NFL Predictions Week 4: Teams That Will Bounce Back from Big Losses

A wild NFL season took a turn towards crazy town in Week 3 as top teams were falling left and right. 

These surprising results have left me questioning the league's balance of power. For instance, the 49ers, who I and most, had No. 1 in power rankings last week, were manhandled by the Minnesota Vikings. 

Meanwhile, two AFC teams with serious Super Bowl aspirations dropped to 1-2 when the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots fell on Sunday. 

This is not what fans of these teams envisioned. However, there is good news. All three will rebound with a big win this coming week. 

San Francisco 49ers

Opponent: at New York Jets

Surprise losses in the NFL happen, but the 49ers loss to the Vikings was no fluke. They were outplayed and out-muscled. It was shocking to see them fall like that.

While there are certainly some long-term concerns that need to be addressed from that performance, they won't stop the 49ers from getting back on track this week.

New York's defense has been terrible against the run—they are 28th in the league. This plays right into the 49ers hands, as they will be able to run their offense through their ground game, and when they do try to hit for big pass plays they will find an unsuspecting defense that is trying to cope with the loss of star cornerback Darrelle Revis, who tore his knee up in Week 3. 

Defensively, the 49ers will eliminate the Jets' running game and make Mark Sanchez try to beat them through the air. This will lead Sanchez to increasing on the three interceptions he has already thrown this season.

Prediction:  49ers 24, Jets 17 

Denver Broncos

Opponent: Oakland Raiders

Sure, the Broncos are 1-2, but their three games have come against the Steelers, Falcons and Texans. It has been a brutal opening stretch for Denver. 

And even with this brutal slate of opening games, the Broncos have scored as many points as they have allowed at 77.

The Broncos will be hosting a Raiders team that is fresh off an inspiring victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, but Oakland does not have the healthy weapons to pull this one out. 

Last game, Ben Roethlisberger threw for 384 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions against Oakland's injury-ravaged secondary, and out of his 49 pass attempts, he was sacked just once. 

So Peyton Manning will have plenty of time to throw, and he should have no problem finding open receivers. 

The Raiders, who have also had injuries rock them at the receiver position, will not be able to score enough to keep up. 

Prediction:  Broncos 31, Raiders 23

New England Patriots

Opponent: at Buffalo Bills

After Week 1, I thought I had the NFL all figured out. I had the Patriots on top of my power rankings and the Bills at the bottom. 

The 32nd ranking for the Bills was harsh, but they were terrible against the Jets in the opener. 

Fast forward to Week 4 and the Patriots are looking up at the Bills in the standings, but they won't be for long. 

The Patriots enter this game off back-to-back losses against two tough, hard-hitting teams in the Cardinals and Ravens. They will be anxious to see the Bills' less ferocious defense. 

The Bills are doing a nice job of rushing the passer. They have nine sacks this season, and that will certainly give the Patriots' increasingly shaky offensive line some problems, but Brady will be able to quickly pick apart a secondary that has led its team to a 19th ranking in opposing passing yards. 

Offensively, the Bills will be limited as injuries have put them in a bind at running back, and they will not be able to keep pace with the Patriots. 

Prediction:  Patriots 31, Bills 24