![Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots are looking to avoid starting 1-3 for the first time since 2002. [Photo by WEBN-TV via Flckr]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2018/9/25/660x290/b_502x220x82/bill-belichick-and-the-new-england-patriots-are-looking-to-avoid-starting-1-3-for-the-first-time-since-2002-photo-by-webn-tv-via-flckr_2106293.jpg "Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots are looking to avoid starting 1-3 for the first time since 2002. [Photo by WEBN-TV via Flckr]")
Week 4 of the 2018 NFL Season kicks off Thursday Night with the 1-1-1 Minnesota Vikings traveling to the 3-0 Los Angeles Rams. The Vikings, fresh off a 27-6 humiliating defeat at home to the Buffalo Bills, will be looking to right the ship against a Rams team looking invincible on both sides of the ball.
Sean McVay's offense is averaging 34 points a game while the defense leads the NFL in scoring defense giving up just 12 points a game. The Rams lost starting cornerback Aqib Talib for at least eight weeks as Talib's ankle injury suffered Sunday against the Chargers required surgery, placing him on short-term injured reserve.
Marcus Peters, the Rams other starting corner, was also injured this past Sunday and could miss the game against the Vikings. Without Talib, and perhaps a missing or limited Peters, Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins will look to exploit the holes with wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen, who have combined for 48 receptions, 526 yards, and four touchdowns through three games.
Game Prediction: Rams 31, Vikings 23 as Minnesota continues a disappointing start to the season.
Patriots face a must-win situation
The Miami Dolphins with their 3-0 start are perhaps the biggest surprise of the young 2018 NFL Season while the 1-2 Patriots, defeated by former defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and the Detroit Lions 26-10 this past Sunday, are surprising with their struggles.
Miami, with quarterback Ryan Tannehill playing brilliantly in his return from injury, would have a commanding lead over New England in the AFC East with a win. A New England loss would be just the second time in the Belichick-era the Patriots began a season 1-3. All eyes will be on newly acquired receiver Josh Gordon, acquired from the Cleveland Browns for a fifth-round draft pick, possibly making his debut this weekend.
Miami hasn't won in New England since 2008, Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady are future Hall of Famers, so this is an uphill battle for the Dolphins.
Game Prediction: Patriots 34, Dolphins 21 behind big games from rookie running back Sony Michel and the debut of Josh Gordon.
Fitzmagic or Famous Jameis?
When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to Chicago to face the surprise NFC North-leading Bears, all eyes will be on who starts at quarterback for the equally surprising 2-1 Bucs.
Jameis Winston has returned from his three-game suspension, levied by the NFL for an incident involving Winston allegedly groping an Uber driver two years ago, and Ryan Fitzpatrick playing the past three weeks brilliantly.
"FitzMagic" became the first quarterback to throw for over 400 yards in three consecutive games despite losing this past Monday night to Pittsburgh 30-27. The Bears, meanwhile, lead the NFL sacks with 14 and rank fifth in total defense.
Khalil Mack, acquired from the Oakland Raiders for a bounty of draft picks, has been an absolute wrecking ball playing outside linebacker while second-year quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is growing in the role of franchise quarterback.
Game Prediction: Bears 24, Buccaneers 17 as Chicago's defense continues to dominate.
Gruden searching for first win
The Cleveland Browns, fresh off their first win in 635 days and first overall draft pick Baker Mayfield firmly entrenched as the starter, travel to Oakland to face the 0-3 Raiders who have managed to blow three straight halftime leads en route to their winless 2018 campaign.
The Raiders led 13-10 at halftime Week 1 against the Rams before getting outscored 20-0 in the second half. Week 2, Oakland led 12-0 against Denver at halftime and 19-10 with 3:43 remaining in the third quarter before melting down in the fourth quarter with Broncos kicker Brandon McManus nailing a 36-yard field goal with six seconds remaining in the game and losing 20-19.
Week 3, against the Dolphins, the Raiders led 10-7 at halftime and 17-7 with 2:58 remaining in the third quarter before again crumbling in the fourth quarter and losing 28-20.
The Browns, meanwhile, have all the momentum and all the electricity.
Game Prediction: Browns 27, Raiders 16 as BakerMania continues in Cleveland.
AFC West showdown Monday night
Week 4 of the 2018 NFL Season concludes on Monday Night Football when the 3-0 Kansas City Chiefs travel to the 2-1 Denver Broncos in a game deciding the divisional leader.
The Chiefs, with quarterback Patrick Mahomes dazzling and breaking records in his second season, are looking to take control of the AFC West as the Chiefs look for their first 4-0 start since 2013. The Broncos, meanwhile, with newly signed quarterback Case Keenum, are looking to rebound after their Week 3 loss to the Ravens 27-24 and win their second divisional game of the season after their Week 2 victory over the Oakland Raiders.
Game Prediction: Chiefs 34, Broncos 30 as Patrick Mahomes delights the home crowd.
