As for the unbeaten teams, only the Philadelphia Eagles remain so (3-0) and they will host the surging (and surprising) Jacksonville Jaguars, who have outscored their last two opponents by a whopping 62-10 count. Nobody could have guessed the Jags (2-1) would blast the Los Angeles Chargers on the road, but that is what happened last week (38-10 beat down) and prior to that, the Jaguars shut out the Indianapolis Colts, 24-0 and their defense leads the league with a plus-seven in the takeaways category.
The Eagles have been on a roll and lead the NFC East division so far this season. Quarterback Jalen Hurts has four touchdown passes and also has run for three additional scores to lead the offense. Meanwhile, Jags QB Trevor Lawrence has made tremendous leaps this season after a rough rookie season. He has six TD passes and just one interception through the first three games and last week he carved up the Chargers secondary, which boasts All-Pro safety Derwin James and (All-Pro) cornerback J.C. Jackson.
The Buffalo Bills (2-1) travel to play the Baltimore Ravens (2-1) in what should be an exciting game that could go down to the final minute. Buffalo lost a nail biter in Miami last Sunday while the Ravens rode the arm and legs of QB Lamar Jackson in a win at New England. Jackson has ten TD passes so far in 2022 and has also rushed for a team high 243 yards with two touchdowns.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen has passed for 1,014 yards in three games with nine scoring passes and two interceptions. He can run a little bit too and has a team high 113 yards on the ground with one touchdown. The big question in this one is whether either team can get the ground game going to complement the passing attack. Also, the Ravens defense has struggled while the Bills have been steady.
On Sunday night, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the Kansas City Chiefs with both teams at 2-1 and coming off tough losses. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes struggled last week against the Colts and would like to get it going early against Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers lost, 14-12 against Green Bay and Tom Brady had a late TD pass, but he has been held in check without his top receivers so far this year. The Bucs will have Mike Evans back, but Chris Godwin is still a game time decision to play.
On Monday night, the NFC West will be on the "prime time" stage as the Los Angeles Rams (2-1) and San Francisco 49ers (1-2) will do battle in Frisco. After being embarrassed at home in the opening game, the Rams have responded nicely with a pair of wins, including a 20-12 triumph against the Arizona Cardinals and QB Matthew Stafford is looking to get it going so far this season. He has four TD passes and five interceptions and will look to get the ball spread around. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp already has 28 receptions through three games.
The 'Niners have had trouble scoring in their first three games, totaling just 47 points this season. They scored ten in the opening loss in Chicago, then scored ten again last weekend in a loss to Denver. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has been hot and cold in his two games since taking over for injured starter Try Lance. The 49ers defense has been solid, giving up just 36 points so far. All in all, expect a typical game between these two foes that will likely be close and decided with the final drive.
As for the rest of the action in Week Four, the following offers a look in the capsule style format and the Heftyinfo picks will follow.
Minnesota (2-1) vs. New Orleans (1-2) (Game is being played in London, England) - The Vikings rate the edge with Saints missing top wide receiver (Michael Thomas) and perhaps starting QB (Jameis Winston) in the game across the pond.
Chicago (2-1) at N.Y. Giants (2-1) - Who would have thought these two teams would be above .500 at this point? But here they are and this one will be close.
Cleveland (2-1) at Atlanta (1-2) - The spunky Falcons will give the Browns a battle and could even come out on top.
Washington (1-2) at Dallas (2-1) - The Cowboys are riding the wave of reserve quarterback Cooper Rush. The Commanders will look to shake things up in this one.
Seattle (1-2) at Detroit (1-2) - The Lions have been putting up big numbers on offense, unfortunately so have their opponents. The Seahawks have gone flat the past two weeks.
Tennessee (1-2) at Indianapolis (1-1-1) - Can the Colts move into first place after this one after so looking so bad in the first two games? The Titans have been so-so in the first three games.
N.Y. Jets (1-2) at Pittsburgh (1-2) - The Jets could have their starting QB back this week. The Steelers still have theirs entering this game. Toss up here.
L.A. Chargers (1-2) at Houston (0-2-1) - The Chargers roster resembles a MASH unit heading into this one. Don't be surprised if the Texans come away with the win.
Arizona (1-2) at Carolina (1-2) - Yawn.
New England (1-2) at Green Bay (2-1) - The Patriots lost their starting QB to an ankle injury and Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is getting it heated up after a rough start. Take the Packers.
Denver (2-1) at Las Vegas (0-3) - This will be the week the Raiders put it together and get a win.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Four . . . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Cincinnati over Miami
Minnesota over New Orleans (Game is being played in London, England)
Chicago over N.Y. Giants
Cleveland over Atlanta
Dallas over Washington
Detroit over Seattle
Indianapolis over Tennessee
Philadelphia over Jacksonville
Pittsburgh over N.Y. Jets
Buffalo over Baltimore
L.A. Chargers over Houston
Arizona over Carolina
GREEN BAY over New England
Las Vegas over Denver
Kansas City over Tampa Bay
L.A. Rams over San Francisco
Last Week's Record - 8-8
SEASON RECORD - 26-21-1
Lock of the Week Record - 1-2
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