NFL 2026 Week 4 Prequel
Thursday, October 1, 2026, 8pm
Pittsburgh Steelers (-2 1/2) at Cleveland Browns — It is too soon to say that these are not the same old Browns. They are not as bad as usual, but these are not the same old Steelers. They are not as good as usual. They did get a quality home win against Cincinnati, but barely. If the Browns defense does its job, Aaron Rodgers will have a long night. Expect the Dawg Pound to be rocking. Upset special, Browns win outright
Sunday, October 4, 1pm
Indianapolis Colts (-3 1/2) at Washington Commanders in London. Both teams got tough wins last week. The Colts barely survived winless Houston while the Commanders knocked defending champion Seattle from the unbeaten ranks. Marcus Mariota is a competent backup and a dual threat. The Colts are inconsistent. Give the Commanders the benefit of the doubt based on Mariota and their quality win last week. Upset special, Commanders win outright
Arizona Cardinals (-1) at New York Giants — The Cardinals got blasted at home last week while the Giants barely survived lowly Tennessee in a Nor-Easter monsoon. The Giants have quarterback questions, but the Cardinals opening week road win is less impressive with time. The home crowd matters in this one. Trust John Harbaugh. Upset special, Giants win outright
Dallas Cowboys at Houston Texans (-2 1/2) — The Cowboys are 1-2 and the Texans are winless after losing a heartbreaker last week. The Cowboys have an offense and the Texans have a defense. Jerry Jones may fire everyone if the Cowboys lose this game, but this is one game the Texans home crowd always gears up for. CJ Stroud just needs to manage the game and let his defense outplay the Dallas stars. Texans cover
Green Bay Packers (-4) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — When these teams were terrible, Chris Berman labeled this game the Bay of Pigs. When they became good he upgraded this to Baywatch. Now these teams are somewhere in between. Fans are clamoring for Matt Lafleur to be fired. Somehow, the equally overrated Todd Bowles is escaping such scrutiny for now. Jordan Love and Baker Mayfield are playing substandard to previous years. Mayfield is perpetually angry, but this week give him the benefit of the doubt in helping the winless Buccaneers get a win. Upset special, Buccaneers win outright
Jacksonville Jaguars a Cincinnati Bengals (-2 1/2) — These are a pair of good football teams. The Jaguars blasted New England last week. The Bengals lost a road heartbreaker to Pittsburgh. As well as the Jaguars are playing, go with an angry Bengals team at home, especially given the quality of their defense. Bengals cover
Los Angeles Rams (-3) at Philadelphia Eagles — Both teams suffered road losses last week. The Rams gave away a 16-0 halftime lead at Denver while the eagles got blasted at Chicago and their backup quarterback. The rams are a surprising 1-2, but the Eagles will have a home field advantage in this one. Go with the home crowd and the angry birds.Upset special, Eagles win outright
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills (-6 1/2) — The Patriots dominated the division by nearly 2 decades before the Bills dominated it for 5 years. Last year the Patriots took it back but this year Drake Maye has regressed badly. He has been a turnover machine. The Bills are unbeaten and looking like a Super Bowl team. Trust Josh Allen at home, especially against a Patriots team that overachieved last year. The spread is high but the Bills are clicking. Bills cover
New York Jets at Chicago Bears (-3) — Forget that the Bears are again playing backup quarterback Case Keenum. He looked good as the Bears blasted Philadelphia. The Jets seem to be the same old Jets, with their opening win diminishing by the day. The Bears have enough firepower. Bears cover
Tennessee Titans at Baltimore Ravens (-11 1/2) ‚ This was ance epic rivalry for the ages, but now the Titans are the worst team in the league. he Ravens are good. Expect Lamar Jackson to run and throw at will. Forget the high spread. The Big Crabcake fans will feast this Sunday. Ravens cover
4pm
Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings (-10 1/2) — The Dolphins are pathetic. The Vikings are unbeaten led by the strength of their defense. Kyler Murray is back, but Kevin O’Connell’s defense is the real story. The Dolphins are bad at everything. The spread is high, and the Dolphins were competitive for 3 quarters against Kansas City before losing by double digits. Minnesota’s offense outside of Justin Jefferson is unspectacular. Vikings win but fail to cover
Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers (-2 1/2) — Both of these teams are legitimate Super Bowl contenders. The 49ers are undefeated although they had a tougher time against Arizona after getting a big early lead. The Broncos overcame a 16-0 halftime deficit against the Rams. he Broncos have a serious defense. Go with the home crowd and quarterback Brock Purdy utilizing his various weapons effectively. 49ers cover
Kansas City Chiefs (-4 1/2) at Las Vegas Raiders — Both teams are unbeaten but only the Chiefs are being taken seriously. The Raiders 3 opponents are a combined 1-8. If the Raiders want to silence their critics, winning this game would do it. The Raiders are improved, but it is too soon to say they are good. The Chiefs seem back to being great. Patrick Mahomes is still off the charts, and the Raiders have no home field advantage.Chiefs win but fail to cover
Los Angles Chargers at Seattle Seahawks (-7) — The Chargers are winless. The defending champion Seahawks were knocked from the unbeaten ranks last week. The Seahawks will be angry and at home. Jim Harbaugh knows Seattle well, but for whatever reason his offense this year cannot hang on to the ball. he Chargers gave Buffalo fits last week in Buffalo before folding late. The spread is too high given that the Chargers are hungry for a win. Seahawks win but fail to cover
8pm
Detroit Lions (-3 1/2) at Carolina Panthers — The Lions have the better offense but still have not fixed their defense. The Panthers have been competitive. he spread is high for a road team with a suspect defense. Jared Goff and his weapons will do just enough. Lions win but fail o cover
Monday, October 5, 8pm
Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints (-2 1/2) — Michael Penix’s return last week gave the Falcons a major emotional lift as they went on the road and blasted Green Bay. The saints blew a double digit home lead against the Raiders with 4 turnovers in the fourth quarter. Yet emotion is a major part of football. This is the 20th anniversary of Steve Gleason’s blocked punt in the 2006 Falcons game at the Saints The saints and the NFL will milk that for all it is worth. Gleason, who is battling ALS, will be in attendance. Drew Brees will be calling the game. The Falcons will need a monster first quarter to silence the Bourbon Street home crowd. Go with the Bayou emotion. Saints cover