NFL Week 4 picks: 49ers fall to 0-4, Broncos rebound and more

Niner Noise’s Peter Panacy dishes out his NFL Week 4 predictions and takes a look at which teams pull off wins this week. Can the San Francisco 49ers find a win on the road versus the Arizona Cardinals? Probably not.

Week 3 of the 2017 NFL season was certainly weird.

The Jacksonville Jaguars trounced the Baltimore Ravens in London, 44-7, and I don’t think too many people saw that coming.

And the Los Angeles Rams, fresh off their Thursday Night Football victory over the San Francisco 49ers, now sit atop the NFC West with a 2-1 record.

San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Again, who predicted that?

Speaking of those Niners, they get to embark on a three-game road trip this week, starting with a matchup against the 1-2 Arizona Cardinals. While the Cardinals fell in tough fashion to the Dallas Cowboys a week ago, it’s pretty clear head coach Bruce Arians’ squad has more weapons than what 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan can wield this early in 2017.

But what about the rest of the league?

Don’t take my predictions off to Vegas and place your bets. You’d be sorry, but at least this is how I see things going down in Week 4.

Packers 24, Bears 10

This probably won’t be as entertaining as the last Thursday Night Football game between the Rams and 49ers, but it’s the NFL’s longest-lasting rivalry, so there’s that.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is good. Chicago’s Mike Glennon? Not so much.

Dolphins 31. Saints 28

Miami is coming off a forgettable loss to the New York Jets, so this game at London’s Wembley Stadium is motivation enough to get back on track. And with a terrible Saints defense, the Dolphins should be able to do just that.

Shootout, anyone?

Jaguars 28, Jets 9

The Jaguars won big in London last week, although quarterback Blake Bortles comes back to his regular self. At least the Jags have running back Leonard Fournette.

The Jets won’t be able to move the ball much against Jacksonville’s now-sound defense.

Patriots 24, Panthers 17

The Patriots defense is becoming a major question mark, but the Panthers offense hasn’t done much this year to suggest it’s a real threat. When will quarterback Cam Newton return to his MVP form?

Pats QB Tom Brady remains his usual self.

Lions 21, Vikings 13

The Lions are suddenly a good team on both sides of the ball, and quarterback Matthew Stafford is the clear winner over Vikings’ Case Keenum, who will certainly start over the injured Sam Bradford (knee).

Don’t think the Vikings repeat what happened last week over the Buccaneers.

NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 24: Quarterback Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans stiff arms Bobby Wagner #54 of the Seattle Seahawks during the second half at Nissan Stadium on September 24, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

Titans 21, Texans 17

I’m liking what the Titans are doing this season, and that win over a tough Seahawks defense last week spells the right formula for beating J.J. Watt and the Texans on the road.

Cowboys 34, Rams 24

The Cowboys seem to have gotten their offense on track, and their defensive front looked good against the Cardinals last week.

While the Rams offense has also looked good, I think they come back to earth a bit in Week 4.

Bengals 30, Browns 13

Every time the Browns seem to be getting things on track, they let you down. They’re still terrible, and so are the Bengals. But Cincinnati has more weapons, and those prove to be the difference.

Steelers 28, Ravens 20

Can the Ravens

bounce back

forget last week? Hopefully.

We’re still waiting for the Steelers offense to get going this season. A divisional rivalry game should help.

Falcons 35, Bills 17

The Falcons are rolling right now, and the Bills don’t have enough answers on defense to stop them.

Buccaneers 21, Giants 14

At 0-3, the Giants are one of the bigger disappointments in the NFL this season. While the Buccaneers have underachieved a bit, they’ll put another dagger into what has turned into a disaster of a year for New York.

Eagles 23, Chargers 14

The Chargers have had some tough luck this season, but the Eagles seem to be rolling. Their only loss this season was a hard-fought road bout with the surging Chiefs.

L.A. quarterback Philip Rivers was back to throwing interceptions last week, and that isn’t a good sign.

Cardinals 28, 49ers 20

Head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense finally came to life last week, although he’ll face a stiffer contest on the road versus a good Cardinals defense.

Arizona will be relying on quarterback Carson Palmer and the passing game this season, and the 49ers haven’t shown a consistent ability to get to the quarterback.

GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 13: Quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals looks to pass during the second half of the NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals beat the 49ers 23-20. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /

Advantage: Cardinals.

Broncos 28, Raiders 25

This AFC West battle should be a prime-time game. Oakland’s defense is a major question mark right now, and let’s see if Denver quarterback Trevor Siemian can look like his Week 2 self here.

The Raiders were embarrassed last week on Sunday Night Football, although they should have a nice opportunity to bounce back.

Being in Denver, though, it won’t be enough to offset the Raiders’ defensive questions.

Seahawks 19, Colts 10

The Seahawks offense is struggling right now, although a porous Colts defense should present an opportunity for an easy win in Seattle.

Indianapolis won’t be able to move the ball much without quarterback Andrew Luck (shoulder).

Chiefs 28, Redskins 13

The Redskins might be feeling pretty good about handling the Raiders last week. But those feelings go away quickly on Monday Night Football.

Kansas City is arguably the best team in the AFC right now, and they’re getting it done on both sides of the ball.

Can anyone stop Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt?

More from Niner Noise

Well, there you have it — my picks for Week 4 of the 2017 NFL season.

But if last week was any indication, we could easily see some weird things take place between now and Tuesday. Perhaps the Niners do upset the Cardinals on the road, netting Shanahan his first win of his coaching career.

Perhaps we wind up saying the same thing about the winless Browns, although the Bengals’ own struggles wouldn’t make this possibility all the more special.

Next: NFL power rankings: Lots of top-10 shakeups after Week 3

Who knows? Regardless, let’s simply hope for some fun matchups this week.