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NFL capsules, predictions Week 4

 
Published Oct. 4, 2015

Jets vs. Dolphins, 9:30 a.m.

Line/OU: ??

Jets have lost 8 yards in sacks, fewest in AFC, while Dolphins have one sack in 94 pass plays, worst in NFL. Jets have allowed league-low 41 points. Jets lead league with 11 takeaways and seven fumble recoveries. Dolphins have been outscored 27-3 in first quarter. They've been outgained on ground 435-218, worst in NFL, and one of three teams with no TDs rushing.

Jones: ??

Readers: ??

Texans at Falcons, 1

Line/OU: ??

Alfred Blue had 139 yards rushing with TD last week against Tampa Bay and has 467 yards in six career starts. RB Arian Foster could return from groin injury. Randy Bullock released after missing extra point and FG last week; Nick Novak was signed. Falcons are first NFL team to be 3-0 when trailing in fourth quarter of each game. WR Julio Jones' 34 catches are most in NFL history through three games.

Jones: ??

Readers: ??

Jaguars at Colts, 1

Line/OU: ??

Jaguars have lost five straight in series and has lost four straight road games vs. AFC South. Jags and Tampa Bay are tied for third-lowest points total in NFL (49). A win gives Colts 15 straight against AFC South, tying NFL record Miami set from 1972-73, and would break tie between Luck and Peyton Manning for most consecutive wins by quarterback against one division (14) since 2002 realignment. Luck (sore right shoulder) is expected to play despite missing practice time.

Jones: ??

Readers: ??

Eagles at Redskins, 1

Line/OU: ??

Chance of heavy rain. After rushing for only 21 yards on 11 carries through first two games, Eagles' DeMarco Murray missed Week 3 and status for today is uncertain. WR Jordan Matthews was only Eagles wideout to catch pass in Week 3. Redskins have only allowed four sacks, and Eagles' defense only has produced five. Redskins could be without starting CBs DeAngelo Hall and Chris Culliver because of injuries.

Jones: ??

Readers: ??

Giants at Bills, 1

Line/OU: ??

Giants have squandered double-digit fourth-quarter leads in both losses. Eli Manning has no TDs passing and two interceptions in two games against Buffalo — only team he has not completed at least one TD pass. WR Victor Cruz (calf) not expected to play. With RB LeSean McCoy's status uncertain because of left hamstring injury, Bills rookie Karlos Williams out of FSU has opportunity to make first career start. He has team-leading 186 yards rushing and is NFL's ninth player to score TDs rushing in each of his first three games.

Jones: ??

Readers: ??

Chiefs at Bengals, 1

Line/OU: ??

Chiefs have allowed an NFL-high 14 sacks. CB Sean Smith returns from three-game suspension for violating league's substance-abuse policy. Phillip Gaines, who filled in for him, tore ACL and is out for season. Andy Dalton's 121 passer rating ranks second in NFL to Aaron Rodgers (135.4) and Bengals QB leads AFC with fourth-quarter passer rating of 147.5.

Jones: ??

Readers: ??

Raiders at Bears, 1

Line/OU: ??

Former FSU kicker Sebastian Janikowski figures to tie Hall of Fame WR Tim Brown for first on Raiders' games played list with 240. Derek Carr passed for 314 yards last week, making him first Oakland QB to throw for 300 or more in back-to-back wins since Rich Gannon in 2002, his MVP season. Bears got shut out for first time since 2002 last week. Bears traded pass-rush specialist Jared Allen to Carolina, dealt LB Jonathan Bostic to New England and cut S Brock Vereen this week.

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Jones: ??

Readers: ??

Browns at Chargers, 4

Line/OU: ??

Josh McCown could join Otto Graham, Brian Sipe and Brian Hoyer as only Browns QBs to throw for 300 yards in consecutive games. Chargers TE Antonio Gates serves final game of four-game suspension for testing positive for PEDs. Chargers have only one sack in three games, while QB Philip Rivers has been sacked 10 times. San Diego's eight turnovers tied for most in NFL with Detroit.

Jones: ??

Readers: ??

Packers at 49ers, 4:25

Line/OU: ??

49ers have won last four in series since Green Bay beat San Francisco 34-16 on Dec. 5, 2010, at Lambeau Field for eight-game winning streak in series. Green Bay plays on road after Monday night game for just fifth time since 2006. Packers 3-1 in those games. 49ers gave up 90 points over two games for first time since 1980. Combined margin of defeat of 65 points is largest over two-game stretch since 6-10 finish in 1980.

Jones: ??

Readers: ??

Vikings at Broncos, 4:25

Line/OU: ??

Only game this weekend that pits two teams with winning records. RB Adrian Peterson coming off 126-yard rushing performance against San Diego that included two TDs, his first scores since Nov. 24, 2013. Gary Kubiak is third coach in Broncos history to start 3-0 in first year, joining Red Miller (1977) and Josh McDaniels (2009). OLB DeMarcus Ware coming off first career defensive player of month honor in 11-year career. Ware is only player in league with sack in each game this season and leads NFL with 11 QB hits.

Jones: ??

Readers: ??

Rams at Cardinals, 4:25

Line/OU: ??

Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald has as many TDs (5) as entire Rams team. In first quarter, Rams have been outscored 20-0; Cardinals outscored opponents 35-10. Arizona has 126 points through three games; Rams 50. St. Louis has sacked opposing QBs 13 times, Arizona's Carson Palmer has been sacked once, fewest in NFL. Cardinals' 17 TDs are third most in league history through first three games. They're first team to do it since Dallas in 1968.

Jones: ??

Readers: ??

Cowboys at Saints, 8:30

Line/OU: ??

Cowboys can set franchise record for consecutive regular-season road victories with 11. Cowboys' Brandon Weeden has lost nine straight starts, mostly when with Cleveland, longest active streak of any QB who has started at least once this season. Saints are 0-3 for third time since 2007, having started 0-4 in 2007 and 2012, and they've lost six straight at home. QB Drew Brees aims to return after sitting out Week 3 with bruised rotator cuff in right (throwing) shoulder. CB Keenan Lewis said he expects to play for first time since injuring hip in third preseason game.

Jones: ??

Readers: ??

Lions at Seahawks, 8:30 Monday

Line/OU: ??

Lions trying to avoid first 0-4 start since 2010 when they finished 6-10. QB Matthew Stafford tied for second in league with 82 pass completions but has passer rating of 78.7. Lions last in rushing at just 45 yards per game. Broncos only other team averaging less than 60 yards rushing per game. Lions have forced six turnovers in three games, tied for sixth in league. Status of RB Marshawn Lynch in question after hamstring injury vs. Bears and playing just in first half.

Jones: ??

Readers: ??

Game text from Times wires.

This season we've asked Tampa Bay Times columnist Tom Jones and readers to forecast the NFL results. To make your picks, go to tampabay.com/bucs:

Jets vs. Dolphins, 9:30 a.m. (London)

Line/OU: Jets by 1½; 42½

Jets have lost 8 yards in sacks, fewest in AFC, while Dolphins have one sack in 94 pass plays, worst in NFL. Jets have allowed league-low 41 points. Jets lead league with 11 takeaways and seven fumble recoveries. Dolphins have been outscored 27-3 in first quarter. They've been outgained on ground 435-218, worst in NFL, and one of three teams with no TDs rushing.

Jones: Jets 20 Dolphins 13 Readers: Jets 61.2 percent

Texans at Falcons, 1

Line/OU: Falcons by 5½; 47

Alfred Blue had 139 yards rushing with TD last week against Bucs and has 467 yards in six career starts. RB Arian Foster could return from groin injury. Randy Bullock released after missing extra point and FG last week; Nick Novak signed. Falcons are first NFL team to be 3-0 when trailing in fourth quarter of each game. Julio Jones' 34 catches are most in NFL history through three games.

Jones: Falcons 24 Texans 10 Readers: Falcons 83.7 percent

Jaguars at Colts, 1

Line/OU: Off; off

Jaguars have lost five straight in series and has lost four straight road games vs. AFC South. Jags and Tampa Bay are tied for third-lowest points total in NFL (49). A win gives Colts 15 straight against AFC South, tying NFL record Miami set from 1972-73. QB Andrew Luck (sore right shoulder) is expected to play despite missing practice time.

Jones: Colts 24 Jaguars 9 Readers: 98 percent

Eagles at Redskins, 1

Line/OU: Eagles by 3; 44

Chance of heavy rain. After rushing for only 21 yards on 11 carries through first two games, Eagles' DeMarco Murray missed Week 3 and status for today is uncertain. WR Jordan Matthews was only Eagles wideout to catch pass in Week 3. Redskins have only allowed four sacks, and Eagles' defense only has produced five. Redskins could be without starting CBs DeAngelo Hall and Chris Culliver because of injuries.

Jones: Eagles 31 Redskins 20 Readers: Eagles 77.6 percent

Giants at Bills, 1

Line/OU: Bills by 5½; 45½

Giants have blown double-digit fourth-quarter leads in both losses. Eli Manning has no TDs passing in two games against Buffalo — only team he has not completed at least one TD pass. WR Victor Cruz (calf) not expected to play. With RB LeSean McCoy's status uncertain (hamstring) because of left hamstring injury, Bills rookie Karlos Williams out of FSU has opportunity to make first start.

Jones: Giants 19 Bills 17 Readers: Bills 77.6 percent

Chiefs at Bengals, 1

Line/OU: Bengals by 3½; 45½

Chiefs have allowed an NFL-high 14 sacks. CB Sean Smith returns from three-game suspension for violating league's substance-abuse policy. Andy Dalton's 121 passer rating ranks second in NFL to Aaron Rodgers (135.4) and Bengals QB leads AFC with fourth-quarter passer rating of 147.5.

Jones: Bengals 21 Chiefs 17 Readers: Bengals 82.7 percent

Raiders at Bears, 1

Line/OU: Raiders by 3; 43½

Former FSU kicker Sebastian Janikowski figures to tie Hall of Fame WR Tim Brown for first on Raiders' games-played list with 240. Derek Carr passed for 314 yards last week, making him first Oakland QB to throw for 300 or more in back-to-back wins since Rich Gannon in 2002. Bears traded pass-rush specialist Jared Allen to Carolina, dealt LB Jonathan Bostic to New England and cut S Brock Vereen this week.

Jones: Raiders 30 Bears 14 Readers: Raiders 83.7 percent

Browns at Chargers, 4

Line/OU: Chargers by 7; 44½

Josh McCown could join Otto Graham, Brian Sipe and Brian Hoyer as only Browns QBs to throw for 300 yards in consecutive games. Chargers TE Antonio Gates serves final game of four-game suspension for testing positive for PEDs. Chargers have only one sack in three games, while QB Philip Rivers has been sacked 10 times.

Jones: Chargers 29 Browns 13 Readers: Chargers 91.8 percent

Packers at 49ers, 4:25

Line/OU: Packers by 7½; 48

49ers have won last four in series since Green Bay beat San Francisco 34-16 on Dec. 5, 2010, at Lambeau Field for eight-game winning streak in series. Green Bay plays on road after Monday night game for just fifth time since 2006. Packers 3-1 in those games. 49ers gave up 90 points over two games for first time since 1980. Combined margin of defeat of 65 points is largest over two-game stretch since 6-10 finish in 1980.

Jones: Packers 40 49ers 14 Readers: Packers 98 percent

Vikings at Broncos, 4:25

Line/OU: Broncos by 7; 42½

Only game this weekend that pits two teams with winning records. Vikings' Adrian Peterson coming off 126-yard rushing performance that included two TDs, his first scores since Nov. 24, 2013. Gary Kubiak is third coach in Broncos history to start 3-0 in first year, joining Red Miller (1977) and Josh McDaniels (2009).

Jones: Broncos 20 Vikings 17 Readers: Broncos 83.7 percent

Rams at Cardinals, 4:25

Line/OU: Cardinals by 7; 43½

Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald has as many TDs (5) as entire Rams team. In first quarter, Rams have been outscored 20-0; Cardinals outscored opponents 35-10. Arizona has 126 points through three games; Rams 50. St. Louis has sacked opposing QBs 13 times, Arizona's Carson Palmer has been sacked once, fewest in NFL.

Jones: Cardinals 33 Rams 17 Readers: Cardinals 93.9 percent

Cowboys at Saints, 8:30

Line/OU: Saints by 3; 48

Cowboys can set franchise record for consecutive regular-season road victories with 11. Cowboys' Brandon Weeden has lost nine straight starts, mostly when with Cleveland, longest active streak of any QB who has started at least once this season. QB Drew Brees aims to return after sitting out Week 3 with bruised rotator cuff in right (throwing) shoulder.

Jones: Cowboys 21 Saints 14 Readers: Cowboys 55.1 percent

Lions at Seahawks, 8:30 Monday

Line/OU: Seahawks by 9½; 43

Lions trying to avoid first 0-4 start since 2010 when they finished 6-10. QB Matthew Stafford tied for second in league with 82 pass completions but has passer rating of 78.7. Lions last in rushing at just 45 yards per game. Status of Seattle RB Marshawn Lynch in question after hamstring injury.

Jones: Seahawks 31 Lions 21 Readers: Seahawks 100 percent

Game text from Times wires.