‘Pro Football Handle’: NFL Week 4 Breakdown: Patriots, Mayfield Starting, Steelers-Ravens Clash And More

On The NFL Handle, Las Vegas-based sports talk voice Matt Perrault and veteran bookmaker Robert Walker of USBookmaking dive into select NFL games, line movements and bookmaker liabilities, plus greater sports betting topics and stories that may have nothing to do with football. Walker has seen it all behind the counter and Perrault the same from behind the microphone, so they’ll have you prepared for anything.

After a bonkers Week 3, NFL Week 4 is upon us. Totals are high in reaction to last week’s penalties. Can the struggling Patriots -7 redeem themselves against at home against the undefeated Dolphins?

Spotify fans go here to listen.  Time codes for the episode follow below. Your comments are welcome at @sports_handle.

0:45: The guys recap their weird betting weekend with the Oregon Ducks’ collapse and Buffalo Bills domination at Minnesota.

3:38: Minnesota Vikings -7 at L.A. Rams (Thursday Night) — Perrault has faith the Vikings will cover and even have a chance to win outright. But Minnesota doesn’t do well with hype and the Rams are the real deal.

8:50: Miami Dolphins +7 at New England Patriots –The Dolphins may be 3-0, but bettors aren’t sold. Even at 1-2, the Patriots are a touchdown favorite. The guy suggest passing on this game — the Fins are better than we think and the Pats are a mess.

13:59: Houston Texans +1.5 at Indianapolis Colts —  Neither team is very good. If you have to take this game, take the points.

16:56: N.Y. Jets +7.5 at Jacksonville Jaguars — Running back Leonard Fournette is back and the Jags are a good team but there’s that hook.

19:28: Philadelphia Eagles -3.5 at Tennessee Titans — Bet the Eagles or walk away. This matchup screams teaser as there are not a lot of points expected.

24:50: Alabama Crimson Tide — Tease it up. If you can get the points, take the dog.

25:37: Cleveland Browns +3 at Oakland Raiders —  Both teams are evenly matched and there’s a strong case for both sides. Rookie QB Baker Mayfield is the wildcard. Will he fall flat in his first start or light up the Raiders defense?

30:09: San Francisco 49ers +10.5 at L.A. Chargers —   The Chargers shouldn’t be a 10.5-point anywhere. It’s an overreaction to QB Jimmy Garoppolo’s season-ending injury. The 49ers may not win, but the spread’s another story. 

32:43: New Orleans Saints -3  at N.Y. Giants — The Giants are a bad football team and the Saints are electrified. Is this a trap?

34:56: Baltimore Ravens +3 at Pittsburgh Steelers — The Steelers are a popular public team and is perceived as better team, but the Ravens are a good team. This rivalry game will be highly entertaining.

36:27: Kansas City Chief -4.5 at Denver Broncos — QB Patrick Mahomes and the KC offense is the most staggering attack since the 18-0 Patriots. People are running to bet the Chief and books will need Broncos money.

40:00: Tampa Bay Buccaneers +3 at Chicago Bears — Will the Bucs start Jameis Winston or Ryan Fitzpatrick at QB? Don’t bet Tampa until we know who is starting. And if they start Winston, bet against ’em.

43:08: Detroit Lions +3 at Dallas Cowboys — The Cowboys offense is a disaster, but what kind of team is Detroit?

45:39: Which dog has better chance of covering, Cincinnati Bengals or Buffalo Bills?

46:57: Big totals this week because of penalties. Rules committee will meet next week to further discuss.

Have a profitable Week 4, folks. Follow Perrault on Twitter @sportstalkmatt and Walker @robertusfsports.

Thanks for listening and see you back next week, tell a friend, sign up for our newsletter and also check out our Cover City Podcast, featuring sports bettor Eric Rosenthal.