In week 3, it would be quite easy to say that I was very wrong and off on most of my game picks. My lock of the week with was partially correct. I selected the Colts to win, but not by 29 points. On a brighter note my upset of the week was spot on with a Carolina Panthers win over the Los Angeles Chargers. In totality I was 7-9 in last weeks pick'em games.
Week 4 will be a week unlike one has never seen before. With a recent outbreak of Covid-19 on the Tennessee Titans roster, their game has already been canceled for Sunday. It was about time something would pop up on the radar. Hopefully this will pass by with the minimal affect to the NFL season. With the threat of Covid-19 on the horizon, I will make my picks to the best of my ability.
Thursday Night Football, NFL @ 8:20
Denver Broncos @ New York Jets (+2.5) Broncos 21, Jets 13
Denver has been extremely unlucky with all the injuries they have had to endure this season. With key offensive and defensive stars out of the lineup they have been left to play with a group of mostly young talent. I think Denver will win this game in easy fashion to cover the spread. I feel extremely bad for Jets QB Sam Darnold. The Jets organization has let him down severely, with lack of talent and protection. Head Coach Adam Gase will be fired after this week.
Sunday Games @ 1 PM:
Indianapolis Colts @ Chicago Bears (+2.5) Bears 24, Colts 17
After a miserable week one performance, the Colts have bounced back and have played extremely well winning their last two games. Colts QB Phillip Rivers is finding his way with the offense and has posted some good numbers. The Bears have been off to a blazing hot start winning all three games, two which included clutch heroics in the 4th quarter. Last week the Bears won in grand fashion with an epic win led by QB Nick Foles who was subbed in halfway through the game. Foles was announced as the starter this week over Mitch Trubisky. I have learned my lesson from years past to never doubt Nick Foles, so I’ll take the Bears to win and cover the spread in what will be an amazing and close game. This is the QSR’s upset pick of the week.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Cincinnati Bengals(-3.5) Jaguars 21, Bengals 17
I was very high on the Jaguars last Thursday night, and they let me down big time. Nevertheless, I have faith in Gardner Minshew II and that he will pull out a win this week against the Cincinnati Bengals. This will be a very close game from start to finish. The Bengals have shown that they are a team that believes that they always have a chance to win under rookie QB Joe Burrow. They almost beat a very skilled Eagles team, if it wasn't for late game heroics from QB Carson Wentz to make it a tied game. I think the Jaguars will be a bit more ball dominant and sound on offense and defense which will place them in a better position to win the game.
Cleveland Browns @ Dallas Cowboys(-4.5) Cowboys 35, Browns 17
The Browns are coming off their second win of the season defeating Washington with ease. The formula for the Browns is to rely heavily on the ground game between Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. QB Baker Mayfield is a game manager and is best when passing lanes are wide open. If they can dominate the clock they might have a good chance in this game. The Cowboys on the other hand are easily one of the most talented offenses in the NFL. They shouldn't have a hard time finding the endzone in this game. Dak has played very well so far this season, and I expect that to continue against the Browns. Cowboys will win and easily cover the spread. This is the QSR’s Lock of the Week.
New Orleans Saints @ Detroit Lions (+4.5) Saints 21, Lions 17
Alvin Kamara is the beast that keeps this Saints offense alive with no Michael Thomas. Last week Kamara carried the offense with nearly 200 total yards against the Packers. Although they lost, Kamara kept them in the game from start to finish. Brees has not looked well or normal all this season. He has had major issues pushing the ball down the field. As time goes on this will prove to be a more pressing issue for the offense, more than it is now. Even with the set backs, the Saints will defeat the Lions this week. However, I’ll take the Lions to cover the spread and keep it close.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Tennessee Titans (+1.5) Steelers 31, Titans 24
Assuming this game is played, I will be selecting the Steelers to win and cover the spread of this matchup between the two undefeated teams. The Steelers are more well rounded on all three phases of the game. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger has played some good ball so far this season, and I don't think the Titans will be the team to knock him off his game. The Titans have been extremely fortunate in many of their close wins with clutch kicks from Kicker Stephen Gostkowsi. In this match up I don’t think it will come down to any last minute field goals. The Titans will have met their match in this game.
Seattle Seahawks @ Miami Dolphins (+6.5) Seahawks 31, Dolphins 21
Russell Wilson has played out of this word this season. He is clearly the favorite to win the MVP award. Wilson has taken control of the offense and has carried the Seahawks to an undefeated record. The Dolphins are a team that is still trying to find their footing this season. One never actually knows what to expect from them each week. Regardless, the Seahawks will be victorious over the Dolphins in an easy win and easy spread pick.
Minnesota Viking @ Houston Texans (-3.5) Texans 27, Vikings 24
This will be one of the more fun games to watch this week. Both of these teams were in the playoffs last season, however this year is a completely different story. Both are off to an 0-3 start. In this game I think the Texans will just barely beat the Vikings. Kirk Cousins will keep it a close game, I have no doubt. This game will come down to a last game winning field goal. Although the Texans win, the Vikings keep it close enough to cover the spread bet.
Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers(+3.5) Cardinals 24, Panthers 20
Cardinals took a tough loss last week to the Lions, where Kyler Murray was clearly flustered throwing three interceptions. Murray is still a young kid and I expect him to have an off game every now and then. I think the Cardinals will bounce back and win over the Panthers. The Panthers are a very young team that need more time to find themselves as a team this season. Teddy Bridgewater is a good QB that can win games in the NFL and he will keep this game very close. In the end, I’ll take the Cardinals to cover the spread in the win over the Panthers.
Los Angeles Chargers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-7.5) Buccaneers 34, Chargers 17
Tampa Bay has taken to a very good form in which they look and are playing like one of the best teams in the NFL. Tom Brady and the offense need to still work things out to become more consistent, but it's a far improvement from week one. The defense of the Bucc’s is probably the best in the league at the moment and the Chargers will have their hands full all game. The Chargers are led by rookie QB Justin Herbert and they as a team have played well in recent weeks. Herbert will be playing against the best defense in the league on Sunday, and I fear he might be in for a very long day. I’ll take the Bucc’s to win and cover the eight point spread.
Baltimore Ravens @ Washington (+13.5) Ravens 35, Washington 14
After a tough loss to the Chiefs, the Ravens will look to bounce back against a weaker Washington team that has lost their past two games. Lamar looked limited in his last outing and for him to get back to his MVP status, Washington would be a good team for him to expose. Washington is a tough and gritty team, but they don't have any spark on both offense or defense. They will try their best to keep it close and hopefully capitalize on any miss ques. The Ravens are just significantly the better team and should win easy this week.
Games @ 4PM:
New York Giants @ Los Angeles Rams (-12.5) Rams 31, Giants 13
The Rams are given almost 13 points in the spread this week. I don't always fall for one this high for a mediocre team, but the Giants are that hideous. This will be a blowout game from start to finish. Goff will throw all day on this team. The Giants are not a competent team at all this season. It’s best for the franchise to see what they have and what they like and think about next season. Rams will easily win and cover the spread in this one.
Buffalo Bills @ Las Vegas Raiders (+2.5) Bills 27, Raiders 21
The Bills have played immensely well out of the gate this season. Josh Allen looks like a completely new QB, and it is obvious to see that he has stepped up his game a lot. As much as I am a fan of the Raiders, I will select the Bills to win and cover the spread in this tightly contested match up. I feel that the Raiders are almost clicking on all cylinders, but they are just a little bit short on becoming the dominant team they know they can be.
New England Patriots @ Kansas City Chiefs(-6.5) Chiefs 31, Patriots 24
Patrick Mahomes is the best QB in the NFL and I don't think Bill Belichick will stop him this time. I think it will be a very fun game to watch from start to end. But the Chiefs are just way too talented and good of a team. The Patriots will continue with their method of misdirection and trickery with Cam Newton and the boys. In the end it won't matter much. The Chiefs will win and cover the spread.
Sunday Night Football, NBC @ 8:20
Philadelphia Eagles @ San Francisco 49ers (-6.5) Eagles 31, 49ers 28
The Eagles have been one giant dumpster fire this season, and if they do not win this game their season is likely over. Luckily for them they will be facing off against an injury riddled 49ers team that is extremely vulnerable. If the Eagles can take advantage of the opportunity they could seriously turn this season around. The 49ers are a very well coached team. However if Nick Mullens gets into a shootout with Carson Wentz, I’ll take Wentz every time. I think Carson Wentz can turn this season around and get the Eagles back into the playoff hunt.
Monday Night Football, ESPN @ 8:15
Atlanta Falcons vs Green Bay Packers(-7.5) Packers 33, Falcons 29
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are flying high this season. Rodgers has scorched every secondary he has faced this season, and Atlanta is next. This season is Rodgers’s revenge tour and he will continue on his path for another MVP award. Atlanta has played well very offensively, but due to poor coaching they have blundered all three of their previous games away. If the Falcons blow another lead in this game, you can say goodbye to Head Coach Dan Quinn. I'll take the Packers to win, but they wont cover the spread.
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