NFL Week 4 Predictions

Week 3 Record - 8-8

Season Record - 31-16

Thursday Games

Chicago Bears (1-2) at Green Bay Packers (2-1) Thursday night games are always hard to predict as teams are playing on short weeks. Chicago is coming off a thrilling overtime win over the Steelers while Green Bay enjoyed an overtime win over the Bengals. Clashes between the Bears and Packers always seem to be tight and competitive games. Heck, over the teams 194 all-time meetings, the teams are tied at 94 wins each (also six ties). Despite a host of injuries, the Packers earn a tight win Thursday and lead the series for the first time since 1933. Final Prediction - Green Bay 24, Chicago 20

Sunday Games

New Orleans Saints (1-2) at Miami Dolphins (1-1) in London The London matchup in week four features a pair of teams going in completely different directions. The Saints are coming off their first win of the season in week three while the Dolphins are coming off a bad, and shocking loss to the Jets. Last week’s London matchup was a lopsided game and this week will be something similar with the Saints getting to .500. Final Prediction - New Orleans 35, Miami 17

Tennessee Titans (2-1) at Houston Texans (1-2) The Titans picked up their statement home win over the Seahawks while the Texans fell in heartbreaking fashion to the Patriots. This is a big game for the Texans, as falling two games behind the division leader isn’t something you want to come back from. Titans pick up their third straight win and earn a key division win. Final Prediction - Tennessee 24, Houston 17

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1) at New York Jets (1-2) To keep pace in the AFC South, the Jaguars need to stay hot as they travel to take on the Jets, who are coming off their surprising win. Jacksonville is averaging 29.7 points per game and the offense should again have no problem against a Jets’ defense that has allowed over 1,000 yards in just three games, 400 of which have come on the ground. Look for Leonard Fournette (199 rush yards, 3 touchdowns) to top 100 yards and score twice in a Jaguars win. Final Prediction - Jacksonville 27, New York 20

Carolina Panthers (2-1) at New England Patriots (2-1) While this matchup is between a pair of 2-1 teams, I actually don’t see it being a great game. Cam Newton threw three interceptions as the Panthers were blown out by the Saints last week. Carolina is really lucky to be 2-1 at this point, as its offense has been lackluster so far. This matchup will come down to how well the Panthers can move the ball against a Patriots’ defense that ranks among the worst in the league. I think this week, New England figures things out and rolls past Carolina. Final Prediction - New England 34, Carolina 13

Detroit Lions (2-1) at Minnesota Vikings (2-1) The Lions are less than a yard from being 3-0 while the Vikings picked up a convincing win over the Buccaneers last week despite starting Case Keenum at quarterback. This is a big matchup for both teams as they attempt to keep pace with the Packers in the NFC North. The Lions have more offensive weapons but the Vikings boast a far-superior defense that will help them improve to 3-1 on the season. Final Prediction - Minnesota 20, Detroit 17

Buffalo Bills (2-1) at Atlanta Falcons (3-0) The Bills head to Atlanta to take on one of just two unbeaten teams left in the NFL. Buffalo secured a big win over the Broncos last week and will need a repeat performance on both sides of the ball if they hope to have a chance in this one. While not playing perfect football, the Falcons have been able to move the football on offense whenever they needed to. The Bills’ defense is solid, but won’t have the offensive firepower to match the Falcons’ point total. Final Prediction - Atlanta 24, Buffalo 10

Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) at Baltimore Ravens (2-1) This AFC North matchup serves as one of my favorite games in week four. Both teams are coming off bad losses; the Ravens were hammered over in London while the Bears suffered an overtime defeat to the Bears. Expect this game to be hard-hitting, low-scoring and extremely competitive with the game coming down to a last-minute field goal. Final Prediction - Pittsburgh 24, Baltimore 23

Cincinnati Bengals (0-3) at Cleveland Browns (0-3) The Bengals and Browns meet in the least appealing game of the week. Both teams have struggled on both sides of the ball, so the team that makes the least mistakes should win this game. Cleveland picks up their first win of the season in an ugly game. Final Prediction - Cleveland 16, Cincinnati 13

Los Angeles Rams (2-1) at Dallas Cowboys (2-1) It’s time to figure out if the Rams are here to stay this season. Los Angeles is leading the league with over 35 points per game and should be able to put up points against an injured Cowboys’ secondary. Dallas bounced back from a bad loss in week two with a road win over the Cardinals on Monday night. Dak Prescott looked good and Ezekiel Elliott found the end zone for the first time. I think the Cowboys take this one, but in a tight game. Final Prediction - Dallas 31, Los Angeles 28

Philadelphia Eagles (2-1) at Los Angeles Chargers (0-3) After a thrilling win over the Giants, the Eagles week four matchup at Los Angeles sets up as a potential trap game. Philadelphia needs to take care of business to stay on top of the NFC East while the Chargers need a win desperately to avoid a rebuilding season. Give the Chargers a win on a game-winning field goal because, well… the third time is the charm. Final Prediction - Los Angeles 27, Philadelphia 24

New York Giants (0-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1) The Giants, another team that desperately needs a win, head to Tampa Bay in what I think will be a fun game to watch. New York looked like a playoff team to many before the season, so getting a win in this matchup is a must. Tampa Bay is also looking to bounce back after a lackluster performance against the Vikings. Tampa Bay pulls away in the fourth quarter for the win. Final Prediction - Tampa Bay 28, New York 17

San Francisco 49ers (0-3) at Arizona Cardinals (1-2) The 49ers, one of five winless teams, heads to the desert to take on the Cardinals, who looked like another playoff team before the year started. Of course, the loss of running back David Johnson hurt the Cardinals, but they should still take care of the 49ers in this one. Expect a grind-it-out kind of game and another game that really doesn’t have much appeal. Final Prediction - Arizona 15, San Francisco 14

Oakland Raiders (2-1) at Denver Broncos (2-1) It’s the battle of 2-1 teams coming off bad losses in week three. This is a huge game, as it could leave the loser two games back in the AFC West race. I like the Raiders’ offense better but the Broncos’ defense more, so that is the matchup to watch. I can’t see Oakland looking bad on offense two straight weeks. They earn a key division win over Denver. Final Prediction - Oakland 24, Denver 16

Indianapolis Colts (1-2) at Seattle Seahawks (1-2) The Colts finally got their first win of the season last week but are still not going anywhere without quarterback Andrew Luck. Seattle, on the other hand, has a number of issues to address, with the top priority being trying to protect QB Russell Wilson. Seattle gets back on track and wreaks havoc on the Colts’ offense. Final Prediction - Seattle 24, Indianapolis 6

Monday Games

Washington Redskins (2-1) at Kansas City Chiefs (3-0) The best game of the week might actually not occur until Monday, when the Redskins and Chiefs tangle. Washington looked good in a win over Oakland last week while the Chiefs have been a surprise so far this NFL season. With Kansas City hosting, I give them the edge in this one. The Chiefs move to 4-0. Final Prediction - Kansas City 27, Washington 21

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