Sanders's Week 4 NFL Predictions

Week 4 NFL Predictions

Can you believe we are already heading to the final game of the first quarter of the season? Boy does time fly. Also, can you believe that 2 “essentially” rookies (Siemian and Wentz, the actual rookie of the two) are leading undefeated teams? And it’s not even that their teams are carrying them; they are both playing well enough to win games on their own. And I won’t forget about Brisset either although he has only started one game so I can’t give him as much credit. Well, maybe instead of talking about rookies all day, we should get to this week’s picks!

Sanders went 6-10 last week and is now 29-19 on this season’s predictions.

Cincinnati Bengals vs Miami Dolphins

Like usual, my game analysis with the Dolphins is short and sweet. I don’t have anything against the Dolphins but I am just tired of them being hyped up every year and never giving results. The Dolphins are a mediocre team who SHOULD be 0-3 if not for a whiffed kick by the Browns before overtime. Meanwhile, the Bengals had a rough start with the Jets, Broncos, and Steelers in their first 3 games thus being 1-2 can be forgiven for now. The Bengals Defense should bounce back and control this game while the Bengals offense needs to show some signs of life and they have struggled to get a passing game going outside of AJ Green. As for the Dolphins, if they want to win the game, they need to have an offense simply show up. Their defense is enough to win games but their offense just lacks dynamic play.

Key Matchup: Bengals rush attack vs Dolphins run defense

Bengals 23 Dolphins 14

Indianapolis Colts vs Jacksonville Jaguars

Would you believe that, through 3 weeks of play, both of these teams combine for 1 win? Granted that both teams have had tough opponents, it’s still no excuse for either club to not be more productive in the win columns. I only say this because the Jaguars were an offseason darling while the Colts were seen as a team that could right the ship with Andrew Luck healthy. While Luck has played phenomenal this season so far, the rest of his team hasn’t and the Jaguars are failing to produce more points than their opponent because of a dreadful defense letting splash plays happen. Because of another great start to the season by Andrew Luck, I will give this game to the Colts.

Key Matchup: Colts WRs vs Jaguars Secondary

Colts 27  Jaguars 17

Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons

Is it time for the Panthers to hit the panic button after starting the season 1-2? No. Not at all. This Panthers team is a tough football team but it’s kryptonite seems to be defense that can smother their receivers and contain Newton within the pocket more often than not. Luckily, for them, the Falcons do not have one of these defense. In fact, the Falcons have one of the poorest pash rushes in the NFL with Vic Beasley not living up to the hype and reliable veteran Dwight Freeney being the only reliable player to go after the quarter back. I said before the season that the Panthers would still be a great team and win their division 10-6. They can solidify a statement here by winning a division game on the road against the 2-1 Falcons.

Key Matchup: Panthers O-line vs Falcons Pass Rush

Panthers 31  Falcons 23

Oakland Raiders vs Baltimore Ravens

This is one of the tougher games to call. The Raiders have the 2^nd best ranked offense through 3 weeks while the Ravens have the 2^nd best defense through 3 weeks. On the other sides of the ball, the Ravens have the 25^th ranked offense overall and the Raiders have the 32^nd ranked defense overall. The stats say the Ravens should win but it’s not as simple as stats. The Raiders barely came back against a terrible Saints defense and beat the Titans. Meanwhile, the Ravens are 3-0 but their opponents were the Bills, Browns, and Jags who all kept them in tight games and have a combined 1-8 win total. Neither team has beaten what would be considered “quality opponents” but this week they face quality opponents in each other. The Raiders need to prove they can keep up with the Chargers and Broncos in a wild AFC West while the Ravens need to prove to their doubters that they aren’t pretending to be a good team at 3-0.

Key Matchup: Ravens Pass Rush vs Raiders O-line

Raiders 20  Ravens 23

Detroit Lions vs Chicago Bears

This one can be kept simple. The Bears aren’t playing well enough to stay in games. In fact, Bears game have usually been sealed around the 3^rd quarter as they seem to play like they have given up by that time in their games. Also, rumor says Cutler won’t get his spot back once he is healthy? Thoughts, Chicago fans? Meanwhile, the Lions have only 1 win but have been a competitive team in the first few weeks. Taking advantage of a bad Bears team should give them motivation to continue into the season with some confidence.

Key Matchup: Lions slot receivers and tight ends vs Bears middle linebackers

Lions 31  Bears 17

Tennesseee Titans vs Houstan Texans

Titians had an awful showing last week but the Texans looked worse. However, to put those two results in perspective, the Titans were playing the Raiders and the Texans were playing the Patriots. If the Texans were that bad, there would be concerns but the Patriots just came flat out rolling. As for the Titans, they haven’t taken advantage of the opportunities they have had to win games. That spells dangers against a Texans defense; even with a Texans defense that no longer has J.J. Watt for a good chunk of the season. Titans gotta get the run game going if they want to beat the Texans.

Key Matchup: Titans “exotic smashmouth” run game vs Texans run defense

Titans 20  Texans 24

Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots

Just like every Rex Ryan team, the Bills are a team fiery team that is playing for their coach to keep his job. On the other side of the field, we have the greatest football coach to ever be in the game; Bill Bellichick. With Brissett, set to start, it’s up to Buffalo whether they want to punish the rookie QB in his second NFL start ever.

This game looks hard to decide on at face value, but remember Gronkowski is coming back and that should be a safety blanked that Brissett utilizes well. I’ll give this game to the better coach.

Key Matchup: Rex Ryan’s gameplan vs Bill Bellichick’s gameplan

Bills 21  Patriots 27

UPSET OF THE WEEK!

Seattle Seahawks vs New York Jets

So I did call an upset on Seattle last week but that didn’t happen. I’m going to do it again except I think I am right this time. Why? There is no way Fitzpatrick doesn’t comeback to prove that he can lead his team to the playoffs and Seattle is the perfect team to do that. Especially because the Wilson is not 100% himself and Seattle has only had one good offensive game and the Jets D-line should smother Wilson and force him to make the plays all on his own. Normally that’s fine except that Wilson isn’t as mobile because of his injuries right now. Seattle’s defense needs to come up big and spoil Fitzpatrick’s day if Seattle wants to win.

Key Matchup: Hawks O-line vs Jets D-line

Seahawks 16   Jets 20

Cleveland Browns vs Washington Redskins

The Browns may be 0-3 but they haven’t rolled over in any of their losses and have been a competitive team. Meanwhile, the Redskins just got their first win and they have to beat teams like the Browns if they want to continue to prove they are still a playoff team and not simply a fluke. At this point, Cleveland is playing to figure out who they are as a team to  build on that next year while the Redskins are only 4 weeks in but already playing for their playoff lives. I think the desperate team wins the game.

Key Matchup: Cousins and Co. vs Redskins secondary

Browns 17  Redskins 20

Denver Broncos vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Broncos are on fire and have continued their defensive domincance this season while improving their offensive play. Siemian proved he can ball out against a quality defensive opponent last week and while the Patriots are 3-0, I think Denver either is or soon will be this year’s Super Bowl favorite in the next coming weeks. The Buccaneers however, haven’t improved upon last year that much and the defense is still the problem. Maybe Lovie Smith wasn’t the problem afterall? Hmm. Things to ponder about.

Key Matchup: Charles Sims vs Denver’s run defense

Broncos 24  Buccaneers 16

Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals

I’ll be straightforward. Cardinals need to flat out dominate the Rams if they want to prove they are one of the best teams in the NFL. They have started 1-2 and have absolutely no excuses. The Rams on the other hand have surprised people and have gone to a 2-1 start. While impressive the Rams need to show more before I can start to believe in them. They can do that by beating the Cardinals.

Key Matchup:  Rams front seven vs Cardinals O-line

Rams 16  Cardinals 21

New Orleans Saints vs San Diego Chargers

I did believe in the Saints early on but it’s hard to believe in team when the defense loses every game. Drew Brees and Sean Payton’s offenses are doing everything they can to win games but you can’t expec to score 40 points every game to catch up with your defense. It is for this reason that the Chargers should win. Like every team before them, the Chargers need to take advantage of a poor Saints defense.

Key Matchup: Saints pass rush vs Philip Rivers and his O-line

Saints 24  Chargers 33

Dallas Cowboys vs San Francisco 49ers

This will be short and sweet. Chip Kelly’s offense can score points. Dallas can’t defend. Dak Prescott is looking to be the future of Dallas. The 9ers can’t defend either. Look for a shootout between Dak Prescott and Blaine Gabbert. Considering how Prescott has shown that he can stay away from making gamebreaking mistakes, I give this game to the Cowboys.

Key Matchup: Dak Prescott vs Blaine Gabbert

Cowboys 26  49ers 17

Kansas City Chiefs vs Pittsburgh Steelers

The Chiefs might have two wins under their belts but both wins are sketchy. They beat an injured Chargers team and then only scored 24 points off of EIGHT TURNOVERS. That’s 3 points per turn over if you know how to do elementary math. That’s terrible. The Chiefs are a concern for me and while the Steelers just got beat up 34-3 by the Eagles, don’t let that one game fool you. The Steelers are a team to be reckoned with especially with RB Bell back in the starting lineup.

Key Matchup: Marcus Peters vs Antonio Brown

Chiefs 16  Steelers 31

New York Giants vs Minnesota Vikings

So I picked against the Vikings for the last two weeks. Not making that mistake this week. However, I do believe this will be the Vikings toughest outing yet. Yes, the Packers were a tough game however, the Giants just have a truck full of weapons to unleash against defenses. The Vikings will need to be smart and play a ball-control offensive game to beat the Giants. If not, giving Manning, Cruz, Beckham, and Shephard shots to go downfield and take over the game will not end well for this Vikings team.

Key Matchup: Eli Manning and Co. vs Vikings Defense

Giants 17  Vikings 20