Week 3 in the NFL is here, and we have already witnessed some big swings in perception of teams from the summer to week 2 and even from the opening week. On opening day, we all were concerned with the Lions ability to score after Ben Johnson left. Well, the Lions and Goff showed they still have that prolific offense when they put up 52 points on Chicago this past week. We also watched as the high-powered Jets offense from week 1 that were able to score at will on the Steelers came crashing back down to earth and saw Justin Fields throw for all of 27 yards. The Vikings also had a rude awakening, and now there are major concerns about JJ McCarthy, and the same concerns are bubbling up about Caleb Williams and the 0-2 Bears.
Those perceptions that the public and media push also move lines and they have already started shifting lines for week 3. The Dolphins take on the Bills on Thursday night and Buffalo has been everything they were expected to be and more. They have crossed 30 points in both games and now take on a Dolphins team that have fans already calling for a Tyreek trade and a new head coach. This line opened as the Bills -8 and now it's moved to -13 in some spots. There is absolutely no faith that Miami can put up a fight this week up in Orchard Park.
When Joe Burrow went down the entire city of Cincinnati has an audible gasp, and many believe their season was over if he misses a significant amount of time. QB's going down always move the line and Burrow's name carries as much weight as almost anyone in the league, so it should be no surprise that this line has jumped from the Vikings being a home 1 1/2 point favorite to now where it sits at -3 1/2. The line didn't skyrocket because of McCarthy's poor play on Sunday night, but the more pressing line move came with the total which has fell from its opening of 47 1/2 down to 41 1/2, if you keep waiting it might continue to fall.
Many pundits are saying that the Green Bay Packers are the most impressive team in the league through two weeks and that is hard to argue. What is for sure is that the public is buying in which has shifted the line from Green Bay -5 all the way past a key number and rising to an elevated 8 1/2 against the Browns.
Finally, there is Daniel Jones and the Colts. The Colts are not only 2-0 to begin the young season, but they also have not punted once this year. That's right. Their offense is so prolific they have yet to be in a punting position and the public has begun to take notice. The Colts were slated to be -1 on the look ahead line over the Titans this week and that has now crossed the key number of 3 and sits at Indy - 3 1/2.
Week 3 is a separation week and paying attention to the public's perception and line moves is a key to having week 3 success.