Welcome to Week 3, which is not a happy place for teams that are 0-2 nor handicappers who are 13-17-2 against the spread. Where those teams turn for help is their problem, but this handicapper is going to seek comfort in an overwhelming recent trend.

VSiN’s Steve Makinen reports that over the past four seasons, teams that started 0-2 both straight up and ATS went a combined 16-3 (84.2 percent) ATS in Week 3, not counting games between two teams in that circumstance. Teams that fit this criteria this week are the Jets, Texans, Vikings, Eagles, Lions and Panthers. I understand some of those teams are extremely unappealing to select. Follow me if you want. Here we go …

(home team in CAPS)

Despite all of the talent that hobbled off the MetLife turf last week, the 49ers still have more than enough left to beat the Giants. Nick Mullens can put up points and Kyle Shanahan will know how to attack a bad Giants defense. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett will figure out how to move forward without Saquon Barkley, but it might take some time.

This line started at 9.5 and has gone through the roof. At first it sounded odd to hear Avery Williamson and Bradley McDougald call out lax practices after the Jets defense gave up an 80-yard touchdown run on the first play of the game and 55-yard draw on a third-and-31. But maybe this is the type of veteran leadership this team needs. They’ll have their hands full with this great Colts offensive line, but I figure the Jets D will play way harder this week. And heavy favorite has never been Philip Rivers’ best betting role.

A lot of people are jumping on the Patriots because of the “Bill Belichick off a loss” angle and the fact the Raiders are coming almost cross-country off a rousing Monday night win to play an early body-clock game. The view from here, though, is that the Patriots do not have an explosive offense, and the Raiders do. Their offensive line is a meat grinder, and Belichick will have to contend with Josh Jacobs and Darren Waller.

Though the forecast for Orchard Park looks benign at around 80 degrees, there are expected winds of 14-22 mph. Josh Allen should have more experience and a better skill set for operating in those conditions than does Jared Goff.

Racing handicappers factor in whether horses are going up or down in class. Well, the Texans have lost to the Chiefs and Ravens; the Steelers have beaten the Giants and Broncos (who lost their quarterback in-game). Happy to take a few points here as we really know very little about what these two teams are going to be.

The Vikings are part of our Sucky Six group that’s 0-2 both SU and ATS. Minnesota is 21-12 ATS at home, though, since 2016, and I’m looking for Mike Zimmer, Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook and others to rise up.

The Browns are 22-41 ATS in their past 63 games and gave up the back door to the Bengals last Thursday. Though it’s hard to trust them giving this many points, the WFT doesn’t figure to have much comeback ability, what it did to the Eagles in Week 1 notwithstanding.

I’d normally take the moderate chunk of points with live rookie Joe Burrow here. That type of thinking has me at 13-17-2, so I’ll go with the 84.2 percent system and count on a revival week for Doug Pederson, Carson Wentz and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.

Another double 0-2 team giving points. Matt Ryan and Atlanta’s offense has been insane, and though the Falcons defense has been every bit as bad, I don’t see the Bears as being well-equipped if this becomes a shootout into the 30s.

The Bolts were in their best role as big underdogs last week when Justin Herbert got a surprise start and nearly beat the Chiefs. They are 16-19 ATS as favorites since 2016.

The Lions have lost 11 in a row and 14 of their past 15. Just unbelievable. They did score 23 and 21 points in their two losses, and Matthew Stafford could have Kenny Golladay for the first time. Cards may be a little comfy at 2-0 off a double-digit win.

Despite six sacks last week, Jeff Driskel had the Broncos 15 yards away from an upset at Pittsburgh. Nice home underdog number.

Seattle’s offense looked unstoppable in the win over the Patriots, and bettors bumped this line up two points from 3.5. I think the extra tax is worth paying.

Happy to take points with the Packers’ diverse offense. Saints have a bit of a tough turnaround off a Monday nighter in Las Vegas, but the bigger problems are Michael Thomas is out and Drew Brees can’t throw downfield like he used to.

The entire Post grid is on the Chiefs, but I have doubts about whether their defense can slow down Lamar Jackson enough to get this done.

Best bets: Falcons, Eagles, Packers.
Lock of the week: Falcons (Locks 0-1-1 in 2020).
Last week: 6-10 overall, 0-3 Best Bets.
Thursday: Dolphins (W)