Week Four
Thursday, Sep. 29th-
Miami Dolphins at Cincinnati Bengals:
After beating the defending champion Broncos, the Bengals come into this one with some renewed confidence. Dalton seems to be firing on all cylinders again as he was for much of the 2015 season, and Jeremy Hill is starting to look like the Jeremy Hill of 2014. Dalton throws for 302 yards and 2 TD’s, and Hill rushes for 121 yards and a TD.
The Pick: Bengals 27 Dolphins 20
Sunday, Oct. 2nd-
Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars:
The battle of the 2-1’s down in Florida begins very well for the Colts. Luck drives the Colts right down the field and runs for a TD from 13 yards out in the opening two minutes of the game. However, that is the best drive they would have all day as the Jags go on to intercept Luck three times over the course of the day. Julius Thomas really has his breakout game with the Jaguars, catching 11 balls, 3 of which go for TD’s.
The Pick: Jaguars 30 Colts 10
Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans:
For the first time all season, it seems as if Brock Osweiler looks comfortable in the pocket. He finally connects with Deandre Hopkins for a TD score early in the second quarter, and Lamar Miller has a nice day, rushing for 98 yards and 2 scores. The Titans seem helpless, week in and week out as Mariota leaves this game late in the 3rd quarter with a shoulder problem.
The Pick: Texans 27 Titans 7
Cleveland Browns at Washington Redskins:
RGIII returns to Washington, and does not disappoint. It is his counterpart, the man who took his job, the Captain Kirk, that has the disappointing day on this day, as he throws for 2 INT’s and can’t put the ball into the endzone once. RGIII, however, has himself a fine day, hitting rookie wideout Corey Coleman for his first score, and nearly connects with Terrelle Pryor for a 75 yard TD, however he is dragged down at the 1 yard line. In any case, it is an impressive outing for the Browns and they secure the first win of the RGII era.
The Pick: Browns 26 Redskins 12
Seattle Seahawks at New York Jets:
Only one of these teams can come out of the day undefeated, and on this day it is clear which one is better. The Jets commit 5 turnovers on this day, and Seattle looks poised for another run at a Super Bowl, as they are already in playoff form.
The Pick: Seattle 31 Jets 17
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots:
The Bills make their way to Foxborough for a matchup with the Brady-less Patriots, and they simply have their way with the Pats on this day. Brady’s backup is simply not Brady, as Garappolo throws 3 INT’s. The Bills snag their first win of the year and send the Patriots to a dreaded 1-3 start.
The Pick: Bills 28 Patriots 10
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons:
Out for revenge for ruining their perfect season a year ago, the Panthers waste no time in sticking it to their division rivals. This is a simply dominating performance from start to finish. The Panthers have been truly unbeatable over the course of the past two seasons when not going up against the Broncos.
The Pick: Panthers 35 Falcons 3
Oakland Raiders at Baltimore Ravens:
A year ago the Ravens traveled to Oakland for what seemed like an easy matchup, only to get punched in the mouth. This time around the Ravens are ready for the Raiders as they do the punching. Terrell Suggs proves that he is 100% back as he gets to Carr twice on this day, and Flacco answers any questions about his health as he throws for 3 scores, two to the ageless Steve Smith Sr. The Raiders hang with the Ravens all day, but Baltimore seemed in control from start to finish as they never trail.
The Pick: Ravens 27 Raiders 23
Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears:
This is a game that neither offense can really seem to get anything going, both muddled with sloppy play. Alshon Jeffrey has 4 drops in this game, one being a 4th down game winning TD attempt in the final minute.
The Pick: Lions 13 Bears 10
Denver Broncos at Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Jameis Winston has been on a complete tear this season, but as has been the case over the past 2 seasons, playing the Broncos defense can make even the best look less than average. Today is more of the same, as the Broncos sack Winston 6 times, and intercept him 3 times. In his first career start, Paxton Lynch looks like the better QB on this day, firing a 55 yard TD to Demaryius Thomas in the 1st quarter, and a 38 yard beauty to Emmanuel Sanders late in the 3rd quarter. Rookie Devontae Booker records his first career TD as well and the Broncos roll to an easy win.
The Pick: Broncos 34 Buccaneers 10
Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals:
The Rams visit the Cardinals for a divisional showdown, and first overall pick Jared Goff makes his first career start. It is a tough start for the rookie as Tyrann Mathieu intercepts Goff and takes it the distance. However, Todd Gurley does the heavy lifting for the Rams, rushing for 171 yards and two scores, and Goff gets into the action firing a fourth quarter TD and the Rams complete the upset win.
The Pick: Rams 24 Cardinals 20
New Orleans Saints at San Diego Chargers:
The Chargers first pick in the draft Joey Bosa makes his Charger debut after finally signing his contract. The Chargers management ultimately caved in and gave Bosa his guarantees. Bosa’s season was short-lived however, as in the third quarter he goes grasping his left knee. It’s a torn ACL for Bosa, and another loss for the Chargers.
The Pick: Saints 31 Chargers 28
Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers:
Colin Kaepernick seems to finally be mastering Chip Kelly’s fast pace tempo. Despite all the Cowboys efforts to slow it down, it is too much. Dak Prescott takes multiple punishing shots from NaVorro Bowman, and the Niners finally get themselves into the win column.
The Pick: 49ers 30 Cowboys 20
Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers:
Big Ben has this squad rolling, and the season debut of Le’veon Bell just makes them even stronger. Bell only rushes for 72 yards, but does rush for a TD and catch another. Antonio Brown adds another two scores and the Steelers prove to be too much for the Chiefs defense to handle.
The Pick: Steelers 34 Chiefs 16
Monday, Oct. 3rd-
New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings:
The Vikings look to get back on track after two straight losses and the Giants are a good team to get right on. Adrian Peterson rushes for 153 yards, and adds 3 TD’s in this game, as the Giants can’t keep the Vikings off the field. Sam Bradford doesn’t do much, but gets his first win with his new team.
The Pick: Vikings 27 Giants 17
Standings:
AFC East
New York Jets: 3-1
Miami Dolphins: 2-2
Buffalo Bills: 1-3
New England Patriots: 1-3
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers: 4-0
Baltimore Ravens: 3-1
Cincinnati Bengals: 2-2
Cleveland Browns: 1-3
AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars: 3-1
Houston Texans: 2-2
Indianapolis Colts: 2-2
Tennessee Titans: 0-4
AFC West
Denver Broncos: 3-1
Kansas City Chiefs: 2-2
Oakland Raiders: 1-3
San Diego Chargers: 0-4
More from Predominantly Orange
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- The Broncos’ coaching search likely has not gone to plan
- Special Chiefs Suck Offer: Bet $5, Win $150 if Joe Burrow Passes for ONE YARD vs KC
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys: 2-2
New York Giants: 2-2
Philadelphia Eagles: 1-2
Washington Redskins: 1-3
NFC North
Green Bay Packers: 3-0
Minnesota Vikings: 2-2
Detroit Lions: 2-2
Chicago Bears: 1-3
NFC South
Carolina Panthers: 3-1
New Orleans Saints: 3-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 2-2
Atlanta Falcons: 1-3
NFC West
Seattle Seahawks: 4-0
Arizona Cardinals: 3-1
Los Angeles Rams: 2-2
San Francisco 49ers: 1-3
Next: Week 5