NFL Predictions: Week 4 Picks and Hot Takes

Nov 22, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) and Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) before facing the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) and Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) before facing the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) celebrates with wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Miami Dolphins at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) celebrates with wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Miami Dolphins at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Denver Broncos at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, CBS

Denver might be the favorite on the road here, but it feels wrong to count Tampa Bay out of this one completely. Sure, the Broncos are likely the better and more well-rounded team, but there’s so much to love about the makeup of the Buccaneers offense. Jameis Winston shows flashes of being brilliant with his giant weapons across the board, even if he doesn’t have the league’s best rushing attack to rely on. He’s a gamer who, when he’s on, is one of the more exciting guys to watch in this league. Unfortunately, there won’t be too many opportunities to thrive if his defense continues to allow 40 and 37 points per game, what they’ve done respectively over the last two weeks.

While my heart says Jameis Winston has the ability to be great, my gut and football analysis tells me this is a no-brainer here. Denver is too great, sideline to sideline, to struggle with these Bucs. You’d like to think that this one can be a close game, but logic and almost every number on the stat books say the Broncos win and win it big. This squad is still extremely dangerous — battling a defense that has more question marks than sure things, it’s hard to believe they’ll struggle to find a way to win with their sheer talent and physical nature.

Broncos improve to 4-0, grab 30-17 win against Tampa Bay on the road.