5 betting takeaways from NFL Week 3

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The third week of the 2020 NFL season didn't disappoint, with nine games decided by one score - including one that was never decided at all.

Here are five betting takeaways from Week 3.

Packers make statement on SNF

For those who doubted the validity of the Packers' 13-win season a year ago - and count me among them - Sunday's 37-30 road win over the Saints (-3) is further evidence Green Bay will be a force to be reckoned with in a wide-open NFC race.

After their third straight game with at least 35 points, the Packers have now scored the fifth-most points (122) of any team in the Super Bowl era through their first three contests, per ESPN's Rob Demovsky. The defense is still a concern after allowing 21-plus points in all three wins, but at this rate, Aaron Rodgers is giving bettors enough reasons to buy into the Packers' 8-1 title price.

Falcons do it again

Oh, Atlanta. If any team was going to become the first in NFL history to blow consecutive 15-point fourth-quarter leads, it had to be these Falcons, who suffered one of the worst collapses in NFL history a week ago against the Cowboys.

They did it again this week, allowing 20 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to the Bears (+3) and backup quarterback Nick Foles, who threw three touchdowns off the bench. If you were brave enough to bet the Falcons as favorites this week, it might be your last chance for a while.

Eagles tie as home chalk

Hold your nose, Eagles bettors. For the third straight game, Philadelphia (-5) failed to win outright as a favorite, becoming only the third team this century to be favored in its first three games without winning any of them. This time, Philly tied the Bengals for the NFL's 13th stalemate since 1990 and the first since 2014 to involve a favorite of more than a point.

The Eagles are somehow only a half-game out of the NFC East lead, but Sunday's tie certainly doesn't reflect well on their chances of making the playoffs. It also spells trouble for these two squads next week - teams coming off a tie are 8-16 against the spread since 1997.

Jets, Giants jockey for No. 1 pick

The worst teams in the NFL reside in New York, and they showed just how low they can go on Sunday. The Giants (+3) were blasted by 27 points at home against the 49ers' C-squad, while the Jets (+11.5) were outscored by the Colts' defense in a 29-point smackdown.

Through three games, the Jets and Giants rank last and second-last, respectively, in points scored and point differential, and only the Eagles have a worse margin against the spread. Good luck betting either of them the rest of the way.

Wilson, Allen make MVP cases

Russell Wilson entered Week 3 as the MVP front-runner. He was once again masterful on Sunday, though he has company this week atop the MVP oddsboard.

Let's start with Wilson (+200 to win MVP), who became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw at least four touchdown passes in each of his team's first three games after tossing another five in Sunday's win over the Cowboys (+5.5). He would have had another if DK Metcalf hadn't fumbled at the goal line. Regardless, his 14 touchdowns are already the most through three games in NFL history and easily enough to keep him as the clear MVP favorite.

Rodgers (+600) is right behind him after throwing three touchdowns in Sunday's win over New Orleans. He's tied with Lamar Jackson (+600) and Patrick Mahomes (+600) ahead of their Monday night clash. And don't write off preseason long shot Josh Allen (+1200), whose development as a passer has led the Bills to a 3-0 record for the first time since 2011.

His side nearly blew a 28-3 lead to the Rams (+2), but Allen's fifth touchdown of the day sealed the win and gave him 12 total on the season - second only to Wilson. If he keeps up this pace, and the Bills finish with a better record than the Seahawks, Allen could pay off nicely for those who grabbed him at 50-1 or longer.

C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.

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