Week 4 of the 2022 NFL season was another exercise in patience with Sporting News' picks and predictions against the spread. Many of the games played out as expected, but there was still a good chunk of surprise results to go against the grain. Surviving and advancing to the second half is the key after more mixed results. The challenges will continue in Week 5 with a lot of tight matchups in store with little separation for the opponents. Here's the latest fearle s forecast of pigskin prognostications: POWER RANKINGS: Game of Midweek: Colts at Broncos (-3.5, 44 o/u) The Broncos dropped a tough game at the Raiders in Week 5 and also lost running back Javonte Williams (knee) for the season. The good news is, they got Ru sell Wilson going in the downfield pa sing game and face a struggling back seven in coverage this week. The Colts at best will have a banged-up Jonathan Taylor (ankle) in the backfield and will be playing another game without defensive leader Shaquille Leonard (concu sion). They have been awful on the road this season and Matt Ryan will have a mostly rough night. Pick:Broncos win 24-13 and cover the spread. Result: Colts win 12-9. AFC Game (and Upset)of the Week: Bengals at Ravens(-3, 48.5o/u) The Ravens' pa s defense isn't living up to expectations because it still needs to blitz to create pre sure and its cover cornerbacks are disappointing. The Bengals'' pa sing game is back to starting hot with Joe Burrow and he can again look for the right mismatches for his wide receiver trio. The Ravens will have succe s throwing downfield with Lamar Jackson but they don't have the same type of firepower and can't effectively play ball control with their traditional running game. Pick:Bengals win 27-24. NFC Game of the Week: Cowboysat Rams (-4.5, 43.5o/u) Will it be Cooper Rush starting at quarterback again or will Dak Prescott rush his return? The Cowboys' offense has cleaned up things around the QB and have more needed pop in the pa sing game with Michael Gallup back. They won't run all that well against the Rams, but this figures to be an aerial battle where protecting the ball will be a premium. The Rams take the Cooper Kupp vs. CeeDee Lamb duel by holding off a late comeback. Pick:Rams win 20-17 but fail to cover the spread. (SN/Getty) Lock of the Week: Patriots (-3, 46.5 o/u)over Lions The Patriots' offense will keep things simple against a Lions' defense that can't stop anything, regardle s of who starts at quarterback. Expect a heavy dose of Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson at home and for Bill Belichick to have some coverage and pre sure tricks in store to cool off Jared Goff. Matt Patricia wants this one badly against the team he used to coach and expect his team to have the smarter, more physical game plan. Pick:Patriots win 30-20 and cover the spread. Giantsvs.Packers (-8, 41.5 o/u)in London The Giants should be able to roll with Daniel Jones (ankle) but that doesn't really offer much offensive promise beyond Saquon Barkley against a reeling Green Bay run defense. The Packers can pound the Giants front to wear down their pa s rush and New York's secondary won't slow down Aaron Rodgers suddenly red-hot top targets. Green Bay fans will trade their cheddar for stilton but their full-force support also will make it feel like Lambeau acro s the pond. Pick:Packers win 31-17 and cover the spread. Steelers at Bills (-14, 47 o/u) The Steelers are turning to rookie Kenny Pickett for his first NFL start over former Bills backup QB Mitchell Trubisky. Look for Pickett to be competitive with his moxie and fearle s pa sing against a banged-up secondary. The Bills will be fine grinding this game away with a more run-leaning attack and leave the backdoor open for the young pa ser opposite Allen. Pick:Bills win 31-19 but fail to cover the spread. (Getty Images) Chargers (-3, 48 o/u) at Browns The Chargers have a bit of a trap game here given their defense has become a lot more vulnerable against the run, but the number is already pretty small in their favor. The Browns' defense can't stop much without Myles Garrett setting the tone up front, Frankie Montas Jersey while the Chargers can still frustrate Jacoby Bri sett without Joey Bosa. Los Angeles will make sure to put Cleveland in a negative game script to erase any chance of a road stumble. Pick:Chargers win 24-20 and cover the spread. Bears at Vikings (-7, 44 o/u) The Bears revved up their pa sing game a little with Justin Fields, but his throwing his still off and they can't fully ride a running game that includes his athleticism. Defensively, they don't have the right cover men to handle Justin Jefferson and a rejuvenated Adam Thielen and proved they can still get gashed by the power run. The Vikings smash another division foe at home to get to 4-1. Pick:Vikings win 24-16 and cover the spread. Seahawks at Saints (-5.5, 45.5 o/u) The Seahawks are getting strong offensive line play to get the most out of Geno Smith and Rashaad Penny, still supported by dangerous wide receivers D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. The Saints' offense is being smashed by injuries with rookie wide receiver Chris Olave standing out as the bright spot, but this a big chance to control things with the running game at home. Seattle is healthier and continues to play well outside of the West Coast under Pete Carroll. Pick:Saints win 27-24 but fail to cover the spread. Getty Images Dolphins(-3, 43o/u) at Jets The Dolphins will be starting Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback against his former team, dueling Zach Wilson, who has given the Jets' improved offense a boost. The Jets' i sues here will be in the secondary trying to handle Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle and the running game against Miami's stout front. Wilson doesn't have the same firepower and the Dolphins' blitz packages will get to him more while Bridgewater gets a little more help from the rushing attack. Pick: Dolphins win 24-17 and cover the spread. Falcons at Buccaneers (-8, 48 o/u) The Falcons are near the end of the line with Marcus Mariota with Drake London and Kyle Pitts not being maximized int he pa sing game. They also will be down key weapon Cordarrelle Patterson on the road. Tampa Bay is overdue for a cla sic thrashing of a division foe after a tough early schedule. The Bucs' offense started to get very well against the Chiefs. Tom Brady stays hot in a rout. Pick:Buccaneers win 34-14 and cover the spread Titans (-2.5, 42.5 o/u) at Commanders The Titans continue to be a very unpredictable up-and-down team from week to week. They were lost against the Giants and Bills before beating down the Raiders and Colts. The Commanders are terrible against the pa s and wide receivers, but the Titans have limited options there without rookie Treylon Burks. Carson Wentz tends to play better at home against weaker defenses and will make sure Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel get going against bad coverage. Pick:Commanders win 30-27. Texans at Jaguars (-7, 44.5 o/u) Houston got a little better play from Davis Mills at home against an injury-riddled Chargers defense but it got gashed again in the running game and also gave up plenty of chunk plays in the pa sing game. The Jaguars' front seven will wreak havoc on the road-weary Mills while Trevor Lawrence, Christian Kirk, James Robinson and Travis Etienne all have their way offensively. Pick:Jaguars win 34-20 and cover the spread. 49ers (-5, 39.5 o/u) at Panthers The 49ers blew their first two road trips to Chicago and Denver. They will redeem themselves against Carolina, which poses a defensive challenge but won't be able to move the ball to score enough points on San Francisco's defense with Baker Mayfield. There's no universe where Matt Rhule will outcoach Kyle Shanahan and motivate the team he's losing quickly for an upset against a much more formidable opponent. Pick:49ers win 27-14 and cover the spread. Getty Images Eagles (-5, 49.5 o/u) at Cardinals The Eagles should get their pa sing game going in the desert away from the wind, rain and cold at home. Jalen Hurts will roll with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith and the Eagles' big-play running game also will have impact. Kyler Murray won't see as many wide-open spaces as a dual threat against Philadelphia's defense. Pick:Eagles win 30-22 and cover the spread. Raiders at Chiefs (-7, 51 o/u) The Chiefs' offense is a complete running and pa sing groove with Patrick Mahomes. The Raiders' offense has become run-reliant as Derek Carr is still trying to settle into a a complicated pa sing game. The Chiefs have tended to crush in this matchup of late and will put Las Vegas in an uncomfortable negative game script while Kansas City moves the ball with its creative will. Pick:Chiefs win 38-27 and cover the spread. Stats of the Week Week 4 record straight up:11-5 Week 4 record against the spread: 9-7 Season record straight up:39-24 Season record against the spread:33-31 Mike Brosseau Jersey