NFL WEEK 4 GAME PREVIEWS
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. So far, WR Robby Anderson has been their most potent and consistent receiving option. Cardinals’ keys: Coach and offensive play-caller Kliff Kingsbury should embrace a more run-heavy strategy with RB Kenyan Drake and backup Chase Edmonds. On defense, CBs Patrick Peterson and Dre Kirkpatrick must contain Anderson and WR DJ Moore. Who wins? Cardinals, 33-24
– 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, especially after being down nose tackles in Eddie Goldman and John Jenkins.
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. Who wins? Colts, 24-21
– 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-percarry average. He also has10 catches. .
Bengals’ keys: Get after Jags QB Gardner Minshew early and often. 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.
Who wins? Bengals, 24-20
– 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: They have scored 69 points on the strength of their run game. Nick Chubb is challenging for the title of the league’s top running back. 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.
Who wins? Cowboys, 40-31
– 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 with Kerryon Johnson and Adrian Peterson. If the Lions can pull a safety into the box, look for playaction and QB Matthew Stafford to stretch the field.
Who wins? Saints, 34-27
– 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.
Who wins? Texans, 31-20
– 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 playaction 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, and the offense has prospered as a result.
Who wins? Seahawks, 24-21
– 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. Use the running game where the depth is underrated with the emergence of recent addition Leonard Fournette.
Chargers’ keys: WRs Keenan Allen and Mike Williams and TE Hunter Henry should be active. Without OLB Melvin Ingram III, DE Joey Bosa and the rest of the Chargers’ defensive front will have to put consistent pressure on Bucs QB Tom Brady.
Who wins? Bucs, 20-17
– 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: Use pass rush to keep Jackson uncomfortable. 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.
Who wins? Ravens, 37-13
– 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. LB Blake Martinez will have to be at his best.
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.
Who wins? Rams, 31-20
– 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. If you shut down the run, you’ll force Patriots QB Cam Newton to beat you through the air.
Patriots’ keys: Control the clock. The last thing New England wants is give the Chiefs and QB Patrick Mahomes extra possessions.
Who wins? Chiefs, 27-23
– 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 down 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 be aggressive throwing downfield. Can the Raiders cut back on turnovers and penalties?
Who wins? Bills, 27-20
– 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 has struggled, but San Francisco is dealing with injury problems. Wentz can’t rely so heavily on TE Zach Ertz. Whether it’s targeting WR Greg Ward Jr. or getting a couple of deep shots to WR DeSean Jackson, Wentz has to lean on his receiving corps and attack a weak 49ers secondary.
49ers’ keys: Maintain efficient, turnover-free quarterback play. Between Jimmy Garoppolo and Nick Mullens, the 49ers’ quarterbacks have yet to commit a turnover this season.
Who wins? 49ers, 27-23
– 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. On defense, stop the run on early downs and put the Packers into tough situations on third downs.
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.
Who wins? Packers, 31-24
– Zach Kruse, Packers Wire Ppd.: Steelers (3-0) at Titans (3-0)