Week 4 NFL Picks: Tips, Odds and Over-Under Predictions for Sunday

A wild beginning to the NFL season has left us with several surprises. With Week 4 on the horizon, another tough slate of picks are ahead for bettors looking to line their pockets.

The Arizona Cardinals and Cincinnati Bengals head into the bye at 3-0 and at the top of their respective divisions. Meanwhile, the New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers and Indianapolis Colts are all a surprising 1-2 on the season.

Just 13 games will be played this week with six teams on a bye, so the pickings are slim. Before Sunday's slate gets underway, here's a look at an over-under prediction for each contest.

Date	Road	Home	Line	Pick
Sept. 28	Packers	Bears	49.5	Over
Sept. 28	Bills	Texans	40.5	Over
Sept. 28	Titans	Colts	45.5	Under
Sept. 28	Panthers	Ravens	40.5	Under
Sept. 28	Lions	Jets	44.5	Under
Sept. 28	Buccaneers	Steelers	44.5	Over
Sept. 28	Dolphins	Raiders	41	Under
Sept. 28	Jaguars	Chargers	44.5	Over
Sept. 28	Eagles	49ers	50.5	Under
Sept. 28	Falcons	Vikings	46.5	Under
Sept. 28	Saints	Cowboys	53	Over
Sept. 29	Patriots	Chiefs	45	Over

Toughest Selections

Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears (Over)

Heading into the Week 4 matchup against the Chicago Bears, Aaron Rodgers told Green Bay Packers fans to "R-E-L-A-X."

That's a stark difference from what the Packers faithful are likely feeling, which is "P-A-N-I-C." Following the statement, Rodgers spoke further about the current state of the offense, per Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune:

"

There are high expectations here for us every year. We've underachieved on offense, so you understand it. It's a reminder that it is a long season but all of our goals are in front of us and within reach. We have to play better. ...  We usually find our stride around this time, Game 5 or Game 6 and go on a good run. We can't rely on that every year because that just makes it tough.

"

Call it a hunch, but I believe Rodgers when he talks about turning things around. Thanks to offensive weapons like Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Eddie Lacy against the No. 26 rushing defense, the Packers will put on an offensive show.

As for the Chicago Bears, the offense has averaged 25 points per game through the first three weeks. If both teams are clicking, this should be a contest that easily exceeds 50 total points at Soldier Field.

Carolina Panthers vs. Baltimore Ravens (Under)

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens offer two tough defenses. Unfortunately, both have underachieved at times this season, including Week 3 for the Panthers.

Carolina was gutted against the Pittsburgh Steelers, allowing 454 total yards in a 37-19 loss. Of those yards, 264 came on the ground, something the Ravens haven't done well all season with an inexperienced trio of Bernard Pierce, Lorenzo Taliaferro and Justin Forsett.

NFL on ESPN provides a look at the Steelers statistics against the Panthers:

The story of this matchup will be Steve Smith playing his old team, but there will be no love lost for the Panthers defense. Carolina linebacker Luke Kuechly spoke about the prospect of helping Smith up after a tackle, per Jonathan Jones of The Charlotte Observer.

“Nah,” Kuechly said. “It’s one of those things in the game where everything’s happening so fast, you don’t know who you’re tackling when you tackle them. You just know that the guy’s got to the ball and you’ve got to bring him down.”

Baltimore has been around 20 points all season, but was held to 16 against the Bengals earlier this season. If the Panthers can return to form and the Ravens limit Cam Newton and Kelvin Benjamin, this will be a game that easily goes under 40 combined points.

New Orleans Saints vs. Dallas Cowboys (Over)

Oh, this one is going to be fun.

Last season, the New Orleans Saints nearly eclipsed the over-under for this matchup alone. Drew Brees finished with 392 passing yards and four touchdowns in a 49-17 blowout against the Dallas Cowboys at home.

The 2014 matchup might be at AT&T Stadium, but the same weapons are still intact for Brees and the Saints. This time around, expect Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and the Cowboys to be up for the fight.

Neither team comes in with a stout defense, something that was evident when the Cowboys allowed Austin Davis to throw for 327 yards and three touchdowns in Week 3. New Orleans allowed an average of 31.5 points in Weeks 1 and 2 before facing the hapless Minnesota Vikings.

Look for a shootout from both sides as this game easily exceeds the prediction easily.

Follow @RCorySmith on Twitter.