After an exciting week in the NFL, we have another recap and another set of predictions to make. There were sideline catches, overtime wins, missed field goals, and some controversy with referees and the Seahawks once again. For my predictions I only went 10 for 15 last week, which is not the greatest, but it was a weird week in the NFL. At this point in the season I am 43 for 63, or around 68% correct. I know that could be much better, and once the season really gets going that number should increase. As for fantasy advice please comment with questions or tweet to me @Mike_Vayda31.
Week 4 Recap
Baltimore Ravens 23 @ Pittsburgh Steelers 20: My Pick - Ravens
Justin Tucker made a 52-yard field goal in overtime to win it for the Ravens on Thursday night in Pittsburgh. With Roethlisberger sidelined due to injury, Mike Vick started at QB for the Steelers. The Ravens improve to 1-3 while the Steelers drop to 2-2. While both quarterbacks did not do much, running backs Justin Forsett (BAL) and Le'Veon Bell (PIT) rushed for a combined 279 yards. Josh Scobee, the kicker for the Steelers who missed two easy field goals during the game, was released later in the week.
New York Jets 27 @ Miami Dolphins 14 My Pick - Dolphins
This game was an international game played at Wembley Stadium in London, England. The Jets ran away with a big win on the "road" over divisional foe Miami, who drops to 1-3, while the Jets move to 3-1. Chris Ivory rushed for 166 big yards in the Jets win, while Brandon Marshall caught 7 passes from Ryan Fitzpatrick for 128 yards.
Houston Texans 21 @ Atlanta Falcons 48 My Pick - Falcons
The Falcons remain unbeaten as they delivered a big home win against the visiting Texans who are now 1-3. Although Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins had a whopping 157 receiving yards, it was not even close to enough for the win. It was the Atlanta rushing duo of Devonta Freeman and rookie Terron Ward who took charge, rushing for a combined 140 yards and 4 touchdowns.
New York Giants 24 @ Buffalo Bills 10 My Pick - Bills
The New York Giants came into a hostile Bills stadium and withstood the pressure and came away with a two score victory over Buffalo who is now 2-2. The Giants are also 2-2 now. Eli Manning threw 3 touchdowns for the win, including one to Rashad Jennings, who caught it, broke three tackles, and took it 51 yards to the endzone to seal the game.
Oakland Raiders 20 @ Chicago Bears 22 My Pick - Raiders
Jay Cutler returned from injury to throw for 281 yards and 2 touchdowns and improve to 1-3 on the year, while defeating the visiting Raiders who are now 2-2. Down 20-19, Cutler drove down the field to set up the game winning field goal by Robbie Gould with just a few seconds left.
Kansas City Chiefs 21 @ Cincinnati Bengals 36 My Pick - Bengals
Andy Dalton and the Bengals improve to 4-0 after another impressive win, this time against the tough Kansas City Chiefs, who drop to a surprising 1-3. Dalton threw for 321 yards and a touchdown, while running backs Jeremy Hill and Giovanni Bernard rushed for over 100 yards and 4 touchdowns. Good news for the Chiefs was that quarterback Alex Smith threw for almost 400 yards, and Jeremy Maclin had about 150 of those yards.
Jacksonville Jaguars 13 @ Indianapolis Colts 16 My Pick - Colts
While the Colts have not been very impressive this year, they are at least 2-2, thanks to backup quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. Yes, that Matt Hasselbeck. In place of the injured Andrew Luck, he marched down the field in overtime to set up a game-winning field goal by Adam Vinatieri, who became the first NFL player to reach 1000 points for two teams (the other was the Patriots). The Jaguars drop to 1-3, but a good note was Blake Bortles throwing for just under 300 yards, and receiver Allen Hurns having a great game with 116 yards and a touchdown.
Carolina Panthers 37 @Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23 My Pick - Panthers
The Panthers remain undefeated as the Buccaneers drop to 1-3 thanks to some great defense and four interceptions for the Panthers. While there were not many stats that stood out from the Panthers offense, the Buccaneers had some bright spots, like Winston throwing for almost 300 yards and a couple touchdowns. Also, Doug Martin rushed for 106 yards and Vincent Jackson caught 10 passes for 147 yards. Sadly, it was not enough, because the Panthers defense forced 5 turnovers and returned two of them for touchdowns to secure victory.
Philadelphia Eagles 20 @ Washington Redskins 23 My Pick - Eagles
Kirk Cousins threw a touchdown to Pierre Garcon with 26 seconds left to improve to 2-2 on the year and defeat the now 1-3 Eagles. Cousins and Bradford both had good games, with Bradford throwing for 270 yards and 3 touchdowns and Cousins throwing for 290 yards and 1 touchdown.
Cleveland Browns 27 @ San Diego Chargers 30 My Pick - Chargers
With 2 seconds left in the game and it tied at 27-27, Josh Lambo missed a 34-yard field goal for the win, but Browns defensive back Tramon Williams was whistled for offsides, giving Lambo a second chance to hit the field goal. And he did. That was the fourth game-winning field goal of that week. The Browns drop to 1-3 while the Chargers improve to 2-2. Philip Rivers threw for 358 yards and 3 touchdowns for San Diego, while Josh McCown threw for 356 yards and 2 touchdowns for Cleveland.
St. Louis Rams 24 @ Arizona Cardinals 22 My Pick - Cardinals
Rams running back Todd Gurley rushed for 146 yards against the Cardinals, delivering them their first loss of the season, while the Rams move to 2-2 on the year. Nick Foles had a good game throwing for 3 touchdowns, while Carson Palmer threw for 352 yards and 1 touchdown.
Minnesota Vikings 20 @ Denver Broncos 23 My Pick - Broncos
Broncos kicker Brandon McManus kicked a 39-yard field goal under 2 minutes remaining to seal the deal against the visiting Vikings, for once again another game-winning field goal. The Broncos stay undefeated while the Vikings sink to 2-2 on the year, despite strong play from Teddy Bridgewater and running back Adrian Peterson, who rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown.
Green Bay Packers 17 @ San Francisco 49ers 3 My Pick - Packers
Aaron Rodgers threw for only 224 yards and 1 touchdown, but it was enough to get by the 1-3 Niners and to remain unbeaten. Eddie Lacy rushed for 90 yards while James Jones had 98 receiving yards. Colin Kaepernick continues to struggle with only 160 yards passing and an interception.
Dallas Cowboys 20 @ New Orleans Saints 26 My Pick - Saints
Drew Brees hit C.J. Spiller with a short pass early in overtime on Sunday night, that turned into not only an 80-yard catch and the game-winner, but also Brees's 400th career touchdown. Just like Tom Brady last week, Brees joins the club. With Romo hurt and Brandon Weeden in, they fought hard to stay tied after regulation, but it was not enough. Thee Saints got their first win of the season while the Cowboys drop another one to go 2-2 so far. Brees had 359 yards passing and 2 touchdowns in the win.
Detroit Lions 10 @ Seattle Seahawks 13 My Pick - Seahawks
Kam Chancellor punched the ball free from Detroit receiver Calvin Johnson at the 1-yard line late in the game when it appeared the Lions would take the lead. The ball bounced out the back of the endzone for a touchback and the Seahawks ball. This was a very controversial no-call, as some say this batting of the ball that Chancellor did was illegal. I did not personally see the play, but from what NFL referees are saying, that specific referee missed the call and blew the game for Detroit, just like the replacement referees did a few years ago. Either way, the Seahawks move to 2-2 on the year and the Lions are still without a win. Russell Wilson threw for 287 yards and a touchdown in the win.
Week 5 Predictions
Thursday, October 8th
Indianapolis Colts (2-2) @ Houston Texans (1-3): Colts
Sunday, October 11th
Chicago Bears (1-3) @ Kansas City Chiefs (1-3): Chiefs
Seattle Seahawks (2-2) @ Cincinnati Bengals (4-0): Bengals
Washington Redskins (2-2) @ Atlanta Falcons (4-0): Falcons
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-3): Jaguars
New Orleans Saints (1-3) @ Philadelphia Eagles (1-3): Eagles
Cleveland Browns (1-3)) @ Baltimore Ravens (1-3): Ravens
St. Louis Rams (2-2) @ Green Bay Packers (4-0): Packers
Buffalo Bills (2-2) @ Tennessee Titans (1-2): Bills
Arizona Cardinals (3-1) @ Detroit Lions (0-4): Cardinals
New England Patriots (3-0) @ Dallas Cowboys (2-2): Patriots
Denver Broncos (4-0) @ Oakland Raiders (2-2): Broncos
San Francisco 49ers (1-3) @ New York Giants (2-2): Giants
Monday, October 12th
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2) @ San Diego Chargers (2-2): Steelers
Thank you for reading and check back next week for another recap and another set of predictions.
