The NFL season is hard to peg in most ways, with the flurry of upsets in Week 3 casting a lot of doubts over the ability of various teams to stay the course this season. But it’s just one week in a long season. The Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars and New England Patriots aren’t as bad as they showed last week. Things will deviate back to the norm in Week 4. As we look at the landscape of the week, here’s our NFL Week 4 Parlay:
The Favorite
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
Odds: Steelers -3
This is just what the Steelers typically do: lose games they’re expected to win and then win the tough ones. We saw this last year when they struggled at places like Indianapolis yet still notched double-digit wins.
Yes, they’ve dug themselves a bit of a hole to start the year but this is the spot where they make everything right. After a big win on Monday Night Football, they return home to face their biggest rival with a chance to regain control in the division. The Ravens are a much better team at home than on the road. And the Steelers are usually a great bet in prime time.
This will be a back-and-forth contest but at the end of the day, the Steelers will eke out a win and finish September on a high note.
Pick: Steelers -165
The Underdog
New Orleans Saints at New York Giants
Odds: Saints -3
How quickly we forget what happens week to week. Before the Saints impressive win at Atlanta last week, they were stomped at home by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and nearly lost at home to the Cleveland Browns. Yes, they did well to win in Atlanta but this is a spot where they could be ripe for an upset.
On top of the fact that the Saints haven’t been consistent week-to-week is the fact that they aren’t always a reliable road bet. They’re an indoor team that now has to travel to the northeast and play outdoors. The Giants are confident right now, coming off a good game. Eli Manning played well and the offense was clicking. This game will be closer than most people expect, so we’ll take a shot with the Giants.
Pick: Giants +150
The Total
Cincinnati Bengals at Atlanta Falcons
Odds: 48
The fact that the Falcons lost in Week 3 does not change the fact that Matt Ryan bounced back and had a great game, leading his team to 37 points. The problem was that Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints were able to figure out Atlanta’s defense, something which did not happen a year ago in Atlanta. The Falcons’ offense is in a much better place compared to Week 1 of this season. On the flip side, though, the Falcons defense is falling apart. They’ve already lost three key starters including Deion Jones, Ricardo Allen and Keanu Neal. That’s both of their starting safeties and a starting linebacker.
The Bengals come into town with a pretty good offense of their own, so we’re expecting points in this one.
Pick: Over 48
The Point Spread
San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Chargers
Odds: Chargers -10
The injury to 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is impossible to ignore here. We all saw how bad the 49ers were in 2017 without Jimmy G. They lost their first nine games of the season and were 1-10 before he came in. Now that they lack their big-name quarterback against the San Diego defensive line, it is hard to see how this ends well for San Francisco. This feels like a bloodbath for the Niners, and a large win for the Chargers.
Pick: Chargers -9.5
