NFL Picks Week 4: Top 10 Games You Must Watch

With less than 24 hours until Week 4 of the NFL schedule kicks off, it's time to look at some of the biggest and best matchups. 

Despite the byes getting started this Sunday and Monday, the schedule this week is full of matchups you're not going to want to miss. Divisional rivals, excellent teams squaring off, and some sleeper games you might not expect to see on this list. 

These are the 10 NFL games you cannot miss this weekend. 

10. Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints, 1:00 P.M. EST, Fox

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 08: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints at Louisiana Superdome on November 8, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Why You Can't Miss It: The Panthers might be 0-3, but they've got the necessary weapons to knock off the Saints. New Orleans struggles to stop the run, and Carolina can only run the football. Think both sides know what's coming?

Excitement Factor: 5 of 10. The Panthers could run all game on the Saints' defense, while Carolina's defense can't stop anybody. These teams could push the 40-point plateau in this contest.

X Factor: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina. We know DeAngelo's going to get his yards, but the former Oregon Duck needs to have a strong game as well to keep Carolina in this game. 

Final Score: New Orleans 35, Carolina 31.  

9. New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills, 1:00 P.M. EST, CBS

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

TORONTO - DECEMBER 3: Shonn Greene #23 of the New York Jets runs the ball against Reggie Corner #27 of the Buffalo Bills at Rogers Centre on December 3, 2009 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Why You Can't Miss It: New York's offense has been clicking for the first time ever with Mark Sanchez at quarterback, but Buffalo showed signs of life against New England last week. Can the Bills pull the upset at home? 

Excitement Factor: 6 of 10. With Darrelle Revis out, the Jets' secondary has looked vulnerable over the top, which is where new starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick likes to put it. Expect some big plays, and a close finish in this one.

X Factor: Shonn Greene, RB, New York Jets. The second-year runner has struggled mightily to perform in 2010, and lost his starting gig to LaDainian Tomlinson. Can he get going again?

Final Score: New York 21, Buffalo 20. 

8. Seattle Seahawks @ St. Louis Rams, 1:00 P.M EST, FOX

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 19: Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams is pressured by Lamarr Houston #99 of the Oakland Raiders during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 19, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty

Why You Can't Miss It: Seattle's looked fantastic at home, but got waxed in their only road contest of the year. The Rams seem to be getting better every week and could contend in an incredibly weak NFC West. Which team will continue to build hype?

Excitement Factor: 6.5 out of 10. Neither of these teams would have a prayer if they didn't play in the NFC West, but this one should be close. On St. Louis' artificial turf, expect big plays throughout the game. 

X Factor: Steven Jackson. The Rams' hopes in the NFC West hinge on Jackson's running to take the pressure off Bradford. If he can't play because of his groin injury, it should be interesting to see whether their offense can function without him. 

Final Score: St. Louis 24, Seattle 20.

7. Chicago Bears @ New York Giants, 8:20 P.M EST, NBC

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 27: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears throws a pass in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on September 27, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Why You Can't Miss It: Chicago's 3-0 and riding high, but are they as good as their record indicates? The Giants have the talent to be better than 1-2, but haven't put it together yet. Plus, it's the Sunday night game, so it's the only one on.

Excitement Factor: 6.5 of 10. The Bears offense is the new "Greatest Show on Turf", and can put up points on the vulnerable Giants secondary. The Giants offense could click against a Bears' defense that appears to be back on track after a lean year or two. Look for lots of throws over the top, as both sides try to establish their offense early.

X Factor: Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants. Manning has the talent in his arm and in his receiver corps to be an elite quarterback, but can he avoid the poor decisions that have plagued him this season? 

Final Score: Chicago 28, New York 21. 

6. San Francisco 49ers @ Atlanta Falcons, 1:00 P.M. EST, Fox

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - SEPTEMBER 26: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons in action against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on September 26, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Falcons defeated the Saints 27-24. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty I

Why You Can't Miss It: To see if Atlanta's passing game can continue its two-week run of dominance, or whether something can go right for San Francisco in 2010. Can the Niners' offense improve with a new offensive coordinator?

Excitement Factor: 7 out of 10. If San Fran his righted the ship, this will be a fantastic game. If they haven't, Atlanta could score 50+ on them. 

X Factor: Alex Smith, QB, San Francisco 49ers. Saying Smith has struggled with consistency is like saying the Browns struggle with winning. He needs to find a rhythm offensively if San Fran's going to have a shot in this one. 

Final Score: San Francisco 21, Atlanta 17.

5. Denver Broncos @ Tennessee Titans, 1:00 P.M. EST, CBS

Andrew Burton/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 26: Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans runs the ball past Justin Tuck #91 of the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium on September 26, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Titans beat the Giants 29 - 10. (P

Why You Can't Miss It: The Titans are 2-1, with a pair of dominant looking wins. The Broncos are 1-2, and are looking to get back to .500 and into the thick of the AFC West race. These teams have polar opposite offenses, making it interesting to see how things will play out. 

Excitement Factor: 7 out of 10. The Titans offense can run the ball and throw it deep, while Denver's going to try and become the first team in 2010 to penetrate Tennessee's secondary. Expect deep passes early, and big runs from Chris Johnson all game long. 

X Factor: Vince Young, QB, Tennessee Titans. Young has struggled with his accuracy this season, but Denver is weaker against the pass than they are against the run. Young has to establish himself as a viable passer early in this one, or the Titans are in trouble.

Final Score: Denver 24, Tennessee 17.

4. New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins, Monday 8:30 EST, ESPN

Doug Benc/Getty Images

MIAMI - DECEMBER 06: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots drops back to pass against the Miami Dolphins at Land Shark Stadium on December 6, 2009 in Miami, Florida. The Dolphins defeated the Patriots 22-21. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Ima

Why You Can't Miss It: These two teams are early front-runners for the AFC East crown. Plus, they just don't like each other, and rivalry games are always good fun. 

Excitement Factor: 8 of 10. This one is going to be higher scoring than you think. NEw England's secondary was decimated by injury, while the Dolphins' pass defense was exposed last week against the Jets. Chad Henne and Tom Brady could each top 250 yards through the air in this one. 

X Factor: BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB, New England. "The Law Firm" is finally getting his chance to impress in Foxboro. IF he can get going, the Patriots offense would be unstoppable. 

Final Score: New England 35, Miami 28.

3. Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns, 1:00 P.M EST, CBS

Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

CLEVELAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Running back Peyton Hillis #40 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 19, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Imag

Why You Can't Miss It: These teams truly despise one another, and the fan base in Cleveland is as rabid as they come. Crazy things seem to happen when the Bengals travel to the city that set it's river on fire twice, and this Browns team has been plucky in each of their three losses. 

Excitement Factor: 8 of 10. Forget the records here; these guys always play one another close, and the Browns will be amped up to end the Bengals' 8-game divisional winning streak. 

X Factor: Peyton Hillis, RB, Cleveland. Hillis is now the go-to back in Cleveland, and he showed why last week. The Bengals' defense is good against the run, but so was Baltimore, and we all know what happened last week.

Final Score: Cincinnati 24, Cleveland 21. 

2. Washington Redskins @ Philadelphia Eagles, 4:15 P.M EST, FOX

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 26: Donavan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins passes against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on September 26, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the Redskins 30-16. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Why You Can't Miss It: Donovan McNabb makes his return to Philadelphia, while Michael Vick tries to show that the Eagles don't miss him. These team's don't like one another under normal circumstances; but this time, it's personal. 

Excitement Factor: 9 out of 10. It's a rivalry that's been present since the Super Bowl Era began, but with the story lines in play in this one, things are kicked up a notch from the normal intensity. 

X Factor: Clinton Portis, RB, Washington. While much has been made of the quarterbacks in this clash, it's Portis (and, to a lesser extent, counterpart LeSean McCoy) who will could make the difference. The Redskins don't have the receivers to run a pass-heavy offense, and they need Portis out there to provide balance. 

Final Score: Washington 21, Philadelphia 20. McNabb gets his revenge here, as round 1 goes to the 'Skins. 

1. Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers, 1:00 P.M., CBS

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 27: Ike Taylor #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers sacks Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens on December 27, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh won the game 23-20. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Why You Can't Miss It: Two teams with winning records contending for the AFC North title. Two dominant defenses, and two offenses who have struggled with consistency through three weeks. Pittsburgh is playing it's last game without Ben Roethlisberger, while the Ravens hope Joe Flacco remembers to throw the ball with his right arm. 

Excitement Factor: 10 of 10. Two defensively dominant teams gives this one an old school feel. Whose offense will get going first?

X Factor: Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore. If the Ravens want to have a shot in this one, Rice has to remember how to get into the end zone. The back's rushing and receiving skills keep defenses honest, and he has to get going early to buy Joe Flacco time.

Final Score: Baltimore 14, Pittsburgh 10.