After three weeks of enthralling football, the numbers heading into week 4 are three and four. The 49ers, Eagles, and Dolphins remain the only unbeaten teams in the league. The 49ers look like the most dominant team in the league, while the Dolphins look the scariest to face and the Eagles have the most resilient rosters to get over the line despite not playing their best football. On the flip side, there are four 0-3 teams, and interestingly these teams make up two matchups in this game week. Yes, the 0-3 cardiac Vikings will have to travel on the road to play a young Panthers team looking to rebuild. However, the ugliest matchup is the Denver Broncos’ visit to Chicago to play the Bears. Last week, Denver made history by becoming the fourth team to give up 70 points, while the Bears gave up 34 points in the first half to the Chiefs. I hope these games will be on discount to the fans who decide to show up for these games. In the words of Kevin Durant, they are the “real MVP.” Anyway, let’s go ahead and predict the top 5 matchups in week 4.
Last week: 5-0
Overall: 9-6
1. Miami Dolphins (3-0) at Buffalo Bills (2-1)-Sunday, 1 p.m. ET CBS
This will be the biggest game of the week because the winner will hold the head-to-head advantage if it comes down to that statistic to win the AFC East. Miami is one of the hottest teams in the league because of its prolific offense that dropped 70 points last week against the Broncos. However, I think the key to this game is Buffalo’s defense is better equipped to slow down the Dolphins. It will put Josh Allen in the position to pounce in the passing game against a struggling Miami defense. Also, Buffalo has home-field advantage for the game, and in the past 13 games against their divisional foes, they have dominated them by an 11-2 margin. I think the Bills will win a close game in Orchard Park to take the lead in a tough division.
Bills 30-Dolphins 27
2. Baltimore Ravens (2-1) at Cleveland Browns (2-1)-Sunday, 1 p.m.
The Ravens struggled last week against the Colts, and their biggest issues are injury on the offensive line and their running back group. They lost J.K. Dobbins to a season-ending ACL injury, and their backup Gus Edwards will likely be hurt even if he starts. Also, the injuries have spread to their defense and wide receiving groups. Although the Browns lost Nick Chubb for the season, their defense has turned out to be one of the best under-the-radar units in the league. Last week, the team allowed only 3 points to the Titans at home to match what they gave up in week one against the Bengals. Myles Garrett is playing like a Defensive Player of the Year with 4.5 sacks by leading this ferocious unit. I have the Browns forcing a few turnovers and winning a fairly low-scoring contest.
Browns 24-Ravens 17
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) at New Orleans Saints (2-1)- Sunday, 1 p.m. ET Fox
Both teams are coming off brutal losses in contrasting fashion. The Saints surrendered a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter on the road in Green Bay, while the Buccaneers got trounced at home 25-11 on Monday Night Football. A tough blow for the Saints is that they lost the game, but their starting quarterback (Derrick Carr) to an injury in the process. It means Jameis Winston will start against his former team and he will be motivated to put on a show. However, this game will be a defensive battle because I see these teams struggling to score points. The Bucs will be able to contain Alvin Kamara while Marshon Lattimore should be able to slow down Mike Evans. In the end, turnovers will be the key, and I have the Saints grabbing one more than their rival.
Saints 20-Bucs 17
4. Washington Commanders (2-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (3-0)-Sunday, 1 p.m. ET Fox
It feels like the Washington Commanders fell back to earth last week as they struggled at home against the Bills. The offensive line struggled to protect their quarterbacks as they surrendered nine sacks, and this week face an even better defensive front. Sam Howell also cracked under the pressure by throwing four interceptions in a woeful performance. On the other hand, the Eagles’ offense took a step in the right direction through a good performance against the Buccaneers. I think Jaylen Hurts will punish this defense at hom,e and I have the Eagles winning by a lot.
Eagles 31-Commanders 15
5. Seattle Seahawks (2-1) at New York Giants (1-2) Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
The Giants were dismantled on Thursday Night Football in week three on the road. They will have the decided advantage of rest over their opponents with 10 days rest and long travel to the east coast for their opponents. Despite the edge, I still favor the Seahawks. After struggling out of the gate in week 1, the Seahawks have won back-to-back games behind better play from Geno Smith and Kenneth Walker. The Giants struggled last week in containing the 49ers offense, and I think it continues. The Seattle defense will make Daniel Jones jittery without his safety blanket in Saquon Barkley.
Seahawks 30-Giants 21