Graphic by Ali Levens
What a week it’s been in the NFL.
Two teams with bird logos played each other, the Detroit Lions lost a game of football and team doctors let a player back on the field after going through concussion protocol mid-game. Truly, it was a week unlike any other.
More headlines from Week 3: the Cincinnati Bengals picked up their first win of the new season and the Los Angeles Rams jumped to the forefront of the NFC West with a 20-12 win against the Arizona Cardinals. In another matchup of division rivals, the Dallas Cowboys ended the New York Giants’ undefeated start to the season with a 23-16 Monday night victory.
Going into Week 4, only the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles remain perfect. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Raiders and Houston Texans have yet to leave the starting blocks with a win. The Kansas City Chiefs play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a rematch of Super Bowl LV, and the Cardinals will battle the Carolina Panthers in a battle of two of the fiercest-looking mascots in football.
Sports Assistant Editor Alec Matulka leads the way in the NFL Picks column, with a record of 29-19. News Editor Samantha Torre follows close behind at a 28-20 mark. But in this topsy-turvy league, no lead is safe.
Thursday, Sept. 29, at 5:15 p.m., PDT
Miami Dolphins (3-0) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-2)
- Dolphins: Jaan, Jerry, Lucian, Maximilian, Sam, Zack
- Bengals: Alec, Ali
“The Bengals only allowed two (!!) sacks last week against the Jets. I’m sure Joe Burrow‘s pained, bruised body was very thankful.” — Alec
“Mike McDaniel is who everyone thinks Kyle Shanahan is.” — Jaan
“We all get to find out which animal is better. I think the Dolphins hold the advantage with their mastery of the marine ecosystem, which covers 70% of the globe.” — Lucian
“My brother is a Dolphins fan. Why? Nobody knows. But fins up for him.” — Maximilian
Sunday, Oct. 2, at 6:30 a.m., PDT
Minnesota Vikings (2-1) at New Orleans Saints (1-2)
- Vikings: Alec, Ali, Jerry, Lucian, Maximilian, Sam, Zack
- Saints: Jaan
Sunday, Oct. 2, at 10:00 a.m., PDT
Seattle Seahawks (1-2) at Detroit Lions (1-2)
- Seahawks: Alec, Jaan, Jerry, Sam
- Lions: Ali, Lucian, Maximilian, Zack
“I’m not quite willing to give up on the Seahawks season just yet. Granted Geno Smith is showing his Geno Smith-ness, and granted the defense has given up 54 points over the past two games, and granted…” — Alec
“Can’t have s— in Detroit, except maybe a win against the washed-up Hawks.” — Ali
“In Week 3, the Seahawks gained 420 total yards on 69 total plays. That’s a recipe for success.” — Jaan
“I’ve always believed in you. Light of my life. Apple of my eye. I will want to pick you every week ’til death do us part.” — Zack
New York Jets (1-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2)
- Jets: Jaan, Lucian, Maximilian
- Steelers: Alec, Ali, Jerry, Sam, Zack
Chicago Bears (2-1) at New York Giants (2-1)
- Bears: Maximilian
- Giants: Alec, Ali, Jaan, Jerry, Lucian, Sam, Zack
Tennessee Titans (1-2) at Indianapolis Colts (1-1-1)
- Titans: Zack
- Colts: Alec, Ali, Jaan, Jerry, Lucian, Maximilian, Sam
“I haven’t heard a single thing about the Titans all season, so they don’t exist. You can’t win football games if you don’t exist.” — Jaan
“The way the Titans fell off this year is kind of like how my grades are falling this semester.” — Jerry
“This pick is a pure act of punk rock rebellion as everyone else is picking the Colts. The Colts are the machine that I am raging against. Derrick Henry is my Tom Morello.” — Zack
Los Angeles Chargers (1-2) at Houston Texans (0-2-1)
- Chargers: Alec, Ali, Jaan, Jerry, Lucian, Maximilian, Sam, Zack
- Texans: None
Cleveland Browns (2-1) at Atlanta Falcons (1-2)
- Browns: Alec, Maximilian, Sam, Zack
- Falcons: Ali, Jaan, Jerry, Lucian
Washington Commanders (1-2) at Dallas Cowboys (2-1)
- Commanders: Jaan, Jerry, Lucian, Maximilian
- Cowboys: Alec, Ali, Sam, Zack
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (3-0)
- Jaguars: Alec
- Eagles: Ali, Jaan, Jerry, Lucian, Maximilian, Sam, Zack
“Don’t look now, but the Jaguars have won their last two games by a combined score of 62-10. Those blue-tongued cats are absolutely barking right now.” — Alec
“Another animal battle, but the Eagles will gouge out the eyes of the Jaguars, winning this fight.” — Lucian
“The Jaguars have these really ugly mustard colored uniforms and I can’t be seen supporting that.” — Sam
“Hey, Trevor Lawrence, ever tried a Hurts Doughnut? (I will keep using this pick for the Eagles until it is included).” — Zack
Buffalo Bills (2-1) at Baltimore Ravens (2-1)
- Bills: Alec, Ali, Jaan, Jerry, Lucian, Maximilian, Zack
- Ravens: Sam
“I too like buffalo sauce.” — Jerry
“Well, Lamar Jackson will go nuclear again, but it won’t be enough.” — Lucian
“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary, over a many quaint and curious volume of… football statistics. Listen, Baltimore named the Ravens after one of my favorite poets so going with them on this one.” — Sam
Sunday, Oct. 2, at 1:05 p.m., PDT
Arizona Cardinals (1-2) at Carolina Panthers (1-2)
- Cardinals: Alec, Ali, Jaan, Jerry, Lucian, Maximilian, Sam, Zack
- Panthers: None
Sunday, Oct. 2, at 1:25 p.m., PDT
Denver Broncos (2-1) at Las Vegas Raiders (0-3)
- Broncos: Alec, Jaan
- Raiders: Ali, Jerry, Lucian, Maximilian, Sam, Zack
New England Patriots (1-2) at Green Bay Packers (2-1)
- Patriots: Maximilian
- Packers: Alec, Ali, Jaan, Jerry, Lucian, Sam, Zack
Sunday, Oct. 2, at 5:20 p.m., PDT
Kansas City Chiefs (2-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)
- Chiefs: Alec, Jaan, Jerry, Lucian, Maximilian, Sam
- Bucs: Ali, Zack
“The Bucs aren’t going to be as good as they need to be until Tom Brady officially gets divorced.” — Jaan
“I dislike [Patrick] Mahomes slightly less.” — Maximilian
“OK honestly I can’t top Jaan’s quote on this one.” — Sam
“Unfortunately, the Weeknd will not be here to spice up this rematch. Still, expect Tom Brady to rush for 500 yards with 0 pass attempts. Why not?” — Zack
Monday, Oct. 3, at 5:15 p.m., PDT
Los Angeles Rams (2-1) at San Francisco 49ers (1-2)
- Rams: Alec, Ali, Zack
- 49ers: Jaan, Jerry, Lucian, Maximilian, Sam
“F in the chat for Trey Lance but Jimmy Mid will hopefully be better this week.” — Jerry
“We have a good history against the Rams.” — Lucian
“Jimmy Gesus shall part the Rams defense much like Moses once did with the Red Sea.” — Maximilian
“We are Ramily.” — Zack
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Email Alec Matulka: alec.matulka@pepperdine.edu
