NFL Week 4 Predictions: Teams Guaranteed to Shock the League This Weekend

Upsets in the NFL wouldn’t be upsets if you follow popular opinion with your predictions. This week’s slate of games are pretty straightforward, it seems.

But there are always a couple of teams that, according to conventional wisdom, have no business being on the same field with their opponents.

They play the games for a reason, though, so there’s no harm in going out on a limb and being bold. That’s what I’m going to do here by predicting two upsets in Week 4 that will truly shock you all.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills, despite some early struggles, are a play or two away from being 3-0 heading into their Week 4 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens are sitting at a comfortable 2-1 after beating the Houston Texans last week in Baltimore.

After nearly knocking off New England in their opener and the New York Jets last week, I’d say we’re past the point of underestimating the Bills to the point where the Ravens are sure bets to win this road matchup. But that’s the general outlook among experts, per The Baltimore Sun.

EJ Manuel was sacked eight times and hit 16 total times during the Bills’ Week 3 loss to the New York Jets. Understandably, the Bills have some work to do in order to keep him protected against another potent pass rush this week. Baltimore will send pressure to disrupt the rookie quarterback, but this time he’ll beat it.

While impressive the last two weeks after benching Michael Huff and Corey Graham, Baltimore’s defense is still a work in progress. Manuel has already shown the ability to handle pressure at times and make defenses pay for not respecting his arm.

And before you anoint the Ravens as a team that can walk into Buffalo and exploit their defense, make sure you don’t forget the Birds' offensive struggles. Ray Rice is banged up, and the team hasn’t been able to do much of anything in terms of moving the football on a consistent basis.

A lot of the Ravens’ advantages are valid, but at home with their backs against the wall, I think Manuel and rookie head coach Doug Marrone find a way to win a close one.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns had high expectations coming into the 2013 season. Well, if your expectations are considered high if you’re planning on winning more than five games, then yes, expectations were at an all-time high for the franchise.

Things got off to a bad start. They lost their first two games, their quarterback was hurt in Week 2, and they traded away one of their most important players in what many believed was a concerted effort to tank the season.

But that didn’t happen in Week 3. The Browns battled back to beat the Minnesota Vikings on their home field. Now, they return for The Battle of Ohio to face a team many are pegging as favorites in the AFC North.

A team that, while talented on paper, doesn’t do any one thing exceptionally. The Bengals are 11th in passing offense, 21st in rushing offense and 14th in both categories on defense.  A team that received a gift in the fumble that led to Terence Newman’s 58-yard game-winning touchdown return last week.

Cleveland’s stout rush defense hasn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher to date and is limiting opponents to just 84.7 yards per game on the ground. That includes relatively stymieing Adrian Peterson last week. BenJarvus Green-Ellis and rookie Giovani Bernard are capable backs, but they aren’t AP.

And if the Browns do shut down the run, Andy Dalton is going to have a hard time dealing with the Browns’ attacking front seven.  Cleveland is currently tied for third in the NFL with 12 sacks thanks to Ray Horton’s new aggressive defense.

On offense, local hero Brian Hoyer has a surprisingly favorable matchup against a Bengals defense that is riddled with injuries in its secondary. Expect Hoyer and the Browns to do enough on offense, ride their stout defense and get a shocking Week 4 win.