but it sure helps!

Since the 2000 season, 77 percent of teams that start 3-0 or 4-1 on the season make the playoffs. When you look at it that way, next week is an awful big game for many teams. Sure, Super Bowls are not won or lost in September, but heading into October 1-3 or 0-4 makes you have to not only win three-quarters of your remaining games, you also have to do some early scoreboard watching hoping the teams ahead of you start to falter.

Related Story: Saints at Giants: 3 things we learned

While not much was thought of the Browns and Jags, the Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts were all expected to do well this season according to many experts. Now they will all be playing for their early postseason lives.

Check out these other NFL posts from FanSided:

Top 10 craziest NFL fan bases
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Here is an early look at the NFL lines for Week 3.

THURSDAY, SEP. 22

  • Houston at New England — 8:25 p.m.  (Patriots -3.5)

SUNDAY, SEP. 25

  • Minnesota at Carolina — 1:00 p.m. (Carolina -5)
  • Detroit at Green Bay — 1:00 p.m. (Green Bay -7)
  • Baltimore at Jacksonville — 1:00 p.m.  (Jacksonville -1)
  • Arizona at Buffalo — 1:00 p.m.  (Arizona -4)
  • Oakland at Tennessee — 1:00 p.m. (PICK)
  • Cleveland at Miami — 1:00 p.m. (Miami -7)
  • Washington at N.Y. Giants — 1:00 p.m. (Giants -4)
  • Denver at Cincinnati — 1:00 p.m. (Bengals -4)
  • San Francisco at Seattle – 4:05 p.m. (Seattle -11.5)
  • L.A. Rams at Tampa Bay — 4:05 p.m. (Tampa -3.5)
  • N.Y. Jets at Kansas City — 4:25 p.m.  (KC -3)
  • San Diego at Indianapolis — 4:25 p.m. (Indy -3)
  • Pittsburgh at Philadelphia — 4:25 p.m.  (Pitt -4.5)
  • Chicago at Dallas – 8:20 p.m. (Dallas -3.5)

MONDAY, SEP. 26

  • Atlanta at New Orleans — 8:30 p.m. (Saints -3)
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