The Steelers head into a game where no one is giving them a chance as the rest of the NFL heads into week 5.
Week 4 of competition has come and gone around the NFL and it was full of many entertaining games. The Steelers continue to slip as they finally made a change at quarterback, but that was not enough. The team heads on the road this week to Buffalo to take on the Super Bowl-caliber Bills in week five.
Prediction record after week 4: 23-23
Last week’s prediction was the first where we made it out with a winning record. The Steelers game set us back as that could have led to an overall winning record on the season. Our efforts did prevail to get us back to an even result on the year and that positivity will hopefully carry into the remainder of the season.
Indianapolis Colts (2-2-1) vs Denver Broncos (2-3), Thursday Night 8:15 P.M. EST
Everyone knew that this Thursday night matchup would be an ugly sight to behold. It lived up to that disappointment and then some as both offenses continued to sputter irrelevance all game. A contest resulting in neither club scoring a touchdown, even with overtime, is almost unheard of in today’s NFL but both of these teams achieved it.
Final: Colts 12, Broncos 9
Matt Ryan and Russel Wilson both seem like washed-up quarterbacks that are out of gas. Both are older and on new teams so maybe all those factors are leading them to struggle right now. Either way, these offenses were hard to watch, and they made Kenny Pickett’s offense with the Steelers seem like a juggernaut.
New York Giants (3-1) vs Green Bay Packers (3-1), Sunday at 9:30 A.M. EST
God save the king (that is still taking some getting used to) because the NFL is back in London for another game. This always draws mixed emotions, especially since these contests are played at awkward times for fans in the United States to watch their respective teams. These two clubs hold the same record, and it could lead to an interesting battle on Sunday morning.
Prediction: Giants 19, Packers 31
New York has a couple of injury concerns, the main one being starting quarterback Daniel Jones and his ankle. He should be good enough to go, but the Giants will probably struggle to run the ball against the Packers and that will lead to Jones being relied on more. The Packers have the better quarterback by a mile and should be able to leave jolly old England with a win.
Pittsburgh Steelers (1-3) vs Buffalo Bills (3-1), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
Here is the game that most Steelers fans will hope to have a giant upset occur. The odds are stacked against them, even with both teams dealing with varying degrees of injury during the week leading up to the game. Pittsburgh has a new quarterback starting for them, but he will be going up against one of the best defensive units in the NFL.
Prediction: Bills 35, Steelers 23
Even though the Bills are expected to win by at least two touchdowns, expect this game to be closer than most expect. The Steelers will still have a competitive atmosphere and Pickett should be able to get the ball down the field and tack on points. Turnovers and a bunch of question marks on the defensive side should get Buffalo the win without many obstacles.
LA Chargers (2-2) vs Cleveland Browns (2-2), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
When people saw this game at the beginning of the year, many would have had the Chargers running away with this one. The issue is they are having cataclysmic injury issues that could end up derailing their Super Bowl aspirations. The Browns have a good defense that can take advantage of these injuries on the side of LA.
Prediction: Chargers 26, Browns 23
LA edges out the Browns on the road here because they have Justin Herbert to overcome all their concerns right now. Cleveland can win if they have a consistent rushing effort against this banged-up front of the Chargers. Expect the away club to come away with a few turnovers that will sway the lead in their favor in the end.
Houston Texans (0-3-1) vs Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
Here is the first hurdle to try and predict this week as the Jaguars are hard to figure out. They are 2-2 right now, but are they really going to take a step forward this year? That is the question that still needs to be answered, or they could potentially get upset at home against the reeling Texans.
Prediction: Texans 22, Jaguars 29
Jacksonville has improved quickly under their new Head Coach and that could lead to a lot more wins. They might not be a playoff team this year, but they should be able to win these types of contests. Houston is a struggling club that will not win many games this season as their rebuild is still in full effect.
Chicago Bears (2-2) vs Minnesota Vikings (3-1), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
A tough NFC North matchup that will probably determine the way the Bears season will end up. Minnesota enters this game after barely escaping London with a victory over a bad Saints team. The Vikings have a good offense that should be able to outpace Chicago’s counterpart as the game wears on.
Prediction: Bears 21, Vikings 24
The Bears have a good defense this year and that should not be taken lightly. The Vikings offense is going to be a tough challenge for them to overcome, which will lead to them losing. Chicago’s offense does not have any answers and will lead to many more losses before the schedule is all said and done.
Detroit Lions (1-3) vs New England Patriots (1-3), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
The outcome of this game will depend on if Mac Jones can play and how well he can perform with his injury issue. The Patriots only win came against the Steelers, so they should be able to take care of lesser opponents. Detroit is a hard team to figure out this early into the season as they have been competitive but continue to lose games.
Prediction: Lions 21, Patriots 17
New England has a good chance to win this game if Jones can play at his normal level. The Lions offense has been firing at all cylinders to start their 2022 campaign, but they will likely be without their top running back and receiver in this one. Expect a close game that comes down to which team produces more turnovers.
Seattle Seahawks (2-2) vs New Orleans Saints (1-3), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
After their loss against the Vikings across the pond last week, the Saints head into this game with a lot of uncertainty. They will likely be without many of their heavy contributors across their starting lineup against the Seahawks. Seattle is coming off an offensive shootout as they continue to surprise some people as the early part of the season starts to wind down.
Prediction: Seahawks 23, Saints 20
Andy Dalton was able to keep New Orleans in the game last week, but he was not able to get the job done. There are just too many injuries listed for the Saints to be the favored team to win this contest. Expect Geno Smith and Seattle’s offense to move the ball down the field and win the game in the end.
Miami Dolphins (3-1) vs New York Jets (2-2), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
Miami is another team that will be dealing with injuries entering this week as Tua Tagovailoa will be out as he deals with his concussion. Teddy Bridgewater will start, but some other big names loom large on their injury report that could make more things go against them. This offense looked shocked last week when the injury to Tua happened, but they have had a lot of days to prepare for this contest.
Prediction: Dolphins 20, Jets 17
The Jets were able to overcome a ten-point deficit against the Steelers last week, but they are going up against a tough Dolphins defense. Expect them to pressure Zach Wilson early and often and they should be able to cause a turnover or two off that. This should be a close game that comes down to a field goal to win.
Atlanta Falcons (2-2) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
Atlanta has been rebounding lately after having a sluggish start to their season. They have been in almost all their games and two of those ended with them as the victors. Tampa Bay is coming off a tough loss to the Chiefs last week and should be out for blood when they kick off on Sunday.
Prediction: Falcons 17, Buccaneers 27
The Buccaneers should be able to run away with this one as Tom Brady and their offense was finally able to move the ball and put-up respectable points last week. Tampa Bay’s defense is still playing at a high level and will make it difficult for the Falcons to move the ball. Expect Marcus Mariota to run for his life while he throws a couple of mistakes to the opposing team.
Tennessee Titans (2-2) vs Washington Commanders (1-3), Sunday at 1 P.M. EST
Here is another game that could potentially go either way as the Titans have fallen off some from their contender status in recent years. Washington is on the other spectrum as they are a rebuilding team that has a poor defense but great weapons on offense. It should be a close game that could go in either club’s favor if Carson Wentz does not turn over the ball.
Prediction: Titans 24, Commanders 21
Tennessee has had troubles on both sides of the ball up to this point in the season. Derrick Henry needs to get established as the main player on offense, but that might be tougher to do now since they just lost Taylor Lewan to injury for the rest of the season. Wentz is just too careless with the ball in his hands and that will lead to the Titans emerging victorious.
San Francisco 49ers (2-2) vs Carolina Panthers (1-3), Sunday at 4:05 P.M. EST
Defeating the Rams in an eye-popping victory last week was a prove-it moment by the 49ers. They were able to handle the defending Super Bowl champions without a lot of fight. The defense played lights out and Jimmy Garoppolo distributed his safe style at the quarterback position.
Prediction: 49ers 28, Panthers 17
Baker Mayfield seems to be a lost cause just waiting to be cut after the season and try again at another franchise or in another league next year. The Panthers are a bad club in nearly every aspect that needs to be rebuilt again. San Francisco should have an easier time taking care of the Panthers this week than they did against the Rams last week.
Philadelphia Eagles (4-0) vs Arizona Cardinals (2-2), Sunday at 4:25 P.M. EST
Philadelphia is playing at a high level right now as each phase of football seems to be coming easy to them. The biggest wildcard for this club will be if Jalen Hurts is the truth and can sustain his level of play throughout the season and beyond. That seems to be questionable right now as he has not put it all together up to this point.
Prediction: Eagles 30, Cardinals 23
The end score will seem closer than what the game actually shows for the majority of the contest. Arizona is struggling and it looks like their Head Coach might be gone soon. Until that happens, it looks like their struggles should persist further and the Eagles will make them pay for that.
Dallas Cowboys (3-1) vs LA Rams (2-2), Sunday at 4:25 P.M. EST
Odd things happen in the NFL, like when your backup quarterback finds more success than your starter while he is out with an injury. Dak Prescott could be back this week, but there is no rush as Cooper Rush has helped this team get to their winning record. Dallas’s defense is playing better right now, but the Rams have more weapons on offense to defend.
Prediction: Cowboys 20, Rams 21
Things should be close in this one as the Cowboys face one of the toughest defensive units that they have gone up against yet. Something is off with LA right now as they are struggling to move the ball on offense. It will come down to the wire but expect the more experienced team to win this game.
Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) vs Baltimore Ravens (2-2), Sunday at 8:20 P.M. EST
AFC North football at its finest as both clubs will head into this game with the hope of not leaving with a losing record. The Bengals lost to the Steelers in week one, but their ship is starting to correct its course as each week passes. The Ravens are coming off a frustrating loss to the Bills, but they gave them all that they had.
Prediction: Bengals 35, Ravens 31
There is a lot riding on this game as the winner could become the favorite to win the division. Both offenses have some high talent levels and could make for a giant point total on the scoreboard. Reading into Baltimore’s sideline issues last week might seem a little overblown, but that could cause confidence issues that might cause the Ravens to lose the little battles in the game to cause a loss.
Las Vegas Raiders (1-3) vs Kansas City Chiefs (3-1), Monday 8:15 P.M. EST
Kansas City looks like they will be their division winner during the early portion of their season. They have beaten some quality teams and should be able to handle the Raiders without much issue. With that being said, Las Vegas has beaten the Chiefs many times.
Prediction: Raiders 28, Chiefs 35
Patrick Mahomes is playing great football right now and will be able to take care of business under the lights on Monday. This Raiders defense still has a ton of holes in it and that will lead to a bad day at the office for them. Las Vegas should still be able to tack on points against the Chiefs, even though their offense is not elite.
The Steelers have a nearly impossible task to defeat the tough Bills on the road in week five. There are going to be some impactful games across the NFL being played in the second quarter of the season starting this week.