This season Popular Bob will volunteer eight hours at a Humane Society shelter — walking dogs, wrestling with puppies and petting cats — for each week he has a winning record against the spread.
Last week's results had the pets grumbling for the second straight time. The results had better improve in Week 5 of the NFL season or the animals will forget what Popular Bob looks like.
There has been no shortage of surprises this NFL season, with two teams that were favored to win divisions starting 0-4 (Houston and Tampa Bay) and another that was pegged for last standing at 4-0 (Minnesota).
And let's not ignore Las Vegas, which is 3-1 after being forecast to be buried in the AFC West.
Weather-wise, for the third straight week the likelihood of showers are forecast across the map.
Thursday
--------
### Tampa Bay Bucs (0-4) at Dallas Cowboys (2-2), 6:15 p.m.
Cowboys -8.5 (47.5 O/U)
The Bucs will be starting undrafted rookie QB Jalon Daniels for the second straight week while Baker Mayfield recovers from his thumb injury. With Tampa Bay coming off a short week of preparation and having to travel, I can't see Daniels coming close to keeping pace with a Cowboys squad that's averaging 30.5 points a game.
Forecast: Cowboys 31, Bucs 13
Sunday
------
### Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (2-2), 7:30 a.m., London
Jaguars -7.5 (42 O/U)
The Eagles are the heaviest underdog they've been the past five seasons, and for good reason. In addition to going against an AFC power Philadelphia has several key players dealing with injuries. Star RB Saquon Barkley and leading WR DeVonta Smith have hamstring issues (both questionable), and former first-team All-Pro LB Zack Baun, also questionable, is dealing with a concussion. And then there's standout ORT Lane Johnson, who just abruptly retired.
Forecast: Jaguars 24, Eagles 9
### Chicago Bears (3-1) at Green Bay Packers (2-2), 11 a.m.
Bears -3 (45.5 O/U)
The Packers endured two devastating losses to Chicago last season. In Week 16 they blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead, and three weeks later in the wild-card round GB led by 18 at the half before falling. Both of those games came with QB Caleb Williams playing for Chicago. This time second-team QB Tyson Bagent will get the start for the second straight week while Williams heals (hamstring).
Forecast: Bears 24, Packers 23
### Houston Texans (0-4) at Tennessee Titans (0-4), 11 a.m.
Texans -7.5 (37.5 O/U)
Houston's defense, which ranked No. 1 last season, held Titans QB Cam Ward to his worst passer rating of the year in 2025 (35.4) in a 26-0 Texans victory. These days Houston has only the 20th-ranked defense, which has been evident this year, especially in high-scoring losses to Buffalo and Dallas. Ward should play at least a little better.
Forecast: Texans 23, Titans 19
### Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) at Miami Dolphins (0-4), 11 a.m.
Bengals -6.5 (42.5 O/U)
Cincinnati QB Joe Burrow's two favorite receivers were listed as questionable at midweek, with Ja'Marr Chase in concussion protocol and Tee Higgins dealing with an adductor issue. And considering the Bengals could only muster 23 rushing yards in their home loss to Jacksonville last week, this spread seems high.
Forecast: Bengals 17, Dolphins 13
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) plays against Kansas City during a game in Las Vegas, Sunday.
John Locher/Associated Press
### Las Vegas Raiders (3-1) at New England Patriots (2-2), 11 a.m.
Patriots -3.5 (45.5 O/U)
Las Vegas is the league's only team that's undefeated against the spread (4-0) and knows what it's like to win at New England, having knocked off the eventual AFC champions 20-13 in last year's opener. The Raiders are coming off a narrow home loss to Kansas City and going against a Patriots team that surprised the Bills in Buffalo last week 29-26. And although NE quarterback Drake Maye had a strong game passing, he still has issues with fumbling, having three last week.
Forecast: Raiders 26, Patriots 24
### Minnesota Vikings (4-0) at New Orleans Saints (1-3), 11 a.m.
Vikings -1.5 (42 O/U)
Minnesota star WR Justin Jefferson, who sat out last week's 15-10 victory over Miami, is listed as questionable for Sunday with a low ankle sprain. Without him last week the Vikings didn't score a TD. The Vikings, though, have the league's top-rated pass defense and should cause the Saints problems, especially since their top RB, Travis Etienne, is on IR.
Forecast: Vikings 21, Saints 17
### Cleveland Browns (3-1) at NY Jets (1-3), 11 a.m.
Jets -2.5 (40 O/U)
The Jets are favored?! Even with star RB Breece Hall doubtful (quad)? Even with four WRs on IR or doubtful? Even after last week's home loss in which Chicago had 34 first downs to NYJ's seven? The Browns, meanwhile, have been flourishing behind QB Deshaun Watson with three straight victories as an underdog. And speaking of three straight, last Thursday vs. Pittsburgh the Browns scored TDs on three consecutive possessions. Cleveland had not done that since 2022, and Watson was QB in that game, too.
Forecast: Browns 28, Jets 14
### Indianapolis Colts (2-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2), 11 a.m.
Steelers -2.5 (44.5 O/U)
The Colts enter on a two-game winning streak but benefited greatly last week by going against Washington's third-string QB for most of the game. Last season Indy lost at Pittsburgh 27-20 in bizarre fashion. On one hand the Colts looked strong in holding the Steelers to a measly 228 yards of offense, but Indy committed six turnovers. This season it doesn't look like things have improved with regard to giveaways with Indy having a league-worst minus-6 turnover margin.
Forecast: Steelers 28, Colts 17
### NY Giants (3-1) at Washington Commanders (1-3), 11 a.m.
Commanders -3.5 (43.5 O/U)
Provided Washington QB Jayden Daniels doesn't suffer any setbacks in drills this week, he reportedly is set to return to the lineup after missing the past two games with a dislocated left elbow. If he can't go, rookie third-stringer Athan Kaliakmanis will make his first pro start.
Forecast: Commanders 31, Giants 20
### Denver Broncos (3-1) at LA Chargers (0-4), 2:05 p.m.
Broncos -3.5 (42 (O/U)
The Chargers have been self-destructing, with two-time Pro Bowl QB Justin Herbert the league's worst-rated regular starting passer. For Denver, it should have more than enough teeth on defense, even without standout CB Patrick Surtain (doubtful, ankle). FYI: The Chargers are the only team in league history to reach the playoffs after a 0-4 start, winning the AFC West in 1992. But if they drop to 0-5, forget it.
Forecast: Broncos 24, Chargers 14
### Detroit Lions (2-2) at Arizona Cardinals (1-3), 2:25 p.m.
Lions -5.5 (54.5 O/U)
The Lions' safety tandem of Brian Branch (Achilles) and Kerby Joseph (knee) are off the PUP list but won't be returning Sunday. They sure would help a Detroit defense that's yielding 423.8 yards a game, a rate that hasn't been exceeded by any team since 2012. But the Lions will be facing a squad that's now missing its starting OLT and with rookie RB Jeremiyah Love slowed by another ankle issue.
Forecast: Lions 34, Cardinals 21
### San Francisco 49ers (4-0) at Seattle Seahawks (3-1) 2:25 p.m.
Seahawks -3 (46 O/U)
The Seahawks' ground attack is depleted with injuries to first-round draft choice Jadarian Price and with Zach Charbonnet still recovering from an ACL tear. Seattle considered signing free agent RB Joe Mixon, a 1,000-yard rusher for Houston in 2024, but the Seahawks opted not to after he underwent a physical. Thus, the 49ers and top-rated passer Brock Purdy are the choice.
Forecast: 49ers 27, Seahawks 19
### Baltimore Ravens (3-1) at Atlanta Falcons (2-2), 6:20 p.m.
Falcons -3.5 (43.5 O/U)
Last Wednesday the Ravens were listed as a 6.5-point favorite, but those odds moved violently in Atlanta's favor after the ankle injury to Baltimore starting QB Lamar Jackson. He is expected to miss at least this week and be replaced by Tyler Huntley. Also, the Ravens' rush defense has been relatively soft and will face an Atlanta attack that's had 200-yard rushing games the past two weeks.
Forecast: Falcons 35, Ravens 20
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) gestures during a game against the New York Giants in Inglewood, Calif., Sept. 21.
Kyusung Gong/Associated Press
Monday
------
### Buffalo Bills (3-1) at LA Rams (2-2), 6:15 p.m.
Rams -3 (54.5 O/U)
The Rams are in good spirits after erasing a 10-point deficit in the closing minutes at Philadelphia last week. Buffalo endured a loss at home to New England and also is dealing with injury issues on defense, including DBs Dee Alford (questionable, ankle) and Christian Benford (toe). BUT, there's uncertainty as to whether star Rams DT Aaron Donald will play (questionable, back). If he's out, that could open things up for RB James Cook, who's averaging 6 yards a carry.
Forecast: Bills 34, Rams 31
### Byes
Carolina, Kansas City
### Results
Last week: 3-12-1 ATS/6-10 straight up
Season: 24-38-2 ATS/34-30 SU
\*Odds provided by teamrankings.com