Ravens-Steelers AFC North Showdown Headlines Week 4 Slate
Week 3 Results: 8-8
Record This Season: 25-23
One word to describe the first three weeks of the NFL season: Overtime
For a third straight week we got an overtime game, but this time we got a winner as the New Orleans Saints used a 15-play/80 yard touchdown drive at the beginning of overtime to upend the Atlanta Falcons 43-37 in OT.
So with there being three straight weeks with a pair of teams playing into overtime, it’s almost certain we’ll get a fourth consecutive week with football past 60 minutes.
The Week 4 slate features four non conference games which will be headlined Philadelphia Eagles road test vs the Tennessee Titans.
There will be two intriguing AFC divisional matchups on tap as the New England Patriots look to avoid a third consecutive defeat to begin the season vs the Miami Dolphins. Meanwhile the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs will look to take the wind out of the Broncos cells in Mile High.
Before then, we’ll take a look at each matchup and who I think will come out on top. Here are my predictions for Week 4 of the 2018 NFL regular season.
*Drum roll please*
Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams are ailing at cornerback, but one thing making Wade Phillips and the Rams smile is the Minnesota Vikings offensive line. The Vikings have failed to run the ball effectively to start the year and that’s put pressure on Kirk Cousins to perform behind a suspect offensive line that allows interior pressure.
Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh haven’t gotten off to a roaring start. That changes here vs a Vikings team traveling to the West Coast on a short week.
Prediction: Los Angeles Rams 24 Minnesota Vikings 19
Cincinnati Bengals at Atlanta Falcons
The Bengals run defense looked the part of a team that fielded only seven men on the field, not 11 last Sunday in a 31-21 loss to the Carolina Panthers.
That may be harsh considering Bengals at the second and third levels also struggled to contain the run. Atlanta — who will likely get back Devonta Freeman — is running the ball better and Matt Ryan has 9 touchdowns in his last two days. With injuries in the secondary for Atlanta, expect another shootout.
Prediction: Atlanta Falcons 36 Cincinnati Bengals 30
Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a run heavy team. Facing the Detroit Lions on Sunday, the NFL’s worst ranked run defense, is exactly what Jason Garrett and the Cowboys want to see.
Matthew Stafford will have his hands full trying to find open men down the field as Dallas has been stingy in allowing passes down field. Cowboys bounce back here.
Prediction: Dallas Cowboys 21 Detroit Lions 20
Buffalo Bills at Green Bay Packers
Green Bay is lacking in a reliable go-to option for Aaron Rodgers as the Packers have had a different leading receiver each of the first two weeks. That doesn’t speak to how deep they are considering the drop off in production from those leading receivers in other games.
Against a Buffalo Bills defense that finally came to life against the Minnesota Vikings in a 27-6 win, protecting Rodgers better than they have will be the key.
Considering Buffalo has not forced a interception through the first three weeks and a still formidable Packers pass rush, it’s a bounce back for Rodgers and the Packers.
Prediction: Green Bay Packers 37 Buffalo Bills 13
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears defense faces their toughest test in a Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense that leads the NFL in total yards. Generating pressure is of most importance, with the Pittsburgh Steelers laying out a blueprint in a 30-27 win vs Tampa Bay last Monday.
The question is who will start at quarterback for Tampa Bay?
Head coach Dirk Koetter is keeping his decision tight to the vest. It certainly looks like Ryan Fitzpatrick will get another start after his amazing three-game stretch in place of a suspended Jameis Winston.
Prediction: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26 Chicago Bears 17
New York Jets at Jacksonville Jaguars
A rookie quarterback with 5 interceptions in his first three NFL starts is exactly what the doctor ordered if you’re the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville will look to exercise some demons a week after losing yet another game to the Tennessee Titans.
Don’t underestimate this Jets defense, however. Todd Bowles’ unit is playing at a high level to begin the season, ranking 7th in total defense. Unfortunately, their run defense is a source of weakness (allowing 102.3 rushing yards per game).
Prediction: Jacksonville Jaguars 20 New York Jets 10
Philadelphia Eagles at Tennessee Titans
The Philadelphia Eagles first road game didn’t go too well back in Week 2 vs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and now they must face a formidable Tennessee Titans defense that ranks 11th in total defense and 8th in pass defense.
Carson Wentz and the Eagles offense received encouraging news when wide receiver Alshon Jeffery returned to practice this week after being cleared. Despite his return, it’s unlikely he produces at a high level and that’s needed for a team who just lost safety Rodney McLeod for the rest of the season.
Prediction: Tennessee Titans 23 Philadelphia Eagles 16
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts
Houston has been incapable of getting off to a strong start to begin their games. The Texans are being outscored 55-19 in the first half in their first three games and have only scored one touchdown in the first half.
That may not change on Sunday vs Indianapolis’ surprising 5th ranked defense. Andrew Luck has finished under 190 passing yards in his last two games. That will change vs a Texans defense allowing 271.1 passing yards per game.
Prediction: Indianapolis Colts 28 Houston Texans 20
Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots
Over their last 10 quarters the New England Patriots have only scored 36 points and three touchdowns. Tom Brady’s hair will be grey by season’s end of that continues.
The question if you’re Adam Gase watching the Detroit Lions film, particularly on offense, why can’t we do the same thing? Miami ranks near last in the NFL in time of possession, but a run-dominated gameplan could help them pull the upset here.
I look at this stat, however, and tend to go with history. Tom Brady is 27-1 vs the AFC East at home in his last 28 starts. That one loss came in a meaningless Week 17 game vs the Buffalo Bills during the 2014 regular-season where he played one half.
Prediction: New England Patriots 24 Miami Dolphins 18
Cleveland Browns at Oakland Raiders
The Cleveland Browns may have won a game this season, but we can’t discount their long drought without a road win.
The last time the Cleveland Browns won a road game was back on October 11th, 2015!!! Josh McCown was the quarterback that day and he went for 457 passing yards in a 33-30 OT win vs the Baltimore Ravens.
Baker Mayfield in his first career start will face a Raiders defense that’s been scuffling, mostly in the second halves of games.
What tilts the edge in Cleveland’s favor is Derek Carr, who has been inconsistent with just 2 TDs and 4 INTs in the first three games.
Against Cleveland’s opportunistic defense that leads the NFL in takeaways with 11, I expect quite a few turnovers coming from his throwing hand this Sunday.
Prediction: Cleveland Browns 13 Oakland Raiders 9
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are moving along with Josh Rosen as their starting quarterback, and the brash and confident Rosen will get a stiff test vs the Seattle Seahawks.
Seattle’s defense is 2nd in the NFL in takeaways (8) and 7th in third down defense (32.4). The stats won’t show it, but Seattle is generating pressure with linebacker Frank Clark leading the charge.
Good luck rook’.
Prediction: Seattle Seahawks 26 Arizona Cardinals 6
New Orleans Saints at New York Giants
The New Orleans Saints bring their high-powered offense which is averaging 36.5 PPG to East Rutherford vs a team averaging only 18.3 PPG. The problem for New Orleans? Their defense has been near the bottom of the league to start the season.
Bright spots last season, Marshon Lattimore, Ken Crawley and Marcus Williams have all struggled in the Saints secondary to begin the season.
That’s inviting news for a Giants offense that finally showed some signs of life vs the winless Houston Texans in a 27-22 victory on the road. Odell Beckham Jr. will end his touchdown-less season here.
Prediction: New York Giants 35 New Orleans Saints 33
San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers in just the first three weeks faced two of the scariest offenses in the NFL. They’ll get a much needed change of pace this Sunday vs a San Francisco 49ers team that lost quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to a torn ACL last Sunday.
C.J. Beathard will start for the 49ers, and last season the second-year pro completed only 54.9 percent of his passes while throwing 4 TDs to 6 INTs with a Passer Rating of 69.2. That’s all you need to know for how this game will go
Prediction: Los Angeles Chargers 30 San Francisco 49ers 13
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Baltimore Ravens pass defense gave up four touchdown passes in the first half to Andy Dalton in Week 2 in a 34-23. Outside of that, this defense as a whole has been smothering.
They’ll be tested by their arch nemesis Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers as Pittsburgh has one of the best cast of pass catchers in the NFL.
What Baltimore has working in its favor going on the road? The Pittsburgh Steelers are far and away the NFL’s most penalized team with 37, the next closest team are the Buffalo Bills with 28.
In a close football game, that’s the difference between winning and losing in this rivalry game.
Prediction: Baltimore Ravens 27 Pittsburgh Steelers 20
Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos blitz getting to Patrick Mahomes is Denver’s best chance at victory, but considering Denver’s blitz is resulting in few results, it may be best for Denver to rely on a four man rush.
Andy Reid’s Kansas City Chiefs through the first three weeks are the NFL’s worst ranked defense, but are they as bad as people truly say? Kansas City is allowing only 25.8 percent of third downs to be converted, the best mark in the NFL.
That could come in handy on the road vs a Broncos offense converting 42.9 percent of their third downs, 10th in the NFL.
Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs 36 Denver Broncos Denver Broncos 22
What are your thoughts on the Week 4 slate? Leave your comments below!