NFL Week 4 Preview and Picks

Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys

The new breed Lions are coming off a hard fought 26-23 comeback overtime win against the winless Minnesota Vikings last Sunday. They are off to their best start in 31 years. They face an injured Dallas squad that limped to a victory over the Washington Redskins 18-16 on Monday. The Cowboys didn't even score an offensive touchdown in the contest. The home field advantage is not like it once was in Dallas and they are still banged up. The Lions showed heart last week when they were down 20-0 at halftime. Now that they have that out of their system, Detroit will be focused when they travel to Dallas. I like the Lions and 4-0.

Detroit 27 Dallas 21

New Orleans Saints vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Drew Brees is one of the best quarterbacks in the N.F.L. The Saints are playing very well and are coming off a big win against Houston. As for the Jaguars, their season started downhill when they let go of their starting quarterback. Luke McNown wasn't working out so Blaine Gabbert got the call last week against Carolina. No matter who starts, the Saints have way too much talent to lose to Jacksonville, despite being on the road.

New Orleans 38 Jacksonville 17

San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are last in the division and the defense has not been what we expected. It looks like Micheal Vick will start on Sunday, but are all the issues addressed? San Francisco is 2-1, but their wins are against the Bengals and Seahawks. The 49er run game has been absent so far this season and they will have to show up on Sunday. This is a must win game for the Eagles. They need the offensive line to block better and for the defense to play up to their standards. Another trip out east back to back, not good for San Francisco. Eagles win.

Philadelphia 23 San Francisco 14

Washington Redskins vs. St. Louis Rams

The Redskins are coming off a game that they should have won. Even so, they are still a solid team. They could easily be 3-0 coming into this game. As for the Rams, they haven't had anything to cheer about this season. And due to injuries, they are currently a weak team. Sam Bradford hasn't been himself and Stephen Jackson is MIA. Las Vegas says the Rams will win this one, but I beg to differ, although it will be close.

Washington 20 St. Louis 17

Tennessee Titans vs. Cleveland Browns

The Titans have won 2 straight and they have looked nothing like the week one team. Matt Hasselback has been the offense and Chris Johnson has not been found. Cleveland is also on a 2 game winning streak after a last ditch drive to beat Miami. The Browns are at home again on Sunday, but they have not played consistent. But truth be told, neither has Tennessee. Matt Hasselback will be the key to victory for the Titans. Where is that guy from the Madden cover at?

Tennessee 27 Cleveland 17

Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals

These two teams were picked to finish last when the season began. Now, Buffalo is 3-0 and the Bengals have one more win then what we thought they would. In saying that, how is Buffalo only a 3 point favorite? Buffalo is for real and they showed it last week against the Patriots snapping a 15 game losing streak. The Bengals are just too young. Does anyone remember Fitzpatrick playing for the Bengals? Must just be playing for the Bengals I guess.

Buffalo 35 Cincinnati 17

Minnesota Vikings vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Bad news? They both are 0-3. Good news? Somebody walks away a winner. The Vikings have had leads in the past two games, but fail to close out the game. The Chiefs only lost by 3 against the Chargers on Sunday. Advantage? Vikings. Divisional games are usually close. Adrian Peterson needs to get enough carries to make an impact. Due to last week, I believe he will. The Chiefs have too many issues such as injuries. The Vikes win on the road.

Minnesota 20 Kansas City 14

Carolina Panthers vs. Chicago Bears

Cam Newton got his first win last Sunday and his stats also fell back down to Earth. The Panthers played Green Bay more competitive then the Bears did when they played. But even so, I believe the defense will get to Cam at Soldier Field. Chicago had their chances last Sunday, but they failed to convert. They will this weekend. I look for Cutler to rebound from last weekends lose. He has now had said what he needed too and now it is time to put up or shut up.

Chicago 23 Carolina 17

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Houston Texans

I am not sure which Steeler team will show up on Sunday. The one that played Baltimore and indianapolis, or the one that played Seattle. The Steelers have issues with the line and they have to be fixed when they travel to Houston. The Texans lost to a great Saints team, but were right in the mix of things. I have to lean toward Houston in this matchup. I believe Pittsburgh will have trouble up front. It will be a close game but I believe the Texans win at home.

Houston 21 Pittsburgh 20

Atlanta Falcons vs. Seattle Seahawks

Atlanta was a high pick to go to the Superbowl, but they haven't played like it yet. They travel to play the offensively challenged Seahawks on Sunday. Atlanta is just far better then Seattle in all aspects of the game. The Falcons may finally get the ball rolling in this game. If they don't, it may be a long season. I am still waiting on Charlie Whitehurst to take over the offense. Seattle has scored 30 points in 3 games. Seattle always plays tough at home though.

Atlanta 20 Seattle 10

New York Giants vs. Arizona Cardinals

The Giants seem to be back on track after a 29-16 win in Philadelphia. Eli Manning looked real good in that game. I thought Arizona was going to be much better this year, but they lost a heart breaker last Sunday against Seattle. I believe New York has confidence and Arizona is left wondering about last weeks loss. However, I do like Fitzgerald against this Giant secondary. I am calling upset on this one. I am taking the Cards.

Arizona 28 New York 27

Miami Dolphins vs. San Diego Chargers

Miami lost a heart breaker last week in Cleveland 17-16 in the final minute of the game. San Diego is off to a better start then normal. Miami's defense has only been a mere shadow of that tough defense from last season. The Charger defense is ranked number one in the N.F.L. San Diego is at home and I like Phillip Rivers against this Miami secondary. It looks like Miami will be 0-4 going into their bye week.

San Diego 41 Miami 20

Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers

Denver's offensive problems continues and the defensive secondary now has to worry about the best passing quarterback in the league. Not only that, they have to play Green Bay at home. Green Bay is 3-0 and playing better then any N.F.L. team right now. The Packer defense is coming off a good showing and Denver is coming into town after a tough loss to the Titans. The Packers are too focused to let one slip by them and it will be a long day for the visiting Broncos.

Green Bay 37 Denver 20

New England Patriots vs. Oakland Raiders

The Patriots are coming off a rough loss to the undefeated Bills, a team they have beat 15 times in a roll before Sunday. Tom Brady has cut his hair and they won't overlook this Oakland team that beat the Jets last Sunday. The Patriots will be focused but we they be able to contain McFadden? This is no easy game for either side and you know how these east coast/west coast games go. This will be a hard fought game and the Pats will win a close one.

Patriots 24 Oakland 21

New York Jets vs. Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore looked much better last week when they blew the Rams out of the water. The Jets had a tough loss in Oakland and they received a mouth full of Rex Ryan. I am sure both teams will be focused and this will be one of those old style dog fights. It will be cold this weekend and the edge goes to Ray Rice and the Ravens. Mark Sanchez still hasn't proved he is an elite quarterback. Hard to say for a quarterback that has went to 2 straight conference title games. He lacks consistency. Joe Flacco is playing the best he has ever played. I like the Ravens.

Ravens 18 Jets 13

Indianapolis Colts vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

You have to give credit to the Colts for hanging in the game against the Steelers last Sunday night. None the less, now they travel to play another good team in the Bucs. Tampa Bay is coming off a tough 16-13 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Josh Freeman is one of the best young quarterbacks in the N.F.L. right now, playing better then Sam Bradford now. I love the spirit of the Colts, but I like Tampa Bay in the game.

Tampa Bay 27 indianapolis 17