By Alex Raskin Dailymail.com Sports News Editor
Updated at 13:39 on October 9, 2023, 13:41 on October 9, 2023
- James started the week 0-2, but made it worse by picking the Pats over the Saints
- But then the Lakers star started racking up wins, including a Jets victory over the Broncos
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
First, LeBron James failed to pick the Washington Commanders over the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football. Then the self-proclaimed “football fan” made the mistake again, choosing the Buffalo Bills over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday in London. To top it all off, James told viewers on Instagram Live on Sunday morning that he “would pick the Patriots” over the Saints, only for New England to be routed 34-0 at home.
In the second week after posting his NFL photos on social media, James began to lose the confidence of his followers.
“You’re not very good at this,” complained one Eagles fan. “The king will be distraught.”
Other fans also accused the Lakers star of overlooking the underdog on Sunday: “Bro picked the -600 favorite…shocking.”
But just when it seemed like James was out of his depth, the winners came pouring in. It’s one thing to pick the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs over the Minnesota Vikings, but James also had the woeful New York Jets beat the Denver Broncos. By the end of the day, James had an impressive 12-3 record in Week 4 and a 7-5 record for the week.
While 7-5 may seem mediocre for a four-time NBA champion accustomed to success, it’s a better winning percentage than his Lakers team had last season.
James recently decided to start announcing draft picks on Instagram Live, putting himself at risk of being ridiculed for his predictions, while others insist his predictions in some way influenced subsequent games.
“Why did Lyndon Johnson curse the buffaloes?” one fan asked, apparently referring to the Bills.
Not only has James proven himself to be a knowledgeable fan, but he has also proven himself to be someone who is up to date on the latest injury situation. In the 15-minute video, James sips the mystery green juice while gushing about a series of injuries that have complicated his predictions for the week.
“I think the Giants are still taking a lot of hits,” he said, referring to left tackle Andrew Toomes, center John Michael Schmitz and, most importantly, Saquon Barkley. “I think (Giants quarterback) Daniel Jones really needs (Barkley) as a security blanket. You can run out of the backfield or make plays or just get him into coverage plays or whatever the situation is.
“I let the Dolphins win that game,” James correctly predicted.
His toughest decision of the day comes when the Los Angeles Rams host the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles.
The Rams started the week with just a 2-2 record, but with All-Pro wide receiver Cooper Kupp returning from injury and rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua Emerging, James trusted Matthew Stafford to guide Los Angeles’ offense.
“Matthew Stafford has a cannon,” James said, detailing the Rams’ lineup on both sides of the ball.
But before James joined the Rams, he admitted the Eagles’ 4-0 run was too impressive.
“I think I’m going to have to choose the Eagles,” he said. “I think they’ve been playing some of the best football in the NFL the last four weeks with the Niners and the Bills.
‘They have it all. In the running game, DeAndre Swift looks great, and (quarterback) Jalen Hurts is just a super competitor, super winner.
“They were just acting.”
Hurts’ performance was far from perfect on Sunday in Los Angeles, but he still threw for 303 yards and a touchdown in a 23-14 victory.
But this week’s NFL game isn’t over yet, and so neither is James.
The 38-year-old forward predicts the visiting Green Bay Packers will defeat the Raiders on Monday Night Football in Las Vegas.
“It’s a tale of two halves for them,” James said of the Packers’ inconsistent 2-2 record. “Sometimes they play well in the first half but not well in the second half. Sometimes they play well in the second half and not well in the first half.
“Let’s see if they can play 60 minutes of good football.
James didn’t watch a football game that day. Instead, he appeared alongside WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes at the Sin City game between the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty. In the first game of the finals.