2021 NFL Week 4 Picks

Arizona Cardinals at LA Rams (-4 1/2, 55) 4:05 pm - Awesome meeting between two serious contenders in the NFC West. Both teams are 3-0 and playing at a very high level, though the Rams' defense is the one standout unit in this contest. They are incredibly difficult to defeat over the course of an entire game and if LA finds itself ahead entering the fourth quarter it could be lights out for Kyler Murray and the AZ offense.

That said, Murray has the ability to keep the Cardinals in the game and has produced near-miraculous finishes in the past. Rams took both meetings last season, 18-7 in LA and 38-28 at Arizona, and have in fact taken the last eight straight, dating back to 2017.

The Cardinals are better than they were last season, but so are the Rams. A hill to high for the up-and-coming Cardinals.

Coin Flip: LA Rams

Prediction: Rams 28 Cardinals 20

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers (-3, 52) 4:05 pm - What's wrong with Seattle can be summed up easily: defense, as in, lack of one. The Seahawks are dead last in yards allowed, giving up 440.3 per game, putting too much pressure on the offense to produce essentially four TDs per game. So far, Russell Wilson and cohorts haven't been up to it, scoring an even 25 on the average outing.

Seattle's offense was OK in last week's 30-17 loss at Minnesota, rolling up 389 yards of offense, they just couldn't get the ball into the end zone. The Vikings ate up the clock, holding the ball for nearly 36 minutes. The 49ers could try to do the same via their short passing game, but they may be better off just loading up and letting it fly. SF comes off a tough, 30-28, loss, overcoming a 17-0 deficit only to see Mason Crosby hit the game winning FG at the buzzer from 51 yards out. They're good enough to bounce back for a home win, especially with the Seahawks on the road a second straight week.

Coin Flip: San Francisco

Prediction: 49ers 27 Seahawks 20

Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos (-1, 45) 4:25 pm - Might as well just go with the coin flip in this one. Even the Vegas oddsmakers had a tough time figuring this one out. Ravens are 2-1; Broncos 3-0, tied with the Raiders for first place in the AFC West. Ravens are tied with Cleveland and Cincy for the top spot in the North, so there's plenty on the line.

Denver's defense has been lights out, leading the league with 8.7 points per game allowed and QB Teddy Bridgewater has been a model of consistency, completing 76.8% of his throws for 827 yards, 4 TDs and no picks. Baltimore's defense is a question mark after almost losing at Detroit last week. Easily could come down to a late FG in the high air.

Coin Flip: Denver

Prediction: Broncos 26 Ravens 23

Pittsburgh Steelers at Green Bay Packers (-6 1/2, 45 1/2) 4:25 pm - If Fearless Rick chose a weekly BEST BET, this would likely be it. The Steelers have shown nothing but stink after week one and do not appear to be making any substantive progress. Meanwhile, the Packers, after laying an egg in week one, have done nothing but improve, last week upending the 49ers on Sunday night in a key game.

Aaron Rodgers looks fluid as ever. Pittsburgh QB, Ben Roethlisberger, looks like an old man in need of a walker.

Coin Flip: Steelers

Prediction: Packers 34 Steelers 13

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-7, 49) at New England Patriots 8:20 pm - This is a weird set-up because there may be more fans in the stadium secretly rooting for Tom Brady than for the home team. Brady was much beloved in New England and he brought home multiple Super Bowls for the Patriots.

Mac Jones may or may not turn out to be a great QB. Judging by his play last week against the Saints (30-51, 270, 1 TD, 3 INT), it doesn't appear that he'll achieve anything close to what Brady has done in his remarkable career. The Bucs should bounce back from their loss in LA, but being on the road for a second straight week and coast-to-coast travel will have some negative effects on players.

Coach Belichick will scheme up against Brady well enough and, with all they Sunday night hype, this game could be tight. New England is likely outmanned, but the can stay close enough for a chance at the end.

Coin Flip: Tampa Bay

Prediction: Buccaneers 27 Patriots 22

Monday, October 4

Las Vegas Raiders at LA Chargers (-3, 52 1/2) 8:15 pm - This is really a toss up game in the AFC West which the 2-1 Chargers need more than the 3-0 Raiders. Vegas was unable to close out against Miami last week and had to go deep into OT for the win, whereas the Chargers hung in late and stopped the Chiefs multiple times for their 30-24 road win.

A big factor in this contest is that the Raiders are #1 in rushing offense and the Chargers dead last in rush defense. Las Vegas will try to slow the game down and control the clock, keeping Justin Herbert on the sidelines. The Raiders also have a very solid secondary and are in a position to take a commanding lead in the division, so they will be well motivated. Raiders are 1-0 on the road; Chargers, 0-1 at home.

Coin Flip: LA Chargers

Prediction: Raiders 30 Chargers 26

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IdleGuy.com December 2024, Vol. 1 #11