PIGSKIN 2021: Week Four

PIGSKIN

FOOTBALL SUNDAY

Week Four

RESULTS

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

SCOREBOARD

Week Three Record: 3-9

Overall Record (ATS): 15-24-1

Schmear of the Week: 2-1

Bagels in the Basket: -7

1st and Ten

• Back to the 1980s: AFC West - Raiders and Broncos atop the division with the Chargers a close third.
• GO WEST!  The AFC West and NFC West lead their respective conferences with nine wins.
• Meanwhile, Buffalo remains the best (and only) team in New York State.
• Sam Darnold is undefeated as a Panther!  LOL

2nd and Long

• Four of five undefeated teams come from two divisions.
• Big Ben second-guessing himself for playing another season?

No Gain

• New Jersey New York metropolitan area football is 0-6.  Hockey and basketball are just two and three weeks away.
• Richard Sherman signs with the Bucs.

PUNT!

• If the Giants, Jets, and Jaguars are the Moe, Larry, and Curly of football, I guess that makes Detroit, Shemp.

WEEK FOUR

Friday Line ~ NYP/MGM

SAINTS -7 Giants

The Giants, who generate very little QB pressure, to begin with, are without their second-leading tackler, Blake Martinez, out for the season.  The offense is still far from operating as a cohesive unit.  I'm setting the over/under at 7.5 for Giant penalties.

Loss; 27-21 Giants, o.t.

Titans -7 JETS

Sometimes smash mouth gets off to slow starts.  The Titans appear to be coming on.  Zack Wilson will continue playing with a bullseye on his back until the Jets muster a running game.

Loss; 27-24 Jets, o.t.

Washington -1 1/2 FALCONS

Washington also needs to get their stuff together.  Coach Rivera has a bunch of young talent to work with; it's just not being tapped properly.  Otherwise, the Giants should have beaten the Falcons ... as if.

WIN; 34-30 Washington

BILLS -17 Texans

We know the Bills can score, but their defense has been stellar.  Texans, rookie quarterback, you know the drill.

WIN; 40-0 Bills

BEARS -3 Lions

Week Four Toilet Bowl: it's supposed to rain all day, meaning Andy Dalton is less of a factor, and running and defense win the day.  I made a "mistake" last week; I'm doubling down with the Bears at home.

WIN; 24-14 Bears

Browns -1 1/2 VIKINGS

I'm still surprised that Minnesota defeated the Seahawks.  That's precisely why I see the Vikes losing to the Browns - no consistency.  Is Baker Mayfield a leader?  Dalvin Cook is hobbling on a bum ankle.  If Cleveland can slow down the Vikings' run, they're in.  

WIN; 14-7 Browns

COWBOYS -4 1/2 Panthers

The Panthers are playing good defense but are without Christian McCaffrey.  Sam Darnold has his hands full.  This is a good challenge for him.  It's also an excellent opportunity for the Cowboys to seize early control of the NFC Least.

WIN; 36-28 Cowboys

Colts +2 DOLPHINS

No Tua, no chance.  Oh, and now the Dolphins starting center is out too!  I know Carson Wentz is a nightmare; I know the Colts have offensive line issues, but the Colts cannot start 0-4, can they?

WIN; 27-17 Colts

Chiefs -7 EAGLES

Coach Reid will not allow the Chiefs to lose three in a row, much less at Philly.

WIN; 42-30 Chiefs

Cardinals +4 RAMS

Battle of the undefeated ... I'm a stubborn contrarian.  The Rams have owned the Cardinals.  I know Matt Stafford is the right guy for the Rams.  I know they sport a good defense.  But I still think they're a paper tiger.  Blame their head coach.  This all applies to the playoffs, I know.  In the meantime ...

WIN; 37-20 Cardinals

49ERS -3 Seahawks

Seattle's defense is the most significant variable in this game.  I think the Niners are Super Bowl contenders, although the Rams and Cardinals might have other ideas.

Loss; 28-21 Seahawks

Ravens +3 BRONCOS

The Bronco defense is legit.  But let's be clear, they are 3-0 after beating the Moe, Larry, and Curly of the NFL.  A healthy Lamar Jackson would undoubtedly make this contest easier to forecast.  But let's see what happens when Teddy Bridgewater throws into a real defense.  

WIN; 23-7 Ravens

PACKERS -6 1/2 Steelers

The Steelers are that aging and injured animal lagging behind the herd.  We all know what comes next.

WIN; 27-17 Packers

Buccaneers -7 PATRIOTS

Let's not make too much of this.  The Patriots are rebuilding and jettisoned a veteran quarterback to help kickstart their own drafted rookie.  Where have I heard that before?  The Bucs are too polished for these Patriots, Belichick or not.  In fact, they're good enough to repeat.

Loss; 19-17 Bucs

Schmear of the Week (2-1)

Packers -6 1/2

WIN

Post-Game

Week Four Record: 10-4

Overall record (ATS): 25-28-1

Schmear of the Week: 3-1

Bagels in the Basket: +2

Good luck, and have a great Football Sunday!