NFL Week 4 Odds: 5 best bets against the spread

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) in the huddle during the second quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) in the huddle during the second quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) scrambles for yardage against the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter at EverBank Field. The Indianapolis Colts defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 44-17. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) scrambles for yardage against the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter at EverBank Field. The Indianapolis Colts defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 44-17. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

Jacksonville Jaguars (+13) over San Diego Chargers

It’s Bortles time.

The upgrade from Chad Henne to Blake Bortles should be severe, if only because the rookie should threaten opposing defenses, while Henne was harshly limited in virtually every aspect of the game. In this spot, the entire world will be on the Chargers, especially on the heels of back-to-back wins over Seattle and Buffalo (on the road), but even with Jacksonville’s heinous display through three weeks, they should not be a two-touchdown underdog in this spot.

Bortles will do enough to keep Jacksonville moving offensively, and the Jaguars should (theoretically) be able to slow the San Diego running game with Donald Brown as the only healthy ball-carrier for the Chargers who has ever contributed in a meaningful way. Again, this won’t be pretty, but Jacksonville should probably be more like a 10-point underdog, and we’ll take the free points.