The Los Angeles Chargers reportedly expect running back Austin Ekeler to miss multiple weeks due to a hyperextended knee and hamstring injury, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.Ekeler was sporting crutches and a brace following Sunday's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Schefter added.

Will Fuller appeared to put the Houston Texans in position to tie Sunday's game late with an acrobatic touchdown on fourth down, but the score was ruled an incomplete pass after a booth's review, sealing a 31-23 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.The receiver didn't seem to agree with the overturned call, insisting postgame that he made the catch."I 100 percent thought I caught the ball," Fuller said, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.Quarterback Deshaun Watson echoed Fuller's sentiment, as he doesn't believe there was enough evidence to reverse the original decision."We thought Will had his hand underneath and, of course, the ball moved a little bit. But we didn't think the whole ball was touching the ground," Watson said, per Wilson. "New York made their call."Senior vice president of officiating Al Riveron explained the NFL's decision and pointed to Fuller losing control while hitting the ground as the main reason why the call was overturned.

The Cleveland Browns held on for a 49-38 win in Week 4 over the Dallas Cowboys to improve to 3-1 for the first time since 2001.Cleveland gashed its NFC opponent for 307 rushing yards and punched in three touchdowns despite losing Nick Chubb to a knee injury in the first quarter.Dallas dropped to 1-3 with the loss.When the media asked Baker Mayfield afterward if he knew the last time Cleveland was 3-1, the Browns quarterback told the FOX broadcast he didn't."No, and I don't really care," he said. "It's 2020, and we're moving on to the next one.The Browns came out firing offensively, scoring on their first series with Jarvis Landry's 37-yard pass to Odell Beckham Jr. on a trick play. Beckham found the end zone twice more through the afternoon and delivered the ultimate dagger on a 50-yard touchdown rush with 3:25 left in the game.Beckham's final highlight halted a 24-point run from the Cowboys, who had cut a 41-14 deficit to 41-38 late in the fourth quarter."Odell was making plays all day," said Mayfield, who passed for 165 yards and two touchdowns, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott threw for a season-high 502 yards with four touchdowns and now has at least 450 yards in three straight outings. But he also committed two of three Cowboys turnovers against the Browns - Ezekiel Elliott had the other.Dallas has given up 42 points per game over the last three weeks. The Cowboys would be 0-4 if not for an improbable comeback against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2."What I don't like is the pattern of the four games," said head coach Mike McCarthy, via The Athletic's Jon Machota. "The points are outrageous, time of possession is totally lopsided, and we're minus-7 in the turnover ratio. Not a winning formula."Cowboys edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence labeled the defense's latest performance "soft," adding "we have to hold ourselves to a higher standard."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots will make their flight to Kansas City for their rescheduled game against the Chiefs using two planes, separating those who did and did not come into close contact with quarterback Cam Newton, reports NFL Network's Michael Giardi.New England will place roughly 20 players and staff who had been in close contact with Newton on the second plane, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.Though the Patriots returned no new positive tests Saturday and Sunday, an unpredictable incubation period necessitates the separation of the team for its Monday flight.The game was pushed back from Sunday to Monday at 7:05 p.m. ET after Newton reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' hard-fought victory over the Los Angeles Chargers came at a cost.Tight end O.J. Howard ruptured his Achilles tendon during Sunday's contest and is likely out for the rest of the season, head coach Bruce Arians said, according to ESPN's Jeff Darlington.Howard was enjoying his best game of the season before exiting with the injury. He caught three passes for 50 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown reception. The 25-year-old has 11 catches for 146 yards and two scores through four games.The Buccaneers boast a wealth of pass-catching weapons when healthy. But wideout Chris Godwin was out Sunday and likely won't play Thursday against the Chicago Bears, while fellow receiver Mike Evans gutted through an ankle injury against the Chargers. More will be expected of tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Cameron Brate if Howard is indeed out for the year.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady put together a vintage performance Sunday to outduel rising star Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers.The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback racked up a season-high five touchdown passes to help Tampa Bay earn a 38-31 victory and move to 3-1. It was the fifth five-touchdown game of Brady's storied career (he also has two six-touchdown performances).Herbert went throw-for-throw with his legendary counterpart, finishing with three touchdown passes, including a 53-yarder and a 72-yarder.But L.A. sputtered in the second half after jumping out to a 24-7 lead, while Tampa Bay's offense caught fire and produced 24 points to earn the comeback victory.Brady spread the ball around, connecting on scores with Cameron Brate, Mike Evans, O.J. Howard, Scotty Miller, and Ke'Shawn Vaughn. The veteran's lone misstep came in the first quarter when he surrendered his second pick-6 of the season.The Chargers fell to 1-3 but will likely be buoyed by another strong performance from their rookie quarterback, who is starting in place of the injured Tyrod Taylor.In addition to his three scores, Herbert completed 80% of his passes for 290 yards (11.6 yards per attempt) and one interception. The 2020 first-round pick also led the Chargers in rushing with 14 yards on five carries.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb was ruled out Sunday after injuring his right knee in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys.Chubb was taken for an X-ray after exiting the contest, according to Jori Epstein of USA Today Sports. He limped off the field after getting rolled up on at the end of a play.Chubb scampered for 43 yards on his first six carries of the game. He entered Week 4 ranked fourth in rushing in the NFL with 292 yards and sat second in rushing in 2019 with 1,494 yards.Kareem Hunt, who ran for 204 yards over the first three weeks of the season, replaced Chubb in the lineup.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans was taken to the locker room in the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers.Evans was limping because of what appeared to be an ankle injury. The Bucs are already without Chris Godwin, who was inactive with a hamstring pull.More to come.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL has moved the Week 4 game between the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots to Monday pending the results of point-of-care COVID-19 tests, it announced Sunday.The game is set to kick off at 7:05 p.m. ET, and the originally scheduled Monday Night Football matchup between the Green Bay Packers and the Atlanta Falcons will start at 8:50 p.m. ET.Kansas City's COVID-19 tests Saturday all returned negative, a source told MMQB's Albert Breer. The league was awaiting results for the defending Super Bowl champions after quarterback Cam Newton reportedly tested positive for the virus.All New England tests taken Sunday came back negative for a second straight day, sources told Schefter. Newton remains the Patriots' only positive.The Chiefs-Patriots game was moved off the Sunday docket following Newton's results. Both clubs will undergo additional rounds of COVID-19 testing Sunday.If the contest is indeed held Monday night, Kansas City will have to play three games in 11 days. The team's Week 5 tilt against the Las Vegas Raiders is scheduled for next Sunday, and its Week 6 matchup versus the Buffalo Bills will come on Thursday Night Football.Jordan Ta'amu, a practice squad quarterback, has been the only Chiefs player to test positive.The league has already removed one game from the Week 4 schedule, rebooking the Tennessee Titans-Pittsburgh Steelers affair for Week 7 due to the Titans' COVID-19 outbreak.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is active for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers despite not practicing during the week due to an ankle injury.Hopkins was considered a game-time decision. Wide receiver Christian Kirk, whose status was also in doubt, is active with a groin injury.The former Houston Texans standout has been remarkably durable throughout his eight-year career, missing just two games due to injury.Hopkins leads the NFL with 356 yards on 32 catches, while Andy Isabella, who's second on the team in receiving, has 114 yards on seven grabs.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL could extend the regular season by a week to help combat the league's first major COVID-19 crisis, according to Mark Maske of The Washington Post.An additional week is reportedly among several options being considered by the NFL after two Week 4 games were postponed.Though the 18th week is "a contingency that's been discussed," according to one of Maske's sources, another source said talks are in the early stages and there has been "no serious discussion" of extending the regular season.The Tennessee Titans' game against the Pittsburgh Steelers was rescheduled to Week 7, as the AFC South club has recorded 18 positive tests among players and personnel as of Sunday. Meanwhile, the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs are currently expected to play Monday or Tuesday after positive tests on both teams.If the NFL did add Week 18, it could push back the start of the playoffs or eliminate the extra week between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl.The NFL plans to conduct a conference call Monday with head coaches and general managers of all 32 teams to stress the importance of following the league's COVID-19 protocols.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL and NFL Players Association are investigating whether the Tennessee Titans violated the league's COVID-19 protocols this week, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The news comes after one more player and one staff member tested positive for the coronavirus on Sunday, bringing the club's total to 18."This isn't a failure of the protocols; it is a failure to follow the protocols," the source told Schefter.Tennessee's breakout has spread steadily since the team returned from Minnesota, where it faced the Vikings in Week 3.The league and players' association asked the Titans to turn over multiple videotapes of team activities to determine the root of the outbreak, according to Schefter. However, the organization is convinced it obeyed every rule and protocol.The investigation will reportedly focus on Tennessee's outside linebackers coach Shane Bowen - the first on the team to test positive - and a potential failure by others to report symptoms and wear masks.With the Titans having positive tests on six straight days, the soonest their training facility can open is Wednesday, Schefter adds. The franchise requires consecutive days of only negative tests before reopening.The NFL postponed a Week 4 matchup between Tennessee and the Pittsburgh Steelers due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, and additional cases could jeopardize the Titans' Week 5 game against Buffalo Bills.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Orleans Saints-Detroit Lions game will be played as scheduled Sunday at 1 p.m. ET after New Orleans fullback Michael Burton's retest came back as a false positive, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network."Everything that should have happened did happen, protocol-wise," the source added to Rapoport.The Saints traveled to Detroit on Saturday to face the Lions and reportedly tested seven individuals who were in contact with Burton on the same flight. Those players tested negative as well, according to ESPN.Two other games in Week 4 have been postponed due to positive tests. The Tennessee Titans will play the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7 after the AFC South club experienced a coronavirus outbreak, while the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs will play on Monday or Tuesday after positive tests on both teams.Burton inked a one-year deal with the Saints in March after spending the 2019 season with the Washington Football Team. The 28-year-old, who entered the NFL as the Detroit Lions' fifth-round pick in 2015, has played in 16% of New Orleans' offensive snaps this season, contributing mostly as a blocker.The NFL has experienced multiple COVID-19 outbreaks this week. Almost 20 members of the Tennessee Titans have tested positive since Monday, and at least one player from both the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots had the virus Saturday, including quarterback Cam Newton.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots didn't return any other positive COVID-19 tests after quarterback Cam Newton reportedly tested positive for the virus Saturday, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The NFL is now waiting on the Kansas City Chiefs' results, as they're scheduled to face the Patriots in Week 4 and also returned a positive test. The infected Chiefs player reportedly is practice squad quarterback Jordan Ta'amu.Patriots players will undergo a second round of tests Sunday, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.After postponing the game, which was initially scheduled for Sunday afternoon, the league plans to stage it Monday barring other positive tests from the teams, Dianna Russini of ESPN reports.With Newton apparently headed to the reserve/COVID-19 list, the Patriots reportedly are expected to start veteran signal-caller Brian Hoyer against the Chiefs.The NFL was already forced to remove one game from the Week 4 schedule, rebooking the Tennessee Titans-Pittsburgh Steelers tilt for Week 7 due to a Titans' COVID-19 outbreak.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons joined several teammates and two staff members as the Tennessee Titans' list of personnel to be placed on the COVID-19 list approached 20 on Saturday, the team announced.Tennessee's case number has grown steadily since the Titans returned from Minnesota, where they faced the Vikings in Week 3. Ten players and eight staff members are believed to account for the positive tests.Titans on COVID-19 reserve list amid outbreak

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.This isn't quite the matchup we expected when the season started, is it? Injuries have decimated the 49ers (-7, 46), but they're still touchdown favorites against the Eagles, who have been easily the most disappointing team of the NFL season. Can they bounce back in this one?Here are our favorite trends, props, and bets for Sunday night.Betting trendsIt's been a rough run for the Eagles, who are 3-8 against the spread in their last 11 contests, fifth worst among all teams over that stretch. They've dramatically underperformed through three games, as their average scoring margin ATS of 12.83 points is by far the worst in the league.The 49ers struggled without Jimmy Garoppolo in the past, but they've won two straight in convincing fashion and are in a solid spot Sunday. San Francisco has covered three of its last four when giving a touchdown or more, and home favorites in that spot are 11-6-1 ATS since late 2016 when coming off consecutive 14-point wins or better.Another interesting thing to consider is the potential emotional toll of the Eagles' tie against the Bengals last week. In the last 30 years, teams coming off a tie are 8-16 ATS with an average scoring margin of -7.58 points. Road underdogs are 2-6 ATS and 0-8 straight up in that spot, losing by an average of 17.88 points.The over is also a compelling bet. The Niners are 10-6 to the over in prime time since 2017, while the Eagles are 13-5-3 to the over in their last 21 games as road 'dogs.Player propsCarson Wentz under 232.5 passing yards (-112)It's become trendy to bash Wentz, but it's also profitable. The Eagles quarterback threw for 225 yards last week through four quarters and a full overtime period, and he faces a 49ers defense that has allowed more than 232 passing yards just three times in 19 regular-season games since the start of 2019, with an average of 187.3 passing yards allowed per contest this year.Injuries have weakened San Francisco's defense, but Philly's offense is snakebitten, too. Four linemen have been placed on injured reserve with Saturday's news that Jason Peters would join the list, thrusting third-year tackle Jordan Mailata - who's played 20 career snaps - into the starting role at left tackle. Wentz was already among the league's worst against pressure this year, and it could get even worse Sunday.Jerick McKinnon over 79.5 yards from scrimmage (-112)With Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman sidelined for the second straight game, McKinnon is in a position to shine. He logged 65 yards on 14 first-half touches last week but was slowed by an injury that limited him to six second-half touches for 12 yards.He still finished with 77 total yards for the second consecutive game and faces an Eagles defense allowing 13.2 yards per catch to opposing running backs, third worst in the NFL. McKinnon shines as a receiver out of the backfield, and any primary back is worth betting on in Shanahan's offense, especially in a lopsided matchup like this one.Best bet49ers -7The Eagles are a train wreck. Wentz is playing the worst football of his career, and a thin O-line will only exacerbate those issues against Robert Saleh's defense. Conversely, the 49ers have had no issue dominating with their B-squad, and there's little reason to think Philly will put up much more of a fight than the Jets or Giants. Lay the seven points before this line moves off a key number.C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Las Vegas Raiders were fined $50,000 for allowing a non-credentialed employee to enter their locker room after beating the New Orleans Saints in Week 2, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Under COVID-19 protocols, only 40 employees are allowed to be in a team's locker room. Those employees must belong to the coaching, training, or equipment staff unless they are the general manager, the designated security member, or the assigned communications officer.The violation took place on a monumental night for the Raiders, as it marked the first game and victory in their new home at Allegiant Stadium.The Raiders have racked up fines early into the season for failing to comply with COVID-19 policies. The league docked head coach Jon Gruden $100,000 for not keeping his mask on while coaching, and the Raiders were penalized $250,000 for his violation.The Raiders also drew scrutiny after a number of players were seen at Darren Waller's charity event without masks.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton tested positive for COVID-19 and won't be available versus the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4, reports ESPN's Adam Schefter.The NFL postponed the game from Sunday afternoon with plans to stage it Monday or Tuesday, and confirmed both teams produced a positive test.Jordan Ta'amu, a practice squad quarterback, was the Chiefs player to test positive, reports NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The Patriots were expected to fly to Kansas City around 1 p.m. ET, but their departure was delayed and players were sent home from the team facility as they awaited more test results, according to Schefter."Late last night, we received notice that a Patriots player tested positive for COVID-19," the club said Saturday in a statement. "The player immediately entered self-quarantine. Several additional players, coaches, and staff who have been in close contact with the player received point of care tests this morning and all were negative for COVID-19."We are in close consultation with the NFL, as well as our team of independent doctors and specialists, and will follow their guidance regarding our scheduled trip to Kansas City and game against the Chiefs. The health and safety of our team, as well as our opponent, are of highest priority."The NFL was already forced to remove one game from the Week 4 schedule, rebooking the Tennessee Titans-Pittsburgh Steelers affair for Week 7 because of a COVID-19 outbreak on the Titans.If the contest proceeds without him, Newton will be the first NFL starting quarterback to miss a game due to the coronavirus. New England is reportedly giving Brian Hoyer the start against the Chiefs over Jarrett Stidham.Newton was off to a strong start through three weeks, leading the Patriots to a 2-1 record while totaling six touchdowns against two turnovers.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles left tackle Jason Peters was moved to injured reserve Saturday with a toe injury, sidelining him at least three weeks.Peters was listed as questionable for Week 4. He practiced Friday in a limited capacity, but an MRI revealed his toe requires several weeks to recover, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Peters is the latest Eagle to fall victim to the injury bug, which has depleted Philadelphia for three straight seasons.

The New England Patriots are expected to start Brian Hoyer at quarterback over Jarrett Stidham when they face the Kansas City Chiefs without Cam Newton, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Newton won't be available for the contest - which the NFL is working to reschedule for Monday or Tuesday - after testing positive for COVID-19.Hoyer served as Newton's backup for the first three games of the season, while Stidham was inactive. He has 38 career starts, but none for the Patriots. The 34-year-old owns a 16-22 record as a starter.In 69 career appearances, Hoyer has completed 59.1% of his throws and posted a passer rating of 82.5.Stidham, a fourth-round pick in 2019, was touted as the likely successor to Tom Brady for most of the offseason until Newton signed a one-year deal in July.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.Scoring is up and the league is letting the offenses run rampant. Let's hope that's the case again this Sunday, as our player prop card is loaded with overs.Here's who will crush it in Week 4.Justin Jefferson over 48.5 receiving yardsThis is some serious disrespect on a receiver who's slowly gaining traction. Jefferson, the Vikings' first-round draft pick from this past spring, is coming off a breakout game in which he posted seven catches, 175 yards, and one touchdown.Had it not been for a slow start to the season - Jefferson saw only three targets in each of the first two games - perhaps he'd be garnering more attention. Overall, the LSU product has hauled in 80% of the passes thrown his way and averaging a spectacular 20.4 yards per reception.The Texans have played three efficient offenses to start the year - the Chiefs, Ravens, and Steelers - so they'll match up fine with the Vikings' receivers. However, this all comes down to game script and opportunities.Houston's going to score on a Minnesota defense allowing 34 points per game on average; there's no way around it. Minnesota wants to feed running back Dalvin Cook, but I think they'll be forced to put the ball in quarterback Kirk Cousins' hands. He looked formidable for the first time all season last week against the Titans, and Jefferson's big-play ability was a key factor.Expect Cousins to keep the rookie in the mix Sunday.Ryan Fitzpatrick over 281.5 passing yardsSeahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is the headliner in this matchup, but it's the signal-caller on the opposite sideline who's got my attention. Fitzpatrick could actually out-duel the MVP candidate on the score sheet Sunday.In a way, Wilson's masked some of Seattle's flaws, namely a defense that's allowed 430.7 passing yards per game through the first three. For some context on how truly poor that is, the next worst defense has been the Falcons (350.3) and they're not even in the same stratosphere as Seattle's secondary, which has allowed the most yards per completion in the league (12.4).That automatically pushes Fitzpatrick's stock up.Fitzpatrick attempted just 20 passes in a blowout win over the Jaguars last week. However, in the previous two games as underdogs against the Bills and Patriots, Fitzpatrick averaged 38.5 attempts. He'll have to play catch-up against Wilson, who's orchestrated the league's No. 2 scoring offense.Odell Beckham Jr.'s longest reception over 23.5 yardsThe Browns' offense has come to life. After scoring six points in the opener, Cleveland's hung 69 combined in the last two weeks. The unit's No. 6 in the league in explosive play rate, and it certainly has the weapons to sustain that clip.When the Browns take their shots downfield Sunday against the Cowboys, it'll be to Beckham Jr. He ranks No. 6 among receivers in target share and No. 5 in air yards share. OBJ is also getting 2.5 yards of separation per target, which is top 10 in the NFL.He'll be a nightmare for the Dallas secondary, which has allowed both the fourth-most passing yards and points in the NFL.(Odds source: theScore Bet).Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A rundown of the best games and most interesting trends to watch for in Week 4 of the NFL. All times Eastern.Some holds barredThe NFL's on a scoring binge entering Week 4: 281 total touchdowns, 273 offensive touchdowns, and 2,446 points scored - all records for the first three weeks of the season.Also, opponents in the same game have already both scored at least 30 points 10 times. Going back to 1985, there's never been more than 28 such games in an entire regular season, according to Football Outsiders. Something's up - and it's not just the points. So what's going on?Scoring's trended upward in the NFL for a while, with two of the highest-scoring full seasons coming in the last four years. There are plenty of reasons for this:

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.Before you make your NFL bets this weekend, it's worth knowing which side other bettors are backing - especially on games drawing sharp action.We talked to Jay Rood, Bet.Works' chief risk officer and theScore Bet's head trader, to see how sharps and public bettors are playing a busy Week 4 slate.Buffalo Bills (-3, 52.5) at Las Vegas RaidersFor the first three weeks of the season, sharps have backed the Raiders in every spot. This week, they're staying away against the undefeated Bills, who are one of the most-bet teams of the week.Buffalo is drawing 20 times as much money as of Friday, though the game has yet to move off the key number of 3. That number could be on the rise if this pace continues, as parlay bettors are almost exclusively targeting the Bills after last week's dramatic win over the Rams."From our perspective in Vegas, we’re going to need the hometown team," Rood said.Indianapolis Colts (-2.5, 43.5) at Chicago BearsThe only game to move off a key number as of Friday night is this one, which has pitted wiseguys and public bettors entering the weekend.The Bears opened as 3-point underdogs despite their 3-0 start, but sharps hammered that line and forced oddsmakers to shorten it to 2.5. Since then, public bettors have feasted on the Colts, who have covered four of their last six as favorites.Parlay bettors are also playing Indianapolis as short chalk, and Rood expects enough money on that side to offset the early run of sharp money on the home 'dogs."That’s a game that will probably be fairly balanced come game time," Rood said. "And we could even need the Bears."Arizona Cardinals (-3.5, 51.5) at Carolina PanthersAnother sharp target this week is Carolina, which is catching more than a field goal at home after stunning the Chargers as underdogs a week ago.The Panthers have drawn 25 times as much money as the Cardinals as of Friday and are priced at +3.5 (-120) entering the weekend, enticing bettors to take the hook on the road favorite. Public bettors are buying it, placing twice as many tickets on Arizona despite the money advantage to Carolina.If trends continue, those public bettors could be in for a treat. The Panthers had lost seven straight games against the spread before last week's outright win against Los Angeles.New Orleans Saints (-3, 54.5) at Detroit LionsThe Saints have struggled without top receiver Michael Thomas, losing both games in his absence. Bettors don't seem discouraged ahead of Sunday's matchup with the lowly Lions, though.As of Friday afternoon, New Orleans had drawn roughly 16 times as much money in straights and was among the most-bet teams in parlays. That was before the official news that Thomas would miss this week, which came just before the line moved from 4.Still, public bettors could push this line closer to 3.5 or 4 by game time given the early parlay activity, even with Thomas sidelined. The Saints have covered 11 of their last 15 as road favorites, while the Lions have lost 14 of their last 21 ATS as a home underdog.(Odds source: theScore Bet)C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Orleans Saints have ruled out six key players for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions, including wide receiver Michael Thomas, cornerback Marshon Lattimore, and guard Andrus Peat.The Saints' inactives also include corner Janoris Jenkins, tight end Jared Cook, and defensive end Marcus Davenport. New Orleans will now be without four of its 11 Pro Bowlers from last season, including Thomas, Lattimore, Peat, and Cook.

Julio Jones' status for Monday's game against the Green Bay Packers remains uncertain, but the Atlanta Falcons wide receiver is feeling "good" after being sidelined last week with a hamstring injury."When you have soft-tissue, it's like a day-to-day thing," Jones said Friday, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN. "You just really gotta feel it out."You're really uncertain with it, but I feel good. Just working just a little bit here and there every day, just building confidence and just getting the strength and everything back."Jones returned to practice this week and was a limited participant on Thursday and Friday."I've been running really well at practice, but it's just you don't know," the seven-time Pro Bowler added. "I'm not 100% with anything, but I feel good."The 31-year-old played through the issue against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2 but aggravated the tissue during the game. The team has only had to hold Jones - who's topped 1,000 receiving yards in each of the last six seasons - out of just two games in the last three campaigns.He's racked up 11 catches for 181 yards through two appearances this year.The Falcons own one of football's deadliest wideout duos in Jones and Calvin Ridley, who currently leads the NFL with four receiving touchdowns.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio gave an optimistic update about injured quarterback Drew Lock on Friday.Fangio said Lock has a "50-50" chance of playing in Week 5, according to The Denver Post's Ryan O'Halloran."(Lock) hasn't thrown yet, not a football, he's thrown some light balls," Fangio added, according to Brandon Krisztal of KOA Colorado. "I just need to see a healthy quarterback. I'm not gonna put him out there unless he's healthy."Lock suffered a rotator cuff sprain during the team's Week 2 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Broncos chose not to put the signal-caller on injured reserve in hopes he could return sooner than expected. The current rules call for any players placed on injured reserve to miss a minimum of three games.Fangio has also confirmed Brett Rypien will continue to start if Lock is not ready to go.Rypien threw two touchdowns and three interceptions in his first career start Thursday. Fangio has expressed confidence in Rypien's ability to build on that performance if he's declared the Week 5 starter."If he has to play this coming week in New England, I think he'll be even better," the coach said, according to DNVR's Zac Stevens.Denver's offense could also get another boost from running back Phillip Lindsay. The rusher "should be able to play" in the upcoming contest after missing the last three games due to turf toe, according to Fangio.Denver has struggled on offense this season, averaging just 20.5 points per game.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers will have two of their most important offensive weapons back in Week 4.Wide receiver Deebo Samuel and tight end George Kittle will play Sunday night against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury.Samuel has yet to play this season after being placed on injured reserve with a broken foot. The former second-round pick registered 802 receiving yards and six touchdowns during his rookie campaign in 2019. His 473 yards after the catch were the most by a first-year receiver since 2006, according to PFF.Head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated he'll be cautious with Samuel's role in his return Sunday."We've got to be smart with him," Shanahan said. "I know he'll be out there but it won't be his normal role, that's for sure."Kittle missed San Francisco's last two games after suffering a knee injury in Week 1. The 26-year-old caught four passes for 44 yards in the team's season opener.Meanwhile, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle) and running back Raheem Mostert (knee) will remain sidelined for the second straight contest. Nick Mullens will take over under center for the 49ers after leading them to a 36-9 victory over the New York Giants in Week 3.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Jets head coach Adam Gase provided a grim outlook on the shoulder injury suffered by starting quarterback Sam Darnold."Anything is on the table right now," Gase said, according to NFL Network's Kim Jones. He added the team will weigh not just what's best for him now but in the long term.Darnold briefly left Thursday's game against the Denver Broncos after receiving a hard hit in the first quarter. The third-year quarterback returned shortly after heading to the locker room and was able to play the remainder of the game.The Jets signal-caller sparked the offense with a 46-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter. He finished with 230 passing yards.The 23-year-old suffered an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder, sources tell NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It's unclear if Darnold will miss any time going forward.New York continues to be plagued by injuries. Offensive tackle Meckhi Becton re-aggravated an existing shoulder injury Thursday night; tackle George Fant (thumb) and wide receiver Lawrence Cager (hamstring) were also unable to finish the game.The Jets have 10 days off before returning to action in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals. If Darnold is unavailable, the team could turn to quarterback Joe Flacco.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll ruled safety Jamal Adams and rookie linebacker Jordyn Brooks out for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins, according to Stacy Jo Rost of 710 ESPN Seattle.Adams suffered a first-degree groin strain last week against the Dallas Cowboys and is still considered day-to-day. Brooks reportedly has an MCL sprain and will likely miss a couple of weeks.Seattle's defense will also be without starting cornerback Quinton Dunbar for Week 4 after he was officially ruled out Friday, according to ESPN's Brady Henderson.Carroll provided some positive news ahead of Week 4, as running back Chris Carson is cleared to play versus Miami, per 710 ESPN Seattle's Brent Stecker. Carson sprained his knee against Dallas when defensive tackle Trysten Hill appeared to twist his leg.Adams was acquired in a blockbuster trade with the New York Jets prior to the 2020 season. The All-Pro safety has 23 tackles and two sacks through three contests.Seattle currently sits atop the NFC West at 3-0.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will be a game-time decision for Sunday's contest against the Carolina Panthers due to an ankle injury, head coach Kliff Kingsbury announced Friday."I don't think we'll know until Sunday," said Kingsbury. "We'll see how he feels. If he can go, he'll go, but we don't want to put him out there - it's early in the year - if he isn't feeling his best."Hopkins was officially listed as questionable after failing to suit up for practice this week.The Cardinals' receiving corps could be further weakened, as Christian Kirk is also a game-time call with a groin injury.If both wideouts are unable to play in Week 4, Andy Isabella and Larry Fitzgerald will be Kyler Murray's primary targets.The former Houston Texans standout leads the NFL with 356 yards on 32 catches, while Isabella, who is second on the team in receiving, has 114 yards on seven grabs.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.We failed to cover the teaser in Week 3 by a single point. Not ideal.Here's what we've got for Week 4:Seattle Seahawks at Miami DolphinsLine: Dolphins +6.5Teaser line: Dolphins +12.5Russell Wilson is a top-two player in the league right now and it's not really up for debate. He has the offense performing at record-breaking pace, and it's possible they stay on that course given the state of the Seahawks' defense. Seattle ranks 31st in the NFL allowing 6.6 yards per play and dead last in giving up 8.3 yards per pass. The defense also ranks 29th on third downs and in sack percentage.To make matters worse for the Seahawks' struggling defensive unit, rookie linebacker Jordyn Brooks and star safety Jamal Adams have both been ruled out this weekend. Cornerbacks Quinton Dunbar and Neiko Thorpe are on the wrong side of questionable, while Delano Hill - Adams' backup - also didn't practice Thursday. The secondary wasn't very good to begin with and now they are absolutely depleted as they get set to face a strong group of Dolphins pass-catchers. Ryan Fitzpatrick is heating up and will have all day to pick apart this defense.Adding to Miami's cause is the expected return of Byron Jones to an underrated secondary. Xavien Howard is looking great after recovering from knee surgery, and the Dolphins benefit from having an extra three days to prepare. The Seahawks are coming off a pair of emotional wins and this is a prime letdown spot against the Dolphins and the ever-dangerous Fitzpatrick.Philadelphia Eagles at San Francisco 49ersLine: 49ers -7Teaser line: 49ers -1These are desperate times for the Eagles, who have had a miserable go at it through three weeks. The offensive line is banged up, Greg Ward and Zach Ertz are the only healthy pass-catchers, Doug Pederson's punting to tie, but most concerning is just how bad Carson Wentz has looked. Wentz is given a lot of breaks as a result of the Eagles' constant injuries, but he's done nothing to help his cause. His decision-making has been poor, he's looked lost in the pocket, and is missing wide-open receivers with alarming frequency. Wentz has been so bad they're not even promoting him for the broadcast.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.Entering Week 4, we've gone 2-6-1 in our NFL best bets, though this week offers promise with a few head-scratching lines.Here are our best bets for Week 4:Indianapolis Colts (-2.5, 43.5) at Chicago BearsAre we sure the Colts aren't, like, really good? They rank No. 1 in DVOA and No. 2 in PFF team grades. They also lead the NFL in net yards per play (1.6) by a country mile. They were done in by turnovers in Week 1 despite outgaining the Jaguars by 204 yards, and they subsequently blew out the Vikings and Jets.Now oddsmakers are taking caution against a fraudulent 3-0 Bears team that ranks below average in net yardage and needed a miracle comeback against the Falcons behind Nick Foles, who makes his first start with Chicago on Sunday. He's just 3-8 against the spread as a home 'dog and should struggle to lead an inferior roster to a win this week.Pick: Colts -2.5Minnesota Vikings at Houston Texans (-3.5, 54)I wrote about the Vikings as my favorite upset pick of the week on Thursday, and the line has already moved a full point in their favor. They entered the year rated higher in the betting market, have performed better than the Texans by advanced metrics, and still find themselves as clear underdogs in a must-win spot for both sides.Minnesota's secondary has been an issue this year, but Houston's might be even worse through the first three weeks of the season. The Texans' run defense is the bigger problem, and it's ill-equipped to handle Dalvin Cook, who ranks third in the NFL in rushing yards (294), sixth in yards per carry (6.1), and tied for first in TDs (4). If he gets going, this game is over.The elephant in the room is the Vikings' disrupted week of preparation, but that isn't enough to deter me from grabbing value when I see it. This point spread is shaded too far toward the wrong winless team, and there's value on Minnesota's moneyline (+165), too.Pick: Vikings +3.5Seattle Seahawks (-6.5, 54) at Miami DolphinsThe Seahawks might never go under again. They're 21-9 to the over in their last 30 games, and they've gone over by at least 12 points in all three contests this year.Russell Wilson's MVP turn is a key reason, leading Seattle's offense to the second-highest points per game (37.0) in the league. On the other side, though, the defense has allowed the most passing yards (1,292) through three games in NFL history, and all three of the Seahawks' opponents have scored at least 25 points.The Dolphins exploited the Jaguars' inconsistent secondary last week in a 31-point performance, but Jacksonville's paltry effort on offense halted Miami's 7-2 over run. The over is 20-12-3 since 2018 with a total this high, and neither side should have any trouble keeping that alive on Sunday.Pick: Over 54(Odds source: theScore Bet)C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette won't play in Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers due to an ankle injury, per ESPN's Jenna Laine.The Buccaneers also officially ruled out wide receiver Chris Godwin with a hamstring pull. He reportedly could also miss Week 5.Tampa Bay's pass-catching group could be weakened further against L.A., as Scotty Miller is dealing with hip and groin issues.Ronald Jones leads Tampa Bay's backfield, but LeSean McCoy and Ke'Shawn Vaughn should be in line for expanded roles with Fournette out.Fournette's produced an up-and-down start to his Bucs career. He rushed for 22 total yards in Weeks 1 and 3 but racked up 103 yards and two touchdowns in Week 2.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL Referees Association executive director Scott Green called on the NFL to take action against Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh after he lowered his face covering during a heated on-field discussion with officials during Monday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network."Under the current COVID-19 environment and protocols we are dealing with, it was completely out of line for coach Harbaugh to remove his mask and verbally confront our official," Green said in an email sent to Troy Vincent, NFL executive vice president of football operations. "His behavior was in direct violation with the statements and instructions the league has made in an effort to ensure the safety of players and officials."Even more troubling are the public comments made by coach Harbaugh following the game downplaying the incident."

The NFL announced major scheduling changes amid the Tennessee Titans' recent string of positive COVID-19 tests, moving Tennessee's Week 4 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers to Week 7.

Two more Tennessee Titans players tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The Titans' total now stands at 13 after the club recorded positive tests for five players and six personnel staff earlier in the week.Tennessee's Week 5 game against the Buffalo Bills could be in jeopardy if the outbreak continues and similar results are discovered this weekend, Schefter adds.Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings played Tennessee last week and returned zero positives from Thursday's round of COVID-19 testing, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.The NFL announced it will reschedule the Week 4 tilt between the Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers to Week 7, giving both squads a bye this Sunday.The league also informed teams Friday that daily testing will be extended until further notice and both players and coaches are not allowed to leave their city during bye weeks, per Pelissero.Defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, pass-rusher Kamalei Correa, and rookie cornerback Kristian Fulton were among the players recently placed on the COVID-19 reserve list.Tennessee's team facility will remain closed until further notice.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Vikings and Houston Texans will play their Week 4 game as scheduled Sunday after the NFC North club again recorded no positive COVID-19 tests Thursday, the league informed both teams Friday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.The Vikings hosted the Tennessee Titans last week and were forced to close their facilities following a coronavirus outbreak within the Titans organization. Tennessee's outbreak has reportedly resulted in positive tests for 13 individuals so far, including seven players.Minnesota reopened its facility and resumed practice Thursday under enhanced health and safety protocols.Under the stricter, post-exposure measures, all players must wear gloves and face shields while on the practice field. The only exceptions for gloves are quarterbacks' throwing hands.Players are also not allowed to gather when away from team facilities, and meetings must be conducted virtually.The NFL announced Friday that all teams must conduct daily testing. Clubs under enhanced protocols must also test on game days.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ron Rivera needs more from Dwayne Haskins if the young quarterback is to remain the Washington Football Team's starter.The head coach met with his struggling signal-caller this week to stress the importance of improving his performance, sources told JP Finlay of NBC Washington.Offensive coaches reportedly also sat down with Haskins to highlight his issues following the team's Week 3 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Haskins threw three interceptions and recorded his third straight game with a completion percentage below 58% in the 34-20 defeat.Haskins - who apparently impressed the Washington coaching staff with his offseason improvement - has thrown for 625 yards and four touchdowns against three picks for a passer rating of 75.7 through three games.While Finlay's sources described the meetings as "quite normal," the message was reportedly clear: The 2019 first-round pick must play better.Washington's other options at quarterback include former starter Alex Smith, who made a miraculous recovery from a life-threatening leg injury to make the roster this season, and Kyle Allen, who started for Rivera with the Carolina Panthers last season.Despite losing two games in a row, Washington is tied atop the NFC East with the Dallas Cowboys at 1-2.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

SSSQ is a weekly look at under-the-radar fantasy players to consider starting and potential busts you should leave on your bench. We also identify breakout candidates to stash on your roster and players you can safely cut.For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult our Week 4 rankings. You can also listen to the Week 4 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.StartJoe Burrow, Bengalsvs. Jaguars Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThe first overall pick has been a top-10 fantasy quarterback through three games thanks to a willingness to do whatever it takes to move the ball downfield, even at the expense of his well-being.With the Bengals' offense averaging the second-most plays per game, Burrow also finds himself ranked second in passing attempts on the year. That kind of volume is exactly what fantasy managers are targeting.In Week 4, he'll face a Jaguars team giving up the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, including six touchdown passes over their last two outings.Don't be scared to start Burrow as a low-end QB1 this Sunday.Boone's projection: 281 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, 29 rushing yardsOther QBs to start

After missing the last two games with a knee injury, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is expected to return Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.Kittle returned to practice this week and told reporters Thursday he plans to play on Sunday Night Football, according to team reporter Keiana Martin.The star tight end has been battling an MCL sprain and a bone bruise in the early portion of the campaign. He's coming off his first All-Pro season after ranking third in receiving yards at his position a year ago.San Francisco's offense has battled the injury bug thus far in 2020. Jimmy Garoppolo and Raheem Mostert have yet to practice this week and will likely miss their Week 4 tilt, while second-string tight end Jordan Reed could miss six-to-eight weeks with a knee injury.Kittle caught four passes for 44 yards in the season opener.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard will reportedly miss time indefinitely after undergoing core muscle surgery, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.Lazard popped up on the injury report Thursday after the ailment kept him out of practice.The wideout was coming off a great showing in Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints as one of quarterback Aaron Rodgers' frequent targets, catching six passes for a career-high 146 receiving yards.The Packers are currently dealing with more than one concern, with star pass-catcher Davante Adams missing Week 3 due to a hamstring injury and returning to practice Thursday as a limited participant.Lazard has been a decent complement to Green Bay's receiving corps, totaling 738 yards receiving over his three-year career.The Packers will take on the Atlanta Falcons this Monday before enjoying a Week 5 bye.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Jets head coach Adam Gase announced quarterback Sam Darnold suffered a sprain to his right throwing shoulder during Thursday's loss to the Denver Broncos, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini.Darnold was driven to the turf on a sack late in the first quarter and exited the game for a short period. He was taken to the locker room to be evaluated but returned early in the second quarter and finished the contest.The third-year pro completed 23 of 42 passes for 230 yards without a touchdown pass or interception in the 37-28 defeat. He was sacked six times.New York is now 0-4 this season and will next face the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 11.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold returned to Thursday's game versus the Denver Broncos after leaving in the first quarter with an apparent shoulder injury.Darnold was slammed to the turf on a first-quarter sack, landing hard on his throwing shoulder. He remained in the game for one more play before heading to the locker room.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.theScore's Justin Boone was the winner of FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition in 2019, marking the seventh time he's placed in the top 10. Follow the links below to see his rankings for Week 4.The final rankings will be released Sunday morning.Half PPR

The NFL's chief medical officer announced strict new post-exposure COVID-19 procedures to league personnel on Thursday.In a memo issued by Dr. Allen Sills, he stressed it is mandatory for any team that has been exposed to COVID-19 to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and face masks on practice fields at all times, with no exceptions.All players are to wear gloves on their hands while on the field. The only exceptions for gloves are quarterbacks' throwing hands. Players may affix face shields to their helmets.Teams dealing with outbreaks must also conduct daily testing, including on game days. Additionally, players are not allowed to gather when away from team facilities, meetings are to be conducted virtually, and team activities must be held outdoors whenever possible.The Tennessee Titans are dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak and the league will enforce these procedures when they return to the practice field. The Minnesota Vikings faced the Titans on Sunday and are currently following the enhanced measures, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.Eleven members of the Titans organization have tested positive for COVID-19 so far, including one player and one other individual who tested positive Thursday. The NFL has postponed Tennessee's Week 4 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers until later in the season.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Seattle Seahawks are off to a red-hot start this season, and Russell Wilson believes the offense still hasn't reached their full potential."There's room for improvement," Wilson said, per ESPN's Brady Henderson. "I believe there is a whole other space we can go to with this offense, and that's what I'm searching for."The Seahawks are currently second in the NFL in scoring, averaging 37 points per game, and is also perfect in the red zone this season, converting all nine trips into touchdowns.Wilson is off to one of the best starts in NFL history - the quarterback set the NFL record for most touchdown passes through the first three games of a season with 14.Wide receiver Tyler Lockett also spoke on the offense's approach on the field.“We are literally trying to put the fear into people we are playing against," Lockett said, according to The Seattle Times' Bob Condotta.Lockett leads the Seahawks in receptions (24) and sits tied for the league lead in receiving touchdowns (4). He and DK Metcalf have emerged as one of the league's strongest receiving duos this season.The Seahawks will head to Miami to take on the Dolphins in Week 4. The Dolphins' defense currently ranks 25th in the NFL in total yardage allowed.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders believes NFL officials are mistreating the New Orleans Saints."I've never seen the type of calls that they're calling on the team over and over and over," he said on Sirius XM's "17 Weeks" podcast. "I've never been a part of a team where we're the second-most penalized team. Now just being on the sideline, it's weird to see the penalties that happen."While penalties are down across the league over the first three weeks compared to previous seasons, the Saints remain one of the most frequently flagged teams in the NFL. They're tied with the Dallas Cowboys for the second-most penalties with 24 and trail only the Arizona Cardinals, who have 27.The Saints had the sixth-most penalties last year. They were tied for the fifth-fewest penalties in 2018, a season that infamously featured a missed call for pass interference in the NFC Championship Game that would have allowed New Orleans to run the clock down and kick a game-winning field goal to clinch a Super Bowl berth. The Saints were extremely critical of the officials after that game."I've been in the league 11 years, I've never seen the calls that they make and then the calls that we don't get, you know?" Sanders said. "Like, I see a running back running down the sideline and I see the cornerback get held and I know the refs see it but they don't throw it. Sometimes I sit back and analyze like, 'What the heck is going on with these refs?'"Sanders, who is in his first season with the Saints, added that New Orleans has faced questionable officiating "for at least the last two weeks."The Saints enter Week 4 with a 1-2 record after dropping back-to-back games following a season-opening win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.Each week during the NFL season, we'll focus on one underdog with a chance to pull off the outright upset. Last week, we placed our faith in the Giants (+170), who were mercilessly steamrolled by the injury-ravaged 49ers. Yikes.This week, we're taking a shot on the Vikings (+175), who are being overlooked against the Texans in a matchup of winless teams.Don't dismiss Vikings' scheduleBoth of these teams are 0-3, but the Texans tend to get the benefit of the doubt given the strength of their schedule. Their first three opponents were the Chiefs, Ravens, and Steelers. That trio won by a combined 38 points.Let's not act like the Vikings have played a cupcake schedule, though. Their first loss came against the Packers, PFF's No. 1 team. Their second was against the Colts, the top-ranked team in DVOA. Minnesota then dropped a one-point loss to the Titans last week despite having a 175-yard rusher (Dalvin Cook) and a 175-yard receiver (Justin Jefferson) - a first in NFL history.These two teams' PFF and DVOA rankings are almost identical, and the Vikings actually rank higher in net yards per play (0.4 to 0.1), a stat savvy bettors commonly use to handicap games. Why is Houston the clear and obvious favorite in this matchup?Texans' defense in troubleMinnesota's issues in pass coverage are well-documented after the team allowed the third-most passing yards per game (292.3) through the first three weeks of the season. But the Texans' pass defense ranks worse than the Vikings' by advanced metrics, and their pass offense has been simply mediocre thus far.The run game is more likely to decide this contest. Houston has allowed the most rushing yards per game (188.3) and sixth-most yards per carry (5.2) in the NFL in 2020. Enter Cook, who ranks third in rushing yards (294), sixth in yards per carry (6.1), and is tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns (four).Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer is 32-4-4 straight up (88.9%) when his team rushes for at least 120 yards - by far the best record of any active NFL coach and well above the league average (70.3%) since he took over in 2014. If Minnesota can attack the Texans' vulnerable front seven, an upset is on the horizon.Why the Vikings will winAre we sure Houston is the better team? The Vikings entered the year with greater expectations in the betting market. Since then, both teams have gone 0-3, but Minnesota ranks higher in advanced metrics and is coming off a game it should have won.The one caveat is preparation. This line opened at Houston -3.5 and has since moved to -4.5, likely due in part to uncertainty around the Vikings' reduced practice time with facilities closed. It's not like Zimmer and his staff spent three days twiddling their thumbs, though, and their roster is still superior to the Texans'. At this price, Minnesota is an easy buy.(Odds source: theScore Bet)C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mike Tomlin is ready for the Pittsburgh Steelers to play 13 straight weeks if the NFL assigns his team a Week 4 bye due to COVID-19 cases within the Tennessee Titans organization."We do not care," the head coach told reporters Thursday.The Steelers are currently set to have a bye in Week 8. They were scheduled to face the Titans in Week 4, but the NFL removed the game from the slate with plans to reschedule it for later in the season.Teams typically prefer rest weeks near the middle of the regular season when players' bodies are more battered and the stretch run is in sight.Tomlin wouldn't say if he thought the NFL made the correct call in delaying the contest. The Steelers had been preparing for the game, and the NFL previously said it would take place on Monday or Tuesday."My opinion does not matter. We take marching orders from the National Football League," he said, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "We understand that they're acting in our collective best interest. I have a great deal of comfort in that."The NFL's collective bargaining agreement requires players to have four consecutive days off for a week to be considered a bye. The Steelers practiced Thursday and will get the rest of the week off, but they plan to return to practice Monday, Tomlin said, according to Missi Matthews of Steelers.com.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Vikings reopened their facility Thursday morning after the team again recorded zero positive COVID-19 tests the day prior.Minnesota will implement enhanced health and safety protocols, including using rapid result "point of care" tests for anyone entering the team's building, sources told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.The Vikings reportedly will resume practicing Thursday afternoon.The NFC North club closed its facilities after the Tennessee Titans, its Week 3 opponent, experienced a coronavirus outbreak. Five Titans players and six personnel members have tested positive as of Thursday.The NFL has been forced to reschedule the Titans' Week 4 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers to later in the season as a result.The Vikings' game Sunday against the Houston Texas is set to go ahead.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.