NFL Game Picks: Week 4
Week 3 of the NFL season did not disappoint, as it was full of excitement and a few surprises as well.
Week 4 looks to be even better, with multiple divisional matchups, a few potentially comical blowouts, and, of course, Tom Brady’s return to New England being among the notable matchups.
Here are the picks for this week's promising slate of games.
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3) @ Cincinnati Bengals (2-1)
Aside from an ugly Week 2 showing, the Bengals’ offense has looked good thus far this season. They should excel against a lackluster Jags defense on Thursday.
Prediction: Bengals 31, Jaguars 17
Tennessee Titans (2-1) @ New York Jets (0-3)
How are the Jets possibly going to stop Derrick Henry? The simple answer: they won’t.
Prediction: Titans 28, Jets 9
Detroit Lions (0-3) @ Chicago Bears (1-2)
The Lions are bad, but they’ve competed every week, and shown heart. The Bears, on the other hand, have looked soulless week in and week out.
Prediction: Lions 21, Bears 13
Indianapolis Colts (0-3) @ Miami Dolphins (1-2)
Jacoby Brissett will have the opportunity to exact some revenge against his former team. Miami needs a win desperately this week, and I think it is poised to do so against an inconsistent Colts team.
Prediction: Dolphins 20, Colts 17
Cleveland Browns (2-1) @ Minnesota Vikings (1-2)
Minnesota’s offense continues to impress, but their defense continues to disappoint. If the Browns are true Super Bowl contenders, then they’ll get a W this week.
Prediction: Browns 34, Vikings 27
Washington Football Team (1-2) @ Atlanta Falcons (1-2)
Washington’s defense has disappointed thus far, and this may be its final chance to get back on track. A sinking Falcons team may be the perfect remedy for the Football Team’s struggles thus far.
Prediction: Football Team 23, Falcons 17
Houston Texans (1-2) @ Buffalo Bills (2-1)
Buffalo has been dominant the last two weeks, and see that doesn’t seem likely to change against a reeling Houston team.
Prediction: Bills 45, Texans 20
New York Giants (0-3) @ New Orleans Saints (2-1)
The Giants have talent, but they fail to make proper use of it on a weekly basis. Throw in all their injuries as well, and it has all the ingredients of an easy win waiting for New Orleans this Sunday.
Prediction: Saints 28, Giants 13
Kansas City Chiefs (1-2) @ Philadelphia Eagles (1-2)
The Chiefs will have a chip on their shoulder coming off back-to-back losses. They’ll keep the Eagles miserable in a bounce-back performance.
Prediction: Chiefs 38, Eagles 20
Carolina Panthers (3-0) @ Dallas Cowboys (2-1)
Carolina has gotten off to a great start, but facing off against an experienced Cowboys offense will be a tall task. Look for Dallas to exploit a week Panthers’ secondary to earn its third straight win.
Prediction: Cowboys 31, Panthers 24
Seattle Seahawks (1-2) @ San Francisco 49ers (2-1)
This is a must-win game for both sides, and the loser will have a tough time coming back in the race for the NFC West. Expect Seattle to get back on track on the road.
Prediction: Seahawks 27, 49ers 21
Arizona Cardinals (3-0) @ Los Angeles Rams (3-0)
The Cardinals are a quality team, but it is hard to believe they will be able to hang against the Rams’ elite talent on both sides of the ball. Los Angeles should take command of the division on Sunday.
Prediction: Rams 31, Cardinals 14
Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2) @ Green Bay Packers (2-1)
This Super Bowl XLV rematch will be a lot less competitive this time around. Green Bay will exploit the fleeting Big Ben era for a solid win.
Prediction: Packers 24, Steelers 7
Baltimore Ravens (2-1) @ Denver Broncos (3-0)
Denver has a top-tier defense, and an ailing Ravens team won’t be able to get their usual offense rolling in Mile High Stadium.
Prediction: Broncos 26, Ravens 17
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) @ New England Patriots (1-2)
Tom Brady’s big return to Foxborough will end in a victory, but he’ll struggle to reach his usual offensive output thanks to a quality Patriots defense.
Prediction: Buccaneers 27, Patriots 13
Las Vegas Raiders (3-0) @ Los Angeles Chargers (2-1)
The Raiders always put on a good show on Monday nights, but they’ll suffer a narrow defeat to a surging Chargers team this time around.
Prediction: Chargers 34, Raiders 31
Joe Tuman is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email joentuman@gmail.com
