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NFL Predictions Week 4: Best Picks Against the Spread (ATS)

By Dan Salem

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After three weeks of games, we know the good NFL teams from the bad. But who’s playing tricks? These are your Best Picks Against the Spread (ATS) for NFL Predictions Week 4. Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL Sports Debate. Check out more of the brothers in Seesaw Sports Debate on BuzzChomp. Two brothers from New York yell, scream, and debate sports.

TODD:

For Week 4 of the NFL season, we begin to see some schedule separation in a manner of speaking. The bye weeks begin, for one. Also, the 9:30 AM Eastern London games begin as well. Set your alarm clocks!

For my picks this week against the spread, I’m taking two teams in different stratospheres but both on the rise. One is moving from the bottom up; the other is on top and keeps getting better.

Philadelphia Eagles -3 at Washington Redskins
Green Bay Packers -9 at San Francisco 49ers

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Philadelphia may have found its groove finally. It took the better part of three weeks, but the offense may have settled into something. The Eagles’ running success came without DeMarco Murray, who was sidelined with a hamstring injury. No matter if he’s back to face Washington or not, Philly should find room to maneuver.

What this game really comes down to is the Redskins getting exposed. Last week, the Giants proved Washington is not a good football team. Philadelphia isn’t great, but it’s talented across all levels. It just needed to find consistency along the offensive line, and that seemed to happen last week against the Jets.

As for Green Bay, was there any way to make this line too high? Because I don’t see it. Yes, the Packers are banged up and may have lost another wide receiver to injury this past week, but they are still wrecking everyone. The Chiefs put on a comeback Monday night, but it was really just posturing. The outcome never felt in doubt.

And that makes a 9-point line against San Francisco seem like a bargain. The Niners may be the worst team in the NFL. Colin Kaepernick can’t find his own receivers, and the defense has been nonexistent for two straight weeks. The 49ers may give up 40 for the third straight week in this one.

Sep 28, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back

Eddie Lacy

(27) leaps over Kansas City Chiefs safety

Ron Parker

(38) during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

DAN:

I like your picks for week four, but I like mine even better. With three weeks of knowledge under our belts, I’m continuing to take the points and pick against bad teams. It’s not always easy to put money on average NFL teams, but when the opposition stinks, do it. Do it every time.

Jacksonville Jaguars +9 at Indianapolis Colts
Oakland Raiders -2.5 at Chicago Bears

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The Colts needed a miracle to beat Tennessee last week by a mere three points. The Titans are average, and so is Indianapolis. They got downright thumped on Monday Night Football at home, so for them to now dominate at home in week four seems unlikely.

Jacksonville is coming off a thumping by the Patriots, so they’ll have everything to prove. They beat Miami in week two, an average team, and lost to Carolina in week one, an above average team. I like the Jaguars chances against the Colts in this game. More to the point, I really like Jacksonville getting nine points against a team that has barely been able to win one game by three points this season.

As for the Raiders and the Bears, is it just me, or has Chicago thrown in the towel already on the season? The Bears traded away two key defensive players this week, and are still without quarterback Jay Cutler. Granted, they’ve lost three games to three of the top teams in the conference. But Chicago has looked bad doing it. I don’t trust them to win until I see it happen.

The Raiders are riding a two game winning streak, having defeated the Ravens and the Browns. Its unclear whether those are two good teams or not, but Oakland is starting to click and quarterback Derek Carr is maturing into a winning signal caller. I like what I’m seeing from the Raiders, and giving less than three points is nothing.

Dan Salem is a Staff Writer for NFL Spinzone. He’s also Lead Editor, Staff Writer, and Featured Vlogger at BuzzChomp, and a New York Jets Analyst for Pro Football Spot. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, or Instagram.

Todd Salem is a Staff Writer for NFL Spinzone. He’s also a Contributing Editor at BuzzChomp, a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report, and an Analyst for Tipster Labs, among others. Follow him on Twitter.

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