20-28 is not an ideal start, but last week I registered my second straight 6-10 week, but things have been hectic! Who thought that Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills were going to go into Minnesota and come out with a win? Who honestly predicted Tom Brady’s New England Patriots losing a second straight game? I don’t know anyone that thought Jalen Ramsey’s Jacksonville Jaguars were going to lose to the Tennessee Titans of all teams.

Oh well, onward and upward.

NFL Picks. Week Four, 2018

The Minnesota Vikings vs. The Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams are banged up on defense, but it almost doesn’t matter. They were a good team last year without Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib and their offense looks unstoppable. Add the fact that a Minnesota Vikings team that couldn’t beat the Bills at home has to travel on a short week? Big win for the Rams and the Vikings might be in trouble.

Winner- The Los Angeles Rams

The Houston Texans vs. The Indianapolis Colts

The Houston Texans are awful. Their defense just isn’t good and their offensive line is atrocious. Deshaun Watson is trying his best, but he’s just not having any luck on this bad team. The Colts aren’t much better, but at least they have Andrew Luck, and who knows, maybe even Le’Veon Bell before it’s all said and done.

Winner- The Indianapolis Colts

The Buffalo Bills vs. The Green Bay Packers

Both teams experienced an upset last week, with Aaron Rodgers adding another loss to his road portfolio and the Bills pulling off a miracle in Minnesota, and if this game were in Buffalo, I might even consider taking Josh Allen and company. However, it’s not. It’s in Green Bay, and I’m going with the home team. Hey Clay Matthews, maybe just stay in coverage this week?

Winner- The Green Bay Packers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. The Chicago Bears

Be it Ryan Fitzpatrick or Jameis Winston, neither quarterback is good enough to overcome this defense, and as mediocre as Mitch Trubisky has looked this season, he’s not bad enough to cost the Bears this win, especially at home. Bears win big, and Khalil Mack continues to march towards his second Defensive Player of the Year award.

Winner- The Chicago Bears

The Miami Dolphins vs. The New England Patriots

I’m buying the Miami Dolphin hype just about as much as I’m buying the downfall of the New England Patriots. The Dolphins should’ve lost to the Oakland Raiders last week, and they’re not gonna have any Derek Carr level chokes from Tom Brady, especially not at home. Patriots win big and Josh Gordon makes his Patriots debut.

Winner- The New England Patriots

The Detriot Lions vs. The Dallas Cowboys

Gross. This game isn’t going to be fun at all. Not unless the Cowboys manage to trade for Earl Thomas before the game starts. I’m taking the Dallas Cowboys because they’re at home, and as far as I know, Matt Patricia doesn’t have insider knowledge about their playbooks.

Winner- The Dallas Cowboys

The Cincinnati Bengals vs. The Atlanta Falcons

After last week, it seems as if the Falcons have figured out how to play offense again. Matt Ryan had the game of his life last week, but his defense just couldn’t pick up the bill, especially as banged up as they are on defense. Fortunately for the Falcons, Andy Dalton isn’t Drew Brees. However, if they can’t fix that secondary, they might find a way to lose this game at home.

Winner- The Atlanta Falcons

The New York Jets vs. The Jacksonville Jaguars

A young Sam Darnold let Jets team traveling to Duval County to take on a pissed off Jalen Ramsey and the Jacksonville Jaguars? Check please. Maybe the Jets can go down to Jacksonville and steal a big win, but it’s hard to imagine them dropping back-to-back losses to bad teams.

Winner- The Jacksonville Jaguars

The Philadelphia Eagles vs. The Tennessee Titans

I’m not crazy about either team here, especially with all of their injuries. But Carson Wentz looked fine last week, and his defense is still pretty great. I don’t trust the Tennessee Titans at all, regardless of whether Marcus Mariota or Blaine Gabbert is under center.

Winner- The Philadelphia Eagles

The Cleveland Browns vs. The Oakland Raiders

Fool me once, strike one. Fool me twice? Strike three. I’m not picking the Raiders again until they prove they can play football in the fourth quarter. Welcome back Hue Jackson, and welcome to the NFL, Baker Mayfield.

Winner- The Cleveland Browns

The Seattle Seahawks vs. The Arizona Cardinals

This is a tough pick. I’m only taking the Seahawks because I trust them more than I trust Josh Rosen and the Cardinals. In Seattle, this wouldn’t even be a tough pick. As long as the Seahawks can protect Russell Wilson, they’ll win this game handily.

Winner- The Seattle Seahawks

The New Orleans Saints vs. The New York Giants

Three years ago, these two had one of the most entertaining shootouts in NFL history, combining for over 100 combined points and 1,000 yards of offense. This week? I think it’s going to be more of the same. I’m excited for this game, I think it’s going to be a blast, and I’m only picking the Giants because this game is in New York (New Jersey).

Winner- The New York Giants

The San Francisco 49ers vs. The Los Angeles Chargers

Even with Jimmy Garoppolo, I’m not sure I’m picking the 49ers here. Garoppolo wasn’t exactly taking the NFL by storm before his unfortunate injury sidelined him for the season, but they’re completely lost without him now. None of the names they’ve mentioned as potential replacements are very good, and with all their faults, the Los Angeles Chargers have a loaded offense, especially after Mike Williams broke out last week.

Winner- The Los Angeles Chargers

The Baltimore Ravens vs. The Pittsburgh Steelers

This was a tough pick, but ultimately, I decided to pick against Pittsburgh’s defense. This game should be good, as bitter rivals always bring out the best in each other, but Joe Flacco has been on a roll this season, on pace for career highs in touchdowns and passing yards, and Pittsburgh’s defense resembles a literal curtain more than a steel one.

Winner- The Baltimore Ravens

The Kansas City Chiefs vs. The Denver Broncos

I’m not picking against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs until they play the Los Angeles Rams. They’ve been an unstoppable force on offense, and it has concealed all defensive shortcomings. As for Denver? Despite what John Elway says, Case Keenum clearly isn’t the answer at quarterback, and Vance Joseph is not a good coach. Chiefs win huge.

Winner- The Kansas City Chiefs