NFL Schedule Week 4: Breaking Down All 3 Prime-Time Matchups

Week 4 of the 2012 NFL season will feature three more intriguing matchups in prime-time.

The AFC North will be on display during the Thursday night game, starting at 8:20 p.m. ET, with the Baltimore Ravens hosting the Cleveland Browns. 

Sunday night will bring NFL fans another division battle as the New York Giants travel to take on the Philadelphia Eagles at 8:20 p.m. ET. The final game of the week will be in Dallas as the Cowboys face the Chicago Bears on Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET.

The full NFL schedule for the week can be found via ESPN. Here is each prime-time matchup broken down and analyzed.

Thursday Night: (0-3) Cleveland Browns vs. (2-1) Baltimore Ravens 

 The Ravens will take plenty of momentum into this Thursday night matchup after beating the New England Patriots on a last-second field goal in Week 3.

While Baltimore is unquestionably the better team in this matchup, these two teams will have to play on just four days of rest, and that makes the Thursday night game much less predictable.

The short week does put both teams at a disadvantage, but an ugly game in which both teams are out of rhythm will give the Browns more of a chance than they would have if this game were played on a Sunday.

The Browns will likely try to keep it simple on offense and avoid situations where quarterback Brandon Weeden is throwing the ball near Ravens safety Ed Reed. It will be up to Trent Richardson to make plays in this game, and the Baltimore front seven will not allow him much room to run. 

Prediction: Ravens 31, Browns 13

  

Sunday Night: (2-1) New York Giants vs. (2-1) Philadelphia Eagles 

The Giants have had plenty of rest after blowing out the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night last week, while the Eagles will be bruised and battered after losing to a physical Arizona Cardinals team.

The Philadelphia secondary has allowed the third-least yardage through the air during the first three games of the season, while the New York passing game has gained the second-most yards.

With Hakeem Nicks likely returning to the field this week, according to NFL reporter Adam Caplan, Eli Manning and the Giants' aerial attack will be at full strength in this matchup.

Philadelphia will have its hands full with Nick and Victor Cruz, and the Eagles’ ability to slow down Manning and the receivers will be the key matchup in this game.

Prediction: Giants 34, Eagles 27

 

Monday Night: (2-1) Chicago Bears vs. (2-1) Dallas Cowboys 

The Cowboys struggled offensively against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and will need to find a way to get back on track against Chicago.

Despite turning the all over three times, Dallas squeaked by on a Demarco Murray touchdown run and three field goals.

Chicago didn’t look potent on the offensive side either and needed an interception return for a touchdown from Major Wright to close out its game against the St. Louis Rams.

Dallas current ranks 20th in total offense, and the Bears sit at 27th. The team that is able to find its rhythm on offense will get a win in front of a national audience. 

Prediction: Dallas 30, Chicago 20