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NFL Week 4: Picks and predictions

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Aug 12, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) against the Minnesota Vikings in a preseason NFL football game at Paul Brown Stadium. The Vikings won 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Verderame goes all in with his Week 4 NFL picks.

Let’s get this out of the way. I have been awful through three weeks. I promise I know football, it’s my job, but I have been a dumpster fire two of the three weekends.

Let’s just get back on the beam and have a week where I go undefeated. Here goes…

Miami Dolphins at Cincinnati Bengals (-7.5)

Cincinnati (1-2) desperately need a win and is getting Vontaze Burfict back. Miami (1-2) is really, really lucky to even have a win. This shouldn’t be very competitive.

Pick: Cincinnati 26, Miami 20

Indianapolis Colts (-2.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars

This game is in London, and Indianapolis (1-2) needs to take full advantage. Jacksonville (0-3) is terrible, and there is a real chance that Gus Bradley coaches his last game for the Jaguars.

Pick: Indianapolis 34, Jacksonville 24

Seattle Seahawks (-2.5) at New York Jets

Everybody loves Seattle (2-1), but it looks awful. Russell Wilson is hurt and the Seahawks can’t block at all. Ryan Fitzpatrick and New York (2-1) can’t be worse than it was last weekend, and the Jets’ defensive line will be a huge problem.

Pick: New York 13, Seattle 10

Detroit Lions (-3) at Chicago Bears

This is less about Detroit (1-2) and more about how bad Chicago (0-3). The Lions aren’t a good team, but the Bears are a complete mess. They are to football what Gigli is to cinema.

Pick: Detroit 27, Chicago 19

Cleveland Browns at Washington Redskins (-7.5)

Washington (1-2) saved its season against the Giants, and now gets a brutal Cleveland (0-3) team. You have to hope the game gets blacked out in Cleveland, finally giving the Browns something to cheer about.

Pick: Washington 30, Cleveland 14

Sep 11, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) and outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) celebrate a sack during the second half against the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans (-4.5)

Houston (2-1) is much better than it looked in New England, but without J.J. Watt, you wonder about the run defense. Tennessee (1-2) isn’t the team to exploit that, though.

Pick: Houston 23, Tennessee 13

Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots (-4.5)

New England (3-0) could have you playing quarterback and still win. Buffalo (1-2) got a huge win last week, but lightning won’t strike twice.

Pick: New England 19, Buffalo 6

Carolina Panthers (-3) at Atlanta Falcons

This is a very tough call. Atlanta (2-1) is at home and leading the division, but Carolina (1-2) has the pedigree. The Panthers have to figure it out, right?

Pick: Carolina 28, Atlanta 24

Oakland Raiders at Baltimore Ravens (-3.5)

A sneaky good game? Baltimore (3-0) has not looked great but because of a cupcake schedule, is undefeated. Oakland (2-1) has also played nobody, and now has an actual test. Tight game.

Pick: Baltimore 24, Oakland 23

Denver Broncos (-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It’s impossible to take Tampa Bay (1-2) here. Denver (3-0) just beat the Bengals on the road and the Buccaneers couldn’t beat the Rams at home. Case closed.

Pick: Denver 23, Tampa Bay 12

Sep 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) looks on from the field pre snap during the second quarter of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Qualcomm Stadium. San Diego won 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans Saints at San Diego Chargers (-3.5)

This is all about who has the ball last. San Diego (2-1) has looked decent but has more injuries than any team rightfully should. New Orleans (0-3) is beyond rancid defensively.

Pick: San Diego 38, New Orleans 35

Dallas Cowboys (-3) at San Francisco 49ers

Have you seen Blaine Gabbert? He’s basically the blind, elbowless version of Dan Marino. Other than those flaws, he’s great. Dallas (2-1) is going to work San Francisco (1-2) like a speedbag.

Pick: Dallas 27, San Francisco 16

Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals (-8)

Arizona (1-2) needs this game, and Case Keenum isn’t going to stop it. Los Angeles (1-2) would be decent if it had a quarterback, head coach, receiver and offensive line. Other than that, the Rams are great.

Pick: Arizona 24, Los Angeles 13

Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers (-5)

Best game of the week. Kansas City (2-1) is a more balanced team with a much better defense. Pittsburgh (2-1) gets Le’Veon Bell back and can outscore anybody. This game comes down to execution in the red zone.

Pick: Pittsburgh 23, Kansas City 20

New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings (-4.5)

Minnesota (3-0) has little offense, but Mike Zimmer and the defense are nails. New York (2-1) is going to have a brutal time dealing with that front.

Pick: Minnesota 20, New York 13

Last Week: 6-10
Overall: 24-24

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