FRIDAY AFTERNOON QUARTERBACK: NFL WEEK FOUR

BY ADAM GREENE

I was due a fall after going 16-0 straight up in Week Two, but I wasn’t quite prepared for what the NFL dealt me last weekend. I’m still solidly in the win column, both straight up and against the spread, but it was a blow. I definitely took a knee and let the ref do a standing eight-count.

I’d like to sit here and write that I’m feeling all the way back, but Sam Darnold, Adam Gase and Gregg Williams of the New York Jets all teamed up to start me with an L in both columns before Sunday’s kickoff. Not only that, but the Tennessee Titans, because they (and I) live among some of the nation’s worst plague rats, have been forced to postpone their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers to a later date. Probably Week 7. So that keeps me from picking up a win to offset Thursday night.

But, on the bright side, I could have just as easily doubled up my losses.

Let’s make some picks.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT CHICAGO BEARS (+2, O/U: 43)

This one is tough, not only because Nick Foles has stepped in to run the show for the Bears, but his former offensive coordinator, Frank Reich, is the head coach on the other side of the field. This game has two Andy Reid disciples facing off with QBs that can run their schemes. It’s too early for weather to be an issue and there are no home crowds, so I’m going with Indy to keep its streak going. But it’ll be close. Colts 26, Bears 23

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT DETROIT LIONS (+4, O/U: 54)

Drew Brees is still playing like he’s late for the early bird dinner special at Sizzler. If Detroit had even a halfway competent coach, I’d feel better about this. I’m still doing it. Lions 27, Saints 24

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (+3, O/U: 51.5)

A fourth quarter dud from Kyler Murray should wake this team up against the Panthers. Carolina stumbled into one its four victories this season, knocking off a Los Angeles Chargers team with a rookie quarterback on the road. That’s not exactly a season-defining first win for head coach Matt Rhule. Cards 31, Panthers 16

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (-3, O/U: 49.5)

It’s time for Joe Burrow to dust off that first “W” and for the Jaguars to become the team we all though they’d be in August. Bengals 24, Jaguars 21

CLEVELAND BROWNS AT DALLAS COWBOYS (-4.5, O/U: 56)

This might be the first game the Cowboys don’t have to score 35 to win. They’ll still score 35, but it’ll just be for the fun of it this time. Cowboys 35, Browns 20

MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT HOUSTON TEXANS (-3.5, O/U: 54)

In the battle of winless teams, you normally go with the best coach. So then why am I picking Houston? Texans 34, Vikings 30

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (+6.5, O/U: 54)

This might be the weirdest line I’ve ever seen, especially considering we have two double digit lines coming later. In what world are the Dolphins a touchdown different than the Seahawks with Russell Wilson setting a new TD pass record every week? Is Miami’s defense going to be the squad that suddenly figures out how to shut down the unanimous early season MVP? I would think Seattle should be -6.5 just for the first quarter, not for the whole game. If this one’s close, somebody better check Ryan Fitzpatrick’s patchouli beard oil for PEDs. Seahawks 42, Dolphins 17

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (-7, O/U: 42.5)

Speaking of friendly lines, here’s another one that seems almost comically generous. One might consider adding it to a parlay with Seahawks at -6.5 and then picking out new pairs of Jordans for the entire family afterward. Bucs 38, Chargers 19

BALTIMORE RAVENS AT WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (+14, O/U: 45)

The Ravens can do two things over the next few games. They can just run their regular, basic offense and plow through the teams or they can expand it, demand more of a classic pass reading performance from Lamar Jackson and prepare for the tougher teams ahead and in the playoffs. I’m not sure what they’ll do and, honestly, I’m not sure what they’re capable of doing. What I do know is, talent alone, they should win this game. But Ron Rivera is a great coach and as we discussed already, Jackson and the Ravens offense can be schemed against. It won’t be enough for the WFT to win, but it will be enough to keep Baltimore from covering. Ravens 26, WFT 16

NEW YORK GIANTS AT LOS ANGELES RAMS (-13, O/U: 48)

The Rams return back to SoFi for the first time in two weeks, stinging from a last second loss to the undefeated Buffalo Bills on a controversial pass interference penalty. LA is no stranger from such a call and has benefited more than once from it going the other way. If this was karma showing up, Los Angeles should be glad it happened in September instead of January. Rams 38, Giants 10

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (-7, O/U: 52.5)

The Chiefs get back to back games against potential AFC Championship opponents, but I think this one will be more of a contest than their Monday night beatdown of the Ravens. Cam Newton is an outside bet on the MVP conversation, probably behind Wilson and Mahomes, but if he stays healthy the Comeback Player of the Year should already be his. The Patriots and Bill Belichick are the last team to beat Kansas City in a playoff game, but that was two years ago. I don’t know who can stop this team right now. You have to be able to outscore them. I’m not sure New England can. Yet. Chiefs 41, Patriots 34

BUFFALO BILLS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (+3, O/U: 53)

The Bills got a big win in a possible Super Bowl preview against the Rams last week at home. Which means this is exactly the kind of game they can drop after making a cross country trip of their own. Raiders 27, Bills 24

THIS WEEK

Straight up: 0-1

Against the spread: 0-1

LAST WEEK

Straight up: 9-6-1

Against the spread: 6-10

SEASON

Straight up: 36-11-1

Against the spread: 28-21

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