NFL Week 4 Selections

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So we are approaching the 1/4 part of the season and after the 4th week of the NFL season, we can generally tell who is for real and who isn’t. I think most of us agree that the Colts and Pats are very good and these are going to be “Super Bowl Like” games when they hook up in the regular season. This is going to be a fun weekend and a lot of good match ups. So let’s cut to the chase and get to my Week 4 selections.

Houston @ Atlanta - Things continue to brew in Atlanta with the ESPN Town Hall Meeting and then shortly after that, Vick tested positive for drugs. Now it gets even more interesting as Matt Schaub makes his return to the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Texans might be crippled a bit if Ahman Green and Andre Johnson sit in Week 4 and limits what the Texans can do offensively. Both teams have solid defenses and this is where the game story will be. Which ever team’s defense can create the turnovers on the other team’s territory is going to win this game. Defense plays a big part here and the crowd noise will be the extra edge the Falcons need to keep pace with the Texans defense. (PUSH)

NY Jets @ Buffalo - A good battle brews in New York and I could see a lot of scoring occurring in this game. Bills just aren’t quite there yet as a team and I have a hard time seeing them stopping Pennington to Coles in the Jets passing game. I see Coles with huge numbers here and will go with the Jets to win this one, but both teams put up 24+ points.

Baltimore @ Cleveland - The Ravens are a good team and I will even go out on a limb and say they are a balanced team. Obviously the questions come more from the offense, then the defensive studs that fly to the ball on Sundays. The Ravens defense and the talented core of young players the Browns have on offense will be the desired match up here. The game might be decided the other way though and I think the Ravens offense has to remain turnover free here, to beat the Browns. If the Ravens turn the ball over, they will lose this game to the Browns. I will say that the Browns force multiple turnovers and edge the Ravens on Sunday. (Browns)

St. Louis @ Dallas - I been known to stray on clear winners sometime and go with the heavily favored underdogs. My upset picks are upset picks and not like the ones you see on television where they aren’t really upset picks. However, even my flare for the dramatic can’t make the Rams the winner in this game. Should be interesting to see if Dallas can finally overcome their first quarter troubles with the struggling Rams. If Dallas doesn’t score in the first quarter of this game, a disturbing pattern will be developing in the BIG D. (Cowboys)

Chicago @ Detroit - I like this game and is one that I really look forward to seeing. It’s my Super Bowl pick in the Detroit Lions playing the team that represented the NFC in the Super Bowl last year. A big reason I’m on the Lions bandwagon is Calvin Johnson and he needs to suit up and play this game. If he plays the whole game, I’m confident the Lions win at home. Bears defense is solid, but I think the Lions will expose them on Sunday and this will be the most points the Bears will allow all year long. I do wish we could get a little more media attention on the Bears quarterback situation. (Lions)

Oakland @ Miami - The Raiders have to travel a long way on Sunday to the South Florida area, where the weather could be a factor in this game. If conditions are wet, then I think it helps the Raiders, but just keeps the game closer in what the final score will read. The Raiders are not the worse team in the NFL, but they are close and Miami’s defense is just too good to lose at home to the Raiders. (Dolphins)

Green Bay @ Minnesota - Brett Farve and crew are running things nicely in CheeseHead Land. The Packers have been deadly with the quick crossing routes the receivers are running and with Greg Jennings back, I see the Packers as a hard team to stop. Vikings have a shot in this game, but they have to put up 30+ points to win. I don’t see them in sync well enough to get that mark and I have to go with Bubba Franks multi touchdown day here. (Packers)

Tampa Bay @ Carolina - This Southeast Divsion matchup will be a high impact game and will be filled with emotions. I look for a lot of extra curicular activites to be going on in this one and don’t be surprised to see ejections and susupensions handed down after this one is over. The Saints and Falcons are done and it leaves these two teams fighting to see who is the best and neither team can afford to lose this game. It’s both teams biggest game of the year and they will be no one holding anything back. Carolina will get Steve Smith involved in this game and it showed last week against the Falcons as they gave him a rest then, so he could be super fresh for this one. Bucs must contain Smith and hold him under 100 yards receiving to give their offense a chance to win this game. I have just been too impressed with Tampa’s defense this year to go against them now. (Buccaneers)

Seattle @ San Francisco - The Seahawks need to get their passing game more established and the 49ers have been solid in defensing the passing game. Patrick Willis is a stud on defense for the 49ers and it’s amazing to see a rookie linebacker with such an impact. Seahawks have the better QB in this game, I’m just not sure if Hasselbeck’s weapons are much of a threat. Alexander needs a big game on the road for Seattle to have a chance. (PUSH)

Pittsburgh @ Arizona - Matt Leniert is done as an NFL quarterback and hopefully for Cardinal fans he never takes another snap again. Kurt Warner will lead this team over one of the best defenses in the NFL. The Steelers are a lock to make the playoffs, but they will under estimate the power that Kurt Warner brings to the table. Let it be noted that the Arizona GM made one of the best decisions in football, by acquiring Warner as a backup. Warner shines bright and Cardinals win in blowout fashion. (Cardinals)

Denver @ Indianapolis - Jay Cutler has to do his best Peyton Manning impersonation, for his Broncos to have a chance at Indy. Now are Harrison and Wayne too much for Bly and Bailey to cover? If they are two corners in football that can keep Harrison and Wayne shut down, it would be Dre Bly and Champ Bailey. Don’t fear Colt fans, you still have two solid tight ends that Manning will find all day long. Colts tight ends come up big in this game against the Broncos. Adai will be a factor in the backfield, but more in the receiving yards than rushing. (Colts)

Kansas City @ San Diego - Two of the best tight ends in football will be featured in this game. I think that could be a good barometer on how to judge this game. The tight end with the better day wins? Now two of the best running backs are on display as well and both backs have struggled to this point. I just can’t see San Diego playing good football for 4 quarters and I think the Chiefs make a 4th quarter comeback and beat the Bolts on the road. (Chiefs)

Philadelphia @ New York Giants - Ok, I went with the Eagles last week in my Week 3 Picks, but Donovan McNabb doesn’t put up numbers like that two straight weeks. Too much pressure from a talented defensive line the Giants have and Antonio Pierce will have a target on McNabb all night long in this Sunday Night match up. I see Donovan McNabb getting sacked all night long and that can’t be good for the Eagles. Pierce makes the play of the game on defense and will keep the Giants on a winning streak. (Giants)

New England @ Cincinnati - I can’t see no team beating the Pats with Moss playing. He’s not just one of the reasons why the Patriots have been so dominant, but he’s the only reason why they have been so devastating to opposing team’s defenses. I don’t see the Bengals putting up much of a fight in this game and will lay down at halftime. Patriots win big and will hit the 50+ mark on Monday Night Football! (Patriots)

So there is my expert picks for Week 4 in the NFL. Feel free to leave your own picks for one of the games or all of them. Please let me know if you think I messed up on a game or if I was dead on with my prediction. May all your teams win on Sunday!