NFL 2024 Week 4 Prequel
Thursday, September 26, 2024, 8pm
Dallas Cowboys (-5 1/2) at New York Giants — The Cowboys have been horrendous the last couple of weeks, but playing the Giants might be just the tonic they need. If the Cowboys lose this game, Jerrah may blow the whole thing up before October. Cowboys cover
Sunday, September 29, 2024, 1pm
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons (-1 1/2) — Both of these teams lost at home in tough games against good teams that could have gone either way. Now that the invincibility of the Saints offense has been punctured, go with the home team. Falcons cover
Cincinnati Bengals (-4 1/2) at Carolina Panthers — There is no papering over how bad the Bengals are, especially on defense. The Panthers looked like a high school team until Red Rifle Andy Dalton took over for Bryce Young. On paper the Bengals are the better team, but until they win, they don’t get the benefit of the doubt. Upset special, Panthers win outright
Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (-2 1/2) — The Rams looked horrendous against Arizona but then pulled off a stunning fourth quarter comeback win against San Francisco. Sean McVay is a far better coach than Matt Eberflus. There is no reason for the Bears to be favored. Upset special, Rams win outright
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (-2 1/2) — Malik Willis played well in place of the injured Jordan Love, but the Vikings are playing on another level. It is way too early to declare this Vikings team like the 1998 team, but they are very good. They re red hot. A road win over a hated rival playing well would cement the Vikings as a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Upset special, Vikings win outright
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans (-7) — The Jaguars 2023 collapse has spilled over into 2024. It is hard to believe a team coached by Doug Pederson and quarterbacked by Trevor could be this bad, but the Jaguars are awful. The Texans are the better team at home. Until the Jaguars show signs of life, they do not get the benefit of the doubt. Josh Allen torched the Jacksonville defense. CJ Stroud should as well. Texans cover
Pittsburgh Steelers (-1 1/2) at Indianapolis Colts — This is an interesting matchup. Anthony Richardson has shown flashes of brilliance, especially with the long ball. Yet the Steelers are unbeaten and playing Mike Tomlin smash mouth Steelers football. The Colts lack the defensive firepower to win a game in the trenches. Steelers cover
Denver Broncos at New York Jets (-7 1/2) — The Broncos looked very impressive in a road win at Tampa Bay. The Denver defense throttled Tampa. The hype around the Jets has long been overblown, but their defense shut down New England. It is too soon to declare Aaron Rodgers the same quarterback who recently won consecutive league MVPs. The spread is too high until the Jets show they are a juggernaut. Jets win but fail to cover
Philadelphia Eagles (-2 1/2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — The Eagles won a street fight at New Orleans. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay suffered a humiliating home loss against a previously winless Denver team. Baker Mayfield is a good quarterback, but Jalen Hurts is better. The Eagles won respect last week while the Buccaneers lost some. Eagles cover
4pm
Washington Commanders at Arizona Cardinals (-3) — The Commanders did get a road win against Cincinnati, but the Cardinals seem like an improved team. Yet the Cardinals did lose at home to a good Detroit team. Go with the home field. Jayden Daniels is playing well, but Kyler Murray has shown what he can do when healthy. Cardinals cover
New England Patriots at San Francisco 49ers (-9 1/2) — Despite blowing a double digit lead against the Rams, the 49ers have far more talent than the Patriots. The Patriots do not have enough defensive weapons to slow down the various playmakers the 49ers have on offense. The spread is high, but this is a mismatch. 49ers cover
Kansas City Chiefs (-8 1/2) at Los Angeles Chargers — The Chargers are improved, but they were beaten up in a tough game last week at unbeaten Pittsburgh. Now they face the unbeaten Chiefs. While the chiefs are barely winning every week, they have not even come close to reaching their offensive potential yet this year. However, the spread is too high for a road team that wins their games in harrowing fashion. Chiefs win but fail to cover
Cleveland Browns at Las Vegas Raiders (-1) — Both of these teams are awful. The Raiders looked pathetic at home against a bad Carolina team. The Raiders have a weak offensive line and an ineffective running game. This will be a battle of who wants it least. The Raiders have no home field advantage, but their defense could allow them to eke out a win with just enough offense. Raiders cover
8pm
Buffalo Bills at Baltimore Ravens (-2 1/2) — The Ravens nearly blew a 22 point lead at Dallas to avoid falling to 0-3. Now they get an undefeated Bills team that just blasted Jacksonville by 37 points. The Ravens have plenty of talent, and are expected to turn things around. They can still run the ball, and Lamar Jackson has not forgotten how to play quarterback. John Harbaugh has not forgotten how to coach. A Bills win would have their fans thinking a deep playoff run. Yet the Ravens will be desperate. Go with the desperate team at home. Upset special, Ravens win outright
Sunday, September 30, 7:30pm
Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins (-1) — The Titans are winless while the Dolphins are a mess without Tua Tagovailoa. The Dolphins have a good coach in Mike McDaniel. The Dolphins are at home, and the Titans have shown very little fight. Dolphins cover
8pm
Seattle Seahawks at Detroit Lions (-4) — The Seahawks are a surprising 3-0, while the Lions righted the ship last week with a quality win at Arizona. Geno Smith is playing well, but Jared Goff is better and has more weapons. The Seahawks have been overachieving, and the Lions need to show that their peak was not last year. Lions win but fail cover