Every week, NFL games turn on the smallest of pivots.
While we always get a few blowouts, the majority of contests come down to one score, and oftentimes, the team that can win an important matchup or two.
In the NFL Week 3 schedule, there are a host of games that should be tight. According to SI Sportsbook, there are five games with a spread of less than a field goal.
So which matchups could decide the games this weekend? Let’s break them all down.
Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions
Key matchup: Jared Goff vs. Atlanta’s pass defense.
This is strength against strength. The Falcons have done a fantastic job against the pass, limiting opposing quarterbacks to an NFL-worst 4.7 yards per attempt.
However, the Lions present a much bigger aerial threat than Atlanta’s first two foes in the Panthers and Packers. Detroit checks in second in YPA (8.2), behind only Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins.
