The Seahawks and Cardinals obviously know each other well and this will likely be another tight game with the Seattle defense rating a slight edge due to the fact that Cardinals running back James Conner is lost for the rest of the season with an ankle injury that required surgery. In Ireland, the Vikings defense is familiar with Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers when he was with the Green Bay Packers, but that was several years ago and Rodgers is now 41 years old. Minnesota bounced back after an embarrassing home loss to Atlanta (in Week Two) with a 48-10 trouncing against Cincinnati, another AFC North team. The Steelers will hang in this game, but in the end, watch for the Vikings to come up with a key play (defensively) to get the win.
The undefeated Philadelphia Eagles face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (also 3-0) in a battle in Florida, where the Eagles and quarterback Jalen Hurts have struggled in recent seasons. The Bucs feature boisterous QB Baker Mayfield and a diverse offensive attack. However, they will be without top wide receiver Mike Evans (hamstring injury) for the next few weeks. This game should go down to the wire. The surprising Indianapolis Colts are 3-0 and travel to take on the Los Angeles Rams (2-1), who blew a 26-7 lead last week in Philadelphia and lost the game. Colts QB Daniel Jones has shaken off the ghosts of failures past (in New York with the Giants) and has 816 passing yards with three touchdowns and most importantly, zero interceptions while also rushing for three scores through the first three games. The Rams defense is stellar and will be ready to help win this game.
The Baltimore Ravens (1-2) were manhandled by the Detroit Lions last Monday night in a home loss and now have to go into Kansas City and face an underwhelming Chiefs team that is also 1-2 this year. The Chiefs have been in both games they lost while the Ravens looked lost at times last week in their 38-30 setback. Protecting QB Lamar Jackson (sacked seven times vs. Detroit) will be the key for Baltimore while the Chiefs will look to get their own passing game moving with wide receiver Xavier Worthy (shoulder injury) expected to play on Sunday.
The Sunday night game in Dallas will be over hyped for sure, but the Green Bay Packers (2-1) and former Dallas Cowboys edge rusher/linebacker Micah Parsons will be ready for this one. Green Bay was stunned by the Cleveland Browns last week (13-10) while Dallas was embarrassed by the Chicago Bears in a 31-14 road defeat. The Cowboys are 1-2 and their defense was shredded by Bears QB Caleb Williams, who had a career high four touchdown passes in that win. Packers QB Jordan Love has to get back on track after a lackluster game in Cleveland, so watch for more passes deep down the field in this "prime time" game.
The rest of the games in Week Four are featured in the capsule style format and the Heftyinfo predictions follow up.
Washington (2-1) at Atlanta (1-2) - This game could go either way, especially with the Falcons coming off a stinker shutout loss to Carolina last week. Commanders QB Jayden Daniels is still out (knee sprain) so Marcus Mariota gets the call again.
New Orleans (0-3) at Buffalo (3-0) - Why bother?
Cleveland (1-2) at Detroit (2-1) - The Lions look to have restored the roar that last two games, scoring 90 points. The Browns defense will be a far bigger test this week, but take the Lions.
Carolina (1-2) at New England (1-2) - Will the Patriots win this one? They should, but so far it's been so-so with them this season. Panthers coming off a huge home win against Atlanta last week. Toss up here.
L.A. Chargers (3-0) at N.Y. Giants (0-3) - The warning flags are all over the place for the unbeaten 'Bolts . . . they haven't lost to the Giants in over 20 years and their tough defense is facing a rookie QB (Jaxson Dart) making his first start.
Tennessee (0-3) at Houston (0-3) - One of these teams has to win this one . . . take the home team Texans.
Jacksonville (2-1) at San Francisco (3-0) - Take the 49ers in a close one.
Chicago (1-2) at Las Vegas (1-2) - Bear Down!
N.Y. Jets (0-3) at Miami (0-3) - One of the two Monday night games this week that should be the more competitive one. Going with the Jets in a mild upset for this game.
Cincinnati (2-1) at Denver (1-2) - If the Broncos don't win this game, they just might want to mail it in for the rest of this season.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Four . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Seattle over Arizona
Minnesota over Pittsburgh (game played in Dublin, Ireland)
Atlanta over Washington
BUFFALO over New Orleans
Detroit over Cleveland
New England over Carolina
L.A. Chargers over N.Y. Giants
Tampa Bay over Philadelphia
Houston over Tennessee
L.A. Rams over Indianapolis
San Francisco over Jacksonville
Kansas City over Baltimore
Chicago over Las Vegas
Green Bay over Dallas
N.Y. Jets over Miami
Denver over Cincinnati
Last Week's Record - 11-5
SEASON RECORD - 32-16
Lock of the Week Record - 3-0
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