Odell Beckham is proof that there is crying in football. The Vikings could make him cry again tomorrow night.
Week four is the first bye week of the season. It is also the last week of Tom Brady’s suspension which has to make Patriots fans happy.
Here are my picks for this week.
Indianapolis Colts (1-2) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3): This is a must game for Jags coach Gus Bradley. He cannot afford to start the season 0-4. Jags owner Shad Khan has been patient but an 0-4 start would wear on his patience. I’m picking the Jags in a tight game.
Prediction: Jaguars 30 Colts 27
Tennessee Titans (1-2) at Houston Texans (2-1): It’s been a tough week for the Texans. First they get embarrassed by the Patriots 27-0 and then they get the news that JJ Watt is done for the season. It’ll be interesting to see how the Texans respond today. Tennessee is facing a wounded animal so this is a good opportunity for Mike Mularkey’s team to steal a road win. I like Tennessee in this one.
Prediction: Titans 20 Texans 17
Cleveland Browns (0-3) at Washington Redskins (1-2):The Redskins need a game like this to maintain the momentum they acquired last week by beating the Giants. Washington should take care of business against a Browns team that is playing hard for Hue Jackson but clearly lacks the talent to compete.
Prediction: Redskins 31 Browns 17
Seattle Seahawks (2-1) at New York Jets (1-2): Afte throwing six interceptions last week against the Chiefs, one has to wonder if Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has a short leash this week.
He’ll face a Seahawks defense that got back on track last week against the 49ers. Look for the Sea Birdsto continue their resurgence today against a Jets that looks lost right now on both sides of the ball.
Prediction: Seahawks 28 Jets 17
Buffalo Bills (1-2) at New England Patriots (3-0): Rex Ryan has never won a regular season game at Gillette Stadium as a head coach and I don’t expect that to change today. Some way, some how, the Patriots will win this game. What they did to Houston last week was no fluke. They know how to win.
Prediction: Patriots 24 Bills 14
Carolina Panthers (1-2) at Atlanta Falcons (2-1): The Falcons handed Carolina their only loss last season and I think they’ll hand them their loss of the season today. The Panthers are a mess offensively for what ever reason and they won’t score enough to beat a Falcons team that is in a groove right now offensively.
Prediction: Falcons 31 Panthers 24
Oakland Raiders (2-1) at Baltimore Ravens (3-0): The Ravens and the Raiders are the two teams I openly tongue bathed this pre-season. I probably tongue bathed the Ravens a little more and that’s why I’m picking them to win this game. Baltimore knows how to win, especially tight games. This will be a tight game but the Black Birds will win it and move to 4-0.
Prediction: Ravens 20 Raiders 17
Detroit Lions (1-2) at Chicago Bears (0-3): The Bears are a mess right now. They have no talent and a plethora of injuries. The Lions aren’t much better but they are healthier and that’s why I’m picking them in what should be an ugly game.
Prediction: Lions 24 Bears 17
Denver Broncos (3-0) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-2): The Broncos might just be the best team in the AFC. They certainly look like it right now.
Traveling cross country to battle a young and hungry Bucs team will be challenging but the Broncos are the better team and as long as they do what they do on both sides of the ball, they should win this game and move to 4-0.
Prediction: Broncos 28 Bucs 17
Los Angeles Rams (2-1) at Arizona Cardinals (1-2): The Rams are in first place in the AFC West which is hard to believe after they lost 28-0 to the Niners in week one.
The Cardinals have been a disappointment thus far but they can shake that label if they win this game and get back on track.
They’ll have their hands full against a Rams defense that brings a lot of pressure but I think Carson Palmer and the Cardinalsoffense will get back on track and get a much needed win.
Prediction: Cardinals 31 Rams 20
New Orleans Saints (0-3) at San Diego Chargers (1-2): The Saints need to win this game or their season is one step closer to being over.
This is the first time Drew Brees is playing in San Diego since 2005. A lot have happened for Brees since then. He’ll be motivated to play well today and lead the Saints to a win. The team needs a win and he wants to make a statement. I like New Orleans in this one.
Prediction: Saints 31 Chargers 28
Dallas Cowboys (2-1) at San Francisco 49ers (1-2): Remember when this was the best rivalry in the NFL? It’s not anymore. Both teams are plodding along somewhere between competing and rebuilding. The Cowboys seem to be further along in that process.
That’s why I’m picking the Cowboys today. Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense will play well and take care of business against a 49ers team that struggles to score points.
Prediction: Cowboys 28 49ers 17
Kansas City Chiefs (2-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1): This is a big game in the AFC. Both teams are getting back star running backs. The Steelers get back LeVeon Bell and the Chiefs get back Jamaal Charles. It’ll be interesting to see how much both players play.
The Steelers need to bounce back after an ugly loss last week to the Eagles. I think they will. This game will be close but I can’t see Pittsburgh losing two in a row, especially at home. I like the Steelers in what should be a good game.
Prediction: Steelers 31 Chiefs 20
New York Giants (2-1) at Minnesota Vikings (3-0): The Vikings have been impressive thus far this season despite playing without Teddy Bridgewater and Adrian Peterson.
Minnesota’s defense has been the catalyst for the Vikings strong start and they’ll need to continue to play well if the Vikings want to win this game.
The Giants will pose problems for Minnesota offensively but I don’t think they can pass protect against the Vikings pass rush. That’s why I like Minnesota in a tight game.
Prediction: Vikings 20 Giants 17