NFL Week Four Picks: Sweet and Sour

After three weeks of football, the only certainty is the lousiness of certain teams. The Rams, Browns, Bucs, and Chiefs are all junk. All the other teams have plenty of questions to be answered. Here’s hoping this week is as exciting as last week.
 
Oakland at Houston—Will Steve Slaton ever score a touchdown? If there was ever a week to pick one up…this is it. Texans 21-13
 
New York at Kansas City—Arrowhead used to be a sizeable advantage for the Chiefs. Now it’s a mere inconvenience. Sooner or later the Giants will be tested, but not this week.  Giants 27-17
 
Seattle at Indianapolis—Peyton Manning is cruising along just fine without Marvin Harrison and Anthony Gonzalez. Seattle’s addition of T.J. Houshmandzadeh (14 rec, 145 yards) hasn’t panned out for the Seahawks so far. Missing the Bengals yet Housh? Colts 31-20
 
Tennessee at Jacksonville—Considering the pathetic attendance at Jacksonville, we’ll call this a neutral site game. I’ll give the edge to the more than desperate team with the much better coach. Titans 20-17
 
Tampa Bay at Washington—Josh Johnson has a 38 rating in Madden ’10. That has Albert Haynesworth salivating. Redskins 20-9
 
Baltimore at New England—What a measuring stick game for the Ravens. Is Flacco unflappable? Can this somewhat shaky (so far) defense clamp down and punish Tom Brady? All the talking heads think so, which means they are probably wrong. Patriots 24-20
 
Cincinnati at Cleveland—Derek Anderson has had some success in the past against the Bengals, but this defense is much different than even two years ago. Plus, Carson Palmer is due to show the world that his elbow and ankle are just fine. Bengals 31-20
 
Detroit at Chicago—Congrats Lions, the winless monkey is off your back. You can pass that monkey over to Jay Cutler if you beat the Bears. Don’t get a head of yourselves Lions, baby steps. Bears 21-13
 
Buffalo at Miami—I’ll take the somewhat new quarterback (Trent Edwards) over the BRAND new one (Chad Henne.) The eminent T.O. blow-up will be put on the back burner for this week. Bills 23-10
 
New York at New Orleans—The battle of 3-0 teams will come down to the ability of Mark Sanchez to match Drew Brees touchdown for touchdown. When will Sanchez have to make a win or lose type of play? Uhhh, not gonna happen this week rookie. Saints 28-20
 
St. Louis at San Francisco—Even without Frank Gore the 49ers will pick up a divisional victory. The Rams should look at Jeff Garcia ASAP. 49ers 17-14
 
Dallas at Denver—This is the game where the winner is a media darling and the loser is banished to the scrap heap. Tony Romo better not throw in Champ Bailey’s direction because Roy Williams won’t be helping him on any errant throws. A Bailey pick-six is the difference. Broncos 24-17

San Diego at Pittsburgh—Few thought the Steelers could lose two in a row, but three? Not against a banged up Chargers squad that never wins in Pittsburgh (zero for the last 13.) Steelers 20-13
 
Green Bay at Minnesota—Ryan Longwell makes his triumph return to play against his old team the Packers. Oh wait; somebody else is doing the same thing? It comes down to the quarterbacks and since Brett Farve has circled this game a thousand times on his calendar, I’ll give him and the dome field advantage the game. Vikings 31-27