I’m now not pronouncing the NFL will have to cancel Week 4, however the NFL may wish to consider canceling Week 4 as a result of there is not any manner it will most sensible the craziness of Week 3. Actually, you do not even must cancel it. Roger Goodell simply must put off Week 4 for approximately a month in order that we will all attempt to procedure the whole lot that came about in Week 3.
I imply, I assumed needless to say that an NFL team scoring 70 issues will be the greatest tale of the day, however then Taylor Swift confirmed up on the Chiefs recreation, and I’d love to inform you what came about subsequent, however I do not know, for the reason that web broke.
I do not know what is going on with Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, however I will be able to inform you at the moment, that is going to finish in one among two techniques: Either they will get married or Kelce goes to finally end up as the primary topic in Taylor’s subsequent album. There’s no in-between.
I would really like to stay speaking about Taylor, however because it seems, Goodell didn’t put off Week 4, so we wish to get to the alternatives.
Actually, prior to we get to the alternatives, here is a fast reminder that you’ll be able to take a look at the weekly alternatives from each CBSSports.com NFL knowledgeable through clicking right here, however you have been almost certainly already smartly conscious about that since I point out it each week.
One factor that I do not point out each week is that I additionally write an NFL e-newsletter for CBS Sports and if you need so subscribe to it, you simply wish to move right here and input your electronic mail. If you enroll, you can be getting an electronic mail in your inbox each week day that is stuffed with soccer news and possibly cat footage.
Alright, I’m going to prevent begging you to enroll in issues in order that we will get to the alternatives.
NFL Week 4 alternatives
Detroit (2-1) at Green Bay (2-1)
Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET (Amazon Prime)
For the primary time in NFL historical past, a department name is at the line in Week 4. OK, smartly, technically, the department name may not be up for grabs on Thursday, however I believe like I will be able to with a bit of luck say that the winner of this recreation goes going to finally end up successful the NFC North. The Bears are the worst crew in soccer, so let’s move forward and rely them out. The regulation of averages is eliminating the Vikings, who’re 0-3 in one-score video games after going 11-0 final yr. That leaves us with those two groups scuffling with it out for the department name.
The Packers don’t seem to be a very simple crew to determine, as a result of they may simply be 3-0 in the event that they hadn’t blown an enormous lead in Week 2 to the Falcons, however in addition they may just very simply be 1-2 if the Saints hadn’t blown an enormous lead in Week 3. For two quarters of each recreation, Jordan Love performs he’ll be the following Aaron Rodgers. But then you could have the opposite two quarters, the place Love performs like anyone who is considering retiring from soccer to lift alpacas on a farm in South America.
In Week 2, Love finished simply 7 of 17 passes in the primary part, which is a large explanation why the Saints have been in a position to leap out to a handy guide a rough lead. If Love performs two dangerous quarters in this recreation, the Lions are going to roll to a win.
Another downside for the Packers is that I’m now not certain they are going in an effort to prevent the Lions offense. For some reason why, Jared Goff becomes Joe Montana each time he performs the Packers — he is 4-2 in opposition to Green Bay in his occupation with 10 landing passes and simply two interceptions. I will be able to’t pick out in opposition to Joe Montana.
The pick out: Lions 24-17 over Packers
If you need a extra detailed breakdown of Thursday evening’s recreation, then I counsel you go to SportsLine so you can check out R.J. White’s pick. White is a playing guru who has hit on an absurd collection of Packers’ alternatives, going 60-21-2 in opposition to the unfold in his final 83 alternatives involving Green Bay. It’s nearly just like the NFL is sending him the script for the sport as a result of he turns out to grasp what is taking place in Packers video games prior to they are even performed.
Miami (3-0) at Buffalo (2-1)
1 p.m. ET (CBS)
If you could have the rest deliberate for Sunday at 1 p.m., I might move forward and cancel it now, since you surely do not wish to pass over this recreation. I do not care in case you are scheduled to ship a toddler on Sunday at 1, inform the child to attend 3 hours. As everyone knows, small children are very affected person, so asking a toddler to attend 3 extra hours should not be a large deal.
This is simply the eleventh recreation in NFL historical past to characteristic two groups which can be each coming off a win of 34 issues or extra. I’m certain you heard in regards to the Dolphins and the truth that they scored 70 issues, however the Bills have been additionally spectacular in Week 3. Their 37-3 win over the Commanders come what may flew under-the-radar, however that is almost certainly as a result of Miami’s 70-point recreation broke the radar.
This recreation is giving us the unstoppable pressure (Miami’s offense) in opposition to the immovable object (Buffalo’s protection). The Dolphins have the NFL’s highest-scoring offense and they will be going up in opposition to a Bills protection that has surrendered the second-fewest issues in the league thru 3 weeks.
I might wreck down how the ones two facets are going to do agianst each and every different, however I’m now not going to, as a result of I believe this recreation goes to do come to the play of Josh Allen. If there may be one crew that Allen has completely ruled in his occupation, it is the Dolphins. Miami simply hasn’t been in a position to determine find out how to prevent Allen. It’s like asking a baby to unravel a puzzle that has 7,000 items. They do not even know the place to begin.
In Allen’s final 10 video games in opposition to the Dolphins, together with the playoffs, he is long gone 9-1 in opposition to them and the one loss used to be through two issues. He’s thrown no less than two landing passes in 11 directly video games in opposition to the Dolphins, which is an NFL report for consecutive video games with more than one touchdowns in opposition to one crew. He’s averaging 276.2 passing yards in keeping with recreation and 52.2 dashing yards in keeping with recreation in his occupation in opposition to Miami, which makes him simply one among two quarterbacks in NFL historical past to reasonable no less than 250 yards passing and 50 yards dashing in opposition to a unmarried crew.
When Josh Allen performs the Dolphins, he’s the unstoppable pressure AND the immovable object. I do not even know if that is sensible, but when there may be something that does make sense, it is Allen beating the Bills.
If the Dolphins rating 70 this week, Allen will make sure that the Bills rating 71.
The pick out: Bills 34-31 over Dolphins
Denver (0-3) at Chicago (0-3)
1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Once a yr, the NFL will have to be allowed to flex a recreation to three a.m. and this yr, I believe the league wishes to significantly believe striking this recreation there in order that no person has to observe it. Instead of striking it on CBS, we’re going to hand it off to our company cousin Comedy Central after which we will all chortle in combination whilst the Broncos and Bears attempt to play soccer. I may just even announce the sport, however provided that I’m given a bottle of tequila that I will be able to drink whilst I watch.
Trying to select a winner in this recreation is like attempting to select what you need for lunch, however your simplest two choices are grilled hamster and a rock.
On one hand, you could have Chicago. If I’ve spotted something in regards to the Bears this season, it is that they display up each week with no offensive recreation plan after which they make it up as they move alongside. Not strangely, this has been figuring out horribly for them, and to be fair, I believe persons are beginning to understand. I imply, we now have slightly performed two weeks and Justin Fields is already having an existential disaster.
That’s what taking part in for the Bears does to you.
As dangerous as issues are going with the Bears, issues don’t seem to be a lot better in Denver. We’re simplest 3 video games into the season and the Broncos protection is already taking part in like its given up all hope for the yr. Giving up 70 issues to the Dolphins used to be dangerous, however in addition they gave up 35 issues to the Commanders in Week 2, which is mainly the similar factor as giving up 70.
Through 3 weeks, the Broncos are surrendering 40.7 issues in keeping with recreation, which makes me suppose the Bears offense may in fact have just a little little bit of luck on Sunday. Ha ha. I’m simply kidding. The Bears offense is not going to have any luck. We all know that.
This is a large recreation for each groups, however I’ve to suppose it is a larger for the Broncos for the reason that simplest other thing embarrassing than giving up 70 issues in an NFL recreation is shedding to the Bears. If that occurs to the Broncos in consecutive weeks, they may as smartly simply forfeit the remainder of the season. The just right news for Broncos is that I don’t believe they will wish to forfeit the remainder of the season.
The pick out: Broncos 27-24 over Bears
New England (1-2) at Dallas (2-1)
4:25 p.m. ET (Fox)
I’m now not certain what all-time low is in the NFL, however getting blown out through the Cardinals needs to be lovely shut. I imply, I’d relatively surrender 70 issues in a recreation than get boat raced through the Cardinals.
As anyone who picked the Cowboys to make the Super Bowl this yr, I’ve to mention, I’m extremely involved with what I’ve observed up to now. Sure, they are 2-1, however after staring at them play for 3 weeks, I’m beginning to suppose their offense is probably not that just right. I’m now not certain if it is Dak Prescott’s fault or if it is Mike McCarthy’s fault (now that he is calling performs), however it is anyone’s fault.
In Week 1, the Cowboys beat the Giants 40-0, a rating that makes it appear to be the offense had an enormous recreation, however that is not what came about. In that recreation, Dak Prescott did not even throw for 150 yards and he finished simply 54.7% of his passes. That’s now not nice.
In Week 2, the Cowboys beat the Jets 30-10. Once once more, the rating makes it appear to be the Cowboys offense rolled, however as soon as once more, that wasn’t the case. Dak used to be a lot better in that recreation, however the protection pressured 4 turnovers, which is a large explanation why the blowout came about.
In Week 3, Dak were given outplayed through a man (Joshua Dobbs) who had simplest been with his crew for ONE month prior to beating the Cowboys (Dobbs used to be (*4*)). If your franchise QB will get outplayed through a quarterback who is simplest been on his crew for one month, that is an issue.
What I’m looking to say here’s that the Cowboys offense has been suffering all season and Bill Belchick is the final man you need to stand when your offense is suffering. I imply, Belichick devised a protection that held the Dolphins to 24 issues in Week 2, which at the moment I believe qualifies as one of the most absolute best recreation plans in NFL historical past bearing in mind the Dolphins post 70 on Sunday.
I believe Belichick out-coaches McCarthy and let’s Ezekiel Elliott rating two touchdowns on his outdated crew in a recreation the place the Patriots pull off the upset.
The pick out: Patriots 23-20 over Cowboys
London particular
Atlanta (2-1) vs. Jacksonville (1-2) in London
9:30 a.m. ET (ESPN+)
It’s formally my favourite time of yr: The first London recreation is right here. I in fact used to hate London video games as a result of I reside in the central time zone they usually kick off at 8:30 a.m. right here, however now, I’ve a baby, which means that I’ve in most cases already been unsleeping for 4 hours by the point 8:30 a.m. rolls round, so now I experience London video games.
Also, I benefit from the London recreation as a result of it is the simplest Sunday yearly the place I’ve tea and crumpets for breakfast, even supposing I do not actually like tea and I’m nonetheless now not moderately certain what a crumpet is.
This first London recreation this yr options the Jaguars, which should not come as a marvel to someone for the reason that Jags play in London yearly. However, there’s a small twist this yr and that twist is that the Jaguars are in fact taking part in two consecutive video games in London. After going through the Falcons on Sunday, the Jags will play the Bills in England in Week 5.
To be fair, it is almost certainly for the most productive the the Jaguars are spending such a lot time in London as a result of on the price issues are going, they will be shifting there quickly.
For me, the pick out in this recreation is understated: The Jaguars can prevent the run and if we realized something in regards to the Falcons in Week 3, it is that they have got no likelihood of successful for those who prevent them from working.
In their two wins, the Falcons averaged 170.5 dashing yards in keeping with recreation. In their one loss, the Falcons have been held to simply 44 dashing yards. The Jags are surrendering simply 84 yards in keeping with recreation at the flooring. You do the maths.
If the Falcons cannot run, that suggests Desmond Ridder should arise giant for Atlanta, and smartly, let’s test in and notice how Falcons enthusiasts really feel about him after 3 weeks.
I assume that suggests I’m selecting the Jaguars.
The pick out: Jaguars 27-20 over Falcons.
NFL Week 4 alternatives: All the remaining
Browns 26-23 over Ravens
Bengals 19-16 over Titans
Rams 27-20 over Colts
Buccaneers 20-16 over Saints
Eagles 27-20 over Commanders
Vikings 30-20 over Panthers
Steelers 23-16 over Texans
Chargers 27-24 over Raiders
49ers 27-17 over Cardinals
Chiefs 34-16 over Jets
Seahawks 31-24 over Giants
Last Week
Best pick out: Last week, I predicted that the Steelers would move into Las Vegas and win as an underdog, and wager what came about? The Steelers went into Las Vegas and received as an underdog. Now, did I do know that their airplane used to be going to have make an emergency touchdown in Kansas City at the manner house? Of direction, I did. If you’ve gotten ever been to Vegas, then that there is a 100% likelihood that one thing utterly bonkers goes to occur at the manner house. On my final go back and forth to Vegas, I spent 20 mins on the gate subsequent to a man who would not prevent puking, which be bizarre if it used to be every other town, however in Vegas, that qualifies as customary.
“What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” is a brilliant slogan for town, however let’s be fair, in the event that they began the use of “Vegas: Where puking at the airport gate is normal,” no person would even suppose that is bizarre.
Worst pick out: I’ve made some dangerous choices in my lifestyles — just like the time I attempted to make use of a Kroger coupon at Burger King — however I’ve to mention, selecting the Titans to beat the Browns final week may finally end up happening as my worst resolution of the 2023 season. At one level, Deshaun Watson threw what gave the impression to be an inexcusable backwards cross in the sport, however now, I’m beginning to suppose he simplest did it out of pity for the Titans.
Watson’s cross in this play used to be nearly as dangerous as my rubbish pick out.
Picks Record
Straight up in Week 3: 11-5
SU general: 30-18
Against the unfold in Week 3: 7-9
ATS general: 25-22-1
You can to find John Breech on Facebook or Twitter and if he isn’t doing a type of issues, he is almost certainly out in search of some particular crumpets that he can devour prior to the London recreation on Sunday.