One of the sharpest tools in some of the best handicappers arsenal is being able to recognize classic situational spot bets and capitalize on these opportunities. Week 4 of the NFL regular season is dripping with spot bet value and here are some games you should keep an eye on:
Lookahead spot
The Detroit Lions normally would be laser focused on a divisional showdown with the Bears, however, Chicago is a mess right now. The Bears are without Jay Cutler and just lost running back Jeremy Langford to injury, taking much of the punch out of this offense. The Lions, who have dropped back-to-back game following a drubbing by the Packers, have a date with the currently undefeated Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5, hosting standout rookie QB Carson Wentz and a red-hot Philly squad. The Lions could come out flat on the road in Week 4 with that huge game waiting on the schedule.
Letdown spot
The NFC West standings would seem upside down if you bought into preseason expectations. The Los Angeles Rams are on top at 2-1 while the Arizona Cardinals are pulling up the rear at 1-2. The Rams are riding high after a big win in Tampa Bay in Week 3, finally cracking the touchdown column in the boxscore. But there was a lot of travel behind that trip, going across the country and back before playing a pissed-off Cardinals team desperate for a positive result after getting run off the field in Buffalo. The Rams run the risk of a letdown following their first road win since the move back to L.A., and Arizona will gladly take advantage of that.
Schedule spot
The Oakland Raiders will rise and shine in Baltimore in Week 4, making the hike to the East Coast for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff – which is just 11 a.m. back home. The Raiders have already racked up the frequent-flyer miles in the first three weeks of the season, opening at New Orleans before flying home to the Bay Area to host Atlanta, followed by a road trip to Nashville in Week 3. Baltimore has played back-to-back road games heading into Week 4 but hasn’t had to go far, visiting Jacksonville and Cleveland. The Silver and Black could be suffering from jet lag by the time they take the field versus the Ravens.
