Another big weekend of football is upon us, and as usual NFL Week 4 features plenty of opportunities for underdogs to pull off upsets.
Last weekend we correctly predicted that Houston and Detroit would upset Los Angeles and Philadelphia. So who’s it going to be this time around?
We’ve identified six teams on upset alert in NFL Week 4.
Tennessee Titans vs. Atlanta Falcons (-3.5)
Matt Ryan has already thrown six interceptions in three games. If Tennessee’s edge rushers can bring the heat Sunday in Atlanta, then the secondary should benefit from one or two more.
What this game may boil down to is whether Marcus Mariota can get on the same page with his receiving corps. He opened the season with three touchdowns against Cleveland but has just one since. The key could be tight end Delanie Walker, who should feast in the middle of the field with Keanu Neal out for the season with an Achilles injury.
Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens (-7)
It’s easy to see why the Ravens are favored by a touchdown. Lamar Jackson has played great so far this season, and the Baltimore rushing attack is potent. On top of that, Baker Mayfield has been downright atrocious, and the Ravens have the ability to bring some heat.
That said, we know Mayfield is capable of playing a better brand of football. If he can get back to the confident form we saw from him in his rookie season, Cleveland can certainly win. With Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, this offense still has explosive potential. Will we finally see that come to fruition?
Oakland Raiders vs. Indianapolis Colts (-7)
The Raiders haven’t looked good since Week 1. But this weekend provides Derek Carr with a prime opportunity to get right. The Colts have allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 76% of their passes and have forced just two interceptions. Without star safety Malik Hooker in the middle, things could get even worse.
On the other side, Indy comes into this game with T.Y. Hilton likely to watch from the sideline due to a quad injury that has him listed as doubtful to play. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett has been outstanding so far this year. Yet he’ll struggle if Oakland can slow down Marlon Mack and make Indy’s offense one-dimensional.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Denver Broncos (-3)
Don’t be surprised if Minshew Mania gets another jolt this Sunday when the Jaguars head into Denver for a date with the Broncos. Stunningly, Denver’s defense is the only one in the NFL without a single sack. Von Miller and Bradley Chubb have led a toothless defense that’s letting offenses have all the time they need to make plays.
Meanwhile, Joe Flacco is completing a high percentage of his passes (69.1%) but only has two touchdowns on the season, along with two picks. The Jaguars are tied with the league lead with 13 sacks, and Denver’s offensive line is a wreck. Look for the road team to dominate defensively — with or without Jalen Ramsey — en route to an impressive win.
Dallas Cowboys (-3) vs. New Orleans Saints
There are some fantastic individual matchups to watch in this game, like Marshon Lattimore going against Amari Cooper, and Cam Jordan going against Tyron Smith. From a team-wide perspective, it’s going to be a fantastic game as two of the NFC’s heavyweights go at it for 60 minutes.
The big reason we’re high on New Orleans upsetting Dallas at home is that Teddy Bridgewater showed out very well last Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, completing 70.4% of his passes with two touchdowns and zero interceptions. If he can keep plugging away like this, he gives the Saints a chance to win every game.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5)
This Monday night AFC North showdown isn’t what anyone expected it to be when the schedule first came out, as the Bengals and Steelers are a combined 0-6 to start the season. It’s what we got, though, and we’re going to make the best of it.
Cincinnati’s defense has been among the league’s worst since the start of the season, especially on the ground. That could lead to James Conner finally breaking out with his first big game of the season. However, given the struggles Pittsburgh has had offensively, we’re not betting on it. Furthermore, Mason Rudolph has thrown an interception in each of his first two games this year.
So, if Andy Dalton and his offense can get going against a Pittsburgh defense that has shockingly been one of the league’s worst, the Bengals can pull the road win and upset the Steelers at Heinz Field.