Going into Week Three of the NFL season, did any of us foresee the Patriots, Jets, and Eagles all losing on the same day? With three of the biggest favorites of this young NFL season and all three suffering tough losses, one has to now wonder what Week Four holds in store for us.
Detroit Lions (3-0) at Dallas Cowboys (2-1)
The undefeated Lions will get their first true test of the season when they travel to Dallas for what would be an entertaining Thanksgiving Day game. They’ll test one of the league’s best pass defenses (4th) against the third-ranked Cowboys pass offense. The Lions are coming off of a scrappy win over the Vikings in Week Three, while the Cowboys pulled one off against a good Redskins squad. With Romo’s inconsistency and Detroit playing at their highest level in decades, look for the Lions to steal another game this weekend.
Pick: Lions 22 – Cowboys 13
San Francisco 49ers (2-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (1-2)
It was another tough weekend for Michael Vick and the Eagles, as Vick was tossed around and the Eagles dropped another game to the rival Giants. They’ll look to rebound with a favorable match-up against the 49ers that gutted one out against the Bengals last week. In order for the 49ers to keep the momentum going, they’ll need to find some offense somewhere in order to keep up with Vick and the Eagles. A seventh-ranked defense will help, but it won’t be enough.
Pick: Eagles 30 – 49ers 10
Minnesota Vikings (0-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (0-3)
For those fans that found the Jaguars and Panthers to be one of the ugliest games in recent memory, Week Four gives us one to top it with a game between the winless Vikings and Chiefs. At least the Vikings have lead in all of their games, so they have something going for them. The Chiefs on the other hand are averaging nine points per game, which is pitiful by professional standards. Look for the Vikings to get into the win column in this battle between coaches fighting for their jobs.
Pick: Vikings 24 – Chiefs 7
Washington Redskins (2-1) at St. Louis Rams (0-3)
Do you think Steve Spagnuolo is still happy with his decision to hold out for the Rams job? For a guy regarded as a defensive mind, his Rams rank only ahead of the lowly Chiefs in points allowed. The Redskins will look to exploit that after being held to just 16 points against the Cowboys on Monday. Look for the Redskins to keep themselves in the pack atop the NFC East.
Pick: Redskins 24 – Rams 12
New Orleans (2-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2)
After having lost one of the ugliest games in recent memory to the Panthers, the Jags are on a down note. Not exactly the time when you want to see the high-flying Saints come to town. Given that New Orleans has had to line-up across from Green Bay, Chicago, and Houston to start the season, they’re looking for what should be an easier match-up in Week Four.
Pick: Saints 41 – Jags 17
Tennessee Titans (2-1) at Cleveland Browns (2-1)
Matt Hasselbeck is still looking like the steal of free agency and has Tennessee in the mix in a weakened division, but they are getting the job done with the league’s best defense. The Browns can hold their own defensively as well, but can be exploited by a solid rushing attack, which may be just what Chris Johnson needs to get rolling ahead of an important match-up with the Steelers in Week Five.
Pick: Titans 17 – Browns 9
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) at Houston Texans (2-1)
The Steelers come into this game for their first test since dropping the opener to the Ravens. They’ve won two straight, but against the likes of the Colts and Seahawks. The Texans meanwhile got their first push of the season against New Orleans and their defense faltered. What’s worse for the Texans is the possibility of being without Mario Williams for the game. All that spells is a chance for Pittsburgh to continue to right the ship.
Pick: Steelers 24 – Texans 17
Buffalo Bills (3-0) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-2)
I can count on my finger nail the number of fans who thought that we would still be talking about the undefeated Bills and Lions after Week Three. But here we are and what a win for the Bills, coming back from a 21-0 deficit to shock the Patriots last week to stay undefeated. They will have it a bit easier in Week Four when they travel to Cincy to take on the Bengals. The Bengals continue to play rough football, managing just eight points against San Francisco last week. Look for the Bills to keep the good time rolling.
Pick: Bills 31 – Bengals 13
Carolina Panthers (1-2) at Chicago Bears (1-2)
The Cam Newton tour continues with a trip to Chicago and tough match-up with the Bears. The rookie came back to earth in tough conditions last week against Jacksonville, but has still been impressive thus far on the young season. On the other foot, the Bears have underwhelmed both the fans and the pundits alike. The groans about Jay Cutler are going to just increase unless they turn it around fast. Bears will get a needed win against a young Panther squad, but it will likely be tighter than it needs to be.
Pick: Bears 13 – Panthers 10
Atlanta Falcons (1-2) at Seattle Seahawks (1-2)
Is there a more disappointing team at 1-2 than the Atlanta Falcons? For a team with the offensive weapons they have, the Falcons should be doing a lot better than running in the middle of the pack. The Seahawks, and their Division 1-A offense are the perfect cure for Atlanta’s issues, giving Matt Ryan plenty of extra snaps. Look for the Falcons to win big.
Pick: Falcons 34 – Seahawks 13
New York Giants (2-1) at Arizona Cardinals (1-2)
The Giants got a bit of revenge for last year’s loss to the Eagles and will be looking to build off of that solid effort. Somehow the Cardinals got sideswiped by the Seahawks last week in what was a “have to win” game for them. The Giants defense isn’t going to give them the chances that Seattle did, so it could be a long day for the Cardinals again this week.
Pick: Giants 24 – Cardinals 17
Denver Broncos (1-2) at Green Bay Packers (3-0)
I’m not sure which Broncos team to expect week in and week out. They looked great defensively against the Titans in Week Three, but are still struggling to get on track offensively. Meanwhile, the Packers are looking every bit as good as a defending champion can look. They could serve to tighten things up on defense a bit, and with a struggling offense visiting them at home, look for them to do just that.
Pick: Packers 27 – Broncos 13
Miami Dolphins (0-3) at San Diego Chargers (2-1)
Things just haven’t been easy for the Dolphins. They open the season with tough match-ups against the Patriots and Texans and then get shocked by a tough Cleveland squad, only to have to keep the trend alive by traveling to San Diego to face the Chargers. The Chargers appear to be hitting a stride early this season, and with exception of a loss to New England, we’re looking an improved squad in 2011. Look for the Chargers to keep the misery in South Beach alive.
Pick: Chargers 38 – Dolphins 27
New England Patriots (2-1) at Oakland Raiders (2-1)
A week ago, I would have thought this game was a guaranteed Patriots win. However, after watching New England fold like cheap suits to the Bills while the Raiders wiped the floor with the Jets last week, the tides are certainly turning. No worries about snow or a tuck rule in this game, but the Patriots will be looking to prove that they are better than they played last week while the Raiders will likely come back to Earth a bit.
Pick: Patriots 31 – Raiders 24
New York Jets (2-1) at Baltimore Ravens (2-1)
The Jets went into last week and completely underestimated the Raiders, and they paid the price. This week they’ll get a tougher match-up with the Ravens and their stingy defense. Baltimore has looked solid in their two wins and won’t likely overlook the Jets. They’ll attempt to play this game the same way they did against Pittsburgh, which won’t spell too much relief for Mark Sanchez and the Jets.
Pick: Ravens 22 – Jets 17
Indianapolis Colts (0-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)
One has to wonder how much rope Kerry Collins will continue to get with this Colts offense. Judging by the fact that we saw Lance Painter in last week’s game, this may be a sign that this might be Collins’s last chance. The Buccaneers aren’t to make it easy for the Colts, especially coming off of a big win over Atlanta last week. Look for the Colts to stay winless until they meet up with the Chiefs next week.
Pick: Bucs 17 – Colts 13
Sources:
– NFL Schedule, NFL.com – NFL Standings, NFL.com – NFL Team Stats, NFL.com