Breaking down Week 4 of the 2023 NFL season’s top bets from Will Brinson

We’ve previously featured Taylor Swift and her many great songs in this section. Sadly, it seems that Ms. Swift has gained popularity. Who knew? Without a doubt, her success is solely the product of my most recent best bets piece. The wins have also been mutual, as we have a positive year-to-date record through three weeks following a 3-2 performance in Week 3.

It’s preferable to stick with the musical theme since we want to keep it that way, right? Jason Kelce, Travis’ brother and the co-host of the podcast, may make a good match. But, as anybody who tunes into the highly amusing “New Heights” pod knows, Jason is married, so it can’t be a Swift-like match.

What about a truly bizarre local band? And I obviously mean Ween when I say incredibly odd. They were founded in Philadelphia and had songs like “Freedom of ’76,” which includes references to “Boyz II Men” and the fact that “Mannequin” was filmed at Woolworth’s. And unlike Taylor Swift, they won’t abandon Philadelphia and overnight turn become Chiefs supporters.

They are so rooted in Philadelphia that they have advertised a performance there a year in advance where they will purportedly perform “Chocolate and Cheese” in its entirety. I’ll see you there, and perhaps Jason will come too.

Speaking of Philadelphia, I predict that the Eagles will maintain their perfect record this week and beat the Commanders by an 8-point margin. You can view my complete Week 4 picks here, and you can check out all of my picks at SportsLine (first month is only $1 with coupon code PICK). Of course, you can also listen to our Pick Six NFL Week 4 NFL choices podcast at any time, anywhere you get your podcasts, starting live at 2 p.m. ET on our YouTube website.

Here are the football predictions. Let’s keep it heated!

Bills (-2.5) vs Dolphins

Everyone and their brother wants to wager on Miami, and many are baffled as to why the Dolphins aren’t the favourites after humiliating the Broncos by 70 points last week. Although it is a valid question, it completely ignores how good Buffalo still is. The Bills play well. Josh Allen has talent. The Dolphins are extremely successful, and Mike McDaniel may be the NFL’s top coach at the moment. Having said all of that, Sean McDermott is now on top of his defensive game, and Allen learned a valuable lesson from the Week 1 Jets. If Vic Fangio actually flips him, you should tip your hat. However, everyone will support the Dolphins in this game and be stunned when the Bills outperform them. I guess not everybody.

Chiefs (-9.5) at Jets

Although pretending that there are “layers” to this is absurd, occasionally you do have a game when Andy Reid is determined to keep the score low, Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes are looking to flash their skills, and Taylor Swift needs to be in New York. The true masterminds remembered Mahomes getting hurt and coping with an ankle issue while everyone else was preoccupied with Swiftie matters. Reid’s expertise on the pitch makes the under a lock in this situation. Excellent Chiefs defence; they won’t allow more than 10 points. If you don’t believe Kansas City will score 21, feel free to bet against them.

Panthers (+3.5) vs. Vikings

My parents will be attending this game in Charlotte, so you shouldn’t bet on it. Even at 1 p.m., I’ll be damned if I won’t fade Kirk Cousins in the hopes that my family can see some nice football. Additionally, the Panthers offensive line will/should be motivated as a result of the eight (EIGHT!) false starts from last week, and the Vikings defence isn’t that good, so they won’t push Carolina as much as people predict. Even if the Vikings are superior, they will find a way to allow the Panthers to keep within a field goal because they are a quietly desperate squad.

Buccaneers (+3.5) vs. Saints

On Monday night in bad weather, the Eagles destroyed the Buccaneers, but on Sunday, the Saints suffered a bigger defeat after giving up a commanding lead to the Packers and losing Derek Carr for an indeterminate amount of time due to an AC joint strain. Jameis Winston will be seeking retribution in this game because Carr is “week to week” with his injury and I don’t expect him to play. Depending on how you look at it, or the Buccaneers? Jameis is a quarterback who is prone to making mistakes, which Tampa’s defence may take advantage of. In addition to being indoors and having more time versus New Orleans, the Buccaneers will keep this game within a field goal.