SUNDAY’S GAMES
San Fran. at Indianapolis (-1.5)
The Geek says: The Colts are almost as bad as the Patriots defensively, and don’t have an offence, to boot. Niners get off the schnied.
Pick: 49ers The Greek says: The 49ers will get their first win eventually, mights as well come against the Luckless Colts. Pick: 49ers
N.Y. Jets at Cleveland (Pick)
The Geek says: The Browns haven’t beaten the Jets in nearly a decade. And now the Jets are — am I saying this? — respectable. Dang.
Pick: Jets The Greek says: Break up the J-E-T-S. What was supposed to be the worst team this season plays the actual worst team as the Browns were humiliated at home against the Bengals and have nothing positive going for them.
Pick: Jets
Jacksonville at Pittsburgh (-8.5)
The Geek says: Would you actually believe if I told you the Jaguars lead their head-tohead records, 12-11? They’re 11-11 regular season, and their playoff win in 2007 made them the first team to beat Pittsburgh at home twice in the same season. Yeah, still taking Pittsburgh. Pick: Steelers The Greek says: I haven’t picked a Jekyll-and-Hyde Jags game correctly yet. Pretty sure they’ll lose against the Steelers though, who finally got Le’veon Bell going in Baltimore last week. Pick: Steelers
Chargers at Giants (-3.5)
The Geek says: In a battle of the 0-fers, I’m going with the Chargers, who’ve lost their games by an average of 5.2 points this season, a number skewed by a 14-point loss to the undefeated Chiefs.
Pick: Chargers The Greek says: Playoffs? The Giants need to win a damn game, apparently. Pick: Giants
Carolina at Detroit (-3)
The Geek says: A battle of the big cats, with the Panthers venturing into Lions territory. My wife says lions are bigger, so go with them. I’d take them too, but because of their defence, which is giving up the fourthfewest points in the league.
Pick: Lions The Greek says: Cam Newton is back slinging the ball, but this Detroit defence is proving itself week in week out. Pick: Lions Tennessee (-3) at Miami The Geek says: Tough blow for the Titans, losing Marcus Mariota to a hamstring injury. But their defence, which blitzes 33% of the time, is going to send Jay Cutler to an early smoke break.
Pick: Titans The Greek says: Two teams that tanked in Week 3, though the Titans have deeper issues with Marcus Mariota most likely injured in what is, finally, Miami’s home opener.
Pick: Dolphins
Arizona at Philadelphia (-6.5)
The Geek says: Carson Palmer is under pressure on 31% of his drop backs, sixth-most in the league, but it feels like way more. And it will be against the dangerous Eagles D-line.
Pick: Eagles The Greek says: The Cardinals are having trouble protecting Carson Palmer and that sounds like trouble against an effective, athletic Eagles’ defensive front.
Pick: Eagles
Ravens at Raiders (-2.5)
The Geek says: The Raiders actually looked pretty good with E.J. Manuel under centre, probably because they started to play within their offence instead of forcing big play balls. If they can start running the ball too, they should be fine.
Pick: Raiders The Greek says: The Ravens are on the ropes, but the Raiders may have suffered a knock out blow with Derek Carr going down. We’ll see what EJ Manuel can bring against a hungry Baltimore defence.
Pick: Ravens
Green Bay at Dallas (-2)
The Geek says: In the “WTF Week 4,” the Rams upset of the Cowboys ranked near the top. America’s Team gets back on track this week.
Pick: Cowboys
The Greek says: The injuries keep mounting for the Packers while the Cowboys will be looking to bounce back from their loss to the Rams last week — and these same Packers in last year’s playoffs.
Pick: Cowboys
Kansas City at Houston (-1.5) The Geek says: The Texans defence forces their opponents into three-and-out 46% of the time. Crazy! The Chiefs, well, they’ve only managed it 22%, third-worst in the league. Go with the home team.
Pick: Texans
The Greek says: The Chiefs are unbeaten and, surprisingly, it’s their offence that’s getting it done. The Texans, meanwhile, continue to play solid defence while Deshaun Watson shines brighter with every game played. Everybody’s gotta lose at some point.
Pick: Texans