Weekly Taste: John Venezia’s best NFL Week 4 bets and tips

Who loves a weekend of nothing but CRISPY NFL picks? Raise your hand. If your hand is raised, by last week’s 3 game count, a clean 3-0 record against the spread was delivered to you like Santa Claus dropping those gifts under the Christmas Tree. You’re welcome. Week 3 is a thing of the past. Let’s look to more good times. Welcome to the Weekly Taste!

As we enter NFL Week 4 of the NFL season, it’s quite possible this is the trickiest week of the young season. In traditional 2020 fashion, it’s an absolute disaster with the injuries thus far. Oh, by the way, we have seen our first implication of positive Covid tests wreaking havoc.

The Steelers-Titans game has been rescheduled after a crazy outbreak, so those 2 teams will be on a bye in Week 4. Also, news broke the Patriots QB Cam Newton received a positive test, which will now force the Patriots-Chief duel to be pushed back tentatively to Monday or Tuesday (let’s hold our breath on that one).

Looking at the slate of the week, the biggest trend that stands out is the fact that this week may feature A LOT of high scores and shoot outs. Currently 7 contests have the Over/Under number set higher than 50, with a couple more creeping around 48.5-49.5.

Not in love with too many points totals this week, so it’s looking to be more along the lines of spread picks.

Monitoring the lines and injury reports all week, there are a few bouts that we should be keeping our eyes on. Let’s dive into some of the best NFL Week 4 bets and tips.

 NFL Week 4 Bets: 

New Orleans Saints @ Detroit Lions (+4)

Can the Lions build on last week’s upset road win?

This was JohnnyVTV’s highlighted game of the week (Lions @ Cardinals). Detroit didn’t play their best, yet still found a way to upend a 2-0 Cardinals team in their own building. Now, they return home to square off against one of this decade’s biggest underachievers, the Saints.

With both squads at 1-2, it’s a pivotal game to either climb back in the early NFC race, or fall into a deeper pit. This is one of the top matchups to look out for this week, in this bettor’s humble opinion. However, it is noteworthy that New Orleans is missing A TON of key pieces (WR Michael Thomas, Tightend Jared Cook, OT Andrus Peat, CB’s Marshon Lattimore and Janoris Jenkins, DT Marcus Davenport etc.), while the Lions are relatively healthy. The Saints have looked pedestrian at best the last couple of weeks. It could be a big week for Matthew Stafford and Kenny Golladay.

One of the biggest takeaways aside from the injury report is this; it’s no secret the Saints aren’t exactly a road team. Now, traveling to a capable Lions team shorthanded? Could be trouble.

PREDICTION: Lions cover the 4 points at home.

Indianapolis Colts (-2.5) @ Chicago Bears

Are the 3-0 Bears for real?

Mitchell Trubisky is out. Nick Foles is in. Bears head coach Matt Nagy rolled the dice against the Atlanta Falcons last week, and it paid off as they charged back from a 16-point deficit. Switching QB’s isn’t often easy, but mid game!? Foles brings a steadier passing dimension to this offense, but is it truly going to be enough?

The Colts, on the other hand, have been solid overall. Albeit they have not beaten a worthy opponent just yet, there is reason to believe they can be a force as the season progresses. This well-rounded squad seems to have multiple formulas to defeat opponents. They have yet to truly let Philip Rivers let it fly.

One of the keys to watch in this one will be if Foles can build off last week’s success vs the top ranked Indy defense.

PREDICTION: Colts win and cover the 2.5 on the road.

Buffalo Bills (-3) @ Las Vegas Raiders

Can Josh Allen stay hot and continue to add to his MVP start to the season?

Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Josh Allen. 3 quarterbacks who have been better than just about everybody else thus far. Ranked 2^nd in the NFL in passing yards and passing tds, Allen has been LIGHT YEARS ahead of where he was as a passer in 2019, which is a big reason for the Bills 3-0 start. However, it is fair to wonder if the other shoe is going to drop for a guy that inexplicably has his moments where he gets the “yips.”

On the other hand, the Raiders have been half way decent in their own regards. A great home Monday night win in the debut of their new multibillion-dollar stadium against the Saints may have put the league on notice that when the Oakland Raiders turned the page to Las Vegas Raiders, it’s a different team.

The Bills are the better team. Vegas is missing 2 of their top 3 wideouts, allowing Buffalo to load the box against Raiders running back Josh Jacobs. While the LVR have some horses to keep up for a while, the better team should handle their business en-route to a 4-0 beginning.

PREDICTION: Bills cover the 3 points on the road.

JohnnyVTV currently sits 22-8 on the season. For all NFL betting plays, follow @JohnnyVTV on Instagram.