Things are starting to become clearer as the haves and have-nots are starting to separate themselves. Our first international game is in London, and Cam’s Texans seem to have found the Chargers at a vulnerable time. Check out my predictions for Week 4’s Sunday and Monday games.
Ravens v Bills
Lamar Jackson is playing out of his mind, and the Bills secondary is banged up. That said, I think this is a get-right game for the Bills offence, and can see Josh Allen taking over against a vulnerable Ravens defence. Look at a close back-and-forth in the first half before the Bills force a turnover and begin to take control in the second half. This is a battle for the MVP early in the season.
Bills 44 over Ravens 31
Cowboys v Commanders
The Cowboys have impressed in simplifying their game with Cooper Rush at the helm, and leaning on their talented backs in play a ball control game. They also have been effective in putting their defensive players in great positions to be successful, and should be able to stop the running game and force Wentz to try and beat them with his arm. He does not do well under pressure, and with Lawrence and Parsons, will have plenty of that.
Cowboys 24 over Commanders 16
Steelers v Jets
Upset alert! This has nothing to do with the return of Zack Wilson, but more to do with the ineptitude of the Steelers offence, and the declining play of the front seven for Pittsburgh. Trubisky does not have the ability to lead a comeback, and I see the Jets being able to run on the Steelers and run out the clock in a potentially wet game.
Jets 23 over Steelers 17
Eagles v Jags
This will be a fun game to watch. The Jags might be the story of the season so far, with a top 10 offence and capable defence that gets after it. The Eagles have probably exceeded expectations, and I can see this being a good, but not great game from MVP candidate Jalen Hurts. The Jags have a good pass rush, and some speed in the secondary and could bottle up the Philly run game, forcing Jalen into 3rd and longs that challenge his ability to go through his progressions. I can see him leading a 4th quarter comeback after Trevor Lawrence plays an excellent game controlling the tempo and getting the offence into manageable down and distance.
Eagles 31 over Jags 30
Saints v Vikings
London games always seem to be a bit bizarro, with players having to adjust to the big travel and timezone. This week seems no different, with Jameis looking like he will miss the game due to his poor health. Andy Dalton has shown his competence as a backup, but the rest of his team needs to step up. And I can see this as game where the solid Vikings pass-rush gets after Dalton, and forces turnovers that take Kamara out of the game on the ground. Kirk Cousins will play OK, and the Vikes will coast to a relatively easy win.
Vikings 20 over Saints 9
Lions v Seahawks
The Lions are banged up on offence. The Seahawks’ defence is terrible. Something’s got to give here, and I think it will be Detroit’s offensive line that will dominate, allowing Swift (providing he plays) and Williams to chunk up plays and allow Goff to hit a few shots deep with play action. St. Brown is out with injury, but the other weapons that Dan Campbell has on offence will allow them to control the game and run up the score on the road.
Lions 38 over Seahawks 17
Giants v Bears
Justin Fields has been awful. Plain awful. His supporting cast is bad, and his coaching staff has not allowed him to use his abilities to his best advantage. Expect the Bears to send out a heavy dose of the run game and fail to move it. Also expect a huge game from Saquon Barkley, where I could see him accounting for all of the points and most of the yardage for the Giants in a messy victory for the G-Men.
Giants 21 over Bears 6
Colts v Titans
The Colts were lucky to get out with the win last week, and their offence continues to struggle with Matt Ryan under centre. Jonathan Taylor was banged up this week, and I can see the duel of the bell-cow backs being won by Henry. He looked good last week, and the Titans offence is built on leaning on their big back. The Titans D is opportunistic, and Ryan has had a hard time making decisions. I can see a killer turnover late in the game allowing the Titans to win this one at home.
Titans 25 over Colts 21
Texans v Chargers
If there was any week that the Texans could beat the Chargers, this seems like it. Herbert is wounded, the rest of the offence is banged up and the defence has been disappointing. Unfortunately for my wife’s favourite team, LA is still a class above them, and should be able to coast to an easy home win.
Chargers 38 over Texans 12
Falcons v Browns
Credit to the Browns under Kevin Stefanski; they know their identity. Run the ball, stop the run, and score in the redzone. They are not a great team, but they are opportunistic and have Jacoby Brissett playing the best ball of his career. No one expected him to go out there and singlehandedly win games for Cleveland, but he hasn’t needed to. The Falcons are really run to watch. Well, at least the offence is. The defence is real bad, and I can see Chubb and Hunt killing the clock on the Falcons and getting out to a lead that Mariota cannot get them back from.
Browns 28 over Falcons 27
Panthers v Cardinals
Baker Mayfield is bad. As in “let’s get Sam Darnold back ASAP” bad. It must be painful for the Panthers, as the team has some talent on both sides of the ball, but just cannot put it together. The Cards should be able to make enough plays on offence to be able to take Christian McCaffery out of the game, and force Baker to make big passes to win. He can’t. Panthers lose.
Cards 30 over Panthers 16
Raiders v Broncos
The Broncos are an anomaly. They are 2-1 with a historically bad scoring offence and a great redzone defence. The Raiders have enough going on defensively to continue the trend of Russell Wilson being mediocre to bad, and I can see Carr force feeding Davante Adams and marching the Raiders down the field on a few long drives that allow them to score just enough to win.
Raiders 19 over Broncos 10
Packers v Patriots
The Patriots are in trouble. As much as Belichick can scheme up like no other coach, he can’t make his players more talented. Right now, the offence needs to run the ball to be successful, and I can see the Packers loading up the box and forcing backup Brian Hoyer into several turnovers. Look for Rodgers to spread the ball around and connect with new favourite target Romeo Doubs on a long TD.
Packers 44 over Patriots 17
Bucs v Chiefs
Tom Brady is frustrated. He has a banged-up O Line and a lack of solid receivers leading to a very pedestrian stat line so far. Luckily, the Bucs D is dominant. This will be a rematch of the Superbowl from two years ago, and I know that Pat Mahomes not only wants to forget about last week in Indy, but would like to show his best against an elite defence that battered him on the world’s biggest stage. I can see him making a handful of great plays that allow him and the Chiefs to get the win on the road.
Chiefs 27 over Bucs 20
49ers v Rams
Traditionally, Kyle Shanahan has owned Sean McVay in their matchups. This week, I think Sean will be able to take advantage of excellent field position he is afforded by his dominant defence and get Matthew Stafford back on track to his elite production last year. Look for Allen Robinson to break out with Cooper Kupp getting a lot of attention from the Niners secondary. Also, look for a heavy dose of the speedy Henderson, as Cam Akers has struggled coming off his serious injury last year. The Niners defence is fearsome, but the offence looks stagnant. Jimmy G’s injury history may lead to more woes for the 49ers at the pivot.
Rams 31 over 49ers 20
Let me know what you think!
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