Market Analysis: Winless Teams and Value Gaps in NFL Week 3
AI-generated image · US National Wire
As the NFL moves into Week 3, analysts are weighing the viability of 0-2 squads and examining the numbers behind struggling offenses and defenses.
The NFL Week 3 slate presents several value gaps, particularly concerning teams starting the season 0-2. Industry analysis is currently focused on whether these teams are genuine contenders facing tough schedules or fundamentally flawed rosters.
**Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts** Two separate reports from CBS Sports examine the clash between the winless Texans and Colts. Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports notes that the Texans enter the game with a historical road divisional advantage, being 13-1 straight up and 10-3-1 against the spread in their last 14 such contests. Dajani highlights a critical defensive struggle for Indianapolis, noting the Colts are only the third team in NFL history to allow 500 total yards of offense in each of their first two games, ranking last in total, passing, and scoring defense.
Another CBS Sports report suggests the 0-2 starts for both teams may be a result of scheduling, as Houston faced Josh Allen and Joe Burrow, while the Colts faced Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson. While the Texans struggled to score against the Bengals—resulting in only six points—the report points to a missed field goal, a botched field goal snap, and a failed fourth-and-inches as the primary culprits. Quarterback C.J. Stroud has thrown for 627 yards over two weeks, the third-highest total in the league. Both reports note the absence of wide receiver Alec Pierce for the Colts and the absence of Nico Collins for the Texans.
**Los Angeles Chargers vs. Buffalo Bills** The Chargers enter Week 3 facing significant scrutiny. CBS Sports NFL writer John Breech reports that the Chargers are the only team in NFL history to open a season 0-2 with both defeats coming against opponents who lost 14 or more games the prior year. OptaSTATS adds that the Chargers are the second team in NFL history to lose back-to-back home games by double digits against opponents with a sub-.200 win percentage from the prior season, a feat previously achieved only by the 1926 Racine Tornadoes.
From a numbers perspective, Breech reports that quarterback Justin Herbert is facing pressure at the second-highest rate in the NFL (46%), despite being blitzed at the fifth-lowest rate (23%). The Chargers' offense is averaging 14 points per game, while the Bills' Josh Allen is on an MVP trajectory with nine touchdowns through two games.
**Other Matchup Insights** * **Carolina Panthers vs. Cleveland Browns:** SportsLine expert Eric Cohen notes that the Panthers have scored 30+ points in two consecutive games. Cohen expresses skepticism regarding Deshaun Watson's longevity as the Browns' starter if the team continues to struggle. * **New York Jets vs. Detroit Lions:** CBS Sports senior NFL writer Pete Prisco highlights the challenge for the Jets' defense against the Lions' offense, though he notes the Jets have shown improvement on the defensive side of the ball. * **Minnesota Vikings vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:** A CBS Sports report notes a historic anomaly for the Vikings, who became the first team in NFL history to win four straight games with four different starting quarterbacks: Max Brosmer, J.J. McCarthy, Kyler Murray, and Carson Wentz, with the streak spanning the 2025 and 2026 seasons.