Thursday Night
New England Patriots @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Through 4 weeks, the Patriots have had an elite offense, and a historically bad defense, giving up almost 500 yards per game. The Bucs get Doug Martin back from suspension, but the Patriots defense will finally start to step up this week, helping out their explosive passing attack.
Patriots 35-Buccaneers 27
Sunday Morning
Buffalo Bills @ Cincinnati Bengals
After an overtime loss in Green Bay and shutting out Cleveland on the road, the Bengals finally look like they are getting back to being the team we’ve seen with Andy Dalton under center. The Bills defense has been solid so far this season, but the lack of an offense besides Shady McCoy makes this a tough one for Buffalo.
Bengals 23-Bills 14
New York Jets @ Cleveland Browns
Coming into the season, these were the teams most people thought would be at the bottom of the AFC. 4 games in, the 0-4 Browns are making the 2-2 Jets look like a potential playoff team. I think this will be the first game that DeShone Kizer shows his ability to be an NFL quarterback, but doesn’t get enough help in the redzone to secure a win.
Jets 20-Browns 9
Carolina Panthers @ Detroit Lions
This game is going to come down to the Panthers’ defense trying to stop the Lions’ potent offense. They will struggle for the most part, and Stafford will lead another last-minute drive to spoil Cam Newton’s day.
Lions 31-Panthers 30
San Francisco 49ers @ Indianapolis Colts
Since coming over from New England, Colts QB Jacoby Brissett has shown improvement in each start he’s made; this will be his best chance to shine after facing a couple of above-average defenses to start his Colts career. The Niners need their passing game to finally show up and help Carlos Hyde, but even that won’t be enough to overcome what will be Frank Gore’s best day with a horseshoe on his helmet.
Colts 21-49ers 17
Los Angeles Chargers @ New York Giants
Simply put, the Giants are desperate. They are tied for the worst record in the league at 0-4, and need a win to have any chance at keeping up in the playoff race. In a matchup of the top 2 quarterbacks from the 2004 draft, Eli Manning will lead his offense to their most complete game of their season.
Giants 30-Chargers 13
Tennessee Titans @ Miami Dolphins
This all comes down to the health of Marcus Mariota after leaving the blowout loss to Houston with a hamstring injury. If he plays, and can run like he usually does, the Dolphins haven’t shown anything to prove they could handle the Titan’s powerful run-based attack.
Titans 24-Dolphins 13
Arizona Cardinals @ Philadelphia Eagles
The Cardinals are still looking for an identity after losing David Johnson for a couple of months, and Larry Fitzgerald can only do so much. The Eagles have enough talent on defense to keep Fitz in check, and Palmer will be forced into a couple of crucial turnovers that will impact a very close game.
Eagles 35-Cardinals 30
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Pittsburgh Steelers
When the Steelers play in Pittsburgh, it can be nearly impossible to stop that offense. Le’Veon Bell finally looked back to normal last week, and even this new and improved Jags defense will struggle to contain all of these weapons Big Ben can get the ball to.
Steelers 31-Jaguars 10
Sunday Afternoon
Baltimore Ravens @ Oakland Raiders
In the first game with EJ Manuel filling in for Derek Carr (back), the Raiders are going to struggle to move the ball. Add the fact they are playing the Ravens, and this offense will be lucky to get double digits. Joe Flacco will do enough to secure a huge road win for the Ravens.
Ravens 24-Raiders 14
Seattle Seahawks @ Los Angeles Rams
This is a huge game for this young Rams’ team. Are they for real, or have they just gotten off to a great start? I think the Rams’ rise is for real, and this game will help prove it. Head Coach Sean McVay will have a great game plan in place for the Seahawk’s Legion of Boom, and Jared Goff gets his first signature win in the NFL.
Rams 28-Seahawks 20
Green Bay Packers @ Dallas Cowboys
A rematch of the classic 2016 playoff game that ended with some Aaron Rodgers magic. This time around, the Cowboys have a more capable defense and the Packers are pulling people off opponents’ practice squads to fill in their offensive line. This combo will lead to the Cowboys getting some revenge for last season.
Cowboys 31-Packers 17
Sunday Night
Kansas City Chiefs @ Houston Texans
A real test for the last unbeaten NFL team. The Chiefs have to go on the road to face on of the top defenses, capable of matching up with some of the Chiefs’ versatile offensive threats. Like Goff, Deshaun Watson will also pick up his first signature win this week.
Texans 26-Chiefs 17
Monday Night
Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears
This one is simple. A rookie QB making his first ever start. Against a top-5 defense. With no real downfield threats.
The Vikings will put 8 or 9 players in the box, take away Tarik Cohen and Jordan Howard, and dominate the host Bears.
Vikings 30-Bears 12
