NFL Week 4: Top Games to Watch

Sep 21, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy (25) tries to get past Washington Redskins inside linebacker Perry Riley (56) at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Redskins, 37-34. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

After a wild week three in the National Football League that saw a few wild games, unbridled emotions, and big time injuries, we are chugging right along on to week four match ups. Last week’s top games certainly didn’t disappoint as the Arizona Cardinals derailed the San Francisco 49ers, the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks went to overtime, and the Chicago Bears and New York Jets had a thriller up until the last few minutes, so here is hope that this week provides as much as excitement. As always here are the top three games to keep your eye on this week in the NFL.

Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears

As always, no top three list is complete without at least one divisional match up and this one could be huge. The Packers are coming off a dreadful loss to the Detroit Lions where they saw quarterback Aaron Rodgers have a pedestrian day versus the stout Lions pass rush and the Bears are coming off a tough earned win on the road versus the Jets, however their health as a team is concerning. The Packers are looking to climb back into the thick of the divisional race and not fall two games behind while the Bears look to stay on top. Green Bay’s offensive line has taken a beating thus far and has stalled the progress for the Packers. The Bears on the other hand have been riddled with injuries on both sides of the ball but their defense has been improving week by week being led by rookie corner Kyle Fuller. These two teams were separated by a mere game heading into the playoffs last year, so these contests are huge. One thing to keep an eye on will be the battle of quarterbacks. Rodgers has been off to a slow start but usually kills divisional opponents and Jay Cutler has historically been terrible versus Green Bay and must break his slump to carry the Bears to the postseason. This game also features two young premier running backs who have been struggling so far this season in Eddie Lacy and Matt Forte who both are looking for their first big games of the season. With a rivalry as old as this one, with two teams that feature such great offensive talent this contest should be one heck of a ball game to watch.

Prediction: Rodgers makes a huge comeback on the road to keep the Packers afloat; Green Bay 34 Chicago 31

Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans

Last week this easily could have been considered a “game of the week” sort of match up when both the Bills and Texans were 2-0 and at the top of their divisions. However last week both teams fell in their respective contests, yet both still remain at the top spot of the AFC East and AFC South respectively, and are looking to bounce back and stay in the thick of the AFC playoff race in the young part of the season. The Bills have played exceptionally well on defense thus far despite the loss of Kiko Alonso. Offensively this team is still very inconsistent, E.J. Manuel has struggled to find his groove and take over ball games when needed. Expect the Bills to pour out the rushing attack as always with C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson and to try to incorporate rookie Sammy Watkins as much as they can against the Texans somewhat shaky secondary. The Texans on the other hand have played exceptionally good defense thanks to a stellar pass rush led by J.J. Watt, who will undoubtedly be looking to rattle Manuel in this contest. The Texans have to hope Arian Foster is healthy enough to give it a go in this one to take the pressure off of Ryan Fitzpatrick to win the game, as  it’s not something he is very capable of doing. Like the Bills, the Texans will likely look to lean on the run game and a gritty defense to grind out clock and win the ball game. This is the kind of game that is fun to watch because its reminiscent of the old age NFL, smash mouth running and punishing defenses and low scoring football games. These are the kind that you almost treasure these days just to watch some great defensive action. Expect these two teams to come out with high emotion and a lot of fight in them looking to stay atop their divisions.

Prediction: The Texans grind out a win on the road thanks to a huge game from J.J. Watt; Houston 17 Buffalo 14

Philadelphia Eagles at San Fransisco 49ers

This should be a great football game as they almost always are between these two football teams. The Eagles high-octane offense is looking to stay perfect for the season while the 49ers look to bounce back after a disappointing loss to Arizona last week. The Eagles offensive line is missing a lot of pieces coming into this contest, making it a tough go against one of the best defenses in the league. The Eagles will likely still do everything they can to get the ball going on the ground with LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles to help incorporate play action. Philadelphia will likely focus on very quick passes and minimal drop backs in this one after the beat down Nick Foles got last week especially going up against a great pass rush when down three starting lineman. San Fransisco has to be disappointed with where they currently are to start the season and find themselves in a bit of a hole going up against the Eagles this week. Offensively the Niners should be able to get things done against a soft tackling Eagle defense. Frank Gore and company will likely rack up the yards in this contest. Colin Kaepernick could have a big day against this defense but don’t count out the Eagles pass defense just yet, they give up a lot of yards but make plays when it counts. This contest has all the making of a high scoring affair in the new Levi Stadium where both of these teams are looking to solidify themselves in a very tough NFC conference.

Prediction: The Eagles take advantage of the 49ers secondary on their way to the win; Philadelphia 31 San Fransisco 28

With the NFL heading into week four and bye weeks beginning it gets a little tougher to find the three games that stand out the most but these three contests should be great ones to watch this weekend. They also could have huge potential down the road in playoff implications as all of these teams currently stand in line as playoff hopefuls in this early 2014 NFL season. Keep your eyes peeled on these ones as you enjoy your NFL Sunday.

Joe Kleine is also co-host of the finsradio.com show The Direct Snap, alongside fellow host Tyler McMullen.  Please check our Facebook and Twitter pages! Our free to listen show about the NFL is on Saturday September 27th at 8:30 PM Eastern time! Check out our show here, give us a call, or e-mail us at officialdirectsnap@gmail.com! Also be sure to check out OntheFinside, another great finsradio program!