This Football Blog

Week four and I still have no idea what’s going on. Here’s what not to expect.

Minnesota (-4) vs. New Orleans, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
The Vikings are probably good enough to beat the Saints in any stadium. But not by more than a field goal.

Cleveland (-1) at Atlanta
If I were smart, I’d probably take the Browns. Or, I don’t know. If I were smart and the game was being played in Cleveland, I’d surely take the Browns. But the game’s in Atlanta. And I guess I’m not very smart. Falcons by a point.

Washington (+3) at Dallas
The Cowboys probably have outplayed their potential through the first three weeks of this season. But so have the Commanders. Dallas by seven.

Seattle (+3.5) at Detroit
The Seahawks could probably keep this one close if they had an offense. Lions by 10.

Tennessee (+3.5) at Indianapolis
The Colts at least have turned in one good game this season. That’s about as much of an edge as I can identify for either team in this matchup. Indy by six.

Chicago (+3) at NY Giants
Although both teams come in at 2-1, the Giants look to me to be there as a solidly middle-of-the-pack squad playing at about the level we’re likely to see all season. The Bears, on the other hand, I expect to sink as the weeks wear on. Giants by a touchdown.

Jacksonville (+6.5) at Philadelphia
I don’t know if the Jaguars are for real, but so far, I’ve got little reason to doubt them. But the Eagles are pretty clearly for real. Jacksonville’s D keeps it to within a single score, but Philadelphia comes out ahead by four.

NY Jets (+3.5) at Pittsburgh
The Steelers aren’t good. The Jets are awful. Pittsburgh by seven.

Buffalo (-3) at Baltimore
Both of these teams are serious contenders. Buffalo, at least at the moment, is better balanced. That matters. Bills by one.

LA Chargers (-6) at Houston
The not having an offense thing appears to be a problem for the Texans. Who would have guessed? Chargers by three.

Arizona (+1) at Carolina
The Cardinals should be the better team here, but so far they haven’t been. Or not by enough anyhow. Panthers by a field goal.

New England (+9.5) at Green Bay
The Patriots are in for a struggle over the next several weeks as their starting quarterback works to get back on the field. The New England D should be good enough to keep this one from getting out of hand. But the Packers still come out on top. Green Bay by seven.

Denver (+2.5) at Las Vegas
The Raiders should be able to win this game. And still they’ll find a way to lose it. Broncos by three.

Kansas City (+1) at Tampa Bay
I’m taking the Tampa D to win this one. Buccaneers by four.

LA Rams (+1.5) at San Francisco
And here again in a prime time game I’m looking for the team with the better D to come out ahead. San Francisco by a point.