The Steelers are heavy favorites to beat the New York Jets in week four, as the rest of the NFL should have good competition all-around.
Things continue to get interesting for the Steelers during the start of their 2022 campaign. They have lost back-to-back games after shocking the Cincinnati Bengals in week one. The offense has never shown up and the defense is starting to fail, which has many questioning if this club could even float around an even record when the year concludes.
Pittsburgh has a chance to get back to an even record this week against the Jets as some other interesting matchups will overshadow them. Here’s how I see them playing out.
Prediction record after Week 3: 14-17
The prediction game has not been too fruitful right now as we hover below an even record. The beginning of the NFL season is always hard to predict as teams continue to figure out who they truly are. Some surprising upsets occurred last week that caused for some predictions to go by the wayside and force another losing record at the current state.
Miami Dolphins (3-1) vs Cincinnati Bengals (2-2), Thursday at 8:15 P.M. EST
The Bengals were favorites heading into this game, even though the Dolphins were the unbeaten club. Cincinnati was able to handle business and take care of this tough Miami group that should be in the playoffs unless something terrible goes wrong. One of those terrible events did show its face during the game that could cost them.
Final: Dolphins 15, Bengals 27
Tua Tagovailoa was questionable going into this contest with a potential concussion, but he still played anyways. Sadly, he would suffer an even worse fate and got knocked out of the game and stretchered off the field. He is doing better now, but the Bengals were able to overcome the stunned Dolphins club.
Minnesota Vikings (2-1) vs New Orleans Saints (1-2), Sunday at 9:30 A.M. EST
Another game in London as the NFL continues to try and push for the sport’s relevancy around the world, especially in Europe. Both clubs have their own issues, but the Vikings are the favorites heading into this game. Hopefully, both fan bases enjoy an early cup of coffee or tea to wake them up to watch this early battle on Sunday.
Prediction: Vikings 24, Saints 17
Minnesota will be on the attack as Jameis Winston will be out of the lineup for New Orleans. Andy Dalton will be the Saints’ starting quarterback in London, and he showed the inability to move the football during his most recent starts. Expect the game to have a close score at the end, but the Vikings should come out on top.
Cleveland Browns (2-1) vs Atlanta Falcons (1-2), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
The Browns had an extended week to prepare for the Falcons, and that will be an added benefit to them. Atlanta is going to be a club that Cleveland should be able to beat without much concern. The away club will be able to force pressure on Marcus Mariota and cause some turnovers to win this contest.
Prediction: Browns 24, Falcons 16
Cleveland showed that they can win big games last week against the Steelers. That was a huge confidence boost and that should carry much further into the year. The schedule for the Browns will be getting tougher soon, so they need to win these games to keep up later down the line.
Buffalo Bills (2-1) vs Baltimore Ravens (2-1), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
Another week means another offensive shootout could be in the cards. This week Buffalo heads to Baltimore to battle the Ravens. Both offensive units are playing at a high level, but both have varying differences in their defensive skill sets. This battle could be a precursor for a future playoff game when the regular season wraps up.
Prediction: Bills 30, Ravens 27
The Bills’ defense should be able to stall Lamar Jackson’s offensive skillset just enough to squeak out a win. It should be a close back-and-forth game between the Ravens and Josh Allen who should be able to stack up a healthy day at work. The Steelers will be taking on the Bills next week, so keep a close eye on them.
Washington Commanders (1-2) vs Dallas Cowboys (2-1), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
Carson Wentz is going to determine the outcome of this matchup. He has not played great, but he could always perform worse. The Cowboys are still without Dak Prescott, but Cooper Rush has done a good enough job to win games behind a monumental effort by their defense.
Prediction: Commanders 21, Cowboys 23
Washington could come out on top if they are able to create a couple of turnovers and set Wentz up to get some easy points. Dallas has the defense that is playing better and that should tip the scales in their favor. The Cowboys barely get out of the stadium with a win, but it is a win nonetheless.
Seattle Seahawks (1-2) vs Detroit Lions (1-2), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
Another game that presents a head-scratcher as both clubs seem like they will struggle for most of the season. Detroit has some hope as they have talent that could blossom into something strong as time progresses. The Seahawks look to be just beginning their rebuild, but they will possess the ability to compete in these kinds of games.
Prediction: Seahawks 20, Lions 24
The Lions are the favorites to win this matchup, which does not happen very often. Seattle is just a mess right now but they should be able to come into this game and fight for a win. If a bounce or two goes a certain club’s direction, that will probably be the difference in this one.
LA Chargers (1-2) vs Houston Texans (0-2-1), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
These types of games should be almost slam dunk picks, but stranger upsets have happened in the NFL. The Chargers have a losing record currently, but those losses have been against some playoff-contending rosters. Houston enters this game without any expectation and has struggled to accomplish much this year.
Prediction: Chargers 31, Texans 19
Los Angeles should not struggle against this opponent no matter which players will be out of the lineup. Justin Herbert is still going to be the starter and that is the biggest factor that they will ever need to keep in a game. The Texans are just not a good team and lack all kinds of talent across their roster.
Tennessee Titans (1-2) vs Indianapolis Colts (1-1-1), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
Divisions are always hard to predict but the AFC South leaders seem to be struggling right now. The Titans look like they are taking a step back and the Colts are too inconsistent for now. It should be a close game that comes down to the wire as this one seems like a must-win for both sides.
Prediction: Titans 21, Colts 24
Tennessee’s defense is not the strongest unit, and it should fold at certain points in the game. Indianapolis will allow some points as well and if they allow for Derrick Henry to get going, that could spell disaster for the home team. Expect a last-second game-winning drive commanded by Matt Ryan to close out this game.
Chicago Bears (2-1) vs New York Giants (2-1), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
We reached another impasse for two teams that are currently doing better than most believed at the beginning of the season. The Giants are not special, but they have found different ways to stay competitive in games. Chicago has a solid defense that has allowed for their offense to work through their issues and still come out on top.
Prediction: Bears 21, Giants 20
A low-scoring affair seems to be lined up between these two clubs that will likely fall off some beginning now. New York is coming off a short week after facing their hated rival Dallas Cowboys on Monday night. Justin Fields still has upside and should be able to do just enough to win this contest with a sore Giants roster.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1) vs Philadelphia Eagles (3-0), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
Jacksonville is another group that many are shocked by this early into the season. They have completed some impressive wins with a coach that resembles an NFL-level guy. The Eagles are playing great football right now and that will not stop with their game this weekend against the Jaguars.
Prediction: Jaguars 23, Eagles 28
This could be a close game between these two and many will not expect the Jaguars to come out on top. They are a young team that will still have some growing pains to complete before emerging out of their rebuild phase. Philadelphia is firing on all cylinders and should be able to take care of their opponent.
New York Jets (1-2) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
Here is where the Steelers could potentially lose their season, a loss against the Jets. Pittsburgh has a lot of tough games coming soon so winning this would help a lot moving forward. The Steelers must win this game even though New York could present quite the challenge when the time starts to tick.
Prediction: Jets 21, Steelers 24
New York should not even get this close to beating the Steelers on game day, but they will. Pittsburgh constantly struggles against lesser opponents, even if the black and gold could be considered lesser in 2022. If they lose this game, there is no reason to move forward with Mitch Trubisky and the Matt Canada marriage.
Arizona Cardinals (1-2) vs Carolina Panthers (1-2), Sunday at 4:05 P.M. EST
Carolina somehow sits as one-point favorites over Arizona, who is starting to really fall off as a club. Both Head Coaches should be looking at future job opportunities elsewhere, especially in the college ranks. Both seem like they have bitten off more than they can chew at the NFL level and their seats are scorching hot this year.
Prediction: Cardinals 27, Panthers 20
Kyler Murray is not having a great outing since getting rewarded with a contract extension before the season began. The Cardinals are not a great team, but they will be about average. The Panthers on the other hand are not good and have a bad coach, which is going to sink them for a while.
New England Patriots (1-2) vs Green Bay Packers (2-1), Sunday at 4:25 P.M. EST
New England will hit the road to Green Bay in the historic Lambeau Field in a tough environment. This would have been a prime-time game if Tom Brady were still with the Patriots, but those days are long gone. Aaron Rodgers is leading a team that has many holes across the roster but should be able to win a lot of games, unlike the Steelers right now.
Prediction: Patriots 21, Packers 30
Mac Jones’s status is unknown upon writing this article, so that could make the final score closer if he does suit up. Rodgers should be able to still move the ball up and down the field and take advantage of a strong defensive effort by the Packers. Green Bay only needs to prove themselves in the playoffs because they always show premiere status in the regular season.
Denver Broncos (2-1) vs Las Vegas Raiders (0-3), Sunday at 4:25 P.M. EST
Russel Wilson has become a walking meme since becoming a member of the Denver Broncos. It is hard to tell if his PR representative is doing a great job or destroying his off-the-field persona. Either way, his on-the-field performance has not been off to a great start in the rocky mountains.
Prediction: Broncos 17, Raiders 21
Denver is slightly favored over Las Vegas, but this should be a close game that comes down to the wire. The Bronco’s defense is good, but their offensive counterpart has been sputtering thus far. The Raiders are on the opposite side of that coin but should be able to do just enough at home to win the game. Las Vegas could be another winnable game for the Steelers later in the year.
Kansas City Chiefs (2-1) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1), Sunday at 8:20 P.M. EST
Everyone knows about the Tom Brady drama off the field and that seems like it could be affecting their offense. Tampa Bay has struggled to put points up in the early goings of the season, but they have been carried by their defense to a winning record. Something is causing that offense to get into a funk right now, which could be simple as too many injuries.
Prediction: Chiefs 28, Buccaneers 23
Another game that will probably come down to the wire as Brady will be motivated to beat Patrick Mahomes. Even though this Chiefs offense is not as spectacular as years prior, Mahomes is playing lights out right now. The Buccaneers’ offense is too questionable now for them to be the favorites in this game.
LA Rams (2-1) vs San Francisco 49ers (1-2), Monday at 8:15 P.M. EST
Starting at quarterback for the 49ers is Jimmy Garoppolo as he tries to prove to other teams again that he can start in this league. He should be able to keep this team in games throughout the season, which could lead to a playoff berth if everything goes right. Against the Rams is a tough matchup that does not seem too favorable for San Francisco.
Prediction: Rams 26, 49ers 19
Something is off with the Rams’ offense at the moment, but they believe it can be ironed out. Their defense is still top-notch and should be able to cause some turnovers with the 49ers’ offense playing poorly. Expect Los Angeles to score the go-ahead touchdown towards the end of the fourth quarter to seal the game.
The Steelers are in a must-win game in week four as the rest of the NFL continues to push deeper into their schedules. This week has some interesting games that should be able to make the competition tighter as the season moves on.