Welcome back to the fourth installment of Hart’s Picks for the 2026 NFL regular season. After doing fairly well the first two weeks, Week 3 was a dud on my end. I went 8-9 with the selections. It was a pretty wild week with a lot of one-score games and comeback victories. Let’s see if I can rebound this week with my Week 4 selections.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns — Thursday Night Football
This AFC North matchup features two teams at 2-1 coming off Week 3 victories. In fact, everyone in that division sports the same record, so this matchup will definitely
be important. The Steelers got their ground game going last week and Aaron Rodgers had a good performance. Even though the Browns are playing better on defense the past two weeks, I’ll go with my gut and take Pittsburgh on the road here.
Winner: Steelers
Indianapolis Colts at Washington Commanders — Sunday (Morning Game)
This Week 4 matchup will be played across the pond in London. It’s hard for me to get a read on this one. Daniel Jones and the Colts have struggled offensively, whilst the Commanders with Marcus Mariota at the helm were able to defeat the Seattle Seahawks. The Commanders have one of the better run defenses thus far, so to win, they’ll need to shut down Jonathan Taylor. I think they can do that. I’ll take the Commanders.
Winner: Commanders
Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles — Sunday (Early Game)
The Rams lost in a heartbreaker to the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football. To my surprise, the Eagles were absolutely throttled by the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. I think Sean McVay and the Rams will kick things into high gear after blowing a sixteen-point halftime lead against Denver. I’ll take the Rams on the road.
Winner: Rams
New York Jets at Chicago Bears — Sunday (Early Game)
Case Keenum and the Bears were able to upset the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. Forcing three turnovers led to the demise of the Eagles in primetime. Meanwhile, the Jets lost by one score to the Detroit Lions. Regardless of who is quarterbacking the Bears, I like their chances at Soldier Field against a Jets team that seemingly always struggles to take flight.
Winner: Bears
Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Sunday (Early Game)
These NFC squads are in a downward spiral. Without a formidable rushing attack or good defense, the Packers’ season may already be dead in the water. At 0-3, the Buccaneers are on the verge of their 2026 gridiron campaign having an early curtain call. Their only saving grace is being in arguably the least competitive division in the NFL. Unfortunately, they will be without starting quarterback Baker Mayfield for a few weeks and will have to start UDFA rookie Jalon Daniels at QB. That’s why I’m rolling with Green Bay.
Winner: Packers
Tennessee Titans at Baltimore Ravens — Sunday (Early Game)
As long as Cam Ward and the Titans offense continues to struggle with putting points on the scoreboard, they are going to lose a lot of football games. Truth be told, their defense isn’t that bad—but I doubt the team as a whole is going to be good enough to stop Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and the rest of the Ravens’ offense. I’m taking Baltimore here.
Winner: Ravens
Dallas Cowboys at Houston Texans — Sunday (Early Game)
It’s a Texas affair with the Cowboys traveling to Houston to take on the Texans. The Cowboys’ offense has looked good for the most part. However, their defense isn’t really stopping anyone and has a ton of injuries. Essentially, this is a must-win game for the Texans who have suffered serious regression on offense and defense and are 0-3 because of it. I’ll take the Texans here, but I don’t feel confident about doing so.
Winner: Texans
Jacksonville Jaguars at Cincinnati Bengals — Sunday (Early Game)
This should be one of the best matchups of the week. Both teams are 2-1 to start the season. The Jaguars absolutely dominated the New England Patriots in Week 3, while the Bengals lost by a field goal to Pittsburgh. There have been flashes on offenses for both teams. Moreover, their red zone defenses have been good for the most part. I think this will be a close game and will go with the home team in Cincinnati in this one.
Winner: Bengals
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills — Sunday (Early Game)
Drake Maye continues to have an awful start to his third season in the NFL. Meanwhile, Josh Allen and the Bills continue to reel off victories. They certainly look like the clear favorites in the AFC East. I expect them to deliver a win in front a hometown crowd on Sunday. I’m taking Buffalo here.
Winner: Bills
Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants — Sunday (Early Game)
With Jaxson Dart out, the Giants have a tough road ahead of them. Jameis Winston won’t be leading them to the promise land, but neither will J.J. McCarthy, who they recently just traded for. To make matters worse, edge rusher Brian Burns will be out for them in this one. I think the Cardinals find a way to win a road game here, even though they aren’t doing so hot in any particular phase of the game.
Winner: Cardinals
Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings — Sunday (Afternoon Game)
The Dolphins are a 0-3 team that just lost star running back Devon Achane for the season due to an ACL injury. I don’t think they have what it takes to topple the Minnesota on the road. I’ll be taking the Vikings here. SKOL!
Winners: Vikings
Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers — Sunday (Afternoon Game)
The Broncos embarked on another impressive second half comeback victory to defeat the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football. Meanwhile, Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers squad is undefeated to start the season. They’ll be a very tough challenge for Denver whose offense has started off slow in every game. Even so, I think the Broncos find a way to gut out a tough win against a top-tier NFC opponent.
Winner: Broncos
Los Angeles Chargers at Seattle Seahawks — Sunday (Afternoon Game)
The Chargers continue to struggle and are 0-3 to start the season. I’m not really sure they are going to be able to dig themselves out of such a bad hole. Long story short, I’m expecting the Seahawks to rebound after their loss to the Commanders. They’re just a far superior team.
Winner: Seahawks
Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders — Sunday (Afternoon Game)
This AFC West matchup features two undefeated teams. I’ve been really impressed with the job Klint Kubiak has done with the Raiders who have a Top 10 scoring offense and defense to start their year. Even so, I think Andy Reid and the Chiefs find a way to win and go to 4-0 on the season.
Winner: Chiefs
Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers — Sunday Night Football
The Lions have a high scoring offense, but one of the worst defenses in the NFL. If they want to be true contenders, they have to figure out things defensively. The Panthers also boast a Top 10 offense but are also struggling on defense. I’ll take the Lions on the road for this primetime matchup because I don’t think the Panthers can beat them in a shootout.
Winner: Lions
Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints — Monday Night Football
This NFC South clash is a fairly interesting matchup for Monday Night Football. The Falcons performed much better on offense in Week 3 with Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback. Bijan Robinson and Drake London had huge games. In order to beat the Saints, they’ll need to keep their offense rolling. Additionally, their defense has to limit the impact of wide receiver Chris Olave who is having a hot start to the season. The Saints may have homefield advantage, but I think the Falcons find a way to win on the road.
Winner: Falcons
