Can they go 4-0?

Is it possible for the Recliners, champions in 2019, to get their fourth-straight win to open the 2022 campaign?

Recliners have been able to relax, lean back and watch Saquon Barkley lead them to 3 wins.

That is the only thing on my mind this week (yeah, right) as the Blazing Saddles try to find the combo needed to stop the Zimnoch Express in one of three more interconference battles that dot the Week 4 schedule this week. The other two interconference battles will feature the raised-from-the dead Packers against long-time rival Matt Pringle and the Santa Monica Spread Beaters. The Gerbils (1-2) and Rangers (1-2) will be the other intra-conference tangle. While those six teams are having fun with interconference romps, the remaining four (Band Aids vs. Tirades and Invaiders vs. Pillow Biters) start their first series battle within their divisions.

Game of the Week

Recliners (-8) vs. Saddles: The Recliners have been riding the coattails of early season MVP candidate Lamar Jackson and potential Comeback Player of the Year candidate Saquon Barkley. The Saddles, 8-point dogs according to the midweek Vegas line, counter with a still banged-up Justin Herbert and the RB duo of Jonathan Taylor and Aaron Jones. The Saddles also should have an unblemished record but had the misfortune of blowing two tires, throwing a gasket and heaving all over themselves against the Invalids last week. Betting action late Wednesday, as this wonderful preview was being thrown together, started moving some serious money the Saddles’ way. ESPN still says the advantage leans the Recliners’ way in every head-to-head matchup except lead RB (slight nod to Taylor over Joe Mixon) and kicker (Younghoe Koo of Atlanta) over Brandon McManus (Denver).

I’d say, follow the money and take the Saddles to cover and win by 1.

The Rest of the Best

Packers (-5) vs. Beaters: The Packers, who stunned the league with their first win of the season in Week 3, enter this contest, per ESPN, as 5-point favorites. Josh Allen and Deebo Samuel will lead the 1-2 Pack against the 2-1 Spread Beaters, who have been active on the waiver wire looking for a new No. 2 RB. This week, Jamaal Williams of Detroit was tendered a “put up or ship out” contract as an expected three- to four-week replacement for the Beaters’ first pick, D’Andre Swift. The QB battle (Josh Allen of Buffalo vs. Jalen Hurts of Philly) might determine this winner. The aforementioned Williams will team with Derrick Henry for a RB combo that has a clear edge over The Pack’s Josh Jacobs and Dameon Pierce. The WR advantage (Samuel and Ja’Marr Chase) goes to The Pack. The remaining positions are all just coin flips. Pringle usually finds a way to piss Jeff off. Take the Beaters in the upset by 3.

Gerbils (-14) vs. Rangers: Someone has to stumble to their second win of the year. This one may not be pretty and ESPN is giving the Gerbils a 14-point spread to cover. And, this one will get going early Thursday with Joe Burrow (Gerbils) taking on the surprisingly feisty Miami defense (also a potential Gerbils’ starter). The Gerbils have the ESPN edge for QB and both RBs, while the Rangers have the edge with the remaining position players (Justin Jefferson, Davante Adams and the Green Bay defense. Chuck can rest easy this week. It will be the Gerbils by 10.

Band Aids (-2) vs Tirades: Bob Garcia and Ron Hender both are seeking their second win and this one is a coin flip. ESPN currently favors the Band Aids by 2, but we think the Tirades will ring their second bell of the season this week. Hender thinks this is the kiss of death, but Vern contends, with nothing to back him up, that it will be the Tirades by 3.

Invaiders (-1) vs. Pillow Biters: This one is also a coin flip. Does anyone else really give a shit about this one? I don’t think so. Pillow Biters by 4.