NFL Predictions Week Four: New England Patriots Squeeze Out A Win On MNF
By Cyrus Geller
Week four has gotten off to a rough start, as the Giants absolutely obliterated the Redskins on Thursday Night Football. But don’t fret, because we have an excellent slate of games coming up over the next two days, so prepare for a good weekend of NFL action.
New England 24 Kansas City 16
After last week’s horrible performance against the Raiders, I am not taking any of the Pats’ opponents lightly for the remainder of this 2014 season, and that includes the Chiefs. Kansas City has a very good pass rush, and when you combine that deafening crowd with the struggling New England offensive line, we may see Tom Brady hit the turf 10+ times on Monday night. It will be vital for the Patriots to establish a run game early, so Brady has some time to operate in the pocket. A few big plays by the Patriots’ secondary ultimately swing this game in their favor.
Green Bay 27 Chicago 21
Two gunslingers will face off in this epic rivalry tomorrow, and while I would love to pick Jay Cutler and the Bears at home, I think the Packers will bounce back, and get the victory. Aaron Rodgers hasn’t been himself this year, but going up against a weak Bears’ secondary, I believe he will snap out of his funk, and lead Green Bay to the win.
Bills 16 Texans 13
Prepare for an ugly defensive slugfest if you are going to tune into this one. Both of these teams are struggling on offense, and will be leaning on their defense to make the necessary plays to get the win.
Colts 34 Titans 19
Andrew Luck and company got their first win of the year last week against the lowly Jaguars, and I expect them to get win number two at home against Tennessee. Luck will lean on Trent Richardson and Ahmad Bradshaw in the run game, but look for him to also target T.Y. Hilton on a few deep balls to open up the offense.
Panthers 23 Ravens 17
Carolina suffered an embarrassing blowout loss at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, so I think they will come out with a sense of urgency this week in Baltimore. The Ravens’ offense is still not where I think they need to be, and the dominating front seven of the Panthers will cause problems for them all day long.
Lions 45 Jets 13
Yup, that’s right. Matthew Stafford and company are going to drop a 40-burger on the Jets, and embarrass New York on their home turf. Yes, Calvin Johnson is not expected to be 100%, but that will open up plenty of one-on-one matchups for everyone else on the offense, and I believe they will all take advantage.
Steelers 35 Buccaneers 6
Tampa Bay was possibly the worst team in the NFL with their starting quarterback in the rotation. And now that Josh McCown will be sitting on Sunday, this game could get very, very ugly. Ben Roethlisberger and that offense will light up a Bucs’ defense that is coming off one of the worst overall performances by a defense in recent memory.
Dolphins 21 Raiders 20
I am expecting this game to be a tight one, albeit between two horrid squads. Miami’s highlight of the season may have come in week one against the Patriots, and the Raiders just flat-out suck. Ultimately, the Dolphins’ front seven will cause too much problems for Derek Carr to handle, and a few key turnovers will decide this game.
Chargers 38 Jaguars 10
My word of advice to you: Start as many Chargers players as you can in fantasy football this week. Phillip Rivers and his receiving corps are going to go off against the worst pass defense in the league, and San Diego’s defense will have no problem with rookie quarterback Blake Bortles, who is making his first start.
Falcons 31 Vikings 20
Like they have done in their previous two games, Minnesota will make this a tight contest, but I don’t think they have enough talent to pull off the win. Matt Ryan has too many weapons at his disposal, and I just don’t see Teddy Bridgewater scoring enough points to top Atlanta.
Eagles 31 49ers 28
I have an early feeling that the Niners may end up as the most disappointing team in this 2014 season. Their defense is struggling, and Colin Kaepernick just isn’t living up to that huge contract he received this offseason. Look for Nick Foles to go after San Francisco’s weak secondary early and often, and move that ball on them all game long.
Saints 42 Cowboys 27
We keep waiting for that vaunted Saints offense to break out of its funk, and I am thinking this is finally the week they do it. Dallas has one of the worst defensive units in the league, and that situation with Morris Claiborne doesn’t help either. Drew Brees has had a pedestrian start to the year, but look for him to end that on Sunday night. I am predicting a 400-yard, and five touchdown game for the Texan.