The fourth week of the NFL regular season is an important milestone when it comes to making the postseason. Between 1980 and 2021, 182 NFL teams started the season 0-3, but only six of them made the playoffs. Only one 0-4 team in that stretch made the playoffs: the 1992 San Diego Chargers, who went 11-1 down the stretch and actually won their division. They won their wild-card matchup against Kansas City but then got drilled, 31-0, in the divisional round, by the Miami Dolphins. As you might expect, a 4-0 start is an especially good sign for playoff qualification: between 2009 and 2014, 15 teams started 4-0, and 12 of those made the playoffs.
Looking ahead to Week 4 of the 2022 NFL season, let’s look at your top NFL betting matchups.
NFL News: Must-Bet Games – Week 4
Miami Dolphins at Cincinnati Bengals (-4)
Miami +150 / Cincinnati -170
Thursday, September 29
A quick travel week for the Dolphins means less time to prepare and recover from Sunday’s wear and tear. Since 2012, Thursday Night Football home teams have gone 58-52-6 against the spread and have gone 69-47 straight up. Even with Tyreek Hill, I’m not sure that the Miami offense can hang with a newly confident Cincinnati team. The Bengals kept their offensive core that made it to last year’s Super Bowl and upgraded their offensive line. Bengals to win and cover.
Bengals to win and cover | Bet the Game Today
Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts (-3)
Tennessee +135 / Indianapolis -155
Sunday, October 2
The wild card in this game is Matt Ryan, the latest veteran experiment at quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts. We’ve seen Phillip Rivers and Carson Wentz cycle through Indy, surrounded by playoff-caliber teams, only to falter. Ryan comes from Atlanta, looking for redemption after a parade of lost seasons. Does he still have a cannon arm? Will his limited mobility be a problem? The Titans’ defense isn’t as solid as the Colts’, so if Ryan can hang in the pocket, he should find receivers down the field. Both teams have elite running backs, but Derrick Henry’s subpar playoff game against Cincinnati raises questions about whether his foot is healthy, which could leave the Titans at a disadvantage. I would check reports about Henry’s foot before putting down money on this game, but even with a healthy Henry, the Colts should take this at home. Colts to win and cover.
Colts to win and cover | Bet the Game Today
Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys (-6)
Washington +220 / Dallas -275
Sunday, October 2
One of the most storied rivalries in the NFL will be renewed when Washington comes to Dallas. Carson Wentz, who played against Dallas while leading the Philadelphia Eagles, looks to restart his career this year after a mixed season in Indianapolis last year. Dallas still has a lot of talent on offense, although we will see how explosive Ezekiel Elliott is this year – or if Tony Pollard is ready to take over the starting load. Can CeeDee Lamb carry the top receiver position in Dallas after the departure of Amari Cooper? I don’t think the Cowboys will win the division this season, but I do see them controlling this game. Dallas to win and cover.
Dallas to win and cover | Bet the Game Today
Kansas City Chiefs at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5)
Kansas City +115 / Buccaneers -135
Sunday, October 2
This rematch of Super Bowl LV even takes place in the same stadium where the Bucs undressed the Chiefs. We have a Kansas City team that should be hungry for redemption against a Tampa Bay team that may be on the fade, with Tom Brady already inked to a nine-figure deal as a commentator after he retires. Tampa Bay’s defense is slightly better, especially in the front seven, but I’m going with the slight value edge that I get from the Chiefs. Chiefs to cover.
Chiefs to cover | Bet the Game Today
L.A. Rams (-1) at San Francisco 49ers
Los Angeles -120 / San Francisco +100
Monday, October 3
Yes, the 49ers have owned the Rams in the regular season. But how can that continue with Trey Lance at quarterback? This line boggles my mind. The Rams will go to Levi’s Stadium and work out some regular season frustrations…and beat the 49ers easily. Rams to win and cover.
Rams to win and cover | Bet the Game Today
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