NFL Week 4: Predictions, Rants, and Bye-Bye Jags
After three weeks I'm getting a feel on each team. It'll be a fun season.
NFL Quick Hitters:
Stupidest pick of the week - I picked the Titans over the Packers. I used some sound logic, sort of, to convince myself the Titans had a shot. They easily could’ve been 2 - 0. Levis made stupid mistakes that cost the Titans victories. You can’t keep doing that, game after game, right? But the Packers are talented - even with a back-up QB - and well coached. They are prepared for every game. I’m a Packers believer now. Titans are 0 - 3 and heading for a miserable season. I’m a believer in the Titans now too. Maybe they can get their QB of the future in the draft. They’ll be picking in the top 5 for sure.
Dolphins - they do not have an NFL quality QB on their roster. It’s a huge mistake. Tua has had a history of injuries and the Dolphins should’ve had a reliable backup. They’ll make a few plays but they won’t be winning many games. Season is over for the Dolphins. I recommend you pick another QB in the draft.
Biggest disappointment Week 3: Dallas Cowboys - Repeat. Cowboys looked horrible. Again. They have a weakness and it’s been exposed. If you can’t stop the run, you can’t win in this league. Right now they look like a 7 game win team at best. They just aren’t as talented as they have been - line’s too young, skill positions are weak, no running game, can’t stop the run - plus they are pointing fingers at each other. That’s never a good sign. Is an implosion imminent?
Ravens got their mojo back - Ravens looked like the Ravens. Powerful running. Dominate defense. Lamar Jackson doing whatever he chose to do. Ravens look unstoppable when they are on and can make good teams look inept. Tough game against the Bills this week. But win or lose Ravens are never an easy game for any team.
Worse loss of the week - Bengals. Drops them to 0 - 3. Puts the playoffs at risk. The offense looked great but their defense was shredded by a rookie QB. They didn’t have any answers. They’ll score lots of points this year but won’t win many games. It’s a shame. Burrow is fun to watch and a great QB. Chase is the best in the league when his head is right. Bengals scores points this year but their opponents rack up the victories.
NFL Games: Week 4
Last week’s totals: 8 - 8: Again. Bad week of picks.
Season’s totals: 27 - 21
Survivor pick: That didn’t last very long. I’m out in the third week of my survivor pool. There’s not very many left. We may do another one if someone wins within the next two weeks. I’ll switch this to Lock of the Week. We’ll see how many I can string together. Oh, and thanks Buccaneers. You’re at home, against a rookie QB that hasn’t looked very good, and they had to travel across the country and you lose. It wasn’t even close. You gotta win that one. Lock of the week: Lions
(Oh, and if you use these picks - or the fantasy lineup at the bottom - to gamble do so at your own risks. I’m a ‘gut feel’ type of picker. I don’t do a computer analysis.)
Thursday Night Game
Cowboys vs. Giants - I don’t feel confident about this game. The ‘Boys haven’t shown some big weaknesses. Can’t stop the run. And they seemed to be pointing fingers at each other all week. Haven’t seen a lot of leadership coming out of Dallas. But the Giants are still re-building. Cowboys win.
Sunday Games
Saints vs. Falcons - Both teams need a win. Saints need the bounce back after a game they got manhandled in. And the Falcons just need to get a win. I’m going with the team that needs the win more and has home field advantage. Atlanta pounds the ball this week. Saints have a tough run defense but Falcons win.
Bengals vs. Panthers - Bengals are in a deep, deep hole. If they don’t win their season is over. Panthers are still the Panthers. Andy Dalton had a nice start but reality sinks in this week. Bengals win big.
Rams vs. Bears - I trust Matthew Stafford. I think he is the most under-rated QB playing today. Caleb looks better this week but Rams win.
Vikings vs. Packers - Wish Love was back for the Packers. But Willis seems to be making the plays for now. I’ve underestimated the Pack. And the Vikings. Both are really good teams. Packers win.
Jaguars vs. Texans - This is bad news for the Jaguars. They are desperate for a win. They were gutted by the Bills on Monday night and have to travel to Houston. The Texans are coming off their first loss and will be ready to play. Jags season goes bye-bye. Texans win.
Steelers vs. Colts - Colts are better than their record. They are at home. But Steelers win with pressure. Richardson can run. He can improvise. But he’s not ready to carry the team. Steelers win.
Broncos vs. Jets - Jets are in the easy part of their schedule. People will be anointing them as the next great SB team. We’ll see. They have an easy schedule. Jets win.
Eagles vs. Buccaneers - Bucs didn’t show up to play last week. Hopefully they’ll be a little embarrassed and show up for the Eagles. But it won’t be enough. Eagles win.
Commanders vs. Cardinals - Shootout alert for all you fantasy guys. Cardinals win.
Patriots vs. 49ers - Interesting game. 49ers are the most injured team in the league. They haven’t looked strong since the opener. They are traveling across the country. Patriots can play defense. But can they score any points? 49ers win in a close one.
Chiefs vs. Chargers - Chiefs offense puts up 30+ points. Chargers can’t keep up. Chiefs win.
Browns vs. Raiders - This is a defensive game. Great defenses and average offenses. Raiders make one more play than the Browns. Force a turnover. Raiders win.
Bills vs. Ravens - Game of the week. Ravens are at home and got their mojo back. Bills are still the best team in the NFL right now. Bills win.
Monday Night Games
Titans vs. Dolphins - Dolphins don’t have a QB. Levis makes it through the game without a stupid mistake. Titans win.
Seahawks vs. Lions - Lions win. Get on a roll.
My FanDuel lineup: Stroud, Hall, Jacobs, Collins, Thomas Jr., Lazard, Bowers, Conner, Raiders
If you want to check out some great reading list and see which books have influenced, surprised, educated, and entertained me, check out my book shop here. The lists grow monthly and I don’t recommend any books I haven’t personally read. Or use my book recommendation engine and specific author chatbots. Check it out. It’s fun.