NFL Predictions for Week 4: Will Your Team Bring Home a Win?

Week 4 of the NFL season is finally here, and there are so many questions that are still left to be answered.

Who are the contenders? The Pretenders? Are the Bills really this good? And so many more.

With that in mind, I set out to predict the outcome of every game for this week; but, first, here is how I did last week and how I've done on the season.

Last week: 11-5

On the season: 35-13

Now, with that out of the way, let's pick the games.

Carolina Panthers at Chicago Bears:

While researching this matchup I was stunned to see how similar the numbers are for both squads. Both teams allow 20 points per game and score 23, and both struggle to run the ball. The numbers may be similar, but it is still obvious who the better team is—Da Bears. The Chicago defense will suffocate Newton and will win by double digits.

Panthers 10 Bears 20

 

Buffalo Bills at Cincinnati Bengals:

Buffalo is 3-0 and coming off their first win over the Patriots since Marv Levy was in diapers, so you have to think this one is an easy win, right? Not so fast…Something about this game makes me favor Cincy, and while I want to pick the Bengals to win, I just can’t.

Bills 34 Bengals 10

 Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns:

With Kenny Britt, I would give the edge to Tennessee in this game, but without him, Hasselbeck will struggle to get other receivers involved. I see the Browns loading the box to stop the run and to win another heart-stopper.

Titans 16 Browns 20

 

Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys:

Field goals won’t help Dallas in this one, the Lions score TDs in bunches. If Detroit protects Stafford, this could get ugly.

Lions 34 Cowboys 15

 

Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Texans:

The Squealers were dominated the last time they faced a team that had an explosive offense and a pass rush. Expect more of the same this time—the Texans are the real deal.

Steelers 13 Texans 24

New Orleans Saints at Jacksonville Jaguars:

Lots of Drew Brees to all of his weapons will send all 17 Jags fans in attendance home early. Hate to make that joke, but come on Jacksonville, show up and support your team.

Saints 37 Jaguars 10

Minnesota Vikings at Kansas City Chiefs:

Adrian Peterson’s nickname is AD, or All Day, which is what the Vikings game plan should be. Give the ball to AD all day long, trust your defense and leave Arrowhead with a win.

Vikings 20 Chiefs 10

San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles:

If Vick plays, Philly will win. If he doesn’t, Philly will still win. The Niners are getting better, but the Eagles are so much better that it won’t matter.

49ers 10 Eagles 21

 

Washington Redskins at St. Louis Rams:

The Rams secondary was torched last week in a 30-point loss to the Ravens. The rejuvenated Rex Grossman and the Redskins have the ability to do the same thing, but I like the Rams defense to bounce back in this one and pull out a win in the dome.

Redskins 21 Rams 30

New York Giants at Arizona Cardinals:

The Cardinals are a team that makes no sense. They have talent everywhere but can’t seem to show it on Sunday. No faith in the Cards leads me to go with the G-men in this one.

Giants 24 Cardinals 16

Atlanta Falcons at Seattle Seahawks:

The Seahawks won last week, so I can’t expect them to go on a winning streak, but they will make this one close. Matt Ryan and the Atlanta offense have struggled all season, so this game will be just what the doctor ordered. Falcons win easy.

Falcons 27 Seahawks 9

 

Denver Broncos at Green Bay Packers:

This should be a lot of fun to watch if you’re a cheesehead. I expect the Pack to look dominant in this game on both sides of the ball and blow out the Broncos.

Broncos 10 Packers 41

New England Patriots at Oakland Raiders:

The Pats are struggling on defense, so this one will be closer than most think. The Raiders look like the real deal, especially with Run DMC in the backfield. Pats win, but it will come down to Brady magic.

Patriots 24 Raiders 20

 

Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers:

The Dolphins are bad. The Chargers are good. Analysis done.

Dolphins 13 Chargers 30

New York Jets at Baltimore Ravens:

This is going to be the best game of the week if the Jets remember to run the ball and play defense—something they completely forgot last week—and the Ravens do the same. It will be ugly, low scoring, but a good game nonetheless.

Jets 15 Ravens 16

 

Indianapolis Colts at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 

The Curtis Painter era in Indy will pick up right where the Kerry Collins era ended—ugly and with a loss. Freeman and the Bucs should win easy.

Colts 9 Buccaneers 24