Week Four is upon us ( that will be 25% of the season gone by Monday). Dropping to 0-4 will almost guarantee no playoff place and there could be four teams in this position by Monday night. Anyway here is how we see week four panning out.
Philadelphia @ Green Bay
It is never easy going on the road on a short week, and when you are banged up both sides of the ball it’s even worse. The Packers are 4 point favourites at home and should cover the spread in moving to 4-0.
Green Bay 27 – Philadelphia 17
Tennessee @ Atlanta
Tennessee started the season brightly, hammering the Browns, however, they were unlucky in their second game against the Colts and looked out of sorts against the Jags last week; plus a few bad officiating calls against them didn’t help. This one could be close given the Falcons are not firing on all cylinders but they do tend to win at home.
Atlanta 23 – Tennessee 20
New England @ Buffalo
Tom Brady will be looking to get the Patriots to 4-0
Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
A clash of 3-0 teams so someones good start has to end. New England has looked pretty awesome in their wins while the Bills have sort of scraped to 3-0. Enough said – the Patriots should cover the 7 point spread.
New England 28 Buffalo 17
Kansas City @ Detroit
The Lions have looked a lot better than we expected so far and have had two nice if close wins on the bounce going into this one. Can they make it three upsets in a row? No in our opinion and we think the Chiefs will cover the 7 point spread and join the Pats & Packers on 4-0
Kansas City 35 Detroit 21
Oakland @ Indianapolis
The Colts at full strength would be pretty much nailed on for this one but with so many players questionable, it might not be as easy as the spread would suggest. We think they will edge it but not by 7 points.
Indianapolis 21 Oakland 17
LA Chargers @ Miami
The Chargers have blown a couple of games in a row but should get back on track in this one. Miami having traded Minkah Fitzpatrick are already looking to tank for a top draft pick. Still, all players play for pride so we don’t expect a complete walkover and a 15.5 point spread looks too big.
Chargers 26 Miami 14
Washington @ New York Giants
Could Daniel Jones be looking at moving to 2-0 as a starter? Well if the Skins play like they did against Chicago last week then yes he will and the Giants will be second in the division. Wow. The Giants big issue is whether Saquon Barkley plays. Washington might start firing coaches after Sunday night. The Giants should cover the 2.5 point spread
Giants 20 – Washington 14
Cleveland @ Baltimore
A big AFC North clash which could see the Ravens pull away from the pack. They will miss Jimmy Smith in the secondary – an issue with OBJ against you. Still, Baltimore is at home and Cleveland have struggled against good defenses so they should win this one but may not cover the 7 point spread
Baltimore 28 Cleveland 24
Carolina @ Houston
Both teams are coming off good wins, however, the Panthers will start Kyle Allen at QB again and although he looked good against Arizona, the Texans on the road will be a whole different proposition. Houston had a nice win against the Chargers and are expecting most of their questionable starters to have recovered in time to play. The spread is only -4 on Houston and they look likely to cover that.
Houston 28 Carolina 20
Tampa Bay @ LA Rams
The Rams are on a roll, while the Buccs continue to splutter – especially in their secondary. The Rams defense has been impressive again and Jared Goff should get plenty of the ball. The spread is -9.5 points on the Rams but we expect them to cover this and become the fourth 4-0 team.
LA Rams 38 Tampa Bay 21
Seattle @ Arizona
Seattle was unusually anaemic pass rush wise last Sunday but you could put this down to them debuting Jadevion Clowney & Ziggy Ansah. They will benefit from the game and a weeks practice, plus they are facing a much weaker O-Line this week. Fortunately (for him) Kyler Murray is elusive but with limited weapons and not a lot of help from the defense this looks like a road win. Seattle should easily cover a 5.5 point spread
Seattle 28 – Arizona 17
Minnesota @ Chicago
A huge NFC North clash and they have both lost at the Packers which doesn’t give us any form line to work with. Chicago is 2 point underdogs at home and this looks about right to us given they are pretty banged up on defense and may be missing Aiken Hicks. We are going with the Vikings to just about cover the spread.
Minnesota 23 – Chicago 20
Jacksonville @ Denver
The Jags defense came back to life last week and the team seems to be revelling in the Gardner Minshew story. Denver are struggling to protect Flacco but still have a pretty stout defense, so this might not be a high scoring game. Jacksonville are 3 point underdogs, but like last week we think they can not only cover the spread but win outright.
Jacksonville 17 – Denver 10
Dallas @ New Orleans
Could be the game of the week with the unbeaten Cowboys making the rip to the Superdome to face a still Drew Brees-less Saints side. However, Teddy Bridgewater seems to have settled in now after a shaky start and his O-Line kept him upright most of last weeks game art Seattle. Dallas has a few injury issues and although they are 3-0 they have arguably beaten the three worst teams in the NFL this season. They come into this one with something to prove despite being 2.5 points favourites. Should be close but we will side with the Saints at home.
New Orleans 24 Dallas 20
Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh
An all AFC North clash and with both at 0-3 one of these teams will effectively see their season end (a tie would end it for both). Despite both being winless, they have not been awful and both sides opponents to date are currently a combined 8-1. Both have injury issues with Pittsburgh missing Big Ben at QB and Cinci still without AJ Green. Had these two been laying neither of these would be 0-3. Overall this could be close but the Steelers should have the edge at home but might not cover the 4 point spread.
Pittsburgh 23 Cincinnati 20
