We are 4 weeks into the NFL Season and there remains two teams that are unbeaten and then two teams that are winless. Will one of the unbeatens fall or can one of the winless teams pull off a road upset? We’ll be breaking down their matchups and the remainder of the matchups across the league. Through 4 weeks, we are 45-19 on our picks.
Chicago Bears at Washington Commanders
Thursday Night Football continues to get the worst matchups as the 0-4 Chicago Bears play the 2-2 Washington Commanders in a game that would be better skipped. It’s going to be sloppy play from both teams who look awful this season. The Bears had their best offensive performance of the season and then collapsed in the second half to continue their winless streak. We think they’ll be able to snap it against a team that also is used to collapsing in Washington. Chicago gets their first win of the season in an ugly matchup.
Winner: Chicago Bears
Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills
The Jacksonville Jaguars stay in London for another week while the Bills travel across the pond to play them. The Jaguars win last week brought their record in London games to 5-5 and the last time Buffalo was in London was against Jacksonville in 2015 where they lost. It’s going to be a different story this time around as Buffalo goes to 2-1 in London games and the Jaguars fall below .500 in both their overall London games record and record on the season.
Winner: Buffalo Bills
Houston Texans at Atlanta Falcons
Two teams that have been quietly flying under the radar have been the Houston Texans and the Atlanta Falcons. The Texans offense led by rookie quarterback CJ Stroud has been killing it in the passing game. Stroud is putting up some serious numbers and is making a case for himself for rookie of the year. Their defense on the other hand is one of the worst run defenses in the league which is music to the ears of rookie Bijan Robinson of Atlanta. The Falcons offense outside of Bijan Robinson has been poor and it’s going to make this a matchup of Bijan vs. Stroud for who can have the better game. Ultimately it’s going to come down to the signal caller as the Falcons aren’t going to want to run the ball when playing from behind.
Winner: Houston Texans
Carolina Panthers at Detroit Lions
The Panthers join the Bears as one of two winless teams in the NFL which is kind of funny when you think about it since the Bears traded away the #1 overall pick to Carolina for DJ Moore and others. Both teams have lost the trade so far and things are looking worse by the week. The Panthers losing streak continues and Detroit has a field day on their way to 4-1 and in control of the NFC North.
Winner: Detroit Lions
Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Taylor is back practicing with the team after being on the PUP list for the first month of the season. Whether he plays or not in this game is a different story and we’re doubtful that the Colts will activate him for it. The Colts don’t seem to need him right now as Zack Moss has been a decent fill in and Anthony Richardson is a more mobile quarterback. The Colts have been running the ball better than expected but passing has a lot of work to be done as Richardson is still an inaccurate passer. The Titans don’t have much better of a quarterback as Tannehill is struggling this season and could face getting benched. This is going to be a game determined by whoever does better on the ground and we don’t think anyone can defeat King Henry in this category. Titans win in a close ground and pound game.
Winner: Tennessee Titans
New York Giants at Miami Dolphins
When your own players are telling the fans to boo them, then you know you have a problem which is the predicament that the New York Giants have ended up in. The Giants continue to embarrass themselves with their only win coming in a miracle against Arizona. The Giants are about to get embarrassed again by a Dolphins offense that just put up 70 points just the other week. It’s going to be a blowout and we recommend that Giants fans look the other way.
Winner: Miami Dolphins
New Orleans Saints at New England Patriots
The New England Patriots are bringing back a familiar face in JC Jackson who might suit up for this game against New Orleans. If so, this would be a huge help for the Patriots defense after losing breakout rookie cornerback Cristian Gonzalez for the season. The Patriots defense would have a tough challenge against a recovering Derek Carr who has been making a connection with Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara who is also getting back into the swing of things. This is a weird matchup that sees Bill Belichick in an unfamiliar position with starting the season 1-4.
Winner: New Orleans Saints
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
The AFC North showdown between two fanbases who despise one another is going to be a big one as it will mean the winner should have possession of first place in the division. The Steelers are going to be playing with an injured Kenny Pickett or a healthy Mitch Trubisky. Neither of which are good options and they are already without Diontae Johnson and Freiermuth is doubtful. The Steelers offense isn’t going to fare well and the Ravens should benefit greatly with a big win on the road.
Winner: Baltimore Ravens
Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Rams
Despite the 4-0 record, the Philadelphia Eagles have seen their fair share of struggles this season. They needed overtime to get past the Commanders and Jalen Hurts is averaging only 239 passing yards per game. They face a Rams defense that is only giving up an average of 185 passing yards per game. The Rams have been playing surprisingly well despite their 2-2 record and getting Cooper Kupp back from the IR. Kupp and Nacua shine in Kupp’s first game back as Philly gets their first loss of the year.
Winner: Los Angeles Rams
Cincinnati Bengals at Arizona Cardinals
Two teams that are 1-3 where one should be and the other shouldn’t be. If you guessed that the Bengals shouldn’t be, then you are wrong as they deserve to have that losing record as their offense has looked terrible this year. The Cardinals are the ones who shouldn’t be as Josh Dobbs has been impressive as a last minute call in to the Cardinals before the season started. They have played better than what their record suggests and they make the Bengals go 1-4 and have Zac Taylor questioning whether it’s time to shut down Burrow yet.
Winner: Arizona Cardinals
New York Jets at Denver Broncos
Zach Wilson had his best game of the year and Russell Wilson led the Broncos to their first win of the season. Both Wilson’s have a lot to prove, Zach that Saleh’s trust in him is deserved and Russell Wilson that the Broncos blockbuster trade for him was warranted. Both seats are getting warmer and this is going to be a big game for Zach Wilson specifically. There have been rumors about the Jets bringing someone in to replace Zach since Rodgers is out for the year. Against a depleted Broncos defense, Zach should have a game like he did last week and keep his job for another week.
Winner: New York Jets
Kansas City Chiefs at Minnesota Vikings
Taylor Swift fans are going to be turning their attention to this game in hopes of spotting her cheering on Travis Kelce. Kelce should fare well in this game against the weak Vikings secondary. This should be a dominant Chiefs win against Minnesota’s crumbling defense in another game where Kirk Cousins tries his hardest to keep the Vikings in it, but the defense just can’t give him any help.
Winner: Kansas City Chiefs
Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers
One of the most anticipated matchups of the entire season is the Sunday Night Football showdown between the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers. This matchup features two Super Bowl Contenders along with two of the front runners to win Defensive Player of the Year in Micah Parsons and Nick Bosa. We are very excited for this matchup and it’s going to be close. We are giving the edge to the 49ers as the loss of Trevon Diggs to the Cowboys was a huge blow and the 49ers pass offense should take advantage of that.
Winner: San Francisco 49ers
Green Bay Packers at Las Vegas Raiders
If Jimmy G plays, the Raiders should have enough to pull this one out. However if Aidan O’Connell gets the start, then it’s Jordan Love and the visiting Packers who will win. Odds are that Jimmy G will suit up again and the offense can return to normalcy with a big night in store for Davante Adams against his former squad.
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