2017 NFL Week 4 Preview

NFL Week 4 is here. After next Monday, the first month of the 2017-2018 NFL Season will be in the books. Week 4’s top matchup might be the L.A. Rams versus the Dallas Cowboys. Both teams have strong offenses while both have less than stellar defenses. Both squads are also 2 and 1.

Keep reading for my preview of the Rams vs Cowboys game as well as every other matchup in NFL Week 4!

2017 NFL Week 4 Preview

Chicago Bears +7 at Green Bay Packers -7

Chicago played great when beating Pittsburgh 23 to 17 in Week 3. Nobody expects the Bears to beat the Packers in NFL Week 4’s Thursday night battle. Most NFL handicappers don’t even expect the Bears to cover the 7-point spread. Since Chicago is 3 and 10 against the spread in the last 13 meetings against Green Bay, it’s also difficult for me to back Da Bears.

Pick: Packers -7 

New Orleans Saints pk vs Miami Dolphins pk

The Saints showed me something in their 34 to 17 win over the Carolina Panthers. New Orleans’ defense played a bend, but don’t break style that led to 3 interceptions. The Saints’ offense rushed the football for 149 yards. New Orleans’ faced a much better defense in Week 3 than what it faces in Week 4. I think the Saints are a Best Pick play.

Best Pick: Saints pk  

L.A. Rams +8 at Dallas Cowboys -8

Dallas outscored Arizona 14 to 3 in the fourth quarter this past Monday night to take home the 28 to 17 win. Although the Rams almost blew it versus the San Francisco 49’ers in Week 3, L.A. allowed SF to score 19 in the fourth quarter and barely hung on 41 to 39, Dallas is giving up way too many points to a top high-scoring team.

For me to pick the Cowboys in this matchup, I must believe in their defense. I don’t. I’m not even close to believing in Dallas’ defense.

Best Pick: Rams +8 

Jacksonville Jaguars -4.5 at New York Jets +4.5

The Jaguars looked great in their 44 to 7 beat down of the Baltimore Ravens in London this past Sunday. The Jaguars are focused on football. That’s why I like them over the Jets by at least 5 points. I’m not 100% sure that the Jets are as bad as advertised after they beat Miami 20 to 6, though. What I’m saying is that my backing Jacksonville is a tepid pick.

Pick: Jaguars -4.5 

Detroit Lions Off at Minnesota Vikings Off

Oddsmakers won’t set an against the spread line until they find out if Vikings’ QB Sam Bradford plays. That doesn’t matter to me. I know that Lions’ QB Matthew Stafford plays. I’ll be on Detroit against the spread no matter what. The Lions were unlucky to lose their game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3.

Pick: Lions ATS 

Buffalo Bills +9 at Atlanta Falcons -9

The Falcons consistently had issues dealing with Sean McDermott’s defenses when he was the defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers. Why wouldn’t Atlanta have issues dealing with McDermott’s D now that he’s the head coach of the Buffalo Bills? Buffalo is 4 points away from being undefeated. The D ranks first in the NFL in average points allowed per game. Buff only allows 12.6 points per. This matchup should be way closer than 9 points.

Best Pick: Bills +9 

Cincinnati Bengals -2.5 at Cleveland Browns +2.5

My brain tells me to go with Cincinnati in this game. I’m not the only one. 67% are all over the Bengals at -3.5. Yep, the spread has already gone down a point on Cincy and the El Tigres are still garnering the most love.

This won’t be the first time I’m going against my brain. I don’t believe Cincinnati is as mentally tough as Cleveland. The Bengals had a 21 to 7 lead at halftime versus Green Bay only to lose 24 to 27. The Browns were down 28 to 14 against Indianapolis at halftime of their game. Cleveland rallied to lose 28 to 31.

I’m taking the points.

Pick: Browns +2.5

Carolina Panthers +9 at New England Patriots -9

Carolina has no offense. But, and this is the god honest truth because I’m not a Patriots’ hater, New England has no defense. Although the Saints beat up Carolina in Week 3, one positive that came out of the game was RB Christian McCaffrey catching 9 of his 11 targets. McCaffrey could do dominate the Pats’ defense in this battle.

Don’t be surprised if Carolina pulls off the SU upset. Taking the 9 points is a no-brainer.

Best Pick: Panthers +9

Pittsburgh Steelers -2.5 at Baltimore Ravens +2.5

Which AFC North squad was worse in NFL Week 3? The Steelers in their 17 to 23 loss to Chicago? Or, Baltimore in their 7 to 44 loss to the Jaguars? Baltimore, right? But, the Ravens get the Steelers at home in this one. And, this is a rivalry game. I’m taking the points.

Pick: Ravens +2.5 

Tennessee Titans -2.5 at Houston Texans +2.5

Houston’s getting the benefit of the doubt because the Texans hung with New England in their 33 to 36 loss to the Patriots. I just wrote that New England’s defense isn’t very good. I stand by that assertion. Jacksonville rushed for 155 yards against Houston’s D in Week 1. Tennessee averages 156.3 rushing yards per game. I think the Titans romp.

Best Pick: Titans -2.5 

Philadelphia Eagles +1 at L.A. Chargers -1

The easy pick are the Eagles who have looked great when going 2 and 1 in the first 3 Weeks. But, Philly allowed QB Eli Manning to throw for 366 yards and 3 TDs in Week 3. I believe the Bolts, who are better than 0 and 3, get off the schneide this Sunday with their first victory of the season.

Pick: Chargers -1 

New York Giants +4.5 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers -4.5

There’s no telling if Tampa Bay’s injured defenders return for this game. The Buccaneers failed to provide a pass rush on Case Keenum and the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3. The Giants have a talented receiving corps. If Eli mustn’t work hard to evade the rush, which could be a big possibility, NYG should win straight up. I’m definitely taking the points.

Best Pick: Giants +4.5

San Francisco 49’ers +6 at Arizona Cardinals -6

I don’t see why (or how!) the Arizona Cardinals should be favored over any team. Due to San Francisco’s reputation, the 49’ers might offer +7.5 or even +8 before they kick this one off in Week 4. I’m taking the points because Arizona’s defensive meltdown in the fourth quarter versus Dallas in Week 3 bothers me.

Pick: 49’ers +6

Oakland Raiders +1 at Denver Broncos -1

The Raiders were exposed as a team that can’t play man-to-man in the secondary. Denver simply bounced versus Buffalo after dominating Dallas in Week 2. The Broncos’ should go back to their winning ways in NFL Week 4. I think QB Trevor Siemian and the Broncos WRs punish Raider defensive backs.

Best Pick: Broncos -1  

Indianapolis Colts +12.5 at Seattle Seahawks -12.5

This is the strangest spread in NFL Week 4. Seattle’s defense allows an average of 146 rushing yards per game. Colts’ QB Jacoby Brissett rushed for 2 TDs versus Cleveland’s D in Week 3. I truly don’t understand this point-spread. If anything, Seattle should be favored by around 7 to 8 points. 12.5 points? Really.

The Colts aren’t an incredible rushing team. I get that. Brissett can get loose on a couple of QB carries in this, though. Not only that, but Seattle’s offense only works when Russell Wilson’s throwing for over 350 yards per game. Since the Colts’ D knows that, it should be easier for them to stop it from happening.

Pick: Colts +12.5

Washington Redskins +8 at Kansas City Chiefs -8

The Redskins deserve credit for exposing Oakland’s defensive and offensive flaws. Washington dominated Oakland’s wide receivers. But, here’s the thing:  Oakland QB Derek Carr can only throw to his wide receivers. Kansas City sports one of the top tight-ends in the NFL. So what if Washington’s corners shut Chiefs’ QB Alex Smith down from throwing to his wide-outs? Smith is just going to throw to Travis Kelce. Or, better yet, he’ll toss a few to RB Kareem Hunt who can take it to the house every time he touches the football.

Best Pick: Chiefs -8 

What do you think?

Written by D.S. Williamson