NFL Week 3 Heroes and Villains

Every NFL Sunday there are players who capture and break hearts across America. BetAmerica's weekly Heroes and Villains feature will highlight the players who made and lost money for NFL bettors. Let's take a look at Week 3.

Villain: Jarrett Stidham

Week 3 featured two point spreads of 20 points or more for the first time since Week 5 of the 1987 season. It will not be the last time the Miami Dolphins are 20-point dogs. The Dolphins hung around around for a half, but the Dallas Cowboys did their part to cover the 22.5-point spread. The Patriots failed to take care of business thanks to New England's rookie quarterback.

The Patriots were doing exactly what was expected of them against a New York Jets team that was forced to play third-string quarterback Nick Falk. New England had a 23-point lead and the cover when Tom Brady went to the sideline in the fourth quarter. Stidham moved the ball effectively down the field, until the former Auburn quarterback was faced with a third and 14. His pass sailed right into Jamal Adams' hands for an interception, and Adams returned the pick for a touchdown. Brady reentered the game, but the Pats failed to cover.

Hero: Teddy Bridgewater

Bettors did not believe in the Drew Brees-less New Orleans Saints. As a five-point underdog at CenturyLink Field, the stage was not too big for Teddy Bridgewater.

In his first start since a knee injury three years ago almost ended his career, Bridgewater completed 70% of his passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns. The former Louisville quarterback received some help from his friends.

Villain: Freddie Kitchens

The Cleveland Browns head coach took 100% of the blame for their Sunday-night loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Trailing by seven Cleveland had the ball on the Rams' four-yard line with 43 seconds remaining and all three timeouts. Instead of trying to score on the ground, the 4.5-point underdogs threw three incompletions and an interception to end the game.

The decision wasn't Kitchens' worst of the night. Earlier in the fourth quarter he called a draw on fourth and 9. Yikes.

Hero: Daniel Jones

New York Giant fans booed when the Duke quarterback's name was called with the sixth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Months later he led the Giants to their first victory of the season.

In Jones' first start the rookie threw for 336 yards and scored four touchdowns. Two of those scores came on the ground, including the 7-yard rush on fourth and 5 that gave the Giants a one-point lead with less than a minute to play. If not for Jones' final heroic dash into the end zone, the Bucs would have covered. Such is life betting in the NFL.

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Who will be the heroes an villains in Week 4 of the NFL season? Check out BetAmerica for all your NFL wagering needs!