Chicago NFL Sunday: Week 4 Primer
Programming Note: With the Bears being at home with Fox having regional coverage this week, there will only be two-afternoon games on Sunday as subjected to the NFL’s home team blackout rules. There will be several more times this season where the rule will be in effect limiting the Chicago viewing area to just two-afternoon games.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears
Time: 12:05pm
Channel: Fox 32
Announcers: Thom Brennaman and Chris Spielman
Lead up: The game will be a battle of first-place teams and will be battle of one of the league’s best offenses against one of the league’s best defenses. Buccaneers quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown for 400 yards in each game so far this season but will face a Bears defense that leads the league in sacks. Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky will look to get his season on track against a Buccaneers defense that is one of the worst defense against the pass.
Fantasy Outlook: The Bears may be without cornerback Prince Amukamara and may have to shuffle their secondary. If he is unable to go, look for DeSean Jackson or Chris Godwin to take advantage of the matchup. For the Bears, running back Jordan Howard had his first 20+ carry game of the season last week against the Cardinals and could see another heavy workload with the team’s struggles passing the ball.
New Orleans Saints at New York Giants
Time: 3:25pm
Channel: CBS 2
Announcers: Jim Nantz and Tony Romo
Lead up: The Saints have been one of the best scoring offenses in the league as wide receiver Michael Thomas leads the league in receptions with 28 through three games. Drew Brees is having another All-Pro season and could take advantage of a Giants defense that has not been good against the pass. The Giants did win their first game last week in Houston against the Texans where they had a good balance on offense leading to 28 points.
Fantasy Outlook: The game will feature two of the league’s best wide receivers in Pro-Bowlers Michael Thomas and Odell Beckham Jr. These two teams have a history of putting points on the board as in 2015 the Saints won a 52 to 49 shootout over the Giants.
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
Time: 7:20pm
Channel: NBC 5
Announcers: Al Michaels and Chris Collinsworth
Lead up: Rivals will meet again as the Steelers-Ravens rivalry has provided some memorable and classic moments over the last decade. The Steelers will look to get over .500 with a win against a Ravens defense that has played well to start the season. Outside of their week two loss to the Bengals, the Ravens have only allowed 17 points on defense in two games.
Fantasy outlook: Whenever these two teams have met, their games have usually been a defensive battle that comes down to the last possession. Look for running backs on both teams to see heavy workloads as both James Conner and Alex Collins will have big opportunities on Sunday Night. It could also be a big game for Javorius Allen who has been one of Joe Flacco’s favorite targets in the Baltimore passing game.