Week 3 of the 2018 NFL schedule will get underway from Cleveland, Ohio when the Cleveland Browns host the New York Jets this evening on Thursday night football. At first glance, this game doesn’t seem like it would be one of the Week 3 contests that would be chosen to be on primetime television. However, when you look below the surface, these two teams have a lot going for them and may still be one of the big surprise teams in 2018.

Browns best of a bad bunch

The Cleveland Browns have one victory in their last two-plus seasons of play. Yep, just one. Yet their pledge to change things around in 2018 seems like it is on course. While it is true they haven't tasted victory yet this year, they have definitely played well.

After rallying back from a two-touchdown deficit in Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the game finished in a 21-21 tie. Last week the Browns fell to the New Orleans Saints 21-18 in a game they actually should have won.

The Browns players and their staff will tell you a loss is a loss, and there are no consolation prizes for being close, but the way Cleveland has played so far in 2018 has shown that they will not be a pushover any longer.

Week 3 must-win for seven teams

It may still be September, but seven teams in the NFL are already in some serious trouble - at least if you believe in history.

The Chicago Tribune indicates that since 2002 teams that start 0-2 on the season only have an 11-percent shot at playing in the postseason. The numbers are staggering. Only 14 out of the 133 teams that began the campaign 0-2 went on to play in January. If that isn’t bad enough, 0-3 is literally doom, and seven teams are facing that 0-3 possibility right in the face this weekend.

The Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, New York Giants, Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders, and Arizona Cardinals are all winless this season and falling to 0-3 puts their odds of making the playoffs under five percent.

Not good.

Schedule, picks

Last week the NFL selections finished 3-2 overall against the Vegas number, which is better than the opening week selections that finished 2-4. Nevertheless, the picks are an even 6-6 so far in 2018 so it is time surge ahead.

Below is a look at the Week 3 NFL schedule, TV start times and current Las Vegas odds.

Thursday, Sept. 20

N.Y. Jets at Cleveland (-3) -- 8:20 PM -- NFLN

Sunday, Sept. 23

  • Buffalo at Minnesota (-16) -- 1:00 PM -- CBS
  • Cincinnati at Carolina (-3) -- 1:00 PM -- CBS
  • Denver at Baltimore (-5) -- 1:00 PM -- CBS
  • Green Bay (-3) at Washington -- 1:00 PM -- FOX
  • Colts at Eagles (-6.5) -- 1:00 PM-- FOX
  • Saints at Falcons (-3) -- 1:00 PM -- FOX
  • N.Y. Giants at Houston (-3) -- 1:00 PM -- FOX
  • Raiders at Dolphins (-3) -- 1:00 PM -- CBS
  • 49ers at Chiefs (-6) -- 1:00 PM -- FOX
  • Tennessee at Jacksonville (-6) -- 1:00 PM -- CBS
  • L.A. Chargers at L.A. Rams (-6) -- 4:05 PM -- CBS
  • Bears (-6) at Cardinals -- 4:25 PM -- FOX
  • Cowboys at Seahawks (-1.5) -- 4:25 PM -- FOX
  • New England (-6.5) at Detroit -- 8:20 PM --NBC

Monday Sept. 24

Pittsburgh (-1) at Tampa Bay -- 8:15 PM -- ESPN

Picks -- Browns -3, Panthers -3, Broncos +5, Chiefs -6, Seahawks -1.5