By Week 4 of the NFL season, bookmakers have a better grasp of what teams are really about. This knowledge leads to tighter NFL betting lines that make the search for the best lines to please a tough task. But we’ve gone ahead and found two teams that make the cut. So, without too much fuss, here’s our selection to please for Week 4.
Two-way 3-point Pleaser Preview
Tennessee Titans (2-1) at New York Jets (0-3)
Point spread: Titans -9
Lookahead lines had the Titans laying six points on the Las Vegas NFL odds board, but at the close of Week 3, the line jumped out to 7½ points. It’s been on an upward trajectory ever since with some sportsbooks recording the Titans at -8 or even -9 by Monday. Should this trend continue, it’s quite possible that the line will crack double-digits before the weekend. In which case, doesn’t it make sense to please the line now by three points in order to get better NFL odds?
The Titans are riding the momentum of a two-game winning streak, recovering admirably from the disastrous 38-13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in their season home opener. Ryan Tannehill, the following week, rallied the Titans in a come-from-behind win to upset the Seahawks 33-30 on the road. Last Sunday, they outmuscled the division rival Indianapolis Colts 25-16. The Titans are a solid 2-1-0 for NFL picks against the spread, covering as the +6½-point road underdogs against Seattle and as the -4½-point home chalk versus the Colts.
Tennessee’s schedule to start the season was no picnic. The Cardinals, Seahawks and Colts represent some of the teams many sportsbooks were high on in Super Bowl 56 futures before the season got underway. The Jets signal a significant step down in quality, presenting Mike Vrabel’s side a chance to really flex its muscle in Week 4.
All the hype and buzz that preceded the Jets into the season has fallen to the wayside for the time being. Rookie quarterback Zach Wilson is having a rough go of it in the NFL and the Jets are winless as a result. Rookie struggles aren’t unusual though, so pushing the panic button would be premature. Head coach Robert Saleh said it best when he put Wilson’s predicament into the context of a boxing match.
#Jets HC Robert Saleh used a vivid boxing analogy to answer @Connor_J_Hughes question about keeping Zach Wilson (@ZachWilson) ‘locked in’ despite early struggles, ‘this is round 1 of a 15 round fight + all about staying the course’: #TENvsNYJ #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/Z5ojPn61Ib
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) September 27, 2021
After a narrow 19-14 opening loss to the Carolina Panthers, the Jets were blown out by New England (25-6) and Denver (26-0). Aside from a 0-3 record, Saleh’s side hasn’t performed well against the spread, either. Those failed covers have led to a 0-3-0 against the spread (ATS) record, an average losing margin of 16.7 points, and a -10.2 differential versus the spread through three weeks.
The upshot is an increasing lack of confidence in the Jets. Add to that the repeated blows to Wilson’s person and confidence – he leads the league in sacks (15) and is tied with Trevor Lawrence with the most interceptions (7) – and it is clear things could get much worse before they get better. One fears for Wilson and the Jets.
Carolina Panthers (3-0) at Dallas Cowboys (2-1)
Point Spread: Cowboys -4½
The NFL betting lines for the clash between the Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys have oscillated between -4½ and five points. The Cowboys are flush off a commanding 41-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football while the Panthers are coming off a 24-9 win over the Houston Texans on Thursday night. Both teams enter Week 4 in fine form, riding the momentum of winning streaks and playing confident football. Something’s got to give, though.
Quarterback Sam Darnold is living the dream in Carolina. His new team is undefeated and he’s lapping up the adulation from Panthers fans. It’s the best start to his second chance as an NFL starter. However, how much stock should bettors put into a 3-0 record founded on wins over questionable opposition? Probably, not a whole lot. Keep in mind, Darnold has yet to go toe-to-toe with an elite quarterback. Jameis Winston and a pair of rookies, Zach Wilson and Davis Mills, don’t cut it. So, the jury is out on how good the Panthers are.
The Cowboys steamrolled the Eagles in a veritable buffet of scoring as Dak Prescott lit up AT&T Stadium to the delight of fans. He went 21 of 26 for 238 yards and three touchdowns while Ezekiel Elliott led the Cowboys with 95 yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns. Dalton Schultz, CeeDee Lamb, Amari Cooper, Elliott and Cedrick Wilson were the most active in the receiving game and combined for over 200 yards. The defense stepped up, putting pressure on Jalen Hurts, sacking him twice and forcing two turnovers.
All in all, this is an intriguing matchup that will reveal a lot about both teams moving forward. The Cowboys have shown no hesitation to step on the throats of their opponents. They took it to the Buccaneers in a narrow season-opening loss. They gave the Los Angeles Chargers a run for their money before decimating their divisional rivals. The Cowboys are 3-0-0 ATS with a +10-point differential versus the spread.
The Panthers will need to be on their toes at AT&T Stadium. Any missteps and the Cowboys will ride roughshod over them without hesitation. At 4½ points, it’s too tempting not to please the Cowboys by three points and hope they deliver with another commanding win of two scores or more.
