Week 3 of the 2025 NFL season is in the books, and we’re about to close out the month of September already. Time flies in the NFL.
You can learn a lot about teams by the way they play in September, but ultimately, there’s plenty of time left for just about everyone to get back in the mix if they can have a strong October.
Heading into Week 4, we don’t have nearly as many phenomenal matchups on paper as we do stakes in each game. There are some great headliners on the docket, but this week is going to be all about teams finding ways to either get back on track or salvage the month. Who is going to close out the month of September strong, and who’s going to head into October with a sour taste in their mouths? We’re making our Week 4 NFL picks and score predictions for every single game on the schedule.
2025 NFL Picks and Score Predictions for Every Week 4 Game
Seattle Seahawks (2-1) @ Arizona Cardinals (2-1)
Thursday, September 25, 8:15 PM ET
The Arizona Cardinals are now dealing with the devastation of a loss compounded by the injury to stud running back James Conner, who has been such a consistent force for them over the past couple of years.
The Cardinals lost a tough one in Week 3 against the San Francisco 49ers, but they have a shot at a mulligan here in Week 4 against the Seahawks to try and get back on track against a divisional opponent. The big question will be whether or not Kyler Murray can handle having that pressure added to him without his star running back to turn to.
On a short week, it’s going to be on Murray and that Arizona defense to come through in a big way because the Seattle Seahawks are kind of the definition of “complementary football” right now. We saw the Sam Darnold era get of to a bit of a rough start, but the Seahawks have turned it up the past couple of weeks.
They absolutely dominated the Saints on Sunday and are building some steam here in the early portion of the season. The Cardinals are favored at home by 1.5 points in this one, and maybe that’s just because it’s still so early and they’re playing on a short week.
Based on how the Cardinals have played the past two games, I would be shocked if the Seahawks don’t go on the road and pull off a win.
Prediction: Seahawks win 27-23
Minnesota Vikings (2-1) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1)
Sunday, September 28, 9:30 AM ET
**NFL International series, game being played in Dublin, Ireland
The first overseas international game of the 2025 NFL regular season is kind of a lame one, let’s be honest.
Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers are 2-1 to start the season, and as underwhelming as he’s been in the past two games (following his rush of adrenaline against the Jets), Rodgers has kind of been exactly what the Steelers needed.
He has stabilized the quarterback position after the rollercoaster that was Russell Wilson last year. While Rodgers might not be nearly the dynamic threat to all levels of the field he once was, he’s still accurate and smart. The Steelers’ defense finally stepped up in Week 3, albeit against a young quarterback and offense trying to figure things out.
They’ll have a chance to dominate once again this week now that there’s film out there of Carson Wentz operating the Kevin O’Connell offense. But there’s only so much NFL teams can do against the magic of Kevin O’Connell, the great QB whisperer. It’s not surprising that the Vikings are opening this game as 2.5-point favorites, but this has the potential of being an extremely low-scoring affair.
In fact, I would be surprised if we got anything but a defensive battle here. Which quarterback can make fewer mistakes? I don’t know how you can go with Wentz over Aaron Rodgers at this point, but this game feels like a true coin flip.
Prediction: Steelers win 22-20
Washington Commanders (2-1) @ Atlanta Falcons (1-2)
Sunday, September 28, 1:00 PM ET
We tried to tell you this week’s slate of games didn’t have great headliners, and this is our third straight example to start things off.
The Washington Commanders are going on the road to face off against Dan Quinn’s old team, the Atlanta Falcons, who he once took all the way to the Super Bowl. It’ll be an interesting homecoming for Quinn, but a tough test for a Falcons team that just got blown out by…(squints, checks notes)
…the Carolina Panthers?
The way the Falcons got dog-walked by the Panthers was a staggering reality check for them in Week 3. After a nice defensive showing against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2, the Falcons proved their success was nothing but a mirage and now will have to fight hard to bounce back against a pretty well-rounded overall operation.
The Commanders have shown themselves to be somewhat susceptible this season, but when a team scores 41 points with a backup QB in the game, you know they’ve got something figured out.
The Falcons are going to need a repeat performance defensively like we saw against the Vikings a couple of weeks ago, while simultaneously also needing a true breakout game from Michael Penix Jr. Penix has not been good since a near-comeback win in Week 1 against the Bucs.
Vegas is not buying that the Commanders are going to get a repeat performance from Marcus Mariota, because they’re just 2.5-point favorites on the road, another toss-up kind of game for the oddsmakers. Even if Mariota plays this game, I would think the Commanders are bigger favorites until Michael Penix and the Falcons can prove otherwise.
Prediction: Commanders win 23-19
New Orleans Saints (0-3) @ Buffalo Bills (3-0)
Sunday, September 28, 1:00 PM ET
This is the NFL equivalent of college teams playing the pep band the week after a primetime matchup. Get a load of this – the Buffalo Bills are opening as 16.5-point favorites at home against the New Orleans Saints.
That might be the most disrespectful opening line for an NFL team I’ve ever seen, yet it feels extremely right.
The Bills are a juggernaut, and the Saints just had their lunch money stolen before being shoved in a locker by the Seattle Seahawks. There’s really very little doubt about the Bills being able to coast to a fourth-straight win to start this season, but we’ll all have to wait to find out exactly “how” it happens.
Buffalo is not only the better and more talented team, but they’re also going to be playing this game on a bit of extended rest after playing against the Dolphins on Thursday this past week. The Saints looked as bad as many have expected them to be, and it would be shocking if they were even able to keep this one close for a couple of quarters.
Weird things happen all the time in the NFL, but you probably don’t have to worry about that if you’re a Bills fan in this one. This is all about taking care of business and coming out of the game healthy if you’re Buffalo. The intriguing thing to watch for New Orleans here might be how quickly we see Tyler Shough getting on the field. He briefly appeared against the Seahawks and perhaps this will be the ideal time to get him out there for an entire half if the Saints are in bad enough shape after the first two quarters.
Prediction: Bills win 34-10
Cleveland Browns (1-2) @ Detroit Lions (2-1)
Sunday, September 28, 1:00 PM ET
The Cleveland Browns are exactly the reason why we warn all of you every single week: Any given Sunday…
The Browns managed to beat the Green Bay Packers on Sunday even with the Packers on a little bit of extra rest. That Cleveland defense is no joke, but they are going to have to be on point to be able to beat a tough Detroit Lions team in Week 4.
They certainly have the pass rush up front to get the job done, and Cleveland’s defensive performance to start this season shouldn’t be taken lightly. Nor should their ability to run the ball, which we’ve seen take huge strides forward with the return of Quinshon Judkins, their star second-round pick out of Ohio State.
The early line has the Browns as rough 8.5-point underdogs going on the road to face off against the Lions, and honestly, you kind of understand it. The Lions are one of the best offensive units in the league, but as we saw against the Green Bay Packers back in Week 1, they’re not immune from putting up a complete dud, either.
The Browns have inspired me a little bit, but not enough for them to go on the road and beat a Detroit team with this much talent. They might be able to keep it close even for three quarters, but I’m still going with the Lions as the winner in this one.
When it comes to the Browns being able to cover as 8.5-point underdogs? That might be a different story.
Prediction: Lions win 27-16
Carolina Panthers (1-2) @ New England Patriots (1-2)
Sunday, September 28, 1:00 PM ET
It’s a Super Bowl rematch between two…
You know what, never mind. This matchup is yet another uninspiring one, but nobody’s going to complain.
Both the Patriots and Panthers have just one win so far this season, but the Panthers are coming off of a massive confidence-boosting win against their division rival Falcons. The Patriots, on the other hand, dropped a tough one against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3.
At this stage of the season, we’ve seen the Panthers’ defense both look horrendous and downright dominant. The switch was seemingly flipped against the Arizona Cardinals after they started off trailing 27-3, and nearly mounted a comeback to beat Arizona.
Against the Falcons, the Panthers forced three turnovers (including an interception returned for a touchdown) and they obviously didn’t allow a single point. They will obviously be licking their chops after we saw the Patriots lose a whopping four fumbles against the Steelers in Week 3.
And the Patriots have to be thinking that if they can correct those mistakes and stop with the self-inflicted errors, they can easily get back on track at home against a team that just had 224 yards of offense and doesn’t really get to the quarterback all that often.
The Patriots open this game as 5.5-point favorites, which feels a bit generous, but I still like them to win straight-up.
Prediction: Patriots win 23-20
Los Angeles Chargers (3-0) @ New York Giants (0-3)
Sunday, September 28, 1:00 PM ET
The cries of New York Giants fans to see Jaxson Dart take over the starting quarterback job are growing louder by the week. The pressure is mounting on Russell Wilson, whose NFL career as a starting QB seems to be hanging in the balance.
In two of the first three weeks of the 2025 season, the Giants have posted absolute clunkers offensively, scoring six points in Week 1 and just nine points in Week 3. It’s going to be a tough pill to swallow, but if they struggle (as predicted) against the Chargers, this could be the week we officially see them move on from Russ and get the Dart era underway.
The Giants have pieces in place on both sides of the ball. They have a dynamic defensive front. They have some nice playmakers in the secondary. They have offensive weapons and guys out there who are able to make plays. The timing seems right for Dart to get his chance.
The Los Angeles Chargers present arguably the Giants’ toughest task yet, but the Chargers also just ran a gauntlet playing every single one of their AFC West opponents to start the season. Mentally and physically, those matchups are always draining, and nobody in the NFL is going to win all 17 regular season games.
Going on the road to face East Coast teams in the early window is always tough for West Coast teams. If you’ve heard me say that once, you’ll hear me say it a hundred times. This is a trap game for the Chargers, who are 5.5-point favorites going in. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Giants pull off an upset, but I’m not going out on that limb just yet.
Prediction: Chargers win 24-21
Philadelphia Eagles (3-0) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-0)
Sunday, September 28, 1:00 PM ET
Alright, that’s more like it. We’ve finally got a really good matchup and it’s the second straight week in which the Philadelphia Eagles are playing arguably the best game of the week in the 1:00 PM window.
I guess the NFL couldn’t get all eyes on them every week, but after winning the Super Bowl, you would think potential playoff previews would, at the very least, be in the 4:00 window.
Alas, here we have the Eagles going on the road to face off against the Cardiac Bucs, who have accurately embodied the spirit of Captain Jack Sparrow all season. The Bucs have been on the cusp of losses in each of their first three games, but so far, their opponents have walked away remembering the day they “almost caught the Bucs”.
Enough of the Pirates of the Caribbean puns. This is serious business.
The Bucs are three-point underdogs at home for this game against the Eagles, which feels like a pretty good projection this early in the week. The Eagles have found a variety of ways to get to 3-0 this season with wins against the Cowboys, Chiefs, and Rams. They’ve faced a tough slate to start the year, and obviously, it’s not getting any easier here.
It’ll be interesting to see how Baker Mayfield and the Bucs’ passing attack can do against an Eagles defense that has been so stingy all season long. The Bucs have the playmakers to go toe-to-toe with the Eagles and this could be a great playoff preview. I might be higher on the Bucs than most, but I think they can pull off the upset at home and cover.
Prediction: Buccaneers win 26-23
Tennessee Titans (0-3) @ Houston Texans (0-3)
Sunday, September 28, 1:00 PM ET
We mercifully close out the early slate of games with a matchup between the not-shockingly 0-3 Tennessee Titans and the shockingly 0-3 Houston Texans.
This battle between winless teams in the AFC South seems like the clear “get right” game for Houston, while it looks like it’ll be another rough week ahead for Cam Ward and the Titans.
Houston’s 0-3 start is shocking due to the fact that this team has looked like one of the top up-and-coming teams in the entire league in the not-so-distant past, but they were also a huge disappointment for the majority of last season before a big playoff win against the Chargers.
CJ Stroud appears to have hit a proverbial wall. The Texans have the literal worst offense in the league so far this season, averaging under 13 points per game. Honestly, this might be a chance for Cam Ward to go on the road against a divisional opponent and make a statement.
It’s pretty staggering that the Texans are 7.5-point favorites at home when they have proven absolutely nothing this year, but going up against a struggling outfit like the Texans, you kind of get it. At the same time, we’ve seen more from the Tennessee offense in a limited sample this year. The biggest reason why you can’t just buy the Titans as an upset candidate this week is the fact that they are so undisciplined under Brian Callahan, and they’re 31st in the league in points allowed.
Again, this feels like a get-right week for the Texans. And if they can’t get right against the Titans, we’ll have to start having some really uncomfortable conversations.
Prediction: Texans win 22-18
Indianapolis Colts (3-0) @ Los Angeles Rams (2-1)
Sunday, September 28, 4:05 PM ET
The Los Angeles Rams are a blocked field goal away from being 3-0 to start the year, but the Philadelphia Eagles are a tough boss to get past.
They’ve got a chance to reset at home this week, and they’ll welcome a much more formidable opponent to Los Angeles with the Colts coming to town. The Colts are 3-0 so far this season with some insane offensive output, and head coach Shane Steichen is doing the best job we’ve seen in his Colts tenure with Daniel Jones running the offense.
Who would have thought?
Not only are the Colts getting outstanding production out of “Indiana” Jones, but they’ve got one of the most underrated superstars in the game in running back Jonathan Taylor. Taylor had three touchdowns this past week and has looked unstoppable at the start of this season.
The Los Angeles Rams have a top-tier defensive front and will be a great challenge for Jones and the Colts this week. Especially going on the road, this will be arguably the most difficult task yet for Steichen and the Colts, and the Rams are going to be out for blood after the bitter way they lost to the Eagles.
Vegas is showing some nice respect for what the Colts have done so far, because the Rams are just 3.5-point favorites at home early in the week. I think this is going to be a great game and it’s perfect to start off the late window. The Rams get back on track and the Colts get their first loss of the year.
Prediction: Rams win 31-27
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1) @ San Francisco 49ers (3-0)
Sunday, September 28, 4:05 PM ET
It’s revenge time for Mac Jones, although I’m not sure how significant that storyline really is heading into Week 4.
The San Francisco 49ers have got everything they could have possibly hoped out of their Mac Jones investment this offseason as the former first-round pick of the Patriots has had a couple of really strong performances in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
I guess you could say this is the fulfillment of prophecy from when Jones was a prospect coming in and the talk was all about the 49ers liking him over other talented quarterbacks in the 2021 class. Jones nearly put up 300 passing yards in the 49ers’ win over the Arizona Cardinals, including a clutch and perfectly placed ball to Ricky Pearsall deep downfield. He’s proven to be a great fit for Shanahan’s offense and the 49ers have been able to keep things going in the absence of starter Brock Purdy.
The Jaguars backed their way into a win in Week 3 against the Houston Texans, and have the difficult task now of going on the road and facing off against a 49ers defense that has been pretty stingy so far this year. The Jaguars’ defense has been strong in their own right, ranking 5th in the league in points allowed through three games.
This could end up being another low-scoring affair, and that seems to be what’s expected by the oddsmakers in Vegas. It’s not the lowest over-under projection of the week, but 46.5 total points is middle of the pack at best.
The 49ers are fair 3.5-point favorites at home this week, and I think Mac Jones pulls out a win against his old team. The 49ers might even be able to cover.
Prediction: 49ers win 24-20
Baltimore Ravens (1-2) @ Kansas City Chiefs (1-2)
Sunday, September 28, 4:25 PM ET
The Kansas City Chiefs went on the road in Week 3 and got their first win of the season. And regardless of how bad the Giants end up being this season, that was a much-needed win for the Chiefs.
They’ve lost back-to-back games to start the year against the Chargers and Eagles, two undefeated opponents, and we finally saw their luck run out in one-score games. The win against the Giants wasn’t teach tape by any stretch, but in the NFL, a win is a win and can be the start of something.
The issue with the Chiefs right now, and even the Sunday Night Football broadcast crew pointed out, is it just isn’t the same team we’ve come to know. For years now, we’ve expected the Chiefs to be inevitable when it comes time for January football, and that may be the case, but it feels like that time has passed them by.
This game against the Ravens, one of the best games on the Week 4 slate, is going to be a major test for Kansas City, in front of their home fans, to prove that there’s still some life in that squad.
The Ravens are going to do everything in their power to get a win on the road and make sure the Chiefs have as many losses in the regular season as possible so that the AFC will flow through Baltimore, at least for what they can control. The Ravens already lost a tough matchup against the Bills on the road this season, now the Lions, and this will be another significant test. I think the Chiefs will make it hard on them, but they can get this win on the road in Week 4.
Prediction: Ravens win 27-24
Chicago Bears (1-2) @ Las Vegas Raiders (1-2)
Sunday, September 28, 4:25 PM ET
The rough Week 4 slate of games continues with the Chicago Bears traveling to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders in a pretty brutal matchup for a 4:25 PM ET kickoff time.
But the Bears showed us our first real glimpse of the vision Ben Johnson has for his full buffet of offensive weapons with Caleb Williams getting back on track in Week 3 against the Dallas Cowboys. Williams had four touchdown passes to four different receivers, and we saw rookies Luther Burden and Colston Loveland get their most significant action of the year thus far.
It’s been a tough start to the year for Chicago, but the win against the Cowboys could be the start of something, or at least a spark. The Bears are now traveling to Las Vegas to take on a Raiders defense that looks like it could be one of the worst in the league.
The Raiders just gave up 41 points to the Washington Commanders, who were using Marcus Mariota with Jayden Daniels out with an injury. It’s not looking great for Vegas, but they also have a chance to get back on track against a Bears team that looked downright awful in Week 2, allowing 52 points to the Lions.
Chicago is a slightly surprising underdog on the road this week, but the Raiders are only favored by 1.5 points. I’ll take the bait and buy what the Bears were selling in Week 3.
Prediction: Bears win 27-20
Green Bay Packers (2-1) @ Dallas Cowboys (1-2)
Sunday, September 28, 8:20 PM ET
Now we’re talking.
The Green Bay Packers are fresh off of an extremely disappointing loss, although it’s entirely possible the Browns were a “trap game” for them with the Cowboys looming in Week 4.
The Packers and Cowboys came together for one of the biggest trades you will ever see, the Micah Parsons blockbuster right before the start of the 2025 season. This game obviously marks Parsons’s return to Dallas to face off against his old team, and that storyline is going to make this game one of the most-watched of the entire season.
The Packers desperately need to bounce back after their tough loss to the Browns, but so do the Cowboys. Dallas’s defense has been a sieve for the majority of the year, and their jobs aren’t getting any easier with the Packers coming to town.
You already know Parsons is going to be geeked up for this game, and the tough part for the Cowboys is that there’s really no ill will from any of the players going up against Parsons. They were all on his side in the whole saga.
That’s a big reason why the Packers are early 6.5-point favorites going on the road, but you can’t count out Dak Prescott just yet. Although the Cowboys had a bit of a clunker in Week 3, Prescott can go toe-to-toe with any quarterback in the NFL. I think this is going to be a close one, but do we expect anything other than Micah Parsons sealing the win for the Packers somehow? The script writes itself here.
Prediction: Packers win 31-27
New York Jets (1-2) @ Miami Dolphins (0-3)
Monday, September 29, 7:15 PM ET
It’s not going to be the most significant storyline of the week, but this might be the Miami Dolphins’s best chance yet to get off the schnide and get their first win of the season.
The Dolphins aren’t going to go into the month of October with an 0-4 record, are they? Nobody is going to have Miami in their survivor pools this week, but maybe they should. Desperation can bring out the best in teams.
We saw the Dolphins bring a strong effort early in their road game against the Bills this past week, but another bad interception from Tua Tagovailoa sealed their fate. A loss at home against the Jets would also likely seal the fate of head coach Mike McDaniel, whose seat you can feel heating up no matter where you are in the world.
The Dolphins are under so much pressure in this one, and the Jets are going to have to deal with them having extended rest.
We saw the Jets give a valiant effort in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but ultimately, the defense collapsed against Baker Mayfield and the Bucs' offense. The Jets are allowing 31 points per game so far this season defensively, so if the Dolphins can’t put something together against them now, I don’t know what’s going to fix it.
In the first of a Monday night doubleheader, the Dolphins – who are only 2.5-point favorites at home – get their first win of the season. And it might be a close one.
Prediction: Dolphins win 30-26
Cincinnati Bengals (2-1) @ Denver Broncos (1-2)
Monday, September 29, 8:15 PM ET
The Denver Broncos return home after a two-game road trip that saw devastating losses you almost wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy.
The Broncos were called for a leverage penalty against the Indianapolis Colts, giving them a second chance at a game-winning field goal attempt, which they obviously made. The next game, they saw a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter evaporate as Justin Herbert and the Chargers stormed back to win on a game-ending field goal.
The Broncos have not trailed for a single second in the fourth quarter this season despite losing their last two games. Think about that for a second.
Sean Payton has an angry mob of fans he’ll be returning home to this week, but the Broncos might be getting a bit of a “gimme” on Monday night. They welcome Jake Browning and the Cincinnati Bengals to town, and the Bengals are coming off of an absolutely brutal loss against the Vikings in Week 3.
Browning has been a turnover machine since taking over for the injured Joe Burrow, and while this game was initially billed as a fun rematch of one of the most exciting games last season, it could end up being damage control for the Denver Broncos.
You obviously can’t count out any NFL team, but if the Broncos’ pass rush can get to Browning early and often in this one, the Broncos should be able to close out the month of September and Week 4 of the NFL season on a high note. Denver is favored at home by 7.5 points in this one, and they’ll need a bounce-back game from Bo Nix and the offense in the worst way.
Prediction: Broncos win 31-15