Week 4 betting primer: Instant reaction to 16 opening spreads

Odds and data via theScore Bet and ESPN Bet

While two Monday night games remain to close out Week 3, spreads for all 16 Week 4 contests are available for betting.

Let's dive in with our instant reaction to every Week 4 opening spread.

Thursday Night Football

• Both NFC East teams hold a 1-2 record and are 1-2 against the spread (ATS).
• Had this game been played in Week 2, the Cowboys would likely be closer to a touchdown favorite.
• Expect money to pile on the Cowboys - a desperate team needing a win - and push this spread in their favor.

Sunday 1 p.m. ET slate

• The undefeated Steelers are also a perfect 3-0 against the spread at the start of the Justin Fields era.
• Pittsburgh has allowed the league's fewest points with 26 a game, a large reason why this contest's total is under 40.
• Both teams' offenses operate similarly, but the Steelers' suffocating defense should have bettors feeling good about laying two points.

• Malik Willis is 2-0 as the Packers starter, but this line suggests that Jordan Love will be back under center in Green Bay.
• Love practiced last week but was held out in Week 3 against the Titans.
• The Vikings are 3-0 ATS, with Sam Darnold showing flashes as to why he was the third overall pick in 2018.
• It's difficult to see this line stray too far away from Packers -2.5 in what should be a close divisional matchup.

• The Texans were trounced on the road in Minnesota in Week 3 but should be able to bounce back against a Jaguars team struggling to open the season.
• However, Houston hasn't covered a spread and divisional games tend to be tighter scoring.

• An early NFC South clash that should have playoff implications come January.
• The Falcons have looked better since their opening-week loss to the Steelers, going 1-1 against the Eagles and Chiefs.
• After scoring a league-high 91 points in their first two games, the Saints only produced 12 in their Week 3 loss to the Eagles.
• This line suggests the Saints are a slightly better team, which means there could be value in backing the Falcons if everyone's preseason predictions are correct.

• The banged-up Rams pulled off a dramatic comeback over the divisional rival 49ers in Week 3.
• This game is set up to be a huge letdown spot for Matthew Stafford and Co.

• This line feels short after the Buccaneers came back down to earth in a brutal home loss to the Broncos.
• With that said, the Eagles don't look right, and their offense without A.J. Brown isn't clicking. DeVonta Smith may also miss this game with a concussion.

• Andy Dalton inserted some life into the Panthers, but they don't get to play the Raiders every week.
• Depending on how the Bengals do Monday night, they will either be a team that's turned a corner or in desperate need of a victory. Either way, laying only six points to the Panthers feels safe.

• The Jets' defense should pose a major problem for Bo Nix.
• Aaron Rodgers appears to have found his groove after carving up a solid Patriots defense on Thursday night.
• This line could move to Jets -8.5 with a week of Jets hype around the NFL media.

Sunday 4 p.m. ET slate

• This game has shootout potential given the state of the Commanders' defense and both teams' offenses. It's the highest total of the slate.
• This spread can move in either direction depending on how Jayden Daniels performs against the Bengals on Monday night.

• The 49ers' offense is depleted with injuries, yet San Francisco is still favored by over 10 points against the lifeless Patriots.
• New England brought Drake Maye in at the end of its loss versus the Jets but should have Jacoby Brissett under center in a tough start on the road.

• Perhaps the ugliest Week 4 matchup on paper, and the 37.5 total reflects that.
• The Raiders succumbed to the letdown spot in Week 3, losing to the Panthers at home after a huge upset on the road in Baltimore in Week 2.
• The Browns lost to the Giants, who many consider one of the worst teams in the NFL, at home in Week 3.
• A coin flip between two unpredictable teams feels right.

• This line suggests Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert will miss Week 4.
• Both teams are 2-1 ATS this season.
• Kansas City is 5-1 straight up against the Chargers in their last six meetings but 3-3 ATS.

Sunday Night Football

• The Ravens avoided a 0-3 start by beating the Cowboys in Dallas.
• This line could move in Baltimore's favor if the Bills struggle Monday night against the Jaguars.

Monday Night Football

• The Dolphins are 0-3 ATS this season, but it feels impossible to lay points with Will Levis at this point, regardless of who's under center on the other side.
• The Titans are also 0-3 ATS. Unless there's a push, one of these teams will pick up their first cover of the season.

• The second Monday nighter of Week 4 features a game with the second-highest point total.
• The Seahawks are 3-0 but only 1-1-1 ATS.
• All three of the Lions' games have gone under the point total.