The New Orleans Saints enter Week 4 with a 1-2 record as they face the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football. This is not just any other primetime matchup against the hated Falcons. This game commemorates the 20th Anniversary of the Saints’ “Domecoming” game in Week 3 of the 2006 season. That game is forever remembered for the re-opening of the Louisiana Superdome and the Saints returning home to that building, which seemed almost impossible a year earlier. That night was the first time Sean Payton
and Drew Brees took the field in the Superdome as Saints. Arguably, most famously, that was the night Steve Gleason was immortalized as a Saint and a New Orleans legend, with his punt block that created one of the most uplifting and memorable moments in the storied history of the great city of New Orleans.
All that being said, that was two decades ago. These are different Falcons. These are different Saints. No players or coaches remain from that remarkable night. The anniversary was technically a week ago. This is a different time and a different era. This night will not and should not compare to that remarkable one. This game is a matter of pride, the pride in the Saints and the people of New Orleans. Many of those Saints are expected to be in attendance, and many fans will certainly be as well. Twenty years is a long time, but for some it will feel like yesterday once they enter the Caesars Superdome on Monday Night. Hopefully the 2026 New Orleans Saints will make those 2006 New Orleans Saints, and all of the fans, proud.
Now let’s take a look at this and all of the games on the Week 4 NFL schedule.
Last week, I went 7-9
I told you so: Ravens over Cowboys!
What do I know: Panthers over Browns?
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WEEK 4
Thursday, October 1st – Thursday Night Football
Steelers(2-1) at Browns(2-1)
Almost like an anti-NFC South, the AFC North is currently the tightest and most hotly contested division in the NFL, and it is surprising to see these two teams in the thick of it. This will be a defensive struggle that Pittsburgh wins on the road. Pittsburgh wins 14-10.
Pick: Steelers
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Sunday, October 4th – Very Early Game
Colts(1-2) at* Commanders(1-2) – London, England
America isn’t exactly sending its best “across the pond” in this international game, but it will be a close one between pretty even teams. Washington wins 19-13.
Pick: Commanders
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Sunday, October 4th – Early Games
Titans(0-3) at Ravens(2-1)
Tennessee’s defense will keep the game tighter than expected, but it will be another loss despite the effort. Baltimore wins 21-14.
Pick: Ravens
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Patriots(1-2) at Bills(3-0)
These AFC East rivals will have a fantastic duel, but it will be the home team that remains undefeated in the end. Buffalo wins 28-27.
Pick: Bills
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Jets(1-2) at Bears(2-1)
The Jets certainly have some fight in them, and despite the fight they put up here, Chicago is still in another class. Chicago wins 21-14.
Pick: Bears
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Jaguars(2-1) at Bengals(2-1)
This should be one of the most exciting games of the week, and it will come down to late game heroics by Joe Burrow, leading the home team to a game-winning touchdown. Cincinnati wins 34-27.
Pick: Bengals
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Cowboys(1-2) at Texans(0-3)
This Texas showdown will be carried by the Dallas offense. Dallas wins 29-19.
Pick: Cowboys
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Cardinals(1-2) at Giants(2-1)
Despite a sub-.500 record, Arizona has certainly been one of the more surprising teams in the league so far, and they will show more of that fight in a nice road win over Jameis Winston and the Giants. Arizona wins 27-19.
Pick: Cardinals
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Rams(1-2) at Eagles(2-1)
Both of these highly-touted NFC contenders are coming off high profile losses last week, but it is Philly who gets back on track first, against a Rams team they simply have had the advantage over in recent matchups. Philadelphia wins 31-24.
Pick: Eagles
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Packers(1-2) at Buccaneers(0-3)
Green Bay has simply been one of the worst teams in the NFL this season, and that ineptitude will be enough to hand the Bucs their first win of the season. Tampa Bay wins 23-17.
Pick: Buccaneers
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Sunday, October 4th – Late Games
Dolphins(0-3) at Vikings(3-0)
Minnesota is very good, and Miami is very bad. Enough said. Minnesota wins 32-14.
Pick: Vikings
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Chiefs(3-0) at Raiders(3-0)
Two bitter AFC West rivals, both undefeated, facing off in an early season showdown. This has all the makings of a fantastic matchup, right? Not so fast. Following their Week 3 victory, the Raiders will stumble badly at home with a turnover-riddled performance, led by a 3 INT performance by Kirk Cousins, as Patrick Mahomes hits big in Vegas. Kansas City wins 35-7.
Pick: Chiefs
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Chargers(0-3) at Seahawks(2-1)
The Chargers have been one of the most surprisingly bad teams to start this season, and things won’t get any easier on the road against the reigning Super Bowl Champions. This one will actually be close, but will end in another loss for the Bolts. Seattle wins 27-24.
Pick: Seahawks
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Broncos(2-1) at 49ers(3-0) – Game of the Week
Just when you think the Niners are going to struggle, they find a way to thrive, thanks to top-tier coaching. That has led them to a surprising undefeated start, despite offseason struggles. Now they face another team with top-tier coaching, as Denver has won consecutive games against playoff contenders. This showdown will be every bit as good as expected, but the Broncos will knock the Niners from the ranks of the unbeaten. Denver wins 29-28.
Pick: Broncos
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Sunday Night Football
Lions(2-1) at Panthers(1-2)
Detroit may have a winning record, but they have been shaky all season, and their defense will stumble on the road in this primetime matchup in Charlotte. Carolina wins 33-31.
Pick: Panthers
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Monday, October 5th – Monday Night Football
Falcons(1-2) at Saints(1-2)
Much has been made, and will continue to be made about what this game represents in regards to 2006, but it is 2026, and all of that is for us, not the coaches or players involved. This is ultimately a football game between bitter division rivals with identical records. This is the second-consecutive primetime game for the Falcons, while this is the first in the Kellen Moore era for the Saints. Emotions will be high in the Dome, fueled by nostalgia, but it will be the here and now that determines the winner.
Bijan Robinson dominated on the ground for 194 yards at Lambeau last week, but this isn’t the porous Green Bay run defense, this is the Brandon Staley defense that held Robinson to under 100 yards combined in two meetings last season. Brock Bowers may have dominated at tight end a week ago against the Saints, but Kyle Pitts is no Bowers, no matter the draft status. The Saints have yet to play a solid full four quarters, but that changes here. The Saints will match the energy in the Superdome and channel it into victory. Saints win 28-24.
Pick: Saints
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That’s how I see Week 4 playing out. Leave us your picks, insight, and comments below!
