Thursday, October 7th - 8:20 PM ET
Los Angeles Rams 3-1 @ Seattle Seahawks 2-2
The NFC West has been the best division in football and this Thursday, we get to see two of the reasons why. The Rams followed up their big win versus the Buccaneers by wetting the bed and getting embarrassed by the Cardinals. In that game, both sides of the ball didn’t perform well, but it was the defense that disappointed. The Rams allowed the Cardinals to put up 465 total yards and 37 points. The Seahawks provide a similar challenge led by Russell Wilson. Seattle has had their struggles this season losing back-to-back games in weeks 2 and 3. They bounced back after a slow start last week in San Francisco. Sean McVay is 6-3 in head-to-head matchups against Pete Carroll and a 3-2 record in Seattle. I think the Rams defense will be ready to get last week’s bad taste out of their mouth and in a very close game, get the win in Seattle.
Rams 28 - Seahawks 24
Sunday, October 11th - 9:30 AM ET
New York Jets 1-3 @ Atlanta Falcons 1-3
The New York Jets won their first game last week upsetting the Titans with Zach Wilson having his breakout game. The Jets defense has quietly been very impressive this year ranking 13th in total defense. They sacked Ryan Tannehill seven times last week, and look to build on that performance this week in London against the Falcons. Atlanta had a typical Falcons meltdown last week, blowing a late lead to the Football Team and suffering a 34-30 loss. The Falcons offense showed a lot of potential last week. Cordarelle Patterson has been a tremendous spark for the offense as he had 116 total yards and three touchdowns. This game has been difficult to choose, but I feel that Zach Wilson has been starting to get it, and the defense for the Jets will continue their strong play.
Jets 24 - Falcons 21
Sunday, October 11th - 1:00 PM ET
Denver Broncos 3-1 @ Pittsburgh Steelers 1-3
The Denver Broncos got a bump up in competition last week against the Ravens and suffered a 23-7 loss. Yes, it looks as though the Broncos aren’t as good as I thought, but I still don’t think they should be counted out as a playoff contender. The Broncos were without their starting quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater, for the entirety of the second half due to a concussion. The Broncos still have an elite defense, ranked 4th in total defense, and 2nd in points allowed per game. If Bridgewater can return this week, the Broncos will be in good shape. The Steelers lost their third straight game, and the offense again showed no signs of life. The Steelers have scored 17, 10, and 17 again the past three weeks, and the Broncos are the best defense they’ve seen, so I expect the offense to continue to struggle. However, the game is in Pittsburgh and the Steelers defense is obviously no slouch either. The Broncos chances in this game depend on who will be their starting quarterback. I feel the Broncos will defeat the Steelers with Teddy B, but with Lock, the Broncos may receive their second lost in a row to an AFC North opponent.
Broncos 20 - Steelers 17
Miami Dolphins 1-3 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-1
The Dolphins haven’t looked good to start the season, especially after losing starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. They’ve lost three in a row and now must play the Buccaneers. The Dolphins have had some success against Brady throughout his career, but with Jacoby Brissett as quarterback, this won’t be a successful week for Miami.
Dolphins 14 - Buccaneers 31
Philadelphia Eagles 1-3 @ Carolina Panthers 3-1
The Eagles, after starting 1-0, have now lost three in a row, and hope to get back on track this week against one of the best defenses in football. The Eagles lost to the Chiefs last week 42-30, and while the defense was another victim of the Chiefs dynamic offense Jalen Hurts, and the Eagles offense had a lot of success. The Panthers suffered their first loss of the season last week to the Cowboys, and the Panthers defense was shredded for 433 yards and 36 points. The Eagles will keep this game close, but in the end, the Panthers defense will close the door on any chances for the Eagles to win.
Eagles 16 - Panthers 19
Detroit Lions 0-4 @ Minnesota Vikings 1-3
Both these teams have been up and down looking good one half and then flat out terrible the next. I picked the Lions last week and they failed me losing to the Bears 24-14. The Vikings lost 14-7 to the Browns last week. The Vikings have all the tools for an elite offense, but it’s inconsistent. They should show their potential on offense and defense this week against the Lions.
Lions 17 - Vikings 27
Green Bay Packers 3-1 @ Cincinnati Bengals 3-1
This game will be fun, as both offenses should put on a show. The Packers have quieted all the noise after their week one loss to the Saints, now after winning three in a row, they look to carry the momentum into Ohio against the Bengals. Cincinnati has been a big surprise to start off the season locked into a three-way tie for first place in the AFC North. Joe Burrow has looked better and better each week, and with the plethora of weapons at his disposal, the Bengals young offense is showing elite potential. But, their defense is what’s really making 7th in total defense and only giving up 18 points per game. Joe Mixon is day to day with an ankle injury, and they’ll need him if they want to upset Green Bay. The Bengals are for sure better than expected, but they aren’t ready yet to defeat the elite teams in the NFL.
Packers 30 - Bengals 27
New England Patriots 1-3 @ Houston Texans 1-3
The Patriots can now put the emotional distraction of Tom Brady returning to New England behind them. New England lost to Brady and the Bucs 19-17. Mac Jones showed improvement and now he can build his confidence against a Texans team devoid of talent. Houston lost to the Bills last week 40-0, and while I expect them to play better, I don’t expect them to make it much of a game.
Patriots 20 - Texans 7
New Orleans Saints 2-2 @ Washington Football Team 2-2
The Saints have been the definition of inconsistency through four weeks, and their defense, which is supposed to be their calling card, struggled against the Giants. The Saints offense has been mediocre so far this season. The Football Team was able to complete a fourth quarter comeback versus the Falcons. The defense was supposed to be elite, but it’s been the offense led by Taylor Heinicke that has been the driving force for the Football Team. With how the Saints have looked, they’ll probably make my pick look foolish and blow out the Football Team, but I’m still going to pick the Football Team to win their second straight game.
Saints 24 - Football Team 27
Tennessee Titans 2-2 @ Jacksonville Jaguars 0-4
The Titans gave rookie quarterback Zach Wilson his first win last week, now the Jaguars hope their rookie quarterback will have the same success this week. The Jaguars have had a week full of distractions with Head Coach Urban Meyer, lying to the team about hanging out with family, but he instead went out and was caught on video dancing with a woman that wasn’t his wife. The Titans hope to have Julio Jones and AJ Brown back this week and although Tennessee has a ton of issues, they won’t be giving another rookie his first win.
Titans 27 - Jaguars 20
Sunday, October 10th - 4:05 PM ET
Cleveland Browns 3-1 @ Los Angeles Chargers 3-1
The Browns can show why they’re in the upper class of AFC teams with a win against the Chargers. The Browns defeated the Vikings last week, but the offense struggled. Baker Mayfield was responsible for a lot of what went wrong, as he couldn’t get on the same page with receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. Baker and Odell have had constant chemistry issues, but for this team to reach their true potential. The Chargers look good defeating the Chiefs and Raiders in back-to-back weeks. The Browns have the NFL’s best offensive line and running back tandem, and that’s what gives them the chance to be the class of the AFC. The Chargers, with Justin Herbert and new Head Coach Brandon Staley, have looked like an elite team and it’s taking everything in me not to pick the Chargers, but I have too much faith in the Browns.
Browns 31 - Chargers 27
Chicago Bears 2-2 @ Las Vegas Raiders 3-1
The Chicago Bears travel to Las Vegas in what could be the Khalil Mack revenge game. Rookie quarterback Justin Fields looked more comfortable last week in his second start against the Lions getting the victory 24-14. The Raiders suffered their first loss on Monday night to the Chargers, and now back at home look to bounce back. The Bears, although 2-2 have not looked good and don’t have the capabilities to defeat the Raiders.
Bears 21 - Raiders 27
Sunday, October 10th -4:25 PM ET
New York Giants 1-3 @ Dallas Cowboys 3-1
The Giants got their first win of the season last week against the Saints, now they have a much steeper task playing the Cowboys. Dallas has looked extremely good through four weeks. On offense, you must pick your poison between Dak Prescott, who has played the best ball of his career with the weapons he has at his disposal, or the run game led by Ezekiel Elliot, Zeke has looked the best he has in a few years and his cohort in the backfield Tony Pollard. The Giants will keep it close but, in the end, Dallas just has too much firepower.
Giants 17 - Cowboys 28
San Francisco 49ers 2-2 @ Arizona Cardinals 4-0
Another NFC West showdown this week, as the 49ers and their rookie quarterback Trey Lance, travel to Arizona to play the NFL’s last unbeaten team, the Arizona Cardinals. Lance looked lost multiple times last week, but he did show his immense potential. The 49ers must find a way to slow down this high-flying Cardinals offense that ranks 1st in yards per game, as well as points per game. I believe MVP front runner Kyler Murray and the Cardinals get the win this week and move to 5-0.
49ers 23 - Cardinals 30
Sunday, October 10th - 8:20 PM ET
Buffalo Bills 3-1 @ Kansas City Chiefs 2-2
The Buffalo Bills have won their last three games by a combined score of 118-21. This includes two shutouts with scores of 35-0, and last week 40-0. Only three teams in the past 30 years have recorded two shutouts through the first four weeks of the season. The thing that makes Buffalo so scary is that their defense is what’s making them dominant. The Bills offense hasn’t even fully got going yet, but when it does, the Bills could be the NFL’s best team. This week, they have their biggest test traveling to Kansas City in a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship. Kansas City has been awful on defense ranking second to last or last in about every important category. The offense has been better than years past, as the Chiefs no longer just go for big plays. They have become more methodical on offense, running the ball more and taking their time with the passing game, driving down the field instead of always going for the big shot. I picked the Chiefs to win the Super Bowl and I do expect their defense to improve throughout the season, but I think the Bills have been waiting for this game. If the Bills want to reach the heights, they wish to reach they know they’ll have to beat Kansas City. Until the Bills prove to me they can beat the Chiefs, I still believe in Kansas City to be the AFC front runner.
Bills 34 - Chiefs 38
Monday, October 11th - 8:15 PM ET
Indianapolis Colts 1-3 @ Baltimore Ravens 3-1
The Colts defeated the Dolphins last week to earn their first win of the season. The Colts who have already played some of the tougher teams in the league, now have to travel to Baltimore. The Ravens won in Denver last week 23-7, and it seems as though the Ravens are getting hotter by the week. I don’t believe the Colts stand much of a chance on Monday night.
Colts 16 - Ravens 28
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