NFL Picks Week 4: Predictions for Every Game Against the Spread

The 2014 NFL regular season is heading into Week 4, and football fans have already turned their attention to the picks and predictions for every game against the spread.

Placing a wager on the NFL has become one of America’s favorite pastimes, but betting against the spread can be a tough concept to handle. Finding the ideal bet can be the difference between a huge payday and losing your investment.

Here are the picks for every game on Sunday and the wager you should place.

Thursday, Sept. 25	Spread	Picks Against Spread
Sunday, Sept. 28	Spread	Picks Against Spread
Monday, Sept. 29	Spread	Picks Against Spread
NY Giants at Washington	WAS (-4)	Giants
Miami at Oakland	MIA (-4)	Dolphins
Carolina at Baltimore	BAL (-3)	Panthers
Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh	PIT (-9)	Steelers
Green Bay at Chicago	EVEN	Packers
Buffalo at Houston	HOU (-3)	Bills
Tennessee at Indianapolis	IND (-8.5)	Colts
Detroit at NY Jets	EVEN	Lions
Jacksonville at San Diego	SD (-14)	Jaguars
Atlanta at Minnesota	ATL (-3)	Falcons
Philadelphia at San Francisco	SF (-5.5)	Eagles
New Orleans at Dallas	NO (-3)	Saints
New England at Kansas City	NE (-3.5)	Patriots

*Betting information via OddsShark.com.

Bet You Can’t Miss: Atlanta Falcons (-3) at Minnesota Vikings

There are several spreads this week bettors could take advantage of, but the wager fans should be making is on the Atlanta Falcons over the Minnesota Vikings. Atlanta is a three-point favorite.

After watching the Falcons beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on last week’s Thursday Night Football, 56-14, Atlanta should not have a problem winning the game by at least four points on Sunday.

Minnesota’s secondary allowed 288 yards through the air last week against a New Orleans offense that hasn’t really found its rhythm yet. With Matt Ryan coming off a 286-yard, three-touchdown performance in Week 3, the Vikings will be in trouble if the Falcons quarterback can continue feeding the ball to Julio Jones down the field.

Jones racked up nine receptions for 161 yards and two touchdowns against Tampa Bay.

Ryan spoke on Atlanta's 680 the Fan, via Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com, about what the Falcons must do to beat Minnesota on Sunday:

"

I think we've got to start off fast. I think last time we were on the road, we did not start off fast. And the other thing is, we've got to convert third downs. The two games that we've played well, we've converted third downs at a high level. So, we need to start fast and convert on third down.

You've got to put yourself in good position -- in third-and-short -- especially on the road. And you've also got to get first downs on first and second down. That's the key to playing good offensive football.

"

As if the offensive explosion in Week 3 wasn’t enough to give bettors confidence in a victory for Atlanta, the Vikings will be turning to starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater for the first time in his career due to the foot injury to Matt Cassel.

As Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported on Twitter, Cassel has been placed on the injured reserve and the team has been turned over to Bridgewater:

Through three games, the Minnesota offense has been inept, to say the least. Bridgewater will be forced to take over a pass offense ranked 31st in the NFL with 173.7 yards per game, and the 24th-ranked rushing attack (99.3 yards per game) isn’t helping.

Despite the hot start from the offense, though, Atlanta must make changes to the game plan for the defense against Minnesota. The Falcons secondary has allowed 262.7 yards passing per game and is ranked 25th in that category.

Even with Atlanta’s weaknesses, there are serious questions about if Bridgewater will be able to take advantage in his first career start. The home crowd will be behind him, but if the Falcons can get any kind of pass rush, it will be a long day for the Vikings.

Predicted Final Score: Atlanta 33, Minnesota 20

*Stats via NFL.com.

Follow @Donald_Wood