Week 4 NFL Picks: Latest Betting Odds, Vegas Spreads and Projections

The increased level of parity around the NFL should be on display once again in Week 4. Only one game currently features a line greater than a single score, and that contest involves the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have looked completely overmatched so far.

Otherwise, there is no shortage of intriguing games. In terms of the overall entertainment value of the games, that's certainly a positive. That's not necessarily the case from a picking perspective because it's hard to get a perfect read on the teams right now.

Ultimately, that's when it becomes important to key in on a few teams you feel good about and focus on those games. So let's check out the complete slate for Week 4, along with a breakdown of some of the best picks on the board.

Week 4 Odds and Projected Winners

Date	Road	Home	Line	Pick
Sept. 25	Giants	Redskins	WSH -3.5	WSH
Sept. 28	Packers	Bears	Even	CHI
Sept. 28	Bills	Texans	HOU -3	BUF
Sept. 28	Titans	Colts	IND -7.5	IND
Sept. 28	Panthers	Ravens	BAL -3	CAR
Sept. 28	Lions	Jets	Even	DET
Sept. 28	Buccaneers	Steelers	PIT -7.5	PIT
Sept. 28	Dolphins	Raiders	MIA -4.5	OAK
Sept. 28	Jaguars	Chargers	SD -13.5	SF
Sept. 28	Eagles	49ers	SF -5.5	SF
Sept. 28	Falcons	Vikings	ATL -2.5	ATL
Sept. 28	Saints	Cowboys	NO -3	DAL
Sept. 29	Patriots	Chiefs	NE -3.5	KC

Top Picks

Detroit Lions (Even)

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The Lions are viewed as a dangerous threat because of what Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and the rest of the offense can do. Yet, it's the defense that's quietly been the better unit in the early going, ranking first in yards allowed and second in points against.

It's a group that slowed down the high-powered Green Bay Packers last week. Aaron Rodgers and Co. managed fewer than 225 total yards and just seven points. The Lions provided comments from Stafford, who obviously likes the increased margin for error:

The aerial attack has a golden opportunity to get back on track this week. The New York Jets have allowed 571 yards and five touchdowns through the air over the past two games. They also failed to intercept a pass despite 80 pass attempts.

Detroit's defense will have to step up again to slow down Chris Ivory and Chris Johnson. As long as that happens, and it should based on the front seven's play so far, the Lions should be able to go out on the road and emerge with the victory.

Pittsburgh Steelers (-7.5)

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Pittsburgh's games have been pretty straightforward so far. The Steelers have scored a combined 67 points in their two victories and only tallied six in their loss. Without the elite defense of years past, the offense must lead the charge.

One thing that hasn't changed is the power running game. In an era where there's a growing reliance on backs who need to get the ball in space, Le'Veon Bell still excels at running between the tackles. The result is a per-carry average near six.

That, along with a reliable passing game led by Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown, bodes well heading into a clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Even 10 days isn't enough to fix everything that went wrong for the Bucs in a blowout loss to the Atlanta Falcons last week.

Tampa Bay ranks 30th in total offense and 27th in total defense. It also marks the team's second straight road game after that forgettable night in Atlanta. The result should be a comfortable double-digit victory for the Steelers.

Dallas Cowboys (+3)

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It's like something finally clicked among Dallas' coaching staff. A key question in years past was how come it didn't commit to DeMarco Murray more. Then in Week 1, the Cowboys abandoned the run too soon in a loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Now they bring a two-game winning streak home after a pair of road victories. The run-pass ratio in those games? Seventy-eight runs and 52 passes. Murray is also the leading rusher in the league at 385 yards—70 more than anybody else.

Another thing the Cowboys have done well is excel in the second half. It's been an area of concern in recent seasons, and they took a lot of heat for it. ESPN Stats and Info notes it certainly hasn't been a problem early in the 2014 campaign:

Up next are the New Orleans Saints, who are already 0-2 on the road and rank 24th in yards allowed. Yes, Tony Romo will have to make a couple key throws to win the game, but this is a toss-up matchup with Dallas serving as a home underdog. Take the points.