A little research on injuries can be an NFL lookahead bettor's best friend. Take last week, for instance. On Wednesday, when I posted my lookahead picks, one of them was Tennessee getting four points from Green Bay in their Week 3 clash. Packers QB Jordan Love had yet to be ruled out by the Packers from their Week 2 game after an injured knee in the opener, which explained the Packers' favoritism. 

Love had been diagnosed with an MCL sprain. U did not need a medical degree to deduce that such an ailment likely would keep him idled for at least a game. Sure enough, after playing coy all week by labeling Love as questionable, the Packers dropped him to doubtful... and then to out.

As a result, the lookahead line nearly flipped this week, with the Titans going from +4 to -3 — even though Green Bay won with Malik Willis behind center and Tennessee plummeted to 0-2. If Love returns Sunday, the spread could shrink slightly, but snaring the Titans with the current swing of seven points is as good as it gets with lookahead wagering.

On the other hand, another substantial swing happened in an undesirable direction. I opted for Philadelphia at -3 against New Orleans, figuring the rested Eagles would handle Atlanta on Monday night and the Saints would not reprise their 42-point victory in opening week.

Oops. Philly bowed to the Falcons, while the Saints triumphed this time by a mere 25 points at Dallas. Had I waited, the Eagles would have been available at +2.5 against the league's premier team through two weeks. Instead, we're stuck with spotting the white-hot Saints a field goal.

I scored by grabbing New England at +7.5 against the New York Jets, thinking the line could dip to an unwelcome number. Indeed, sportsbooks now list the Patriots at +6 or +6.5.

As for our final selection last week — Indianapolis -1 versus Chicago — no change.

Let's ride with these three lookaheads off the Week 4 schedule.

Week 4 lookahead lines

(Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook)

Cowboys (-7) at Giants, O/U 43.5
Bengals (-7) at Panthers, O/U 43
Broncos at Jets (-7.5), O/U 38
Eagles (-1) at Buccaneers, O/U 47
Rams at Bears (-3), O/U 42
Vikings at Packers (-2.5), O/U 42.5
Steelers at Colts (-1), O/U 41
Jaguars at Texans (-5.5), O/U 46
Saints at Falcons (-1), O/U 46
Patriots at 49ers (-9.5), O/U 41
Commanders at Cardinals (-4.5), O/U 49.5
Chiefs (-4) at Chargers, O/U 43.5
Browns (-1) at Raiders, O/U 39.5
Bills at Ravens (-1.5), O/U 45.5
Titans at Dolphins (-1.5), O/U 39.5
Seahawks at Lions (-4), O/U 48.5

Which Week 4 sides make for great plays before Week 3 kicks off? And which underdog offers a great betting opportunity? ... Join SportsLine right now to see Week 3 lookahead picks from NFL expert Mike Tierney!