NFL Picks Week 4: London Calling

The New Orleans Saints enter Week 4 with a 1-2 record as they leave American soil to face the Miami Dolphins “across the pond” in London, England. The Saints started the first two weeks of the season as poorly as anyone could have feared. Thankfully, hope for an early-season turnaround came with a resounding win in Carolina against the league’s top-rated defense.

Now Miami will take on the Saints in their neutral field “home game”. The Dolphins are coming off a skulldragging against arguably one of the NFL’s worst teams in New York. Miami almost needs this game as much as the Saints, as their schedule is absolutely brutal through the remainder of the season. This should be a high-scoring contest, but the Saints may be ready to put on a real fireworks show over the London skies.

Now let's take a look at this and all of the games on the Week 4 NFL schedule.

Last week I went 8-8

I told you so: Falcons over Lions.

What do I know: Panthers over Saints?

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WEEK 4

Thursday, September 28th - Thursday Night Football

Bears(1-2) at Packers(2-1)

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay passing attack will prove to be more than Chicago can handle at Lambeau Field. Green Bay wins 28-19.

Pick: Packers

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Sunday, October 1st - Very Early Game

Saints(1-2) at* Dolphins(1-1) - Wembley Stadium, London

Lets not mince words here, through two games Miami has proven to be a thoroughly mediocre football team. They rank in the bottom third of the league in most major categories and are coming off a terrible loss to a Jets team with far less talent than the Dolphins field. This is exactly the type of opponent the Saints need to face to keep their confidence growing as they look to reach .500 this early season.

Now, of course, this exactly the type of spot where the Saints would fall flat and have the fanbase up in arms, but that wont happen here. The offense showed how dangerous they could be last week against Carolina’s top-ranked defense, and they’ll get some important pieces back this week. This Saints team that will take the field early Sunday morning will be as healthy and complete as they’ve been throughout this first month of the season.

With a trifecta of NFC North opponents on the horizon following next week’s bye, the Saints know how important this game is. Going into the bye with a .500 record for the first time since the 2013 season is potentially massive for the Saints, and with the offense clicking and the defense gaining confidence, this could be a breakout game for the Black and Gold. The Saints will get the win in London, and it will be a convincing win at that. Saints win 42-26.

Pick: Saints

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Sunday, October 1st - Early Games

Titans(2-1) at Texans(1-2)

This one will be a real tight game throughout, with both teams being led by their rushing games. Tennessee will get the plays needed in the end to leave Houston with the win. Tennessee wins 23-20.

Pick: Titans

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Jaguars(2-1) at Jets(1-2)

The Jets will regress back to their usual selves against the red-hot Jags in this one. Jacksonville wins 30-7.

Pick: Jaguars

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Panthers(2-1) at Patriots(2-1)

The anemic New England defense will once again only put pressure on their own quarterback, by making Tom Brady carry the day against the stout Carolina defense. The Panthers will move the ball against the Pats, but New England will make enough plays to seal the win. New England wins 36-26.

Pick: Patriots

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Lions(2-1) at Vikings(2-1)

Detroit may find it more difficult to rebound from their crushing loss on the last play of the game last week, as now they must face their division rival in hostile territory. Minnesota’s surprising passing attack will put enough pressure on the Lions to seal a big victory at home. Minnesota wins 20-14.

Pick: Vikings

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Bills(2-1) at Falcons(3-0)

Buffalo’s lack of a passing attack will quickly seal their fate against the Falcons in Atlanta. Atlanta wins 30-21.

Pick: Falcons

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Steelers(2-1) at Ravens(2-1)

Joe Flacco and the Baltimore passing attack appeared to have missed the plane to London last week in their lopsided loss, now they must rebound against the surprisingly stout Pittsburgh defense. Homefield and the fire from this rivalry will help the Ravens look better than they did in London, but the Steelers will rebound from their own terrible Week 3 loss, with a big win here on the road. Pittsburgh wins 24-22.

Pick: Steelers

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Bengals(0-3) at Browns(0-3)

The atrocious Cincinnati offense is being given the gift of the Browns this week in Cleveland. Cincy finally gets a win here. Cincinnati wins 27-13.

Pick: Bengals

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Rams(2-1) at Cowboys(2-1)

Dallas’ surprisingly good defense and Los Angeles’ surprisingly suspect defense will be the biggest keys to this game. Dallas will make the plays in the passing game necessary to win this one. Dallas wins 30-27.

Pick: Cowboys

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Sunday, October 1st - Late Games

Eagles(2-1) at Chargers(0-3)

Philly is the next team in line to step up and rip the hearts out of the poor Chargers. The lack of any rushing attack will once again doom Los Angeles here at home. Philadelphia wins 27-24.

Pick: Eagles

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Giants(0-3) at Buccaneers(1-1)

Tampa took a tough loss on the chin last week in Minnesota, but they’ll get back on track against the disappointing Giants. Expect to see a lot of passing yards in this one. Tampa wins 32-17.

Pick: Buccaneers

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49ers(0-3) at Cardinals(1-2)

Despite any running game to speak of, Arizona will make the plays necessary to beat their NFC West rivals at home. Arizona wins 28-19.

Pick: Cardinals

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Raiders(2-1) at Broncos(2-1) - Game of the Week

Both teams are coming off of extremely disappointing losses last week and they know that they must win this game to keep pace with KC in the AFC West. This will be an extremely close game with both teams having a shot to pull this one out in the final minutes. Oakland will nail the big kick to seal the win as time expires. Oakland wins 27-24.

Pick: Raiders

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Sunday Night Football

Colts(1-2) at Seahawks(1-2)

Seattle has been as disappointing as any team in the NFL this season, but homefield advantage, in primetime, against a poor opponent will help them secure victory in this one. Seattle wins 22-12.

Pick: Seahawks

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Monday, October 2nd - Monday Night Football

Redskins(2-1) at Chiefs(3-0)

Kansas City’s impressive start will continue with another big win here, led by their devastating rushing attack. Although their defense has looked suspect early on, the Chiefs will make the big plays necessary against Washington. Kansas City wins 29-12.

Pick: Chiefs

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That's how I see Week 4 playing out, as the Saints look to reach .500 for the first time this season. Leave us your picks, insight, and comments below!