NFL Week 4 Essentials
New Orleans at Miami: The Dolphins still haven't played at home this season after Hurricane Irma wiped out their Week 1 date with Tampa Bay, and it definitely wasn't part of the plan to debut in England before Miami Gardens. For Jay Ajayi, at least, it's a homecoming, but the London-born running back is dealing with a knee issue that limited him to 16 yards on 11 carries last week against the Jets.
Adam Gase called his team's offensive efffort "garbage" after they failed to score until the final play in a 20-6 loss in New York, so it's important to see whether Jay Cutler can get his new teammates to rally against one of the league's most vulnerable defenses, who come off their first solid showing of the season after picking off Cam Newton three times. They had a pair of practice squad members up to supply depth in the secondary, but will get rookie Marshon Lattimore back from a concussion and should be better in the back.
Drew Brees threw for 220 yards and three touchdowns against a Carolina defense that had given up just three points in each of their first two games, so he's got some momentum building with a new-look offense. Versatile rookie back Alvin Kamara scored New Orleans' first rushing touchdown from 25 yards out to put the cherry on top of the 34-13 win in Charlotte, while Brees has now thrown for scores to five different receivers. WR Willie Snead's return from suspension gives him even more options, and the potential return of tackle Terron Armstead would provide a huge boost up front.
Carolina at New England: The Patriots led the NFL in points per game allowed last year. Through three games, they've allowed teams to average a league-worst 31.7 points per game. Getting lit up by Drew Brees is one thing. Allowing Alex Smith and rookie Deshaun Watson to carve up your defense is another. Cam Newton has been dreadful since a decent showing in San Francisco in Week 1, coming off a three-pick game, so we'll see whether he can get healthy and produce here against a secondary that has given up over 300 passing yards each time out.
Kelvin Benjamin (knee) is expected to play barring a setback, but rookie speedster Curtis Samuel won't play. Center Ryan Kalil is out for the Panthers too, so we'll see whether the Patriots defense is suspect enough to help the visitors find an offensive rhythm that has eluded them. Corner Devin McCourty has given up big plays, while top LB Dont'a Hightower's absence has loomed larger than expected.
Since the nonsensical chatter about 40-year-old Tom Brady not looking the same following his rough season debut against Kansas City, he's thrown for 825 yards and eight scores while completing 74 percent of his passes. Rob Gronkowski has scored in consecutive games, while newcomer Brandin Cooks grabbed his first two last week. Rex Burkhead is doubtful, but the bigger question mark is tackle Marcus Cannon, who is listed as questionable. Carolina could be without LB Thomas Davis, but Julius Peppers, Star Lotulelei and Charles Johnson are all expected to go and try to pressure Brady.
L.A. Rams at Dallas: The Cowboys were staring a 1-2 start in the face before a flag wiped out a 14-0 Arizona lead and Phil Dawson bailed them out of being down two possessions by missing an easy field goal. Credit Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott for making the most of their opportunities and Demarcus Lawrence for throwing off the Cardinals with his pressure, but Dallas has to feel fortunate it hasn't dug itself a hole.
As things stand, the Cowboys still have Elliott available to play until the injunction against his suspension is lifted, which won't happen before he helps his team try to run on a Rams defense that ranks 29th of 32 in yards allowed on the ground per game. Star DT Aaron Donald is rounding into shape and will play just his third game here after holding out so long he missed Week 1.
L.A. has a huge edge in that it hasn't played since Sept. 21, giving it far more time to prepare than Dallas had after returning from Arizona in the early hours on Tuesday. This will be the first game outside of California for the Rams, which won their only road date at the 49ers. Receivers Sammy Watkins and Tavon Austin are likely to play after clearing concussion protocol. Center John Sullivan and safety Cody Davis are questionable, while safety Lamarcus Joyner won't play. Dallas LB Sean Lee and CB Jourdan Lewis are questionable with hamstring issues after being hurt on Monday night.
Detroit at Minnesota: Case Keenum wasn't as sharp as his numbers would indicate in last week's win against Tampa Bay, but he was effective enough to hang 369 yards and three touchdowns without a miscue, earning himself a game ball in the process. Keenum buying Sam Bradford some time to truly get healthy as he deals with knee pain, allowing Stephon Diggss and Adam Thielen to emerge as the NFL's most prolific receiving combo through three games, ranking third and second, respectively, behind only Pittsburgh's Antonio Brown in yards.
The Vikings rank third in the entire league in run defense, surrendering 62.7 yards per game, a long of just 11, and no touchdowns. Only top-ranked Denver has also not allowed a score on the ground. Detroit has done a nice job becoming more diverse in running Ameer Abdullah and working Theo Riddick out of the backfield to keep Matthew Stafford from having to drop back 50 times a game. After throwing a pick-six on his first pass of the season, he's thrown 106 without an interception, mixing in seven touchdown passes. He's also scrambled for 56 yards on just seven carries (8.0 ypc) to keep defenses honest and make the best of a rough situation up front.
Center Travis Swanson is hopeful to play, but guard Zec Kerin is out and T.J. Lang may not go, likely compounding protection issues. DE Ziggy Ansah, LB Jarrad Davis and safety Tavon Wilson are all questionable, so after coming up inches short of an upset of Atlanta, the Lions' defense is banged up as they hit the road. Stamina has been a major factor for Detroit early, as it has outscored opponents 46-26 in the second half of games, an impressive margin that would be six points wider if Golden Tate was roughly an inch taller.
Tennessee at Houston: The Texans let one get away in New England last week, but still made progress given Watson's emergence and an improved passing attack. DeAndre Hopkins will play against the Titans despite a knee issue and gets some help with talented WR Will Fuller set to make his season debut after breaking his collarbone in the second week of training camp.
The Titans pulled away to cover as a home favorite thanks to a dominant third quarter against the Seahawks, fighting off an attempted comeback. Tennessee has outscored its opposition 41-10 in the third quarter this season, a trend worth watching as it looks to impose its will on a second AFC South foe after dealing the Jaguars their only loss entering Sunday.
According to Bookmaker.eu's Cooley, "wiseguys are siding with the Titans for the fourth consecutive week. As of early Wednesday almost 60 percent of the tickets were on Tennessee, with 75 percent of the money on that side."
Running backs DeMarco Murray (hamstring) and Derrick Henry (thigh) are each listed as probable, so an offense that has helped average 35 points over the past two games should have everyone ready to play. Defensively, the Titans wll be without key safety Johnathan Cyprien due to a hamstring and are hoping Jurrell Casey can shake off a groin injury that limited him in practice this week. The Texans will be without key guard Greg Mancz, the latest issue along an offensive line hindered by Duane Brown's holdout. Veteran Jeff Allen, dealing with an ankle issue himself, is expected to slide in and likely won't be as effective.
Jacksonville at N.Y. Jets: Ordinarily, this would be the most unwatchable matchup on the Week 4 schedule, but both teams dominated defensively last week and cruised to upset victories against previously unbeaten opponents. The Jags are co-leaders in the AFC South, returning from London after bullying the Ravens on both sides of the ball. They hassled Joe Flacco into his worst performance ever, holding him to 28 passing yards, while Blake Bortles hit on four touchdown throws to post a 44-7 victory.
The Jags are back on U.S. soil and are in a road favorite's role for the first time since Nov. 2011, when they dropped a Colts team quarterbacked by Curtis Painter to 0-10. They've won two of their first three games for the first time since '07, which happens to be the last time they reached the playoffs. Bortles has improved signifcantly from where he was last season and early in training camp, but he's still got a lot to prove given his body of work and history of turnovers. While an offense that has overcome season-ending injuries to top WR Allen Robinson and exciting rookie Dede Westbrook came back from their European excursion unscathed, defensive backs Jalen Ramsey (ankle) and Tashaun Gipson (knee) were both banged up but should play. Linebacker Myles Jack will also be out there, but DTs Malik Jackson and Abry Jones are questionable.
New York blanked Miami for nearly 60 minutes and did enough offensively to keep the Dolphins honest. The Jets should have DT Mo Wilkerson out there as he toils through a shoulder injury. Guard Brian Winters could miss his second straight, while tackle Brandon Shell (shoulder) is considered doubtful, which could spell trouble for QB Josh McCown. RB Matt Fote (toe) is sidelined, but backup Bilal Powell has been more effective anyway.
Cincinnati at Cleveland: With the Jets and Jags coming in off victories, this matchup is "elevated" to the league's ugliest. Both Ohio teams are winless, which guarantees us an 0-4 team barring the unlikely event of a tie. There's no question the Bengals are coming off the stronger performance, falling in Green Bay in OT after blowing a late lead they held most of the day. The Browns, favored at depleted Indianapolis, trailed most of the afternoon and made Jacoby Brissett look like the MVP version of Newton or RG III before his ACL tear.
Rookie QB DeShone Kizer leads the league with eight turnovers through three games, tossing seven interceptions. He lost his most competent receiver, Corey Colema, and has Sammie Coates (hamstring) and Kenny Britt (knee) banged up, so look for Duke Johnson and Rashad Higgins to end up being his top targets against a Bengals defense that should be at its most effective since LB Vontaze Burfict returns after serving his three-game suspension and DE Carlos Dunlap and safeties George Iloka and Shawn Williams should play.
The Bengals will again be without speedy rookie John Ross (knee), a deep threat they envisioned capitalizing on all the attention WR A.J. Green and TE Tyler Eifert receive. Eifert has also been ruled out, nursing a back injury that has really compromised Cincinnati's plans. Cleveland won't have top pick Myles Garrett back from his high ankle sprain to help pressure Andy Dalton, while DT Danny Shelton (calf) is questionable and LB Jamie Collins (concussion) remains sidelined. Cincinnati has won five straight games in the series, outscored 152-40.
Pittsburgh at Baltimore: Ben Roethlisberger continued to struggle on the road in last week's puzzling loss in Chicago and has now thrown 18 interceptions and 17 TDs since the start of 2015. He overthrew a wide open Martavis Bryant on the game's first play and proceeded to waste opportunities the rest of the afternoon. Recent history suggests you shouldn't hold your breath for a revival against the rival Ravens, since he's only beat them once in Baltimore since 2010 and has thrown more picks than he has touchdowns over the last decade there.
Le'Veon Bell's holdout hasn't worked out well since he's averaging less than 3.5 yards per carry and topped out with 98 total yards last week, finally scoring his first touchdown. He'll catch a break with the Ravens missing DT Brandon Williams and DE Brent Urban, both sidelined by foot injuries. Pittsburgh Tackle Marcus Gilbert (hamstring) and guard Ramon Foster (hand) are each questionable, so the Steelers could again have trouble up front. James Harrison and safeties Mike Mitchell and Sean Davis are all questionable, while pass-rushing DE Stephon Tuitt is likely to make his season debut. Impressive rookie linebacker T.J. Watt is expected to return from a groin injury that forced him out of the mix in Chicago.
The winner here will take the AFC Central lead, so Flacco has to hope home cooking will help breed a resurgence following last week's European disaster. Baltimore has won six consecutive home games but is just 1-7 over its last eight games played outside M&T Bank Stadium.
Buffalo at Atlanta: The Bills stunned the previously perfect Broncos last Sunday and enter this one allowing a league-best 12.3 points per game. They've surrendered an NFL-low 37 points, a number matched only by the Dolphins, who have played one fewer contest. DE Shaq Lawson already has three sacks, but will be a game-time decision due to a groin injury. DT Marcell Dareus (ankle) will play, while DT Jerel Worthy is out of concussion protocol and should also participate, giving the Bills ammo as they try to pressure Matt Ryan into mistakes after he threw three interceptions in Detroit last week, snapping a streak of 309 passes without being picked off.
Julio Jones has 20 touchdowns over the last three seasons, but has yet to find the end zone this season. He's been removed from the injury report after dealing with back pain, so the Falcons are nearly at full strength for the challenge of facing an excellent defense, missing only tackle Ryan Schraeder. Atlanta won't have top pass-rusher Vic Beasley, DE Courtney Upshaw and DB Ricardo Allen, so we'll see if it can stop the run. Teams are averaging 4.8 yards per carry against the Falcons.
N.Y. Giants at Tampa Bay: Due to the ramifications for both teams, this is one of Sunday's most intriguing matchups despite neither participant having a winning record. The Giants need to taste victory or risk having to emulate the 1992 Chargers as the only team to reach the postseason after opening 0-4 since the current playoff format came into play.
On a positive note, New York will get back guard Bobby Hart, so their offensive line should be better than it's been in a few weeks, especially if Brett Jones (hip) ends up on the right side of questionable. There are a number of key defensive players looking to do the same, with linebacker B.J. Goodson due back and DE Olivier Vernon and LB Jonathan Casillas hoping to overcome ankle injuries.
The Giants are in much better shape with their personnel than Tampa is since the home team will be missing its top two linebackers Lavone David (ankle) and Kwon Alexander (hamstring). Gerald McCoy, Jacquies Smith and Chris Baker are all healthy enough to play, so they'll have to make life easier for their depleted back seven, which could get back CB Brent Grimes (shoulder), but will be missing safety DJ Ward. RB Doug Martin remains suspended, but will return for Thursday night's game against New England. The Bucs want no part of going into that game at 1-2, putting them in desperation mode as well.
Philadelphia at L.A. Chargers: This is a great opportunity for the Eagles, who catch L.A. struggling with chemistry issues on offense and attendance issues in their new stadium. The new digs aren't agreeing with the Chargers, who have again already been bitten by the injury bug, losing standout corner Jason Verrett for the season. Melvin Gordon (knee) will play, so the offense should be balanced enough to keep the visitors from keying in on disrupting Rivers, a task made more difficult since star DT Fletcher Cox (calf) won't play for the first time in five seasons.
Philly is playing in Los Angeles for the first time since 1990, and it's worth noting that Doug Pederson opted to bring his Eagles over on Saturday, so we'll see how they handle jet lag and the time difference. Carson Wentz has had his ups and downs, but helped set up rookie kicker Jake Elliott's 61-yard field goal and has largely played well. He should get a boost from the run game since the Chargers are ranked next-to-last in giving up yards on the ground, providing an opportunity for LeGarrette Blount and Wendell Smallwood to pick up where they left off last week with more carries after a season-ending injury to Darren Sproles. Safety Rodney McLeod (hamstring) and LB Jordan Hicks (ankle) should be part of the Philly defense, but corners Jaylen Watkins (hamstring) and Ronald Darby (leg) won't play.
San Francisco at Arizona: The 49ers should have the same advantage the Rams have against the Cowboys, having not played since the Week 3 Thursday night game while the host Cardinals were in action late Monday. Since the Niners have lost five of the last six meetings, including four in a row, they could use any help they can get. RB Carlos Hyde will be a game-time decision due to a hip ailment, so any wagers made on this game need to be made once his status is determined.
The Cardinals were victimized by poor offensive line play on Monday night and got the news that key guard Mike Iupati had to go on IR since he needs elbow surgery, making his return this season unlikely. Guard Alex Boone was already out and tackle D.J. Humphries is questionable, so the Niners' young pass rushers could have an impact. J.J. Nelson (hamstring) is hoping to join Larry Fitzgerald and John Brown as Carson Palmer's top targets, while Deone Bucannon is finally ready to return. Chandler Jones is in, while Robert Nkemdiche is out. San Francisco will again be without standout safety Eric Reid and rookie LB Reuben Foster.
Oakland at Denver: Keeping the Chiefs within arm's reach is going to be vital in order to win the AFC West, but the loser here is going to be two games behind if Kansas City is able to hold serve at home against Washington on Monday night. Since all three teams opened the season 2-0 and these two suffered losses last week, whoever drops this game is going to be on a losing streak too, making this my choice for this week's most important contest.
Derek Carr is looking to take a step forward against Denver. He didn't play last year's finale due to injury so he's 2-3 against the Raiders and has thrown six TDs and four interceptions against a defense that is relentless in getting after him and also stops the run well, currently tops in the NFL in yards allowed per game. With Michael Crabtree (chest) likely to play after leaving Sunday night's game, Carr will have his top targets out there even though Amari Cooper (knee) is banged up too.
The Broncos want to get to their bye week on a positive note and have won three straight at home by a 90-44 margin, a streak that started last week against the Carr-less Raiders. Denver enters this game as healthy as any team in pro football.
Indianapolis at Seattle: Despite a 1-2 record, the Seahawks are Week 4's lone double-digit favorite unless public money gets the Pats there against Carolina. This is the first of four regular-season games scheduled for a primetime national television audience, a stage the Seahawks have handled well since they went 5-0-1 SU last season after going just 2-2 in '15. They'll look to ride a defense that comes in close to full strength outside of missing reserve DB Neiko Thorpe, which should spell trouble for Brissett as he makes his first road start in place of Andrew Luck. The ex-Patriot played in the 46-9 Week 1 loss at the Rams, the only time Indy has played in an opposing stadium thus far this season.
Center Ryan Kelly remains sidelined too, but guards Jack Mewhort and Deyshawn Bond will be out there after missing practice time. Although top corner Vontae Davis (groin) is expected to play, depth should be thin with young DBs Quincy Wilson, Chris Milton and Matthias Farley joining rookie LB Anthony Walker, Jr. in being unlikely to participate. Seattle has only beaten Indianapolis once since 1998, going 1-3. They may have to persevere without top receiver Doug Baldwin, who will be a game-time decision.
Washington at Kansas City: You have to go all the way back to 1983 for the last time the 'Skins got the better of the Chiefs. All of Kansas City's wins since, six in all, have come by at least seven points. The total margin of 191-69 was bolstered by a 45-10 Kansas City win the last time these teams played back in 2013, a game unique because the visitors scored on a run, two passes, a 74-yard punt return and a 95-yard kickoff return. The game featured Alex Smith and Kirk Cousins, but while Smith was involved in throwing for two scores, the player who currently dons Washington's franchise tag came off the bench for mop-up dut behind Robert Griffin III. Only a handful of players on both sides remain, but Andy Reid did win his 10th game in Year 1 as head Chief in Landover and now looks to beat the Redskins again in order to remain the AFC's lone unbeaten.
Kansas City is perfect against the spread, has won fourth quarters by a 41-10 count and proved disruptive in creating turnovers last week, consistently pressuring San Diego's Rivers into miscues. They've got Tamba Hali on the PUP list and lost safety Eric Berry to an achilles tear in Week 1, so the Chiefs' ability to remain formidable is a testament to defensive coordinator Bob Sutton's aggressive scheme. Kansas City DE Dee Ford missed practices due to a hip issue and would be a big loss if he's absent since the goal at home is to keep Cousins from getting into the comfortable groove he enjoyed against Oakland. Washington is relatively healthy, likely to get tight end Jordan Reed and LB Mason Foster back in the fold.
