NFL Week 4 - Sunday Preview Part 1

Indianapolis Colts (1-2) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2) - Wembley Stadium

The Jaguars take another home game to London, England, on Sunday when they take on the Colts at Wembley Stadium. This is the 4th straight season the Jaguars will be playing in London while it is the first time ever for the Colts. The Jaguars were hyped up as one of the big movers this season however have sunk to a desperately poor 0-3 start. Young quarterback Blake Bortels has made way too many errors this season already thowing 6 interceptions and losing a fumble. The Colts got a desperately needed breakthrough win last week with a late 63 yard touchdown stealing a 26-22 win over the Chargers at home. 

Verdict - Colts 27 Jaguars 23

I can't take the Jaguars again. I have already fallen into them twice this season and they have let me down. Arguably they have an advantage with this game being in London, however they can't be trusted. Andrew Luck is a far superior quarterback to Blake Bortels and I think he can drive the Colts to a 2nd win here. 

Carolina Panthers (1-2) @ Atlanta Falcons (2-1) - Georgia Dome 

A suddenly desperate Carolina travel to divisional rivals Atlanta in a huge divisional showdown in the Georgia Dome on Sunday. The Falcons are flying courtesy of two big wins in Oakland and New Orleans. The Falcons have the number 1 offense in the NFL this season averaging over 34 points and 450 yards per game. Matt Ryan has been in stellar form throwing 7 touchdowns to only 1 interception as he turns back the clock to some of his best form. The Falcons defence has been far from stellar and they will need to improve against Cam Newton and a Panthers' attack looking to rebound from a nightmare outing at home to the Vikings. Newton threw 3 interceptions as the reigning NFC Champions slipped to 1-2 and face a crunch match up here.

Verdict - Panthers 30 Falcons 27

Carolina really need this win and I think they can lift here and win somewhat of a shoot out. They can ill afford to drop 2 games behind the Falcons in the division and Cam Newtown needs to show he has not been damaged as a player by last year's Superbowl loss. 

Detroit Lions (1-2) @ Chicago Bears (0-3) - Soldier Field 

The winless Bears get the opportunity to open their account when they host the Lions on Sunday at Soldier Field. Brian Hoyer is expected to start once again with Jay Cutler in doubt with a thumb injury. The Bears have been outscored 83-45 in their opening 3 losses and have rarely looked like breaking through for a win. The Bears have astonishingly lost 11 of their last 12 homes games at the once vaunted Soldier Field. The Lions have won 6 consecutive games against the Bears, including their last 3 matches at Soldier Field. After an opening day victory at the Colts, the Lions have lost consecutive games against the Titans and the Packers. The Lions are averaging 27 points per game of offense so far in 2016.

Verdict - Lions 33 Bears 21

I think the Lions can continue their recent dominance of the Bears and get a win here at Soldier Field. The Lions have looked far more dangerous than the Bears, particularly on offense this season, and Matt Stafford could really pick apart a Bears' defence that is struggling and ravaged by injuries.

Buffalo Bills (1-2) @ New England Patriots (3-0) - Gillette Stadium

Rex Ryan and his Bills hit the road for the litmus test divisional showdown against the Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Sunday. Rex Ryan has always had a simmering feud with Bill Belichick and will see this as an opportunity to get a rare win against a Patriots'  team missing Tom Brady. With Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett both questionable, the Patriots have problems at quarterback in this game. Despite this problem, the Patriots have made a remarkable 3-0 start to the season as Bill Belichick shows off his genius at coach. Without Brady the Patriots have barely skipped a beat and are the team to beat in the NFL this season. 

Verdict - Bills 23 Patriots 20

I think Buffalo can get a win here to keep them afloat in this division.They were very impressive last week in their dismantling of the Cardinals at home. Rex Ryan always plays a tough and close game against Tom Brady and Belichick, so without Brady I give the advantage to Ryan here. I think he might be able get his defence to make a couple key turnovers that give the Bills a vital road win. 

Seattle Seahawks (2-1) @ New York Jets (1-2) - MetLife Stadium

The Seahawks' offense woke from their slumber last week when they piled on 37 points in a comprehensive win over the 49ers.They go on the road this Sunday to take on the Jets with Russell Wilson in some doubt with a sprained left knee. Wilson has an immaculate record of 77 consecutive starts since entering the league and will be determined to keep that streak going on Sunday. The Jets put in a road stinker in losing 24-3 to the Chiefs last week. Ryan Fitzpatrick had a nightmare game throwing 6 interceptions as the Jets unravelled. 

Verdict - Seahawks 26 Jets 23

I think the Jets will be far better at home here and this game will go right down to the wire. However the Seahawks offense finally got going last week and I expect them to continue to improve. it is hard to trust Ryan Fitzpatrick coming off a 6-interception game. 

Cleveland Browns (0-3) @ Washington Redskins (1-2) - FedEX Field

The Redskins will be looking for back to back victories when they welcome in the winless Browns to FedEX Field on Sunday. The Redskins got a crucial breakthrough win against divisional foes the Giants last week, clinging for a 29-27 victory on the road. Kirk Cousins threw 3 touchdowns and will be looking to back up that display after a shaky start to the season. The Browns are just a few plays away from being 2-1, however have heartbreakingly found a way to lose their last 2 matches. They led the Ravens 20-0 in Week 2 before going down in overtime last week at Miami as Hue Jackson came agonisingly close to a first win as Browns' Head Coach.

Verdict - Washington 34 Browns 17

I think the Redskins can kick start their season here with a comfortable home win. I think the Browns have poured everything into their last 2 games and are in danger of being flat for this one, having failed to register a win. I expect Kirk Cousins to have a big day and throw for another 3 touchdowns here to elevate the Redskins to 2-2. 

Oakland Raiders (2-1) @ Baltimore Ravens (3-0) - M&T Bank Stadium

The Ravens are flying high at 3-0 and will look to continue their perfect record when they host the Raiders on Sunday. The Ravens were not talked about as a contender heading into the season, however have flown under the radar with 3 close wins against the Bills, Browns and Jaguars. Whilst that opposition does not jump off the page, the Ravens' defence has played outstandingly in those wins. The Ravens face their biggest test of the season against a big octane Oakland side that has plenty of weapons. The Raiders are 2nd in the NFL for yards gained this year at 436 per game, and behind Derek Carr are an explosive offense that can test the Ravens here. 

Verdict - Raiders 27 Ravens 26

I picked the Raiders as an AFC Wild Card team this year, so they really need a signature win and this is an opportunity here. I have full faith in Derek Carr, however much less faith in a leaky defence that has been very underwhelming so far this season. The Ravens will be very tough as always at home, however I just think the quality of their opponents might have flattered them slightly this year. 

Tennessee Titans (1-2) @ Houston Texans (2-1) - NRG Stadium

The Texans will be looking to rebound from a nightmare performance in New England when they take on divisional rivals the Titans at home on Sunday. The Titans laid an egg in losing 27-0 in New England in an awful all round performance after a promising couple of wins to start the season. The Texans need to prepare for life without superstar defensive-end J.J Watt who is out for the season. The Titans have struggled on offense this year, rating just 24th in the league with quarterback Marcus Mariota having thrown 4 interceptions and losing 3 fumbles. The Titans have run the ball really well this year with Demario Murray securing 245 yards from 4 rushing attempts. 

Verdict - Texans 20 Titans 17

This could be a really ugly game here. Both sides do not convince me that they are about to go on a good run of form. I give the edge to the Texans purely because they are at home here against a Titans' offense that has struggled this season.