Early NFL Best Bets & Trends for Week 4 (2026)
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a season with so many early injuries among the league’s stars. It’s been absolutely wild. Anyway, let’s add some early NFL best bets for Week 4, given all the injuries that have happened.
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Early Week 4 NFL Best Bets & Trends
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Dallas Cowboys vs. Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are 0-3. But this isn’t the first time the Texans have found themselves in this position. In fact, it happened last season, and Houston still found a way into the playoffs.
Despite being 0-3, the Texans are also favorites against the 1-2 Dallas Cowboys in Week 4. CJ Stroud has more passing yards than Dak Prescott, and the Houston defense has allowed fewer points per game than the Cowboys this season.
Heading into this game, the Cowboys are 0-5 in their last five games against the spread. They’re also 1-5 against the spread in their last six road games.
Ultimately, the Cowboys rank second in the NFL in 3rd-down efficiency. That’s kept them afloat, but don’t expect those numbers against the Houston defense. Plus, on the other side, the Cowboys have averaged just .67 sacks per game and have no interceptions this season.
I’ll back the Texans at -2.5 at home.
Pick: Texans -2.5 (-110)
Detroit Lions vs. Carolina Panthers
On Sunday Night Football, the Detroit Lions are 3.5-point favorites on the road against the Carolina Panthers.
Carolina has been involved in some weird games this season. The Panthers lost 59-7 against Chicago in Week 1, earned a 34-3 win over the Falcons in Week 2, and lost to the Browns 21-18 in Week 3.
The Panthers have improved defensively, allowing only 24 points in the last eight quarters. Now it’s Bryce Young’s job to get the offense going again. Lucky for him, the Lions have struggled in the secondary all season. Detroit allowed Geno Smith to go 31-for-37 with 321 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.
At the end of the day, the Lions are 2-6 against the spread in their last eight gams overall. The Panthers are 11-4 against the spread in their last 15 games. The trends favor the Panthers.
I’d expect Young to perform much better on Sunday Night Football, especially at home. At +3.5, I’ll gladly take Carolina. There’s not much of a talent gap in this game.
Pick: Panthers +3.5 (-115)