Week Three of the NFL began in a most unexpected and spectacular way.

The Los Angeles Rams visited the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night (September 21) and together they treated NFL viewers to a record- setting 80-point thriller. The game had everything one could ask for — efficient passing, spectacular receiving, nimble rushing, stout defence, an onside kick recovery and a fourth-quarter comeback. Rams’ QB Jared Goff (22 of 28 passes for 292 yards and three touchdowns) gave a tour-de-force performance, Todd Gurley (28 rushes for 113 yards and three touchdowns) was at his very best and a cast of wide receivers (Robert Woods and Sammy Watkins 100+ yards each and two touchdowns) looked unstoppable against the 49ers, even amidst a fourth-quarter, 19-point attempted comeback.

Surprisingly, the 49ers, who didn’t score a touchdown in their first two games, proved to be very worthy opponents. QB Brian Hoyer (23 of 37 passes for 332 yards and two touchdowns) was efficient and receiver Pierre Garcon (seven catches for 142 yards) provided multiple jaw-dropping receptions. There were key injuries for both teams during the game and this may affect them going forward but, at least for one night, the 41-39 score line was testament to the fact that the NFL is alive and kicking.

In another shocker, the New York Jets conquered the Miami Dolphins in a one-sided 20-6 victory. The Atlanta Falcons outlasted the Detroit Lions 30-26 in an exciting encounter and Tom Brady (378 yards and five touchdowns) was at his very best in leading the New England Patriots in a mini-comeback 36-33 victory over the Houston Texans.

Green Bay’s QB Aaron Rodgers finally triumphed over the only team he has never beaten, the Cincinnati Bengals in his first overtime victory (0-7 in his previous attempts) and, to cap off Week three, the Dallas Cowboys endured 28-17 over the Arizona Cardinals in an electrifying match-up.

Only three of 132 teams since 1990 that have started 0-3 have made the playoffs and therefore the San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and New York Giants can basically kiss the post-season goodbye, while the Atlanta Falcons and Kansas City Chiefs remain undefeated through the first three games.

JustBet is offering attractive odds of 8.00 and 12.00 respectively for them to win the Super Bowl. The New England Patriots remain the overwhelming favourite at odds of 4.50.

Following such a surreal and unanticipated Week Three, onto some key match-ups in Week Four.

PANTHERS (2-1) at PATRIOTS (2-1) — Despite losing their opening game, the Patriots, mainly on the exploits of Brady, are still rated as the top Super Bowl contender. They come into this match-up as 9-point JustBet favourites.

Brady has thrown for 825 yards and eight touchdowns in his last two games and Carolina Panthers’ QB Cam Newton was benched after three interceptions against the New Orleans Saints last week. This should be enough to indicate the direction both teams are going. To make matters worse, Panthers’ receiver Kelvin Benjamin suffered a knee injury and tight end Greg Olsen is out with a broken foot. The Panthers offence has been ineffective and the stout defence allowed 34 points to the New Orleans Saints last Sunday.

STEELERS (2-1) at RAVENS (2-1) — The Baltimore Ravens are renewing their battle with a historically tough opponent. The Steelers may have recognised chinks in the Ravens defence and will be looking to exploit. Last year, the Ravens won 21-14 in Pittsburgh as a three-point underdog and the Steelers won in 31-27 in Baltimore but both teams are coming off Week Three losses and will be looking to rebound.

BENGALS (0-3) at BROWNS (0-3) — The Bengals looked really good in the first half last week against Green Bay, taking a 21-7 half-time lead. However, in the second half and overtime, they scored just three more points and the Packers out scored them 20-3 the rest of the way. The Cleveland Browns have shown a lot of promise this season (a far cry from last year’s 1-15 team) but have failed to get it right. Added to the fact that they have lost miserably to Cincinnati in their last four meetings, this should be more of the same.

RAMS (2-1) at COWBOYS (2-1) – These two teams were part of the exciting bookend games of Week Three, with both emerging winners. Rams’ QB Jared Goff leads the NFC in passer rating with a 118.2 mark after three games. He is not only hitting his targets but he leads the NFL in average gain of 10.09 yards per completion. Cowboys’ QB Dak Prescott looked very sharp in victory on Monday and RB Ezekiel Elliot had his best game of the season. However, the real game-changers in Dallas’ 28-17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals were two-members of the defensive unit — Maliek Collins and DeMarcus Lawrence. While the only team in the NFL with over 100 points scored (three weeks combined) is the Los Angeles Rams, the teams don’t look substantially different. Expect the difference to be defence and the Dallas Cowboys to emerge victorious in a well-fought encounter.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1

SAINTS at DOLPHINS

TITANS at TEXANS

JAGUARS at JETS

PANTHERS at PATRIOTS

LIONS at VIKINGS

BILLS at FALCONS

STEELERS at RAVENS

BENGALS at BROWNS

RAMS at COWBOYS

EAGLES at CHARGERS

GIANTS at BUCCANEERS

49ERS at CARDINALS

RAIDERS at BRONCOS

COLTS at SEAHAWKS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 2

REDSKINS at CHIEFS