Week 4 began with an NFC North showdown that saw the Detroit Lions firmly establish themselves as the top team in that division and possibly a threat to challenge for a conference title by improving to 3-1 with a 34-20 win over the rival Green Bay Packers.
That Thursday contest set the stage for a Week 4 schedule that features six additional divisional matchups, including one in which both teams won by combined 84 points in Week 3.
Sunday’s action will begin earlier than usual with the kickoff to the 2023 NFL International Series when Jacksonville and Atlanta hit the field in London, England.
The Jaguars and Falcons won’t only be heading to Wembley Stadium, though. They’re also going to infinity and beyond with a unique Toy Story Funday Football broadcast aimed at attracting a wider and younger audience.
The NFL and Disney, along with ESPN, Pixar, Beyond Sports, Silver Spoon, Big Studios, Next Gen Stats and ESPN’s Edge Innovation Center, are collaborating for this innovative broadcast where the real-time action on the field will be simultaneously turned into a Pixar-style 3D-animated game presentation using advanced player tracking data and other digital technology.
Characters from the popular Toy Story movie franchise — shout-out Woody and Buzz — will make appearances during the alternate broadcast and the recreation of the field will take place in a virtual “Andy’s Room” and include a special halftime motorcycle stunt with none other than Duke Caboom.
“At almost three minutes long, this halftime show is probably one of the most epic animations that our team has ever worked on,” David Sparrgrove, ESPN’s senior director of creative animation for ESPN’s Creative Studio team, told ESPN Front Row. “Duke Caboom will be doing some jumping. That is all I will say.”
Hockey fans might remember ESPN’s NHL Big City Greens Classic game from this past March that was deemed a success.
The Jaguars and Falcons are each coming off losses in which their respective offences didn’t click. Jacksonville should be relatively comfortable overseas as England has become that franchise’s home away from home. They are the only team with multiple international games on the schedule this season. The Jags “host” the Falcons at Wembley this week then “visit” the Bills at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next week.
Once you’ve finished your morning coffee and the toys from Andy’s Room have been packed away, football fans can settle in for another busy early afternoon slate. For a second consecutive weekend, there are nine 1 p.m. ET games followed by only three in the 4 p.m. ET slot.
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SPREADS & TOTALS
– ATL (+3.0) at JAX (-3.0) | O/U: 43.0 (9:30 a.m. ET in London, England)
– MIA (+2.5) at BUF (-2.5) | O/U: 53.5 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– DEN (+3.0) at CHI (-3.0) | O/U: 46.5 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– BAL (+2.5) at CLE (-2.5) | O/U: 40.0 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– CIN (+2.5) at TEN (-2.5) | O/U: 40.5 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– LAR (-1.0) at IND (+1.0) | O/U: 46.0 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– TB (+3.5) at NO (-3.5) | O/U: 40.0 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– WAS (+8.5) at PHI (-8.5) | O/U: 43.5 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– MIN (-4.0) at CAR (+4.0) | O/U: 46.5 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– PIT (-2.5) at HOU (+2.5) | O/U: 42.5 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– LV (+5.5) at LAC (-5.5) | O/U: 48.5 (4:05 p.m. ET)
– NE (+6.5) at DAL (-6.5) | O/U: 43.0 (4:25 p.m. ET)
– ARI (+14.0) at SF (-14.0) | O/U: 44.0 (4:25 p.m. ET)
– KC (-9.5) at NYJ (+9.5) | O/U: 41.5 (8:20 p.m. ET)
– SEA (-1.0) at NYG (+1.0) | O/U: 47.0 (8:15 p.m. ET *Monday)
The most anticipated game of the weekend also boasts its highest total. Miami at Buffalo is set at 53.5 points. The Dolphins exceeded that number by themselves in 45:05 of game play last week. More on this exciting AFC East matchup below.
New Orleans is the only team to not be involved in a game that has gone over its listed total. The Saints, who might not have Derek Carr, face a Bucs team that is 1-2 on overs so far.
The 49ers are the biggest favourites of the week, projected by oddsmakers to beat the Cardinals by two touchdowns. The Cowboys were in a similar spot one week ago yet were upset by Arizona. The Cardinals rank 12th in point differential; the 49ers rank third in point differential with two of their three wins coming by at least 18 points.
Most popular plays from the public at the numbers above: 73 per cent taking KC to cover -9.5; 72 per cent taking MIN to cover -4.0; 71 per cent taking CIN to cover -2.5; 70 per cent taking JAX to cover -3.0.
PROP WATCH: ZEKE FACING THE COWBOYS
Ezekiel Elliott spent the first seven seasons of his NFL career in the Dallas Cowboys backfield and the fourth-overall pick from the 2016 draft will face his former club for the first time when his Patriots head to Arlington to play a Cowboys team looking to bounce back from a surprise loss to the Cardinals.
The two-time NFL rushing leader totalled 10,598 yards (8,262 rushing, 2,336 receiving) and 80 touchdowns (68 rushing, 12 receiving) across 103 appearances during his time with Dallas. He’s being used in a reduced role with New England, but might Patriots coach Bill Belichick give Elliott a few extra touches or red zone opportunities on Sunday if they present themselves?
“I don’t know what I’m necessarily expecting,” Elliott told reporters on a conference call this week. “It’s definitely going to be weird, just being in a different uniform, being in the visitor’s locker room, but I think it’ll just be a good experience seeing the fans again.”
Elliott rushing yards: Over 27.5 (-110) | Under 27.5 (-110)
Elliott receiving yards: Over 7.5 (-110) | Under 7.5 (-110)
Elliott receptions: Over 1.5 (+100) | Under 1.5 (-130)
Longest rush: Over 9.5 yards (-115) | Under 9.5 yards (-115)
Combined rushing/receiving yards: Over 38.5 (-110) | Under 38.5 (-110)
Anytime touchdown +260 | two or more TDs +2500 | first quarter TD +1800 | first half TD +600 | Patriots first TD +600 (odds via Bet365)
Elliott has rushed 28 times for 122 yards in three games this season with 16 carries and 80 yards coming last week versus the Jets. Zeke has also caught six of his eight targets for 21 yards, but keep in mind seven of those targets, five of those catches and 14 of those yards occurred in Week 1.
Other notable players facing their former teams this week: Adam Thielen plays the Vikings, Calvin Ridley faces the Falcons, Jadeveon Clowney goes up against the Browns, and possibly Jameis Winston goes up against the Buccaneers.
WEEK 4 STORYLINES TO FOLLOW
Dolphins offence vs. Bills defence: Talk about an exciting style matchup. The Dolphins are coming off a 70-point shellacking of the Broncos, but now Miami’s juggernaut offence heads to Buffalo to face a Bills defence that had nine sacks, five forced turnovers and allowed only three points versus Washington last week in a blowout win of their own. The Dolphins have already entered the history books by setting the single-game yardage record in Week 3 (without Jaylen Waddle no less) and are one of three remaining undefeated teams.
Miami’s use of pre-snap motion with all that speed on the field has put opposing teams on skates, but Buffalo’s defence should pose a much tougher challenge than Denver’s did. The Bills, overall, have looked like the more well-rounded club.
MIA offence: 550.3 yards per game (1st) | 43.3 points per game (1st)
BUF offence: 383.3 yards per game (7th) | 30.3 points per game (2nd)
MIA defence: 361.3 yards allowed (23rd) | 23.7 points allowed (21st)
BUF defence: 253.0 yards allowed (2nd) | 11.7 points allowed (2nd)
“At the end of the day, we’re just trying to win a football game. If it’s by putting up 40 or putting up four, we’re just trying to go out there and play complementary football,” Bills QB Josh Allen told reporters via the Associated Press this week.
Which two teams will exit Week 4 still winless? Denver and Chicago are both coming off embarrassing losses. The Broncos allowed historic numbers in a 50-point loss to the Dolphins, while the Bears lost by 31 points to the Chiefs and it likely would’ve been worse had Kansas City not ended many of their starters’ nights early since the game was so out of hand. Denver is the AFC’s lone winless team. Chicago, the only 3-0 team on overs, is one of three 0-3 NFC clubs. The other two are set to meet when the Vikings travel to face the Panthers.
The 1992 Chargers are the only team in NFL history to make the playoffs after starting 0-4 and only six teams in the Super Bowl era have been able to qualify for the post-season after starting 0-3.
Which QBs are back under centre and who’s banged up? Two of the league’s three starting rookie quarterbacks are returning from injuries this week. Carolina’s Bryce Young is back from an ankle injury to face Minnesota, while Indianapolis’s Anthony Richardson is out of concussion protocol and slated to start against the Rams.
Derek Carr of the Saints is dealing with a shoulder injury ahead of his team’s game with Tampa Bay; Carr is backed up by former No. 1 overall pick of the Bucs, Jameis Winston. Browns’ Deshaun Watson is listed as questionable and was limited in practice with a shoulder; Dorian Thompson-Robinson is No. 2 on Cleveland’s depth chart. Raiders starter Jimmy Garoppolo is in the concussion protocol and his status was uncertain as of Friday afternoon; Garoppolo’s backup is Brian Hoyer.
Who can stop the tush push? Call it a double-cheek shove or a simple tush push, Philadelphia’s frequently utilized rugby-style play call is incredibly efficient and incredibly frustrating for opposing defences. Jalen Hurts already has three rushing touchdowns and 13 first downs generated with his legs through three games with plenty of thanks to the formation below. Washington is in tough as the third-biggest underdog of the week.
Who picks up slack in Chargers receiving corps? L.A.’s AFC squad picked up its first win of the season in Week 3 but also suffered a devastating loss. Wide receiver Mike Williams is done for the year with a torn ACL sustained in a thrilling 28-24 win over the Vikings. Williams contributed seven catches, 121 yards and a touchdown before his day ended.
The Chargers host the Raiders in what could be another high-scoring matchup. Justin Herbert will require the likes of Joshua Palmer, rookie Quentin Johnston and others to step up their usage and target share. Keenan Allen was unstoppable against Minnesota, finishing the game catching 18 of 20 targets for 215 yards. He also threw a 49-yard touchdown pass to Williams, but it’s not realistic for him to carry the load like that on a weekly basis.
(Betting lines, totals and listed odds above via Covers as of Friday unless otherwise noted and subject to change)
