Pro picks: A winning week for NFC North
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Only five NFL teams remain unbeaten and two of them face off in Week 4.
It’s an unlikely matchup of 3-0 teams when Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs visit Kirk Cousins and the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
Mahomes and the Chiefs have been here before. It’s his fifth 3-0 start in nine seasons. But the Raiders won three games all of last season to secure the No. 1 overall pick.
Fernando Mendoza has to wait his turn, however.
Cousins and first-year coach Klint Kubiak have turned things around quickly in Las Vegas. This will be a major challenge.
Kenneth Walker III leads the NFL in rushing with 360 yards, giving the Chiefs a balanced offensive attack.
Mahomes is 13-2 vs. the Raiders in his career.
The Chiefs are 4 ½-point favorites. Pro Picks likes Kansas City.
CHIEFS: 27-20
INDIANAPOLIS (1-2) vs. WASHINGTON (1-2), in London
Line: Colts minus 3 ½
The Colts ended a nine-game losing streak and now aim to start a winning one.
COLTS: 24-18
ARIZONA (1-2) at NEW YORK GIANTS (2-1)
Line: Cardinals minus 1 ½
The Cardinals have allowed 67 points and lost two in a row since an upset over the Chargers in Week 1.
GIANTS: 23-20
DALLAS (1-2) at HOUSTON (0-3)
Line: Texans minus 2 ½
The battle of Texas is a matchup between a pair of underachieving teams. The Cowboys bungled one vs. Baltimore in Brazil.
TEXANS: 24-20
GREEN BAY (1-2) at TAMPA BAY (0-3)
Line: Packers minus 3 ½
Jordan Love and the Packers were booed at Lambeau Field during an embarrassing loss to Atlanta. They may have more fans in Tampa Bay where the Cheeseheads could outnumber a hometown crowd that’s tired of watching their team lose. The Buccaneers are 2-10 since a 6-2 start last season. Undrafted rookie QB Jalon Daniels will make his first career start filling in for Baker Mayfield. The offense has been woeful with Mayfield so it’s hard to get much worse.
BEST BET: PACKERS: 24-13
JACKSONVILLE (2-1) at CINCINNATI (2-1)
Line: Bengals minus 2 ½
Trevor Lawrence has been excellent in Jacksonville’s wins and the Jaguars have allowed the fewest points in the league.
UPSET SPECIAL: JAGUARS: 26-24
LOS ANGELES RAMS (1-2) at PHILADELPHIA (2-1)
Line: Rams minus 3
A questionable pass interference call cost the Rams a win in Denver and the league’s best team on paper has a losing record through three games. But the Eagles struggled against third-string QB Case Keenum and have a short week following a Monday night loss in Chicago.
RAMS: 26-20
NEW ENGLAND (1-2) at BUFFALO (3-0)
Line: Bills minus 6 1/2
The Patriots suddenly have a Drake Maye problem.
BILLS: 23-17
NEW YORK JETS (1-2) at CHICAGO (2-1)
Line: Bears minus 3 ½
The Jets are playing better, staying competitive and Geno Smith has put his turnover troubles from last season behind. Keenum earned the right to start another one after a masterful performance against the Eagles. But it could be Tyson Bagent under center for Chicago, which didn't lose a step offensively without Caleb Williams.
BEARS: 24-17
TENNESSEE (0-3) at BALTIMORE (2-1)
Line: Ravens minus 11 ½
The Titans have improved on defense under coach Robert Saleh. But they still haven’t won a game.
RAVENS: 26-17
MIAMI (0-3) at MINNESOTA (3-0)
Line: Vikings minus 10 ½
Things were bleak for the Dolphins before they lost their best offensive player, De'Von Achane, for the season. The Vikings are winning games despite an inconsistent offense. Now that Kyler Murray has played his first full game, Minnesota needs more production.
VIKINGS: 23-13
DENVER (2-1) at SAN FRANCISCO (3-0)
Line: 49ers minus 2 ½
Bo Nix and the Broncos know how to come back. They need a complete game to beat the 49ers.
BRONCOS: 23-22
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (0-3) at SEATTLE (2-1)
Line: Seahawks minus 3
The Chargers were supposed to be contenders. But the offense is struggling.
SEAHAWKS: 23-21
DETROIT (2-1) at CAROLINA (1-2)
Line: Lions minus 3
Detroit's prolific offense is averaging 31 points per game, but the defense is giving up a league-worst 31.7. Jared Goff will face a depleted defense that likely won't have its starting cornerbacks. That's bad news for Carolina. Bryce Young and the Panthers have to win a shootout.
LIONS: 31-26
ATLANTA (1-2) at NEW ORLEANS (1-2)
Line: Saints minus 2 ½
Michael Penix Jr. came back, Bijan Robinson had a big game vs. Green Bay and the Falcons got on the winning track in the first of three straight primetime games.
SAINTS: 24-23
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Last week: Straight up: 9-7. Against spread: 7-8-1.
Overall: Straight up: 29-19. Against spread: 20-27-1.
Best Bet: Straight up: 2-1. Against spread: 1-2.
Upset Special: Straight up: 1-2. Against spread: 2-1.
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Editor’s note: Rob Maaddi predicted a 22-20 Cleveland victory over Pittsburgh in Thursday’s game.