It was a wild Week 3 in the NFL, with big blowouts and nail-biters all around the league. It gets even better in Week 4 with a whole lot more of those big-time matchups coming our way. The action starts on Thursday Night Football, as heated rivals Baltimore and Pittsburgh go head to head at Heinz Field. Read on as we take a look at all the other games on deck for Week 4 of the 2015 NFL Season.
Grab all the info you can get on the big prime-time games this weekend. Check out Sunday Night Football’s Cowboys vs. Saints and Monday Night Football’s Lions vs. Seahawks.
[sc:Football ]2015 NFL Week 4 Picks
Thursday, October 1
Baltimore Ravens (-2.5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (+2.5)
[sc:NFL240banner ]A leaky pass defense has the Baltimore Ravens in a 0-3 hole to start off this season. They allowed 734 yards and six touchdowns in their past two games combined. The good news is that they’ll face an undermanned Steelers squad that’s missing stars Ben Roethlisberger (left knee) and Martavis Bryant (suspension).
Michael Vick should fill-in well enough for the injured Roethlisberger after going 5 for 6 for 38 yards in a 12-6 win over St. Louis in Week 3. Meanwhile, the Ravens could exploit Pittsburgh’s leaky secondary. The Joe Flacco-Steve Smith Sr. connection has been deadly the past two games, connecting on 23 passes for 336 yards and two touchdowns.
Writer’s prediction: The Ravens cover -2.5 to get their first win of the season.
Sunday, October 4
New York Jets (-1.5) at Miami Dolphins (+1.5)
The Miami Dolphins dropped their last two games against the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars and the Buffalo Bills. But quarterback Ryan Tannehill may have found his go-to receiver. Rishard Matthews has been splendid the past two weeks with 12 receptions for 228 yards and two touchdowns. He’ll have a tough matchup ahead of him in the New York Jets’ secondary, though. The Jets are allowing 192 yards passing per game, good for fourth in the league this season.
Writer’s prediction: Matthews make some timely catches as he helps Miami (+1.5) break out of its slump.
Jacksonville Jaguars (+9) at Indianapolis Colts (-9)
Defending AFC South champs the Indianapolis Colts survived a 35-33 nail-biter against Tennessee. Andrew Luck threw two fourth-quarter touchdowns and Frank Gore punched in a six-yard run to take an eight-point lead with 2:51 left. The Colts allowed a last-second touchdown, but the Titans failed on a two-point conversion to force overtime and eventually lose the match.
Luck and the Colts are in another crucial divisional game, this time against the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars. The Indianapolis quarterback has a favorable matchup against Jacksonville’s 26th-ranked pass defense, which is allowing 283 yards per game this season.
Writer’s prediction: The Colts get off to a fast start, but garbage time production allows the Jaguars to cover +9.
Houston Texans (+6.5) at Atlanta Falcons (-6.5)
Houston’s running game finally got going as Alfred Blue rushed for 139 yards and a score on 31 carries this past weekend. Having Blue eating chunks off the clock could help the Texans see less of Atlanta’s passing offense. Falcons Quarterback Matt Ryan threw for 285 yards and two scores last week in Dallas. Wide receiver Julio Jones has been quite the playmaker himself, leading the league with 440 yards through three games. He has four touchdown receptions thus far.
Writer’s prediction: Jones wreaks havoc on Houston’s secondary. The Falcons cover -6.5 comfortably.
Carolina Panthers (-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3)
There’s the Cam Newton we all know and love. The Carolina quarterback showcased his dual-threat abilities against the Saints in Week 3. He completed 20 of 31 passes for 315 yards and two touchdowns and even scampered for a 13-yard score in the fourth quarter. Newton could have a big day through the air against Tampa Bay in Week 4. The Bucs have allowed six passing touchdowns this year, third-most in the league.
The Bucs did pretty okay in their Week 3 matchup against Houston, totaling 318 yards of offense. But special teams gaffes had them on the losing end of a 19-9 game. Kicker Kyle Brindza missed three of four field goals and an extra point attempt. That’s a good 10 points off the board that could’ve leveled the game or given Tampa Bay some momentum.
Writer’s prediction: Newton has a monster game as he leads a Panthers (-3) blowout.
New York Giants (+6) at Buffalo Bills (-6)
Who would’ve thought that Tyrod Taylor would be the fifth-best quarterback in the league — he has the fifth-best passer rating (116.1) only behind Carson Palmer, Tom Brady, Andy Dalton and Aaron Rodgers — after Baltimore didn’t renew his contract for the 2015 season. Taylor was solid in a blowout against Miami last week, throwing for 277 yards and three touchdowns.
And it looks like Taylor will be left unshackled by a Giants defense that allows 326.7 yards passing per game, second-worst in the NFL. But the Giants can fire back with Eli Manning, who’ll have a bunch of weapons at his disposal. Odell Beckham Jr. and Reuben Randle are solid in their own rights, but the return of Victor Cruz will further solidify the Giants’ receiving corps.
Writer’s prediction: The Bills win the shootout, but the Giants cover +6.
Oakland Raiders (-3) at Chicago Bears (+3)
Oakland has a trio of young guns who could turn out to be the foundation of its offense. Quarterback Derek Carr threw for 314 yards and two touchdowns; wide receiver Amari Cooper totaled 134 yards on eight catches; running back Latavius Murray ran for 139 yards and a score; and the Raiders beat Cleveland 27-20 on the road in Week 2. The trio faces a leaky Chicago D this coming weekend, one that’s allowing 35 points per game.
Meanwhile, Chicago’s offense will remain as horrible as it is to begin the season as long as Jay Cutler remains out. Backup Jimmy Clausen went 9 for 17 for 63 sad yards in a 26-0 loss to the Seahawks.
Writer’s prediction: It’s fun to pick on Chicago, right? Oakland’s young guns do just enough for the Raiders to cover -3.
Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5) at Washington Redskins (1:00 PM ET)
The Washington Redskins may get picked on by plenty of naysayers once again after a 32-21 loss against the New York Giants. But they have a good chance for an upset in Week 4 if they can win the battle in the trenches on both sides of the ball. The Redskins have the third-best rushing defense this season, allowing just 75 yards per game; they also have the fourth-best rushing offense (144 yards per game).
Washington’s pair of running backs has been solid. Alfred Morris has rushed for 199 yards on 49 carries this season, while Matt Jones has 189 yards and two scores on 36 carries.
Writer’s prediction: The Redskins (+3.5) run roughshod over the visiting Eagles.
Kansas City Chiefs (+3.5) at Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5)
Finally! The Kansas City Chiefs now have a touchdown reception by a wide receiver for the first time since Week 14 of the 2013 season. Offseason acquisition Jeremy Maclin hauled in a five-yard throw from Alex Smith in the fourth quarter. The two connected on a 61-yarder later on as Maclin finished with 141 yards on eight catches.
Maclin should be able to carve through a Cincinnati secondary, which allowed 362 passing yards against Baltimore. The Bengals could also do some damage through the air after seeing Kansas City allow 325 yards and five touchdowns to Aaron Rodgers on Monday night. Andy Dalton passed for 383 yards and three touchdowns with an interception in a 28-24 road win against Baltimore in Week 3.
Writer’s prediction: The Chiefs cover +3.5 and finally get one back on the win column.
Cleveland Browns (+8) at San Diego Chargers (-8)
Don’t mind the “Johnny” chants that rang inside of FirstEnergy Stadium this past Sunday. Josh McCown was pretty solid in his own right in a 27-20 loss to the Oakland Raiders. McCown passed for 341 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, but was also sacked five times. He might struggle to gain significant yardage against a tough San Diego defense that has allowed just 189 yards passing per game, third in the league.
The Chargers will be amped up after losing back-to-back games heading into this Week 4 showdown at Qualcomm Stadium. Philip Rivers has struggled to get it going, throwing four interceptions already to just five TDs through the first three weeks of the season. But a home game may be what he needs to play his usual solid self. The Chargers are 7-3 in their last 10 games at home.
Writer’s prediction: The Chargers should take this game, but they won’t be able to pull away for more than a touchdown. The Browns cover +8.
Green Bay Packers (-8.5) at San Francisco 49ers (+8.5)
The Green Bay Packers are off to a roaring start this season. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers became just the second quarterback after Peyton Manning in 2013 to throw for 10+ touchdowns in the first three games of the season. He threw for 333 yards and five touchdowns in the Packers’ 38-28 Monday Night Football victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Packers are in quite a predicament this time around. They’re not as solid on the road, going 5-5 SU/ATS in their last 10 away from Lambeau Field. They also lost their last four games against the San Francisco 49ers. If the Niners are to have a shot of an upset or at least avoid being blown out, they’ll have to get running back Carlos Hyde going.
Hyde rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries in his first home game this year. He ran for 94 yards on 28 carries and no score in his two games on the road since.
Writer’s prediction: San Francisco won’t be the team to slow down Rodgers and the Packers. Green Bay covers -8.5, taking a comfortable 10-point victory.
Minnesota Vikings (+7) at Denver Broncos (-7)
Adrian Peterson looked to be back in his vintage form in a 31-14 victory over the San Diego Chargers, rushing for 126 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. He’ll have a pretty solid Denver defense to play against on Sunday, though. The Broncos are allowing just 84 yards per game, good for sixth-best in the league. The Broncos also have Peyton Manning looking better and better as the season progresses.
Manning threw for 324 yards with a pair of touchdowns and an interception against Detroit on Sunday night. He should be able to dissect a Minnesota pass defense that’s middling in the league, allowing 243 passing yards per game.
Writer’s prediction: Peterson runs hard to help Minnesota cover +7, but not good enough to get the win straight-up.
St. Louis Rams (+7) at Arizona Cardinals (-7)
The Rams’ offense was a mess in their 12-6 home loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers this past Sunday. Nick Foles passed for just 197 yards with an interception, while the rest of the Rams couldn’t get going on the ground either. St. Louis ran for just 71 yards on 18 carries. But their pass rush could keep them in close games; the Rams recently had five sacks against the Steelers.
The Arizona Cardinals put a 47-point beat down on the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, and a trio of 30-somethings was the bright spot for the Cards in that game. Carson Palmer (35) passed for 311 yards with two touchdowns and an interception; Larry Fitzgerald (32) turned back his own clock for 134 yards and two scores on nine catches; and Chris Johnson (30) ran for 110 yards and two scores on 22 carries. They should have just enough firepower to get them past the Rams at home.
Writer’s prediction: St. Louis puts the clamps on the Cardinals. The Rams cover +7.
Dallas Cowboys at New Orleans Saints (8:30 PM ET)
Joseph Randle starred for the Dallas Cowboys as he rushed for 87 yards and three touchdowns against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. But the Cowboys slowed down in the second half, allowing the Falcons to rally for the win.
Randle should have another big game against a New Orleans defense which has allowed 397 yards per game this season (28th in the league), especially with the Saints no longer looking invincible at home after having lost six straight games at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, as well as having gone 0-6 against the spread in that span.
Writer’s prediction: Dallas blows out the struggling Saints.
Monday, October 5
Detroit Lions (+10) at Seattle Seahawks (-10)
A game at home in good ol’ CenturyLink Field was just what the doctor ordered for the Seattle Seahawks. The defending NFC champions blew out an overmatched Chicago team 26-0 to get their first win of the season. Tight end Jimmy Graham finally hauled in his first touchdown of the season, a 30-yarder from Russell Wilson in the third quarter.
Wilson and Graham should once again have some big connections downfield against a Detroit Lions defense that allowed 324 yards passing last week. The Lions couldn’t stop Peyton Manning from devastating their secondary. On the other side of the ball, quarterback Matthew Stafford had a mistake-filled game, throwing for 282 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, and he also lost a fumble. It gets even more difficult against the Seahawks’ passing defense, which held Chicago to just 63 passing yards on Sunday.
Writer’s prediction: Wilson and Graham connect for two more touchdowns as the Seahawks (-10) blow out the Lions.
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