Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Every NFL season, fans, experts, and bettors enter with expectations. But those expectations are flipped on their heads as the actual games are played. This year has been no different, and in fact, even more surprising than normal.

Through three full weeks of NFL football, a lot of shocking results have transpired that have viewers questioning everything. While we don’t yet know what is for real and what isn’t, there have been favourites falling off cliffs, underdogs beating the odds, and much more. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest surprises in the early going of the 2024/25 NFL season.

 The Bryce Young Benching

 Bryce Young struggled through a rough rookie season, but many had reason to expect a bounce back this year. The former first-overall pick had a new coaching staff who seemed invested in his success, and brought in some weapons to give him a more well-rounded offence. However, it took all of two games for Young to be benched. This is a shocking, and ultimately quite sad result for the former superstar Alabama quarterback. After Andy Dalton came in relief of Young and led the Panthers to victory, it will be difficult for Young to find his way back onto the field.

 The New Orleans Saints

 If there’s one team whose odds of winning the Super Bowl have surged the most on new betting sites in Canada, it might be the New Orleans Saints. The Saints had very low expectations to start the year, but they defied those expectations in a dramatic way. The Saints absolutely pummeled their first two opponents, the Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys, scoring over 40 points on both. An offence that was supposed to be below average looked unstoppable. While they crashed down to Earth a bit at a tough loss to the Eagles, the Saints have still pushed their Super Bowl odds way above where they previously were. They could win their division.

 Sam Darnold and the Vikings

 The Minnesota Vikings are another team who absolutely no one pegged as favourites. The Vikings were forced into starting Sam Darnold after losing to Kirk Cousins in the offseason and seeing first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy suffer a season-ending injury before the season. However, this has not held them back. The Vikings are 3-0, and Darnold has been one of the most reliable passers in the early going after many wrote him off. The Vikings defence has been ferocious, led by a great scheme by defensive coordinator Brian Flores. And the Vikings haven’t just beaten bad teams. They have had massive wins over the San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans, two teams many expected to contend for the Super Bowl.

 Slow Starts from the 49ers and Bengals

 Most sports betting sites would have listed the San Francisco 49ers and Cincinnati Bengals as two of the top teams likeliest to contend for a Super Bowl. That has not looked the case in the early going of the season, as these teams currently have a combined 1-5 record. This is a true shock. The 49ers are 1-2, and have dealt with a ton of injuries on offence. But their defence has also looked toothless, and they have let games slip through their hands in some truly poor showings. Meanwhile, the 0-3 Bengals typically start their years slowly, but this might be an unsolvable hole they’ve dug for themselves. Joe Burrow has looked good, but the defence has performed poorly, and their odds in a talented division are shrinking.

 Disappointments from Young QBs

 Many thought that this year would be one where several young quarterbacks took off. Players like Anthony Richardson, Will Levis, Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, Bryce Young, and Jaden Daniels were all given the keys to their offences, and many expected fireworks. So far, only Daniels has met expectations. The rest of this group has struggled in a major way. While Daniels is running away with Rookie of the Year odds, the rest of these quarterbacks have not gotten their offences going. Young has already been benched, Richardson lacks consistency, Levis has had some seriously boneheaded mistakes, and Williams and Nix have not met high expectations.

 The Powerhouse Seahawks?

 The NFC West was expected to be dominated by the 49ers and Rams, who both made the playoffs last year. However, the Seahawks, who are led by first-year coach Mike Macdonald, may be the class of the division. The Seahawks are 3-0, although their schedule has been quite weak, and they haven’t won super convincingly. Still, the Seahawks look like they are going to be a force to be reckoned with on defence, where Macdonald’s scheme has really taken root. The offence has been strong as well, with several great playmakers in Geno Smith, D.K. Metcalf, and Kenneth Walker.

Gamble responsibly. You must be 21 years or older to gamble. If you or someone you know has a problem with gambling help is available at 1-800-GAMBLER.