NFL Week 4 Predictions: Parity Reigns Supreme in the NFL

Back in the 1970s it was easy to pick a winner in the NFL. That is for certain teams. When the Steelers were playing anyone, you just knew they were probably going to win. The same could have been said for Dallas, Oakland, and the Miami Dolphins.

In the current state of the National Football League, it’s like the famous quote, “On any given Sunday.” When you expect a team to win a game against what seems to be a lesser opponent, there’s absolutely no guarantee of a victory. This rang so ever true in last week’s games emphasized by the victory by the Carolina Panthers who was the league’s worst team in 2023 as they knocked off the Oakland Raiders.

The Giants were on the road in Cleveland and pulled the upset. The Houston Texans probably never thought they would be on the losing end of a score like 34-7 as they did to the Minnesota Vikings. The Denver Broncos put their two cents in with a one-sided win over Tampa Bay quieting the hot Baker Mayfield. All these games are proof that any team can beat another if the ball bounces their way in today’s NFL.

Because of the upsets, which played a part in my picking just nine of the 16 games played in week three. Now it’s time to give the prediction machine another whirl.

Dallas at New York Giants: If not for a late furious comeback, the Cowboys would have been blown out for the second week in a row. But they fell short on the scoreboard and lost to the Ravens. Team owner Jerry Jones had proclaimed in the preseason that his team was “all in.” He must have meant all in for losing. Dallas can ill afford to lose this one as they should be the better team and are on paper. Paper does not win games. Cowboys 24 / Giants 20

New Orleans at Atlanta: Are the Falcons finding their groove? After getting their first victory of the season, Atlanta nearly upset the defending Super Bowl champions. The Saints took a step backwards in week three and this is a key divisional game. What will be a close game will go the team with the home field advantage. Falcons 28 / Saints 24

Los Angeles Rams at Chicago: The first round overall draft pick of this year, Caleb Williams threw for a whole bunch of yardage last week but his team lost. In come the Rams and the Bears have a chance to make a statement, and I believe they will. Bears 17 / Rams 14

Minnesota at Green Bay: There are just four undefeated teams left and after this game one will have suffered their first defeat of the season. Packers 31 / Vikings 21

Pittsburgh at Indianapolis: It’s not easy starting a season 4-0 but it’s in the works for this 2024 Steelers team. It’s ridiculous but there are those out there still doubting this Steelers team. Steelers fans are used to it. Football fans that are not a member of Steelers Nation love to hate Black and Gold. They are just waiting for Pittsburgh to falter. There are others who believe Russell Wilson is still the answer but sorry folks, Justin Fields has earned and won this starting job. He is playing smooth, error free, and commanding football. Don’t take the ball out of the hot hand as they say. Pittsburgh will get it done here and do it convincingly. Steelers 30 / Colts 13

Denver at New York Jets: If Aaron Rodgers stays healthy then the New York Jets will be capable of beating any team. The Green and White have a stout defense, and they should be able to contain Bo Nix and give him a long day. Jets 34 / Broncos 12

Philadelphia at Tampa Bay: Both teams are 2-1 and Baker Mayfield surely wants to have a better game on this day than he did from a week ago in a loss the Bucs would love to have back. Buccaneers 25 / Eagles 21

Cincinnati at Carolina: This is truly going to be a fun game to watch. Andy Dalton starts against his former team. Cincinnati is incredibly without a victory through three weeks and if they lose here and the Steelers win, the Bengals will find themselves four games back already. I expect a hometown victory here. Panthers 28 / Bengals 24

Jacksonville at Houston: On the flip side of teams who have not lost are the teams who have not won. There are just two remaining. The Jags are one of those teams and being on the road in Houston spells another loss. Jacksonville was expected to be competitive this season and they are far from that. Texans 41 / Jaguars 23

Buffalo at Baltimore: The Ravens now find themselves in a position of keeping pace with the unbeaten Steelers. Buffalo is one of the teams who have yet to lose. My gut is saying go with the home team. This game could go either way but if not for home field advantage I may have changed my vote. Ravens 23 / Bills 20

Tennessee at Miami: When the Dolphins lost Tua Tagovailoa to a concussion they thought they could still win games. One man doesn’t make a team right? In this case, the Dolphins apparently cannot win games, and they are in trouble. I like the Titans in this one. Titans 20 / Dolphins 17

Seattle at Detroit: One more undefeated team but I believe on this day their “oh” must go. Detroit at home is an easy choice. Lions 30 / Seahawks 17

Washington at Arizona: The Commanders have found their quarterback of the future in Jayden Daniels. It seems the Cardinals have been seeking their identity for several years. Daniels has another solid game and leads his team to another victory. Commanders 31 / Cardinals 24

New England at San Francisco: The 49ers are beat up but still a much better team then the Pats. 49ers 25 / Patriots 16

Cleveland at Las Vegas: The AFC North is supposed to be one of the best divisions in football. Thus far only the Steelers have consistently played well. The Raider bounce back from an embarrassing loss to pull the upset. Raiders 17 / Browns 14

Kansas City at Los Angeles Chargers: Going undefeated for an entire season is difficult. That is why only one team the 1972 Miami Dolphins it and no other team has done it before or since. Kansas City is due for a loss. Chargers 33 / Chiefs 31

There are your 16 picks for week four of the 2024 NFL season, and we’ll see if parity strikes its ugly head again.

Running Pick Record from Week to Week

Week 1: 12/15

Week 2: 8/16

Week 3: 8/16

Week 4: TBD