NFL Week 4 picks: 49ers not ready for prime-time matchup with Rams

Long story short, Week 3 was brutal, so let’s rebound with these NFL picks for Week 4:

Rams 23, 49ers 20: The 49ers’ NFC Championship Game Revenge Tour is derailed by a sloppy offense that again proves not ready for prime time (nor ready for Aaron Donald). Line: Rams +1.5

Bengals 28, Dolphins 26: It’s the 50th anniversary of Miami’s undefeated season, and the modern-era Dolphins are finally defeated after a 3-0 start. Line: Dolphins +4

Vikings 21, Saints 17: This London game kicks off the NFL’s International Series slate, and the Vikings win to appease their Nordic neighbors. Line: Vikings -2.5

Browns 28, Falcons 13: Cleveland already won Week 4 when Myles Garrett survived a rollover crash in his Porsche. Line: Browns -1.5

Bills 31, Ravens 27: See that video of Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey madly slamming papers in the coaches’ booth in Sunday’s loss at Miami? Actually, the former Miramonte High-Orinda quarterback was properly showing how to pack for this trip to Baltimore, the Bills’ third road trip in four games. Line: Bills -3

Cowboys 25, Commanders 21: Carson Wentz, sacked nine times Sunday by the Eagles, gets further brutalized by an NFC East defense. Line: Cowboys -3

Lions 27, Seahawks 20: Aidan Hutchinson, this year’s No. 2 draft pick, replicates his three sacks from last home game’s victory over the Commanders. Line: Lions -4.5

Chargers 26, Texans 20: Neither Justin Herbert’s ribs nor Joey Bosa’s groin nor the Chargers’ other injury pains can deplete them enough to level the playing field with the Texans. Line: Chargers -5

Colts 17, Titans 16: The Colts snap a three-game losing streak at home to their division rival. Line: Titans +3

Giants 21, Bears 20: Three straight home games should be a great thing, unless you play on MetLife Stadium’s perilous field. Line: Bears +3.5

Eagles 21, Jaguars 12: Jacksonville may have the NFL’s No. 1 rushing defense and a coach whose statue is outside Philly’s stadium, but the Eagles have an undefeated record. Line: Eagles -6.5

Steelers 24, Jets 17: You can be sure this is the Steelers’ first win at Acrisure Stadium (formerly Heinz Field). Welcome back to Jets’ woes, Zach. Line: Steelers -3.5

Cardinals 31, Panthers 20: Carolina forever has a Christian McCaffrey injury to blame for a loss. Line: Cardinals +1.5

Packers 23, Patriots 16: Bill Belichick’s “Day. By. Day.” mantra this week channeled Aaron Rodgers’ old “R.E.L.A.X.” instructions. Belichick’s quarterback is Brian Hoyer this week (this day), not Rodgers. Line: Patriots +9.5

Raiders 26, Broncos 20: Josh McDaniels was waiting for his first Raiders win to come against the franchise he coached in 2009-10. Line: Raiders -2.5

Chiefs 28, Bucs 20: Hurricane Ian’s destruction and distraction subdue this matchup between Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady. Line: Chiefs -1.5

Last week: 7-9 straight up, 4-12 against the spread

Season: 23-24-1 straight up, 22-26 against the spread