Retro TBL – Week 4 Game Previews

Atoms (1–2) vs. MadDawgz (1–2)

The Atoms finally broke through with a win, but staying out of the cellar won’t be easy against the Dawgz. Justin Herbert’s big arm and Tyreek Hill’s game-breaking speed make the Atoms dangerous any week, but the MadDawgz counter with Jared Goff feeding Ja’Marr Chase, DeVonta Smith, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba — a WR room that can torch anyone. For the Dawgz, it’s about efficiency; for the Atoms, it’s about explosive plays.

• Quarterback: Herbert vs. Goff → Edge: Atoms

• Running Backs: Williams/Irving vs. Harvey + depth → Edge: MadDawgz

• Wide Receivers: Hill/Jeudy/Coleman vs. Chase/Smith/JSN/Nabers → Edge: MadDawgz

• Tight End: Pitts vs. Kraft → Edge: Atoms

• Kicker: Dicker vs. Boswell → Edge: Even

• Defense/ST: Cardinals vs. Broncos → Edge: Even

Prediction: MadDawgz 152, Atoms 141

Believers (0–3) vs. Lions (2–1)

The Believers are staring straight at an 0–4 hole, and Lamar Jackson needs to put the team on his back. They’ve gotten flashes from Breece Hall, but the WR corps hasn’t been enough to keep up. The Lions are a juggernaut: Caleb Williams has been smooth under center, Bijan Robinson is already establishing himself as one of the league’s best, and Chris Olave and Rome Odunze headline a dangerous WR group. The Believers need perfection to survive this matchup in a father-son battle. 

• Quarterback: Lamar vs. Caleb → Edge: Believers

• Running Backs: Montgomery/Hall vs. Bijan/Allgeier → Edge: Lions

• Wide Receivers: Kirk/London vs. Olave/Odunze → Edge: Lions

• Tight End: Likely/Kincaid vs. Hockenson/McBride → Edge: Lions

• Kicker: Elliott vs. Fairbairn → Edge: Even

• Defense/ST: Chargers vs. Texans → Edge: Even

Prediction: Lions 168, Believers 132

BadM’fers (2–1) vs. Condors (1–1–1)

The BadM’fers have leaned on Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara to grind out wins, but Aaron Rodgers will need to be sharp in a game that feels like a shootout waiting to happen. The Condors, led by C.J. Stroud and a trio of young, fast WRs, are built for track meets. This game could go down to the final possession, with the Condors’ balance clashing against the BadM’fers’ top-heavy firepower.

• Quarterback: Rodgers vs. Stroud → Edge: Even

• Running Backs: McCaffrey/Kamara/Chubb vs. Warren/Hampton → Edge: BadM’fers

• Wide Receivers: Allen/Horton vs. Flowers/Worthy/Pearsall → Edge: Condors

• Tight End: Fannin vs. Warren → Edge: Even

• Kicker: Lutz vs. Loop → Edge: BadM’fers

• Defense/ST: Patriots vs. Chiefs → Edge: Even

Prediction: BadM’fers 174, Condors 160

Bulls (2–1) vs. Jackrabbits (2–1)

This is a battle of steady contenders. The Bulls, with Brock Purdy, Ashton Jeanty, and breakout star Nico Collins, have been consistent all year. But the Jackrabbits bring star QB Jalen Hurts and an all-around balanced lineup led by CeeDee Lamb and Emeka Egbuka. The winner gets momentum in a tight division where every win counts.

• Quarterback: Purdy vs. Hurts → Edge: Jackrabbits

• Running Backs: Jeanty/Mason vs. Dobbins/Pacheco → Edge: Jackrabbits

• Wide Receivers: Collins/Nacua/McConkey vs. Lamb/Moore/Egbuka → Edge: Jackrabbits

• Tight End: Ferguson vs. Ertz/Henry → Edge: Jackrabbits

• Kicker: Santos vs. Prater → Edge: Even

• Defense/ST: Jaguars vs. Colts → Edge: Even

Prediction: Jackrabbits 171, Bulls 150

Mudhawx (2–1) vs. Juggernauts (1–2)

The Mudhawx are soaring thanks to Kyler Murray’s dual-threat brilliance and Marvin Harrison Jr.’s instant impact. The Juggernauts, however, have the backfield edge with Kenneth Walker and James Cook — both capable of swinging the game on their own. If Bryce Young can finally find some rhythm through the air with Michael Pittman Jr., the Juggernauts could make this close.

• Quarterback: Murray vs. Young → Edge: Mudhawx

• Running Backs: Javonte/Benson vs. Walker/Cook → Edge: Juggernauts

• Wide Receivers: Waddle/Harrison vs. Pittman/Franklin/Brown → Edge: Mudhawx

• Tight End: Bowers vs. Andrews → Edge: Juggernauts

• Kicker: Aubrey vs. Carlson → Edge: Even

• Defense/ST: Vikings vs. Eagles → Edge: Even

Prediction: Mudhawx 162, Juggernauts 154

Rebels (1–1–1) vs. Bombers (2–1)

This is the headliner of the week. Josh Allen leads the Rebels into a showdown with Patrick Mahomes and the Bombers. The Rebels have a solid RB trio in Josh Jacobs, Travis Etienne, and Devon Achane, but the Bombers’ skill positions are loaded: Barkley, Pollard, Gibbs, Jefferson, Samuel, and Kelce. It’s star power versus resilience, and the Bombers simply bring too much firepower to the field.

• Quarterback: Allen vs. Mahomes → Edge: Even

• Running Backs: Jacobs/Etienne/Achane vs. Barkley/Pollard/Gibbs → Edge: Bombers

• Wide Receivers: Metcalf/Johnston vs. Jefferson/Samuel → Edge: Bombers

• Tight End: LaPorta vs. Kelce → Edge: Bombers

• Kicker: Bates vs. McLaughlin → Edge: Even

• Defense/ST: Lions vs. Seahawks → Edge: Bombers

Prediction: Bombers 186, Rebels 159

Yinzers (2–1) vs. Terrors (1–2)

The Yinzers have found a winning formula with Jordan Love distributing to Amon-Ra St. Brown and George Pickens, but they’re up against a Terrors team loaded with firepower. Derrick Henry, Jonathan Taylor, Davante Adams, and Garrett Wilson form one of the scariest cores in the league. If the Terrors get even average QB play, they’re a nightmare matchup.

• Quarterback: Love vs. Darnold → Edge: Yinzers

• Running Backs: Corum/Henderson vs. Henry/Swift/Taylor → Edge: Terrors

• Wide Receivers: St. Brown/Pickens/Meyers vs. Adams/Wilson → Edge: Terrors

• Tight End: Njoku vs. Freiermuth → Edge: Even

• Kicker: Reichard vs. McManus → Edge: Even

• Defense/ST: Bills vs. Packers → Edge: Even

Prediction: Terrors 164, Yinzers 158

What’s at Stake

• Atoms vs. MadDawgz: Both teams sit at 1–2. The winner claws back to .500 and stays in the mix, while the loser faces an uphill climb in a brutal division.

• Believers vs. Lions: The Believers are trying to avoid 0–4, which would essentially bury their season. The Lions, with a win, could seize sole control of the Priest Holmes Conference.

• BadM’fers vs. Condors: The BMFs can establish themselves as the team to beat with a win, while the Condors badly need a victory to avoid slipping below .500.

• Bulls vs. Jackrabbits: Both at 2–1, this is about positioning. A win gives the victor a key tiebreaker in what looks like the league’s tightest division.

• Mudhawx vs. Juggernauts: The Mudhawx can keep pace with the Lions at the top, while the Juggernauts risk falling into a 1–3 hole that could be tough to climb out of.

• Rebels vs. Bombers: A true statement game. The Rebels can prove they belong with the elite, but a loss keeps them in the middle tier. The Bombers would tie for the league’s best record with a victory.

• Yinzers vs. Terrors: The Yinzers want to prove they’re contenders, while the Terrors can’t afford to fall to 1–3 in a division where the Lions and Mudhawx are already surging.

Week 4 is packed with playoff implications — contenders can separate, winless squads can sink, and the middle of the table is fighting to stay alive.