NFL WEEK 4 PRIMER
Cardinals (2-1) at Panthers (1-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox BetMGM.com line: Cardinals by 31⁄ 2 Panthers’ keys: With All-Pro RB Christian McCaffrey out (ankle), the Panthers have to find different ways to manufacture offense.
Cardinals’ keys: Coach and offensive play-caller Kliff Kingsbury should embrace a more run-heavy strategy with RB Kenyan Drake and backup Chase Edmonds.
– Tim Weaver, Panthers Wire
Colts (2-1) at Bears (3-0)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS BetMGM.com line: Colts by 21⁄ 2
Colts’ keys: Lean heavily on RB Jonathan Taylor against a Bears defense that’s been vulnerable in the run game. Bears’ keys: Lean on RB David Montgomery to establish a balance on offense. Chicago has found its pass rush over the last two games with six total sacks.
– Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire
Jaguars (1-2) at Bengals (0-2-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS BetMGM.com line: Bengals by 3 Jaguars’ keys: Ride the ground game with RB James Robinson, owner of 210 yards and three TDs on a 4.9-yard-per-carry average.
Bengals’ keys: A lack of pressure, especially amid the absence of DT Geno Atkins, has played a huge role in Cincinnati’s inability to stop the run.
– Chris Roling, Bengals Wire
Browns (2-1) at Cowboys (1-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox BetMGM.com line: Cowboys by 41⁄
2 Browns’ keys: Forcing the Cowboys to hone in on the run should allow QB Baker Mayfield time to find Odell Beckham Jr. Cowboys’ keys: QB Dak Prescott has 1,188 passing yards while Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, CeeDee Lamb and Cedrick Wilson have all had 100-yard games this season.
– K.D. Drummond, Cowboys Wire
Saints (1-2) at Lions (1-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox BetMGM.com line: Saints by 4
Saints’ keys: A healthy dose of RB Alvin Kamara and a leaky Lions defense should be enough to get New Orleans’ offense back in rhythm.
Lions’ keys: Look for them to try to establish the run. If the Lions can pull a safety into the box, look for play-action and QB Matthew Stafford to stretch the field.
– Erik Schlitt, Lions Wire
Vikings (0-3) at Texans (0-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox BetMGM.com odds: Texans by 31⁄
2 Vikings’ keys: RB Dalvin Cook is coming off 181 yards rushing in Week 3. DE Yannick Ngakoue will need to generate a pass rush.
Texans’ keys: QB Deshaun Watson has thrown an interception in every game this season. DE JJ Watt collected two sacks in Week 2 but was silent in Pittsburgh.
– Mark Lane, Texans Wire
Seahawks (3-0) at Dolphins (1-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m ET, Fox BetMGM.com line: Seahawks by 61⁄
2 Seahawks’ keys: Look for QB Russell Wilson to get aggressive with play-action early and try to connect with WR DK Metcalf downfield against Miami’s retooled secondary. Dolphins’ keys: Keep QB Ryan Fitzpatrick clean in the pocket. He hasn’t had a turnover in his last two games.
– Kyle Crabbs, Dolphins Wire
Chargers (1-2) at Buccaneers (2-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS BetMGM.com line: Buccaneers by 7 Buccaneers’ keys: Mix things up and force Chargers QB Justin Herbert into rookie mistakes. Chargers’ keys: WRs Keenan Allen and Mike Williams and TE Hunter Henry should be active. DE Joey Bosa and the rest of the Chargers’ defensive front will have to put consistent pressure on Bucs QB Tom Brady.
– Luke Easterling, Bucs Wire
Ravens (2-1) at Washington (1-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS BetMGM.com line: Ravens by 13 Ravens’ keys: Run with efficiency, let QB Lamar Jackson make plays with his feet and his arm and shut down a questionable Washington offense. Washington’s keys: If it can stop the run and force a couple of turnovers through the air, Washington might be able to get its offense into a rhythm.
– Zachary Neel, Washington Wire
Giants (0-3) at Rams (2-1)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox BetMGM.com line: Rams by 121⁄
2 Giants’ keys: They must stop the Rams’ ground game, which has been much more efficient this season than it was last year.
Rams’ keys: RBs Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown should get a bunch of touches, as will RB Cam Akers if he’s able to return after missing Week 3.
– Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire
Patriots (2-1) at Chiefs (3-0)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS BetMGM.com line: Chiefs by 7
Chiefs’ keys: Shut down the running game. K.C. is allowing about 150 yards per game on the ground, even after it stymied Lamar Jackson and the Ravens last Monday.
Patriots’ keys: Control the clock. The last thing New England wants is give the Chiefs and QB Patrick Mahomes extra possessions.
– Charles Goldman, Chiefs Wire
Bills (3-0) at Raiders (2-1)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS BetMGM.com line: Bills by 3
Bills’ keys: If Buffalo can slow Raiders RB Josh Jacobs, the Bills should have no problem shutting down the Vegas offense. Raiders’ keys: Make stops in the red zone. QB Derek Carr will need to keep the team ahead of the chains and throw downfield. Can the Raiders cut back on turnovers and penalties?
– Marcus Mosher, Raiders Wire
Eagles (0-2-1) at 49ers (2-1)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC BetMGM.com line: 49ers by 7
Eagles’ keys: QB Carson Wentz can’t rely so heavily on TE Zach Ertz. Wentz has to lean on his receiving corps and attack a weak 49ers secondary. 49ers’ keys: Maintain efficient QB play. Between Jimmy Garoppolo and Nick Mullens, the 49ers’ quarterbacks have yet to commit a turnover this season.
– Kyle Madson, Niners Wire
Falcons (0-3) at Packers (3-0)
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN BetMGM.com line: Packers by 7 Falcons’ keys: They might not have WR Julio Jones (hamstring), but QB Matt Ryan still has playmakers, including WR Calvin Ridley.
Packers’ keys: QB Aaron Rodgers should be able to spread the ball around and find the weak points, especially if the run game with RB Aaron Jones gets going.
– Zach Kruse, Packers Wire