Despite winning in Week 3, the Miami Dolphins should be ashamed of themselves for needing overtime to defeat the Cleveland Browns. But hey, at least they’re already past a situation in which they could actually lose to Cleveland. Now it’s the Washington Redskins’ turn to see if they could keep their dignities intact after a showdown with Cody Kessler and company in Landover this coming Sunday. Let’s talk more about that game and two other potential sleepers this week below.
NFL News and Previews
- Washington Redskins vs. Kansas City Chiefs Preview - October 2, 2017
- Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos Preview - October 1, 2017
- Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots Preview - October 1, 2017
- 2017 NFL Week 4 Picks and Predictions
NFL Week 4 Sleepers Predictions
Cleveland Browns (+9.5) at Washington Redskins (-9.5); total: 45.5 (Sun, Oct. 2, 1:00 PM ET)
Why the Browns will win: In a perfect world, RG3 should be starting for the Browns against his old team but since football gods hate Cleveland to the bones, it’ll instead be Cody Kessler under center. Washington’s defense seems to be a good matchup for Kessler, as the Redskins are just 26th in the league with 301.7 passing yards allowed per game.
Moreover, the Redskins could be missing notable players on their secondary with DeAngelo Hall and Bashaud Breeland uncertain to play next Sunday. There is reason to hope, Cleveland!
Why the Browns will lose: You mean other than the fact that they’re the Browns? They’ve been great in discovering ridiculous ways to lose and against Washington, the Browns might just get killed again on defense. Kirk Cousins leads Washington’s passing attack that is third in the league with 330.7 passing yards per game.
The Browns, on the other hand, are allowing 294.3 passing yards per contest. In other words, the Browns are tied down to a railroad just waiting for the Cousins Express to smash them down to smithereens. And before we forget, the Browns could be missing Joe Haden because of a groin injury. #JustSaying.
Writer’s Prediction: Washington (-9.5) wins, 32-25.
Buffalo Bills (+4) at New England Patriots (-4) (Sun, Oct. 2, 1:00 PM ET)
Why the Bills will win: It took three weeks but the Bills finally felt the impact of Rob Ryan’s addition to the coaching staff, as Buffalo played its best defense yet in a 33-18 thumping of Arizona in Week 3. Carson Palmer barely had space to breathe against Buffalo, which had four interceptions and five sacks Sunday.
A rejuvenated Buffalo defense should cause numerous problems for New England, which has yet to name its starting quarterback. One thing is for sure, it won’t be Tom Brady so the Bills have one future Hall-of-Famer less to worry about this coming Sunday.
Why the Bills will lose: They’re up against New England, duh. After winning with backup quarterbacks in their first three games of the season, we get the feeling the Pats could start Uncle Rico and still win.
Perhaps lost in the noise of the quarterback quandary in Foxborough was the fact that the Patriots’ defense has been fantastic this year. The Pats are fifth in scoring defense, allowing just 15.0 points per game and with Sammy Watkins still not 100 percent healthy, the Bills might rely more on their backfield for yardage. The bad news is that New England allows just 90.3 rushing yards per game.
Writer’s Prediction: Buffalo wins, 24-21.
Detroit Lions (-3) at Chicago Bears (+3) (Sun, Oct. 2, 1:00 PM ET)
Why the Bears will win: Brian Hoyer isn’t paid much like Jay Cutler but Bears fans nevertheless saw Chicago play its best offense thus far this season with the journeyman under center in Week 3, albeit in a loss to Dallas 31-17. Hoyer passed for 317 yards with two touchdowns on Sunday and with Jay Cutler likely out for another week, Hoyer is expected to be the man again for Chicago.
Moreover, Chicago will be facing a depleted Detroit defense that’s going to miss at least a couple of pieces in Ezekiel Ansah and DeAndre Levy.
Why the Bears will lose: Chicago’s defense was straight up garbage in Week 3, as the Bears were embarrassed by the rookie tandem of Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott. Dallas unloaded 447 total yards against Chicago’s weak D, and it sounds like a bad omen for the Bears, who are about to face a very potent Detroit offense that ranks seventh in scoring and third in passing yards per game.
Writer’s Prediction: Detroit (-3) wins, 34-24.
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