2015-16 NFL Preseason Week 4 Predictions, Odds, Picks, Betting Preview

The NFL front office must be in a hurry to wrap up the preseason games, as all games in the final week of action will already commence this coming Thursday. Expect a lot of the stars to sit out their games, though, so get ready to witness more role players getting their grooves on just in time for the kick-off of the regular season.

Read on as we preview the two final preseason matches that will be broadcast live on the NFL Network. To start things off, the Miami Dolphins will play host to inter-state rivals the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Following shortly thereafter will be the San Diego Chargers’ trip to Levi’s Stadium to take on the San Francisco 49ers.

For more coverage on the final week of preseason play, check out our predictions for the remaining games this coming Thursday at the end of this article, and the links to some of those matches for an even closer look. Afterwards, prep yourself for the regular season with our features on the complete NFL TV schedule and best rivalry games of the 2015-16 season.

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NFL Preseason Week 4 Preview and Predictions

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Miami Dolphins

Where: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City

When: Thursday, September 3, 7:00 PM ET

Line: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3.5) vs. Miami Dolphins (-3.5); total: 38.0 – view all NFL lines

It will be interesting to see if Tampa Bay head coach Lovie Smith opts to have his starting quarterback Jameis Winston sit out Thursday’s game against the Dolphins. From where we’re standing, he has got to play at least a couple more drives. Winston’s performance in Week 3 was mediocre, as he went just 6-of-15 for 90 passing yards in Saturday’s 31-7 loss to the Cleveland Browns.

[sc:NFL240banner ]At least starting running back Doug Martin’s slowly finding his form. Martin had 40 yards on the ground and a touchdown on nine carries on Saturday after racking up 59 yards on six carries in the previous game. Both he and Winston will be the focal point of the Bucs’ offense, so getting a few more snaps out of them this Thursday will get them more tuned up for Week 1 of the regular season.

Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins are getting nothing but good news from their starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill went 15-of-19 for 145 passing yards and a touchdown in six series on Saturday against the Falcons. Furthermore, going 33-for-41 for 303 yards, three TDs and not a single pick in preseason is even more proof that Tannehill is nearing the elite-QB status that has eluded his relatively short but expectation-filled NFL career.

Miami’s starting defensive unit also seems to be ready for the regular season, shutting down Atlanta’s quarterback Matt Ryan to just 3-of-7 passing for 49 yards. In contrast, Ryan had passer ratings of 158 in each of his first two preseason games. The Dolphins’ first-team D limited the Falcons to just 33 passing yards and negative yardage (-1 yard) on the ground this past weekend.

Writer’s Prediction

Miami coasts to a 21-10 victory over Tampa Bay.

San Diego Chargers vs. San Francisco 49ers

Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara

When: Thursday, September 3, 10:00 PM ET

Line: San Diego Chargers (+3) vs. San Francisco 49ers (-3); total: 37.0 – view all NFL lines

The San Diego Chargers survived quite a scare this past week when Philip Rivers’ throwing hand hit a Seattle Seahawk defender’s own hand rather hard. After getting an incompletion in the play after taking the hit, Rivers called it a day and headed off into the locker room. He finished Saturday’s game with 140 yards on 13-of-19 passing.

The Chargers need not worry about Rivers and their offense this Thursday, but the underplayed battle for starting kicker has got to be resolved the soonest. Nick Novak, San Diego’s placekicker last season, struggled with his kick-offs in 2014, which prompted the team to pick up rookie Josh Lambo. Novak may have redeemed himself this past weekend by hitting a pair of field goals (with one being a 52-yarder). However, Lambo’s 53-yarder and 47-yard game-winner in Week 2 against Arizona still make him the more attractive option at starting kicker as we speak.

Over in San Francisco, Colin Kaepernick continues to struggle in the preseason. The 49ers’ starting quarterback was just 2-of-6 for 13 yards when they visited the Denver Broncos this past Saturday, and even took a sack from DeMarcus Ware for a Dallas safety. Kap did, however, get it going on the ground as he scrambled for 53 rushing yards in three attempts.

At least the Niners’ defense is getting a ton of production from their linebackers. NaVorro Bowman, a former Pro Bowl selection, had nine tackles against the Broncos, including a pair of sacks on Peyton Manning. Corey Lemonier – the linebacker set to replace Aldon Smith in the lineup – also got to sack Manning on Saturday and ended the game with three tackles.