Through three weeks of the NFL season, most would agree that this is the most unpredictable season in recent memory. In week 3, we had a game that produced a butt-punt safety that reminded us of the butt-fumble heroics that Mark Sanchez performed in 2012. Also, we witnessed an accidental safety by Jimmy Garoppolo that gave us shades of Dan Orlovsky in 2008. Yes, Week 3 was as crazy as it gets! However, it reflects life in the NFL in 2022, where the words of Kevin Garnett are echoed, “anything is possible”. Sadly, it is taking a toll on my predictions which was abysmal this past week. However, in this article, we take another crack at it as we predict the five hottest games in week 4.
1. Miami Dolphins at Cincinnati Bengals-Thursday, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video
The Miami Dolphins are 1 of the 2 team undefeated teams remaining in the league. If you had predicted that at the start of the season, you should probably be on Wall Street. The team has been exciting, and last week they defied the odds in defeating their rivals, the Buffalo Bills. How they won the game is hard to explain because they were outgained and out-possessed by a wide margin. In the last 16 years, last week’s win was the second time in 108 games that a team won a game after being out-gained by 275 yards. How about that! I think the undefeated season ends in this matchup in a short week and on the road. Tyreek Hill made the matchup more interesting by telling the world that he is looking forward to a rematch with Eli Apple from last season’s AFC Championship Game. The Bengals must see this game as an opportunity to win and get their record back to .500 after a brutal start to the season. Moreover, they will debut their awesome white tiger uniforms, and they can’t lose in those, right?
Bengals 28-Dolphins 23
2. Bills at Ravens- Sunday at 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
This game will be the best matchup this weekend. Ironically, the only team to beat these two teams are the Dolphins. Lamar Jackson bounced back from the week two collapse by delivering a five-star performance against the Patriots in week three. Jackson had his way against Bill Belichick’s defense and will face a Bills’ secondary struggling to deal with injuries. However, the Ravens have their issues in stopping the passing game because DeVante Parker tallied five catches and 156 yards keeping the game close. Therefore, I think this game will likely be a shootout between Allen and Jackson. I think Allen will prevail ultimately because the Bills’ defense is still slightly better than the Ravens’.
Bills 34-Ravens 30
3. Jaguars at Eagles- Sunday at 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ involvement in a top 5 matchup this week tells you that this season has been crazy! The Jaguars are 2-1, and in the last two games, their defense gave up 10 points against the Chargers and pitched a shutout against the Colts. Trevor Lawrence is showing why he earned the number 1 pick in the 2021 draft by completing 53 of 69 passes, 497 yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions in his last two games. However, I think the Eagles will win this game because they are playing at home, and the combination of Jalen Hurts, DeVonta Smith, and A.J. Brown is a formidable trio in this league. Doug Pederson will keep it interesting, and make it a close game. It will be his chance to get revenge on the team that fired him after winning a Superbowl in the City of Brother.
Eagles 24-Jaguars 21
4. Chiefs at Buccaneers- Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC
This game will be a rematch of Superbowl LV when the Buccaneers won at home in dominating fashion to push Tom Brady to his seventh ring. The two teams enter this game after close losses in Week 3. Tom Brady missed his top weapons against the Packers and will benefit from the return of Mike Evans. The Buccaneers’ defense still gave number 12 a chance to win and is ranked statistically as one of the best in the league. Mahomes and the offense took a few steps back last week but ultimately lost the game due to his special teams. I think the Buccaneers’ defense is the best unit in this game, and if Brady can protect the ball, he should take advantage of the Chiefs’ defense. Buccaneers win a low-scoring game.
Bucs 21-Chiefs 17
5. Rams at 49ers- Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET ESPN
This game will come down to Jimmy Garoppolo. Against the Broncos on Sunday night, the 49ers’ number 10 was awful in a spot where Kyle Shanahan needed him to make a few plays and not make the costly turnovers. The 49ers have won this matchup against their divisional rivals in 6 of their last seven meetings. However, the Rams will point out that they won the last matchup in the NFC Championship Game and went on to win the Super Bowl in February. The Rams are 2-1 this season but they have not been spectacular in their performances. However, Matt Stafford is still better than Jimmy G, and look out for Aaron Donald to force a key turnover.
Rams 23-49ers 17
Last week: 0-5
Overall record: 8-7
Enjoy the Games!