Week 4 NFL Predix

 By Jacob Sanders

Week 4 is under way which means we’ll be finished with 25% of the season by the end of Monday night. At the quarter, it’s normal for fan bases to start panicking, start getting cocky, and even some just thinking they’ve got a shot to make the playoffs. I think this line of thinking is a little…..irrational to say the least. After 4 games, there isn’t much guaranteed. However, it also means there’s a lot of work to do if you’re further behind than you should be. Thinking about the Vikings and Texans unfortunately when I said that. Anyway, let’s get to the picks.

Sanders went 11-4-1 last week putting him to 34-13-1 on the season. He also picked the Broncos to win on TNF putting him to 1-0 on the week.

AZ Cardinals vs CAR Panthers

The Cardinals got some humble juice last week. After starting 2-0, it’s apparent this team is on the rise. However, their two wins were not perfect and they certainly didn’t appear invincible. In came the Lions to show that this Cardinals defense has a chance to be a liability this season and that Kyler Murray still has a while to go in just his 2nd season. At the same time, the Panthers were catching their groove against an identity-ridden Chargers team and Teddy B seems to be settling down in Carolina with Matt Rhule. Now these two teams meet to decide if the first quarter of their seasons points in an upward or downward trajectory. The Cardinals secondary alone can lose this game if they allow Teddy B to connect with DJ Moore and Robby Anderson all day. That’s pretty much the key here to me. If you can limit Teddy B, you can win this game easily.

Cardinals 21 Panthers 20

MIN Vikings vs HOU Texans

It honestly pains me knowing that the team that loses this game is not making the playoffs. It also pains me to say that the team who wins this game probably doesn’t make the playoffs. Allow me to give a quick dissection of both team’s problems at the same time in just two words: identity crisis. Both the Vikings and Texans suffer because their previous identities (defense for MIN and offense for Texans) do not exist anymore. The Vikings are giving up too many points and the Texans can’t seem to get a consistent offense going. The losses on defense for the Vikings have loomed large as has the Deandre Hopkins trade for the Texans. There’s obviously more than just this for these teams but, at their core, I have no idea how either team wins a game and it’s because an identity doesn’t exist for either team. Now that they’re matched up, I think I just pick the team with the better quarterback. It’s a real coin-flip if you ask me. If you disagree and pick the Vikings, then hey, I don’t disagree with you either. Can they just tie?

Vikings 26 Texans 28

JAX Jaguars vs CIN Bengals

Ah yes. The terrible JAX Jaguars team we all expected to see finally reared it’s ugly head against the Dolphins. Minschew was off-target all night and the Dolphins dominated at the point of attack on both sides of the ball leaving the Jaguars to wonder where their first two weeks of progress had gone. The Bengals also didn’t win their game either but they also didn’t lose. There is a certain spunk to this Bengals team with Joe Burrow under center. They’re fun to watch and they’re competitive. In a sense, these two teams share that in common. However, I think Cincy pulls out a win here. Why? I think I’m starting to trust Joe Burrow for consistency more than I would Minschew.

Jaguars 16 Bengals 20

CLE Browns vs DAL Cowboys

If I could, I would write an entire essay on this game here. It’s the game I am most excited for in the morning. In my honest opinion, I truly believe both of these teams are good football teams. Even if the Cowboys start 1-3, they’re one of the few (the only) 1-3 teams I wouldn’t be worried about. Without a doubt, this is one of the biggest games of the year for both these teams. This game may define how seriously the NFL takes them, how much morale each team has, or even possibly define the rest of their season. Drama and storylines aside, this game comes down to whether the Cowboys defense will decide to show up or not. They’ve given up 77 points in the last two games. Can’t be doing that if you want to win. Especially against a Browns team who has found their identity on offense. Feed Chubb-Hunt, and let Baker play complimentary football. It works. It’s fun. And it’s exactly the type of I don’t expect the Cowboys to beat. This one’s gonna be a banger.

Browns 34 Cowboys 21

NO Saints vs DET Lions

The decision for this game actually came down to whether Michael Thomas was going to be in this game or not. After seeing that MT is ruled out for this game, I am going with the crazy upset pick here. The Saints offense is frustrating to watch outside of Alvin Kamara and I believe the Lions have the roster to hold down Kamara. Without Kamara, what type of offense do the Saints really have? Honestly, I couldn’t even tell you. One other thing, Matt Stafford still remains underrated like he has his entire career. He was cookin last week, and I expect him to continue this week.

Saints 21 Lions 26

BAL Ravens vs Washington

I really tried to right something positive here about Washington. However, with Chase Young ruled out and Terry McLaurin having a thigh injury, the two positives I would give to Washington don’t exist anymore. Oh, and they got to play a Ravens team that just ate some humble pie and is ready to curb-stomp everyone in their path to prove they still belong in the elite conversation. Ravens by, more or less, a million. Not much more commentary needed here.

Ravens 35 Washington 14

SEA Seahawks vs MIA Dolphins

Dolphins had a fun week last week by dominating their fellow Florida team. They probably come screeching back to earth as Russell Wilson and Co. come to town. Russell Wilson has currently been on a tear being the early MVP favorite and carrying his team to 3-0. When examining this matchup, you have to wonder how the Dolphins are going to stop the air-attack that no one has seemed to be able to stop yet. The solution for the Dolphins? There isn’t one. Wilson continues his MVP campaign.

Seahawks 24 Dolphins 14

LA Chargers vs TB Buccaneers

Don’t look now, but the Buccaneers have been quietly dominant on their 2-1 run so far. Brady has the offensive timing down, and there is still room for improvement which is scary. Believe it or not, I have quickly turned from thinking “meh” about the Bucs to suddenly keeping my eyes on them. On their next list of opponents, they have the Chargers who, like a few other teams in the NFL currently, suffer an identity crisis. Justin Herbert has looked okay in his last two starts, but he’ll be asked to carry the offense as the Bucs have one of the top running defenses in the League. In other words, can Herbert outpace Tom Brady? Well….

Chargers 17 Bucs 28

NY Giants vs LA Rams

I’ve officially given up on Daniel Jones. Harsh. And maybe too soon for that kinda take. I’m giving up anyway. Danny Dimes has given the ball away more than he’s thrown dimes. While there has been some improvement in his throwing mechanics, he can’t stop turning over the ball and setting his team up to lose. Jared Goff is the exact opposite and has been a primary reason for the Rams coming back into the top 10 conversation. So. WIth this game, you basically say “Ay, Jared Goff is looking pretty good and can carve up a lacking Giants defense. Daniel Jones is facing Aaron Donald.” Don’t say anymore. The pick is obvious.

Giants 10 Rams 30

BUF BIlls vs LA Raiders

The Bills had an early statement game last week starting 28-3 and finishing the game 35-32. It looked like they were going to choke the game away, but in came Josh Allen on the final drive who has ascended into franchise-QB territory. Allen is setting himself up for a nice payday, while also being a core reason as to why the Bills are one of the best teams in the NFL. The coaching is phenomenal. The defense is stellar. And the offense is quietly explosive. This all bears bad news for a Raiders team who seems to have figured themselves out, but also seems like they are a bit worse than the Bills. Good QB. Good coach. Great RB. A monstrous defensive player in Maxx Crosby. I don’t think Carr, Gruden, Jacobs, and Crosby can alone secure the win here. However, I expect a tight game. This is a possible wildcard playoff game preview.

Bills 24 Raiders 20

IND Colts vs CHI Bears

“No! They can’t keep doing it! They can’t keep getting away with this! It’s not possible!” Those are the exact phrases of Bears doubters.I am included in that category. It’s SO. WEIRD. how the Bears are 3-0 and yet I just can’t see them making the playoffs right now. Even with Nick Foles named the starting QB, it’s impossible to understate just how lucky the Bears have been in all three of their wins. On the other hand, the Colts have looked like a nice balanced team. In other words, it’s a classic Frank Reich led team. Barring Rivers throwing 3+ INTs, I can’t get myself to believe that the Bears get lucky 4 games in a row. If the Bears win here, I may have to start considering the Bears in a different light…

Colts 28 Bears 24

PHE Eagles vs SF 49ers

Let me get this out of the way. The Eagles, are flat out bad. They couldn’t beat the Bengals in OT despite being gifted an opportunity and they just lost another offensive lineman for the year. Carson Wentz has been borderline erratic and there’s nobody getting open for the Eagles. The secondary for the Eagles has also been incredibly leaky. All this for me to say that the 49ers are getting George Kittle and Deebo Samuel back and that both of them are going to run wild against Philly’s defense. Injuries in San Francisco? Doesn’t matter when they’ve embraced the next man up mentality.

Eagles 17 49ers 26

NE Patriots vs KC Chiefs

I fully understand that Bellichick has coached good games against the Chiefs. I understand that the Patriots know how to slow down Mahomes enough to win a game. I’m telling you right now, they aren’t going to win this game with Cam Newton not playing. Mahomes is far too dynamic, and as long as the Patriots offense doesn’t carry a QB who can’t match Mahomes’s wow factor, then it won’t matter how much the Patriots can slow down the Chiefs. You gotta score if you want to beat this team. I don’t see Stidham outsourcing Mahomes. Shallow analysis? Yes. It’s also going to be a shallow game so take that for what you will.

Patriots 16 Chiefs 30

ATL Falcons vs GB Packers

The entire football world is essentially waiting to see if the Falcons can actually close out a game and they have an unfortunate task of trying to prove it against the best team in the NFC currently. This game has all the potential in the world to be explosive, fun, and a wild ride. But when you’re asking me whether to pick the Packers 2020 team or the Falcons 2020 team to win a shootout, who do you think I’m gonna pick. I highly anticipate the Falcons to score a decent amount of points. I also anticipate the Packers to actually finish the game over the Falcons.

Falcons 21 Packers 28