2018 NFL Preseason Week 4 Sure Losers

2018 NFL Preseason Week 4 Sure Losers

Written by on August 28, 2018

Are you ready for the 2018 NFL regular season to start? You’re far from alone, but if you want to make some sports betting money from the last week of the preseason, we have a few games for you to peruse. It’s true that Week 4 of the preseason can be dicey as far as wagering goes, because a lot of teams don’t let their starters in for more than a series, if at all, particularly at the quarterback and tailback positions. Even so, we have some insights into a few matchups that give us enough confidence to lay down some cash. Below, take a look at the point spread for each of the NFL Preseason Week 4 tilts, and then check out our NFL betting predictions.

2018 NFL Preseason Week 4 Sure Losers

Thursday, August 30

  • Miami (+1) at Atlanta (7:00pm ET)
  • Indianapolis (+2.5) at Cincinnati (7:00pm ET)
  • Cleveland (-2.5) at Detroit (7:00pm ET, NFL Network)
  • New England (+2.5) at N.Y. Giants (7:00pm ET)
  • N.Y. Jets (-4) at Philadelphia (7:00pm ET)
  • Carolina (+2.5) at Pittsburgh (7:30pm ET)
  • Jacksonville (+1.5) at Tampa Bay (7:30pm ET)
  • Washington (+6.5) at Baltimore (7:30pm ET)
  • Buffalo (+3) at Chicago (8:00pm ET)
  • Minnesota (+1) at Tennessee (8:00pm ET)
  • L.A. Rams (+4) at New Orleans (8:00pm ET)
  • Dallas (+4) at Houston (8:00pm ET)
  • Green Bay (+3.5) at Kansas City (8:30pm ET)
  • Denver (+3) at Arizona (10:00pm ET, NFL Network)
  • L.A. Chargers (+3.5) at San Francisco (10:00pm ET)
  • Oakland (+3) at Seattle (10:00pm ET)

First, let’s look at Carolina and Pittsburgh

Cam Newton and Ben Roethlisberger will likely spend the game on the sidelines, leaving backup quarterbacks to run the offenses for a pair of teams that are both looking for redemption, after Carolina has underperformed for the past two seasons and Pittsburgh got absolutely torched by Jacksonville at home in the divisional playoff last year. Pittsburgh has the more proven system of the two teams — at least on offense. However, Carolina’s defense is more highly rated, and as the reserves tangle in the second half, I see Carolina doing a better job of bogging down the Steelers and holding on to win. So give me Carolina to win.

Next, we’ll look at Denver and Arizona

The Cardinals delivered a 27-3 win against Dallas last week, but much of that came in garbage time, and the Cowboys did not play Dak Prescott or Ezekiel Elliott at all. In the first half, when Dallas’ starting defense played, the Cardinals’ offense could not move past midfield; their points came from a muffed punt that ended up in the end zone and a pick-six courtesy of Dallas backup quarterback Cooper Rush. Arizona has to travel and play at altitude and face a Broncos team that still has a solid defensive scheme. I like Denver to win a close game at home.

Finally, let’s look at the Chargers and the 49ers

San Francisco has vaulted up the NFL power rankings thanks to the addition of Jimmy Garoppolo to the offense, but I don’t expect to see Garoppolo much if at all. Instead, C.J. Beathard will get some action, as well as Nick Mullens. The Chargers have a bruising pass rush and a secondary that can cover with speed, while the 49ers are still looking to add some solid players on that side of the ball and rely on that offense. In a situation like that, I like to go with the team with the stronger defensive scheme to control the flow of the game. I don’t see Beathard and Mullens having much success moving the ball, and I like the Chargers to win on the road.