NFL Elite Eleven (Week 3 Edition)
Two weeks are in the books. Are the Vikings, Saints, and Bucs for real? Can the Ravens figure things out? And Dallas is..yeah, they’re still Dallas. Let’s dive into the Elite Eleven teams heading into Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season.
NFL Elite Eleven (Week 3 Edition): Bye for now: Bears, Rams, Ravens, and Dolphins. Welcome to the Party: Tampa Bay, New Orleans, Minnesota, and Pittsburgh.
#11. Tampa Bay Bucs (+1800/+4500) - It is hard not to root for Baker Mayfield. He took his lumps, was exiled to Carolina and now has the Bucs thinking Division title again. They get winless Denver this week. Last Week’s Ranking: Unranked
#10. Philadelphia Eagles 1-1 (+700/+1100) - The Eagles were a fingertip away from being 2-0. Unfortunately, those fingertips, namely Saquon Barkley’s, dropped a dump-off that would have clinched their win over the Falcons. Instead, the defense let the Falcons march down the field without missing a beat and a win turned into a loss. This week the Eagles have a date with the red-hot Saints in New Orleans. Last Week’s Ranking: 6th
#9. Dallas Cowboys 1-1 (+1800/+1800) - The Cowboys just can’t help being the Cowboys. A summer of contract discontent….check. A dominant win that has Dallas fans talking Super Bowl…check. A dismal loss against an inferior team…you got it. This week the Cowboys take on the Ravens at home. Last Week’s Ranking: 5th
#8. Pittsburgh Steelers 2-0 (+2200/+4000) - Mike Tomlin is arguably the most underrated coach in football. All he does is win and bring a sense of calmness to his team. Quarterback issues? No worries. Plug in Justin Fields and he plays within himself. And the Steelers’ edge rushers, namely TJ Watt, make this team go. They have the undefeated Chargers at home this week. Last Week’s Ranking: Unranked
#7. Detroit Lions 1-1 (+550/+1200) - Poor clock management did in the Lions at home last Sunday against the Bucs. The Lions will have better days but definitely do not look like the team that was dominant at times last season. This week, they have 1-1 Arizona on the road. Last Week’s Ranking: 3rd
#6. San Francisco 49ers 1-1 (+225/600) - The 49ers’ struggles in Minnesota continued last week and now worries about Brock Purdy’s ability to lead this team have resurfaced. This may be a hot topic until this team finally gets over the hump. This week they’ll get the banged-up Rams on the road. Last Week’s Ranking: 2nd
#5. Minnesota Vikings 2-0 (+2200/+5000) - Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell took a chance on Sam Darnold and, thus far, its paying off. The Vikings continue to have the Niners number in Minnesota and now welcome Houston in a battle of unbeatens. Can Darnold hold up? Last Week’s Ranking: Unranked
#4. New Orleans Saints 2-0 (+2200/+5000) - What is going on in the Bayou? Derek Carr and Alvin Kamara are both battling for Offensive Player of the Year already. Can they maintain something close to this? If so, they’ll battle TB and Atlanta for a division title. Last Week’s Ranking: Unranked
#3. Houston Texans (+500/+1100) - Is it too soon to think CJ Stroud can lead this team to the Super Bowl? They are loaded at WR, Mixon gives them a legit RB threat, and the defense is for real. Any more questions? They are on the road against undefeated Minnesota this week. Last Week’s Ranking: 4th
#2. Buffalo Bills 2-0 (+500/+1200) - The Bills still look like the beasts of the East after dominating the Dolphins this week. This could be Allen’s MVP season, running the show of a team devoid of stars. They are back home against Jacksonville on Monday night. Last Week’s Ranking: 7th
#1. Kansas City Chiefs 2-0 (+250/+450) - The Chiefs just keep finding ways to win. Week one it was a toe, while in week 2 it was a push. What do they have up their sleeves this week against Atlanta in their first road game? Last Week’s Ranking: 1st
Game of the Week: Baltimore Ravens (-1.5) at Dallas Cowboys
Two disappointing teams do battle in the House that Jerry Built on Sunday. Could the Ravens go 0-3 to start the season? The oddsmakers don’t think so, making them a slight road favorite against Dallas. Dallas was undefeated at home last year but now has lost two straight blowouts if you include the playoff loss to Green Bay in Dallas. The Ravens need to figure things out as well with a disappointing loss to the Raiders stuck in their craw. If Jackson can keep the Cowboys’ pass rush at bay, New Orleans proved that Dallas can be beaten through the air.
*All odds courtesy of Draftkings.com
By Mark Ruelle
