The Loop NFL Picks: Week 4
Vikings at Packers (-2½)
Former Green Bay standout Aaron Jones faces his old team for the first time, and the Minnesota running back said he plans to do a Lambeau Leap if he scores a touchdown. He’ll likely get a warm reception, as Cheeseheads usually reserve their venom for former Packers narcissists.
Pick: Packers by 3
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 29: Aaron Jones #33 of the Green Bay Packers and Alexander Mattison #2 of the Minnesota Vikings swap jerseys after a game at Lambeau Field on October 29, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Jaguars at Texans (-6½)
Jacksonville was embarrassed last Monday night in Buffalo in losing for the eighth time in its past nine games. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is so upset by his recent play that he’s going to cut down by half his pregame shampoo time.
Pick: Texans by 7
Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars arrives at the stadium prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on Sept. 23, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
Commanders at Cardinals (-3½)
Jayden Daniels and the Commanders pulled off a big upset in Cincinnati and have now gone two consecutive weeks without punting. It’s easily the most impressive streak for the franchise since former owner Daniel Snyder managed to go two straight weeks without being accused of sexual harassment.
Pick: Cardinals by 3
Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders celebrates after throwing a 27 yard touchdown pass against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at Paycor Stadium on Sept. 23, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Saints at Falcons (-1½)
Falcons owner Arthur Blank last Sunday was inducted into the Falcons’ Ring of Honor. The Home Depot founder hasn’t managed to win a championship in his 22 years owning the club, but he was voted in by a committee of one headed by Arthur Blank
Pick: Falcons by 3
Atlanta Falcons owner, Arthur Blank, is inducted into the Atlanta Falcons Ring of Honor during halftime of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sept. 22, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Bengals at Panthers (+4½)
The Red Rifle, veteran QB Andy Dalton, led the previously winless Panthers to a surprising upset of the Raiders last Sunday in Las Vegas. Dalton’s play was so impressive that owner David Tepper is expected to fire him.
Pick: Bengals by 3
Andy Dalton #14 of the Carolina Panthers looks on prior to a game s Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Sept. 22, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
Chiefs at Chargers (+7½)
Kareem Hunt is back with Kansas City six years after being exiled over domestic violence allegations. The reunion results from the fact that the Chiefs are significantly more desperate for running backs than they were six years ago,
Pick: Chiefs by 11
Kareem Hunt #27 of the Kansas City Chiefs avoids a tackle by E.J. Gaines #28 of the Cleveland Browns to score a 50 yard touchdown during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on Nov. 4, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Titans at Dolphins (even)
The Dolphins, already missing Tua Tagovailoa, lost backup Skylar Thompson to a rib injury in their loss in Seattle. This could mean that for the first time in NFL history, and the last time in NFL history, the best quarterback on the field Sunday will be Will Levis.
Pick: Titans by 7
Liam Eichenberg #74 looks on as Skylar Thompson #19 of the Miami Dolphins lies on the ground injured during the third quarter at Lumen Field on Sept. 22, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Bills at Ravens (-2½)
Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen is denying that he intended to slam former teammate Stefon Diggs when he praised his current mates who “don’t care about the stats.” This shows that Allen is also fibbing at a Pro Bowl level.
Pick: Ravens by 3
Stefon Diggs #14 and Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills plays look on during a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Oct. 22, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Seahawks at Lions (-4½)
QB Geno Smith has led Seattle to a 3-0 start thanks, in large part, to a soft early schedule. Analysts say it’s the most unimpressive winning streak since Joe Biden swept the 2024 Democratic primaries.
Pick: Lions by 7
Quarterback Geno Smith #7 of the Seattle Seahawks passes against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sept. 22, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Eagles at Buccaneers (+2½)
Philadelphia hung on to win in New Orleans despite a foolish strategy of trying a 60-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Eagles watchers said it was the dumbest decision by coach Nick Sirianni in at least one week.
Pick: Buccaneers by 3
Head coach Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles calls a timeout during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Arena Corinthians on Sept. 06, 2024 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Wagner Meier/Getty Images)
Patriots at 49ers (-9½)
San Francisco fans were stunned when the 49ers blew a late 14-point lead in their loss to their arch-rival Rams. The setback came as quite a shock for folks who believed that the Niners only choke in Super Bowls.
Pick: 49ers by 11
Kicker Joshua Karty #16 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates a game-winning field goal against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 22, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Other games
Rams at Bears (-2½):
Pick: Bears by 3
Steelers at Colts (+1½):
Pick: Steelers by 3
Broncos at Jets (-6½):
Pick: Jets by 7
Browns at Raiders (-1½):
Pick: Raiders by 3
Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears warms up before a preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Soldier Field on Aug. 17, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Record
Week 3
6-10 straight up
7-9 vs. spread
Season
26-22 straight up
24-24 vs. spread
All-time (2003-24)
3657-2042-14 straight up (.642)
2784-2785-144 vs spread (.500)
You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on Twitter — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.
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