Quarter pole week for the SuperContest

LAS VEGAS – It's Week 4 for the SuperContest, and I know a lot of teams are feeling down about their start to this 17-week chase for $1.3 million dollars. I'm going to give everyone some good news if you aren't feeling great about your position in the contest.

Last year, this thing was won by Team Pop2008, who after Week 3 was 8-7. After the fourth week of the season, the winning team was just 10-10 and in 419th place.

Feel better about your start now?

Well, that's the pep talk I'm giving myself this week for my picks. Team Gamenight is 7-7-1 after 15 selections, so I'm right where last year's winner was after three weeks. Does that matter? Probably not with a 48 percent increase in teams this year, but I'm running with that narrative for as long as I can.

It's a big week for all our teams chasing the big prize. Team Beatrix Kiddo has raced out to a great 9-5-1 record and is currently tied for 207th place out of 2,741 entries. Team Bet The Process is close to turning the corner and getting over .500 with a 6-8-1 mark. Team Sports Action, our computer algorithm, needs a strong week after its 4-10-1 start.

via GIPHY

Chargers -1.5 vs. Eagles

Back to the well I go for the 0-3 Chargers, who I have now picked for three out of the four weeks of the contest. I'm 0-1-1 so far backing Los Angeles, but I feel like this is the week for them to finally get a win. The Eagles are going across the country with their banged up secondary to face an offense that is averaging 6.8 yards per completion. Philly's defense gave up 366 yards passing to Giants QB Eli Manning last week, and the Eagles are surrendering nearly 300 yards passing per game. After last week's miracle 61-yard field goal win, I think the Eagles are due for a let down on the road against a desperate team.

Saints -3 vs. Dolphins

Last week in London, the Ravens got blown out by the Jags, and I think there might be another one coming here in this game. The Dolphins have had a rough run after losing their starting QB for the season with an ACL injury and then a hurricane hitting their home state. Now, they are coming off a loss to the pathetic Jets where they only scored six points, and their defense is giving up a ton of yards per game. With the Saints throwing for nearly 300 yards per and coming off a big win over the Panthers last week on the road, I like New Orleans to win and cover.

Patriots -9 vs. Panthers

Let's be honest… the Patriots should have lost last week to the Texans. They have the best QB in NFL history, and that's why New England was able to steal a W at home. I've looked at this game a few different ways and I've decided that the Pats are going to be as angry this week as they were in Week 2 against the Saints. The Pats took out their anger of the opening loss to Kansas City in that game, and I think we will see a similar outcome here in Week 4. The Pats lead the NFL is passing offense while the Panthers defense has been bad. Carolina ranks 30th in passing offense this season, so I don't expect them to be able to exploit a crap New England defense. My Patriots fandom might be blinding me here, but I'm taking Tom Brady and company to roll at home.

Rams +6.5 at Cowboys

I would have preferred this line to be +7, but I will still take the Rams +6.5 on the road against Dallas. Los Angeles played really well last week on Thursday Night Football against San Francisco, and I'm a believer in Sean McVay's offense. QB Jared Goff is more accurate this year, and RB Todd Gurley is back to being one of the best weapons in the NFL. The Rams defense is ranked 29th against the run and will face a huge test in Dallas RB Zeke Elliott. I like LA to lose by less than one score, so I will take the Rams and the points.

Giants +3 at Bucs

I'm going to roll with another winless squad here, but the Giants are facing a Tampa team that has some major injuries in their secondary. New York is 4-0 SU versus Tampa over the last four matchups as well. Last week, the Bucs went to Minnesota and couldn't move the ball against the Vikings' defense. QB Jameis Winston took a massive step backwards, throwing two interceptions in the end zone. New York is currently sixth in the NFL in pass defense, giving up only 181 yards per game. The Giants' offense finally got on track in the fourth quarter last week and will face Tampa's second-worst in the league pass defense. Head Coach Ben McAdoo is coaching for his job this week and I'll take the G-Men to win outright.

At the time of this posting, Team Beatrix Kiddo was still determining who they will select this week. However, we do know the picks of our other teams in the contest.

Team Bet The Process is rolling with the trend of underdogs covering this season by choosing the Panthers +9 and the Eagles +1.5. That's going against my pick in those 2 contests. We are on the same side with the Rams +6.5 though. Bet The Process will also select the Jets +3.5 and the 49ers +6.5.

Needing a big week, our computer algorithm Team Sports Action, is taking the Lions +2.5 on the road at the Vikings and the Falcons -7.5 at home versus Buffalo. Sports Action likes the Eagles +1.5, which looks like a popular pick this week. Finally, it will take the Raiders +2.5 on the road at Denver and the Chiefs -6.5 on Monday Night Football against the Redskins.

Song of the Day

Be part of the Action

Download the Sports Action app at the App Store or Google Play now.