NFL - Week Four Preview

It's October, Fall is in the air and the NFL season rolls into Week Four with the first of several games being played over in London, England when the Indianapolis Colts (1-2) face the Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3) on Sunday.
Neither team has fared too well in the 2016 season. The Jags were expected to contend in the AFC South this year (and still possibly could do so) but they have been putrid in their three games. The Colts barely won at home against San Diego last week for their only win in three tries.
So as America wakes up to football this Sunday morning with the game going on, it may well be a yawner. There are plenty of other games on tap (Green Bay and Philadelphia have the bye this week), including the Buffalo Bills going on the road to face the unbeaten New England Patriots.
Bills Head Coach Rex Ryan has been doing plenty of talking leading up to this one, but the Patriots should have their way with the Bills, who have struggled so far this season. This will be the final game for New England without suspended quarterback Tom Brady, who will return next week following his four-game suspension for the "deflate gate" controversy two years ago when the Pats beat the Colts in the AFC title game.
It was determined that Brady and two equipment managers deflated footballs slightly in the rainy weather to give Brady an edge. New England won that game handily on their way to the Super Bowl title following the 2014 season.
The "prime time" games this weekend include the Kansas City Chiefs taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night. In that game, running backs Le'Veon Bell and Jamaal Charles are expected to make their 2016 debuts.
Charles is coming off a severe knee injury and hasn't played since Week Five of last season. Meanwhile, Bell served a three-game suspension and is ready to go. His presence will add to the dynamic Pittsburgh offense.
The Monday Night Football game should be a good one as well as the New York Giants go against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings are 3-0 and have played tremendous defense. The Giants are 2-1 and are coming off a loss at home to the Washington Redskins.

Here's a look at the action for this weekend (capsule style) along with the Heftyinfo picks for the games.

Indianapolis (1-2) at Jacksonville (0-3) - (in London, England) - This game could be a yawner. Hit the snooze button this Sunday morning.

Tennessee (1-2) at Houston (2-1) - The Texans could be without J.J. Watt for the rest of this season.

Cleveland (0-3) at Washington (1-2) - Redskins should win this one. Too bad RG3 is hurt and won't play upon his return to D.C.

Seattle (2-1) at New York Jets (1-2) - Can the Jets beat the injury riddled Seahawks?

Buffalo (1-2) at New England (3-0) - Imagine how much better the Patriots will be when Tom Brady is back.

Carolina (1-2) at Atlanta (2-1) - Can the Falcons soar against the slumping Panthers?

Oakland (2-1) at Baltimore (3-0) - The Raven and the Raiders . . .  Top offense (Oakland) goes against top defense (Baltimore). Ravens win a squeaker.

Detroit (1-2) at Chicago (0-3) - Both of these teams have struggled so far. Lions rate the edge based on their offense.

Denver (3-0) at Tampa Bay (1-2) - Broncos proving the skeptics wrong so far this season.

Los Angeles (2-1) at Arizona (1-2) - Take the Cardinals.

New Orleans (0-3) at San Diego (1-2) - Two high scoring offenses . . . Take the Chargers.

Dallas (2-1) at San Francisco (1-2) - Dallas should win this one, even without star wide receiver Dez Bryant.

Kansas City (2-1) at Pittsburgh (2-1) - Big Ben and the Steelers will not lose at home in "prime time" game.

New York Giants (2-1) at Minnesota (3-0) - This Vikings defense could be their best since  the "Purple people eaters" days.

The Heftyinfo predictions for Week Four  . . . . .   (Home teams listed in bold;  Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)

Cincinnati over Miami
Indianapolis over Jacksonville
Houston over Tennessee
WASHINGTON over Cleveland
Seattle over NY Jets
New England over Buffalo
Atlanta over Carolina
Baltimore over Oakland
Chicago over Detroit
Denver over Tampa Bay
Arizona over Los Angeles
San Diego over New Orleans
Dallas over San Francisco
Pittsburgh over Kansas City
Minnesota over NY Giants


Last Week's Record:  7-9

SEASON RECORD:  26-22

Lock of the Week Record:  3-0