NFL Week Four Predictions
After three weeks into the NFL season, here are some notes and observations.
Article by Dave Nguyen, AKSM Sports
PHILADELPHIA - After three weeks into the NFL season, here are some notes and observations:
The Eagles and Bengals Tied Again: The second time since 2008 when Donnovan McNabb was not aware that you can end a regular season game in a tie. Rookie sensation Joe Burrow out-dueled Carson Wentz, throwing for 312 yards and two touchdowns. Through three games, the Athens, Ohio native has thrown for 821 yards and five scores.
Nick Foles is Back! After replacing Mitchell Trubisky in the second half, down 16 in the fourth quarter, the former Super Bowl MVP worked his magic by throwing three touchdown passes to keep the Bears undefeated at 3-0. The Falcons become the first team in NFL history to lose back-to-back games when having a lead of 15 points or more heading into the fourth quarter. (Insert Image of Nick Foles from win against Falcons).
Josh Allen is for Real: Despite a Rams comeback in the second half, the former first round pick from Wyoming put together a two-minute-drill drive in the fourth quarter, tossing a three-yard game winning touchdown pass to Tyler Kroft with 15 seconds left to keep the Bills undefeated.
49ers Own MetLife: despite all the injuries, the 49ers returned to MetLife stadium to throttle the New York Giants 39-6 after beating the Jets in the same stadium a week before. Nick Mullens throws for 343 yards and a score, giving him momentum against the Eagles on Sunday Night Football this week.
Four Teams Earn 1st Win: The Panthers took care of the Chargers to give Matt Rhule his first win as an NFL Head Coach, the Lions defense and the return of Kenny Golliday give Detroit its first win, and ageless wonder Ryan Fitzpatrick throws for 160 yards, two touchdowns, and only two incompletions in the Dolphins win against the Jaguars. Additionally, the Broncos earn their first win at the Jets in Brett Rypien, nephew of former Redskins QB Mark, on Thursday Night.
Six Teams are Winless: In addition to the Eagles and Bengals (because they tied), the Vikings, Texans, and Falcons are still winless. The Vikings travel to Houston to face the Texans in a battle of 0-3 teams this week. Additionally, the Jets drop to 0-4 after losing to the Broncos on Thursday Night Football.
Rodgers, Mahomes are Sensational: In a duel with Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers took advantage of the crowd-less Super Dome by tossing three touchdowns and 283 yards in a Packers 37-30 win. Patrick Mahomes out-dueled Lamar Jackson in the battle of former MVP’s in Baltimore, launching four touchdowns and 385 yards, as the Chiefs took care of the Ravens 34-20.
COVID Strikes Again: It is reported that the Tennessee Titans have players and personnel staff that have tested positive for COVID-19 after their game against the Vikings. As a result, the NFL has postponed the Titans-Steelers game to a later date. (Insert Image of Statement from NFL).
Here are my predictions for Week Four:
Sunday 1pm
Colts at Bears: Nick Foles is now given the keys of the Bears offense after his performance against the Falcons. He makes his first start of 2020 as he battles Phillip Rivers and the Colts, after they defeated the Jets 36-7. The Colts may be favored, but no one is ready for the Foles magic to stop. Prediction: Bears 23-20.
Jaguars at Bengals: Joe Burrow has proven in three weeks why he was chosen first overall in the draft. He is building chemistry with fellow rookie receiver Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd. Even Gardner Minshew’s mustache can’t stop the determination of Burrow. Prediction: Bengals 28-24.
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb runs for a touchdown against the Washington Football Team in the second half (Joshua Gunter/cleveland.com).
Browns at Cowboys: One could argue that if it weren’t for an unthinkable onside-kick recovery, the Cowboys could be winless heading into this game. Despite all the weapons Dak Prescott has, the Cowboys defense will have a hard time stopping the ground attack of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Prediction: Browns 30-26.
Saints at Lions: Some fans are afraid that Drew Brees is declining as their offense looks different without Michael Thomas. Emanuel Sanders caught a touchdown pass against the Packers last week, and the load of Alvin Kamara has increased. The Lions are coming off a win in Arizona, as the defense picked off Kyler Murray twice, but the Saints offense is a different animal. Brees and the boys look to get back on track in Detroit. Prediction: Saints 35-20.
Seahawks at Dolphins: Russel Wilson travels to the Sunshine State as the undefeated Seahawks travel cross-country to Miami. Through three games Wilson has thrown for 925 yards, 14 touchdowns, and only one pick. He looks to eclipse 1,000 passing yards in Miami. Prediction: Seahawks 30-14.
Chargers at Buccaneers: Tom Brady tore apart the Broncos defense in Denver last week, earning a second win with his new team. Chris Godwin caught five balls for 64 yards and a score in his return, as a full-slate of weapons for Brady will be hard for the Chargers and Justin Herbert to stop. Prediction: Bucs 28-10.
Cardinals at Panthers: Kyler Murray’s two interceptions were costly against the Lions, but sometimes that happens to young quarterbacks. He looks to lead a high powered offense into Carolina as Christian McCaffrey is still injured. The Cardinals have scored 23 or more points in their first three games, looking to continue the trend in Carolina. Prediction: Cardinals 24-10.
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens struggled against the Chiefs yet again on Monday night (Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images).
Ravens at Washington Football Team: After a Monday night loss to the Chiefs, where Lamar Jackson was held in check to 97 yards in the air and 83 on the ground, the Ravens travel south to D.C. Jackson looks to get the Ravens ground-attack rolling again in our nation’s capitol. Prediction: Ravens 38-10.
Vikings at Texans: No one would believe that these two teams were going to be winless heading into this matchup when the NFL Schedule was made months ago; but that’s the reality of the 2020 NFL season. There will be more pressure on Bill O’Brien in this game as the Texans look to avoid an 0-4 start. On the flip side, the Vikings had to wait until Thursday to reopen their facilities after their delay due to the Titans having players and personnel test positive for COVID-19. Kirk Cousins needs to get his offense to avoid an 0-4 start as well, as he has thrown more interceptions (6) than touchdowns (5) so far this season. Prediction: Texans 24-21.
4:05 PM
Giants at Rams: Daniel Jones and the Giants offense looked lost without Saquan Barkley last week against the 49ers, only having nine points to show for it. Jared Goff and the Rams, on the other hand, look to get back in the win column after falling to the Bills late in the fourth quarter last week. Prediction: Rams 35-10.
4:25 PM
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid won their first Super Bowl last season (Gail Burton/Associated Press).
Patriots at Chiefs: Another dynamic quarterback matchup between Mahomes and Cam Newton will be must-watch TV. Mahomes has helped the offense put up 91 points through three games with 898 passing yards and 10 combined touchdowns. Cam Newton and Julian Edelman will not go down without a fight, but the Chiefs offense is looking to continue its momentum from their Monday night showdown against the Ravens last week. Prediction: Chiefs 35-28.
Bills at Raiders: Josh Allen leads the undefeated Bills into Vegas after his come from behind win against the Rams last week. Sean McDermott’s team is clicking on all cylinders, with Allen throwing for over 1,000 yards heading into this matchup. John Gruden and defensive Coordinator Paul Gunther will have their hands full, hoping Derek Carr can give the Raiders a fighting chance in this contest. Prediction: Bills 27-24.
Sunday Night
Eagles at 49ers: Philadelphia fans did not expect this record for the Eagles three weeks into their season. With injuries piling onto a team with young playmakers at the skill position, Carson Wentz has felt the pressure to put the team on his back. In order for the Eagles to get out of their funk, Wentz will need to trust his playmakers while fixing his mechanics. While Jimmy Garapolo, among many 49ers that are injured, is not likely to play, Nick Mullins is expected to have Pro-Bowl Tight End George Kittle for this matchup. The backup quarterback performed well in his first start last week against the Giants throwing for over 300 yards and a score. Prediction: 49ers 24-21.
Monday Evening
Falcons at Packers: These teams are on opposite ends of the spectrum heading into Lambeau Field on Monday night, as the Packers look like Super Bowl contenders while the Falcons are trying to get out of the doldrums. Atlanta has made NFL history in negative ways in back-to-back weeks with their losses to Dallas and Chicago, despite having 15+ point leads in both contests in the fourth quarter. Dan Quinn’s job will (most likely) be on the line Monday night as Matt Ryan tries to beat Aaron Rodgers, who has one of the top offenses in the NFL this year scoring 122 points through three games. Prediction: Packers 35-24.