Week 4 NFL Picks Against the Spread: Underdogs That Will Cover Your Bet

Gamblers that are looking to get an edge on the book had better start early, as the opening lines for Week 4 of the 2013 NFL season are now available.

Whether you have been crushing it over the first three weeks or trying to climb out of a big hole, it’s time to put everything in the past and focus on the present. There’s plenty of action to help you win big this week, especially with so many quality underdogs getting points.

Keep reading to take a look at the latest point spreads, see my predictions for each game on the upcoming slate and take a closer peek at some ‘dogs that look poised to cover in Week 4.

HOUSTON TEXANS (+3) over Seattle Seahawks

The Texans were thoroughly embarrassed in Week 3 on the road by an underrated Baltimore Ravens team, but they are set up to bounce back nicely this Sunday against the Seahawks.

Seattle is notoriously bad away from CenturyLink Field, finishing the 2012 season just 1-3 against the spread as a road favorite. While the team covered in the opener in Carolina, it won’t be as fortunate against a legit playoff contender coming off a disappointing loss.

The Seahawks might just be getting a little too much respect and could be feeling a bit too good coming off a thorough trouncing of the Jacksonville Jaguars, a glorified doormat in the league.

They would likely be favored by six on a neutral field and by nine if they played this game at home, which would still look to be far too large of a spread against a Texans team that won 12 games in 2012 and had a much-needed first wake-up call this past Sunday.

Take the points here and strap yourself in for a thrilling ride. Expect this one to be decided on a late field goal, making a push the worst-case scenario for Houston backers.

New England Patriots (+1) over ATLANTA FALCONS

New England needed a convincing win over the lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3, as the team had to gut out back-to-back victories against AFC East rivals over the season’s first fortnight.

The Pats offense is finally starting to gel, with receivers not named Julian Edelman coming up with big plays and making catches on the balls thrown from a not-so-frustrated-anymore Tom Brady.

Kenbrell Tompkins came up with two big touchdown grabs as part of his three-catch, 41-yard day, while Aaron Dobson turned in a seven-reception, 52-yard performance.

Those rookie wideouts are going to need to keep that play up in Week 4, as the Pats head to Atlanta to take on the Falcons in a Sunday Night Football contest.

Fortunately for the Pats, the undefeated Miami Dolphins found a way to expose the weaknesses of the Falcons this past Sunday. ‘Phins signal-caller Ryan Tannehill was able to air it out and open things up for a ground attack, while the Miami defense made huge stops when they counted most by playing "bend but don’t break" football.

As long as the Patriots take a cue from Miami and find a way to keep the Falcons out of the end zone, they should walk away with a straight-up victory.

Miami Dolphins (+6) over NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Speaking of the ‘Phins, the team is now 3-0 and looking poised to make a playoff run for the first time since going 11-5 and winning the AFC East back in 2008. They beat two solid teams so far this season—the Indianapolis Colts and Atlanta Falcons—and they should not be getting almost a full touchdown against the Saints.

While New Orleans has been mighty impressive at home, Miami has shown, time and time again, that it possesses an opportunistic, tough defense along with a powerful enough offense that can hang with any opponent in the NFL.

The Saints’ only blowout win came this past Sunday, with the Arizona Cardinals succumbing to a Drew Brees’ offensive explosion in the Superdome. The ‘Phins are more disciplined and more talented than the Cards, and they will not allow the same thing to happen—especially not on Monday Night Football.

This is going to be an epic battle between two foes that have yet to lose a football game in 2013. It’s going to be close, and either side could win, but it should only be by a small margin. Take the points and guarantee yourself a victory against the spread.