NFL Week 3 Predictions 2021: Upset Picks, Straight Up Winners Include Packers, Falcons

The Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons were stunned with blowout losses to open the 2021 NFL season. The two teams could deliver upsets of their own in Week 3.

Here are the best upset picks for Week 3 with betting odds from FanDuel Sportsbook.

Green Bay Packers (+158) at San Francisco 49ers

The odds suggest that San Francisco is a better team than Green Bay. There’s a good chance that isn’t the case. Aaron Rodgers gives the Packers an enormous edge at the game’s most important position. Jimmy Garoppolo wasn’t exactly impressive as the 49ers edged the Eagles 17-11 in Week 2.

The Packers’ Week 1 loss was an aberration that is not indicative of how the team will play going forward. Green Bay is coming off a pair of 13-3 seasons. Davante Adams had 10 receptions for 173 yards against the 49ers last season, and now the wide receiver will face a secondary that has been weakened by injuries. San Francisco still has something to prove after a disappointing 2020 campaign and two victories over teams that aren’t expected to make the playoffs.

Atlanta Falcons (+144) at New York Giants

As bad as Atlanta has been, there’s little reason to be confident in New York. The Giants’ are staring at a fifth straight losing season, and the team has posted a losing home record in each year during that stretch. Daniel Jones ran for a meaningless touchdown as time expired just to make New York’s 27-13 Week 1 home loss a two-score game.

The Falcons should be able to move the ball against a Giants’ defense that has surrendered 57 points in two games. Atlanta scored 25 points in the second and third quarter in Tampa Bay before Matt Ryan threw a pair of costly interceptions. Tight end Kyle Pitts could have the best game of his young career.

Washington Football Team (+320) at Buffalo Bills

Washington probably won’t beat Buffalo, but their chances of pulling off the upset are much better than the odds indicate. Josh Allen hasn’t been very accurate to start the season, completing fewer than 60% of his passes with a sub-80.0 passer rating in both games. Buffalo’s 35-0 win over Miami was more about the Dolphins playing poorly than the Bills dominating.

An AFC-high eight sacks have led to an improved Buffalo defense. Washington’s offensive line is good enough to slow down the Bills' pass rush, potentially allowing Taylor Heinicke to make some big plays. Heinicke has been good with a 104.4 passer rating after an impressive start in last season’s wild-card round.