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NFL Picks and Predictions Week 4

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 20: Wilson brand footballs with the NFL logo are pictured during the game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns at Ford Field on November 20, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

Week 3 of the NFL season came and went, leaving a path of destruction in its wake.  More than a few notable players were lost for the season, including James Conner, Nick Bosa, and Najee Harris, while others, such as CeeDee Lamb and Mike Evans, will be on the shelf for at least a game or two with injuries of their own.  Last week’s picks were an improvement over week 2, as we were able to pick every winner with the exception of the Browns, who upset the Packers.  Let’s take a look at the week 4 matchups.

Seahawks @ Cardinals

Jan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Thursday night game this week features an NFC West showdown between a couple of 2-1 teams.  Seattle is coming off a whitewashing of the Saints, while the Cardinals will try and get back on track after losing a close one to San Francisco.  Arizona will be missing a key member of their offense as James Conner has already undergone season-ending surgery after sustaining a gruesome foot injury in week 3.  Trey Benson will look to fill the void running the ball, while Kyler Murray will try and get Marvin Harrison going alongside Tre McBride.  The Seahawks are looking strong, but they are beatable away from Seattle.  Look for this to be a close game with neither team really lighting up the scoreboard on a short week.  We’re picking the home underdogs to pull off the upset.

Cardinals 22 – Seahawks 19

Vikings @ Steelers

Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson (18) signals a first down after a catch against the Los Angeles Rams during their playoff game at State Farm Stadium on Jan. 13, 2025, in Glendale.

The NFL visits Europe for the first time in 2025 this week as the Vikings will be taking on the Steelers in Dublin on Sunday.  Typically, these Europe games tend to be sloppy and low scoring.  Add in the fact that neither team has exactly been an offensive juggernaut this season, and we can expect a lower-scoring affair.  Carson Wentz should get another start for the injured JJ McCarthy and will do his part in getting the ball into the hands of Hockensen and Jefferson.  While it’s not likely that the Minnesota defense is able to score twice as they did against Cincinnati last week, they should do enough to keep the Steelers at bay.  Look for Jordan Mason to keep pounding the football as the Vikings grind out the win.

Vikings 20 – Steelers 17

Chargers @ Giants

Jul 21, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) at training camp at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

This is Jaxon Dart’s debut after Russell Wilson stunk up the joint on Sunday Night against the Chiefs.  The undefeated Chargers will be without Najee Harris for the rest of this season, so it will be up to rookie Omarian Hampton to pick up where he left off last week, carrying the rock out of the backfield.  Justin Herbert just looks too good right now, leading the L.A. offense, and should keep it going in week 4 at Met Life Stadium.

Chargers 26 – Giants 19

Titans @ Texans

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) readies for the snap against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of a 2025 AFC divisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Something has to give as these two winless teams in baby blue lock horns in Houston this Sunday.  The learning curve has been fairly steep for top pick Cam Ward as the Titans have yet to show any type of consistency on offense.  C.J. Stroud has had his hands full behind a shaky O-line and a complete lack of a running game for the Texans.  One promising sign was a bit of a breakout game for Nico Collins last week in Jacksonville.  It looks like Cam Ward will have to wait at least another week before he gets his first W, as Houston gets off the snide and into the win column this week.

Texans 24 – Titans 20

Commanders @ Falcons

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) runs onto the field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Washington was able to take care of business last week at home against the Raiders without the services of their young star QB, Jayden Daniels.  Daniels may be back this week, but if he isn’t, Washington’s offense will be in the capable hands of veteran Marcus Mariota.  The Falcons were a complete no-show last week in Carolina as they were pounded 30-0 by the previously winless Panthers.  Not only were the 30 points a season high for Carolina, but their defense was able to shut out Michael Penix and friends after allowing an average of 27 points through their first 2 games.  Oddsmakers have the road team as a field goal favorite, but we’re looking for Atlanta to bounce back this week a make a game of it.  In today’s NFL, no team is ever as bad or as good as they look from week to week, and the Falcons are much better than they looked last week.

Falcons 23 – Commanders 21

Saints @ Bills

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs against the Miami Dolphins in the second half at Highmark Stadium. Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

OK, so maybe some teams are as bad as they have looked from week to week.  Enter the winless Saints, as they travel to Buffalo to take on the undefeated Bills.  This is a bad matchup on paper, and it may be even worse on the field.  Josh Allen should be able to do what he wants against a New Orleans defense that was just shredded by the Seahawks and Sam Darnold.  Spencer Rattler should still be under center, for now, in New Orleans, but Tyler Shough is waiting in the wings.  It really doesn’t matter who starts for the Saints, unless Drew Brees climbs out of a time machine from 2007 and onto the field in Buffalo this Sunday.

Bills 41 – Saints 16

Eagles @ Buccaneers

Sep 4, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

These two teams enter the game undefeated after both teams were able to escape last weekend after a couple of blocked kicks.  The last two times these teams squared off, the Bucs came away victorious.  The Eagles will be travelling down to sunny Florida early this week to get acclimated to the hot climate, while the Bucs will be trying to get Chris Godwin back onto the field to help a depleted receiver corps that will be without Mike Evans.  Philadelphia showed everybody last week that they actually do have a passing game and a couple of really, really good receivers of their own.  The third time is a charm this week as the Eagles will do enough to stay ahead of the Bucs in what should be a competitive game.

Eagles 32 – Bucs 27

Browns @ Lions

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0), left, runs for a first down against Chicago Bears as quarterback Jared Goff (16), right, cheers on during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025.

The Browns shocked most of the world last week as they upset the Packers 13-10.  We say, “most of the world”, as it didn’t come as a shock to anybody who’s been watching this defense play.  If they could get some consistent QB play, this may actually be a competitive team.  The Lions return to Ford Field after their Monday Night game in Baltimore and will look to keep their home dominance going.  Jared Goff is just a different QB when he’s playing in front of the home fans.

Lions 26 – Browns 17

Panthers @ Patriots

Sep 7, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

The Pats gave away last week’s game at home against Pittsburgh.  They outgained the Steelers on the ground and through the air, but thanks to 4 lost fumbles and an interception, they weren’t able to outgain Aaron Rodgers and Co. on the scoreboard.  Carolina shocked the league by smoking the Falcons 30-0 and will look to keep it going in New England.  Expect the Patriots coaches to clean things up this week and for New England to come out angry and handle the Panthers with ease at home.

Patriots 27 – Carolina 13

Jaguars @ 49ers

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs the ball during the first half against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Jacksonville was able to escape their home game last week against Houston with the win despite more dysfunction from Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars offense.  Liam Coen’s genius is going to be tested all season if TLaw doesn’t turn things around quickly.  The Jags travel out west to take on a banged-up 49ers squad that will be without Nick Bosa, who was lost for the season last weekend.  Coach Shanahan hopes to get Brock Purdy back under center, along with Jauan Jennings, to help the offense this Sunday.  Even without the returning talent, San Francisco has enough talent to top Jacksonville with just Christian McCaffrey, Ricky Pearsall, and Mac Jones.  Yeah, it’s that bad in Jacksonville right now.

49ers 19 – Jaguars 16

Colts @ Rams

Jan 19, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) calls a play at the one of scrimmage against the Philadelphia Eagles in a 2025 NFC divisional round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The undefeated Colts……..yes, THE UNDEFEATED COLTS, travel to L.A. to take on the Rams this Sunday.  That’s the undefeated Colts led by record-setting QB, Daniel Jones, who became the first QB ever to score 3 rushing TDs while throwing for 3 more without turning the ball over once in the first three games of a season.  It’s been fun, but it comes to an end this weekend.  The Colts may very well be on their way to winning the AFC South, a playoff berth, and a home playoff game, but they aren’t winning this one.  The Rams will be out for blood after letting last week’s game in Philly slip through their grasp, and the Colts will be the ones who pay for it.  The defense will get to Jones at least a few times and should force his first turnover of the season.  Stafford will feed his pets, Puka and Davante, and they should hang a big number on this Colts defense.

Rams 31 – Colts 16

Ravens @ Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) passes in the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at Corinthians Arena. Credit: Jean Carniel/Reuters via Imagn Images

This game very well could be an AFC Championship game preview.  The Chiefs finally got into the win column last Sunday thanks to a soft matchup against the Giants.  Things still seem pretty clunky in KC as Patrick Mahomes has been playing without his full complement of pass catchers, and the Chiefs run game has been shaky.  The Ravens roll into Arrowhead after dropping a tough one at home on Monday night to Detroit, thanks to 4 rushing scores allowed on defense and 7 sacks allowed on offense.  Derrick Henry was bottled up for the most part on the night, totaling a mere 50 yards rushing despite ripping off a 28-yard scoring run.  The Baltimore run defense will need to tighten up this week if the Ravens stand a chance in this hostile environment.  The Chiefs best chance is the same as it always has been, Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid.  That’s usually enough, but getting Xavier Worthy back should help too.

Chiefs 27 – Ravens 26 

Bears @ Raiders

Sep 15, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) drops back to pass during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

The Bears finally got into the win column last week by drubbing the Cowboys 31-14, while the Raiders were manhandled by Washington 41-24.  This week, look for Caleb Williams to try and stay hot as the Bears travel to Sin City to take on Geno Smith and Las Vegas.  This should be a decently high-scoring affair, as neither defense has been consistent so far this young season.  Expect the Raiders to try and get Ashton Jeanty more involved in the passing game, as he has only been targeted 5 times in 3 games by Geno Smith.  Brock Bowers should have his way with the Bears secondary and look for Jakobi Meyers and Donte Thornton Jr. to be more involved alongside Tre Tucker for the Silver and Black.

Raiders 36 – Bears 31

Packers @ Cowboys

Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1) is introduced before their game against the Detroit Lions Sunday, September 7, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

he Micah Parsons Bowl.  The Packers have to be all kinds of upset after blowing a 10-point lead with under 4 minutes remaining last week against Joe Flacco and the Browns.  The Cowboys are exactly what the doctor ordered as they have been a cure-all for quarterbacks so far in 2025.  Jordan Love will look to pick up where Russell Wilson and Caleb Williams left off in weeks 2 & 3, and keep the scoreboard popping against this putrid Cowboys defense.  One could almost feel sorry for Jerry Jones……….nah.

Packers 31 – Cowboys 13

Jets @ Dolphins

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) runs with the ball past Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5), Sunday January 5, 2025, in East Rutherford.

One of these teams has to win, right?  The first game of our second MNF double header of the year features these two winless AFC East rivals.  The game should be evenly matched as we get to find out which of these teams is the worst team in the division after 4 weeks.  Justin Fields should make it back from a concussion and be back under center for the Jets.  Tua and the Miami offense will try and get things going at home, but it won’t be easy.  This game is going to come down to which team makes more mistakes and loses, rather than one of these teams stepping up and winning the game.  With Fields under center, expect Breece Hall to find more running room and for the Jets defense to fall on a couple of Miami mistakes.

Jets 20 – Dolphins 17

Bengals @ Broncos

Aug 9, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) drops back to pass in the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

So, last week we found out how much Joe Burrow means to the Bengals offense.  Rather, we found out that Jake Browning isn’t even close to Joe Burrow, and the Bengals defense still stinks.  This matchup is just too tough for Cincinnati in the Mile High City.  Bo Nix will find Sutton and friends, while J.K. Dobbins and the Broncos running game picks their way through the Bengal D much like Jordan Mason did last week.  This one should have been close, but it won’t be.

Broncos 30 – Bengals 16

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