NFL Picks: 3 Favorites Who Will Cost You Money in Week 4

By (Featured Columnist) on September 26, 2011

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 18:  Head coach of the New York Jets, Rex Ryan on the sideline against the Jacksonville Jaguars at MetLife Stadium on September 18, 2011 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
In Week 3 the New York Jets were upset by the Oakland Raiders 34-24.
Nick Laham/Getty Images

In Week 3 of the NFL season, the Buffalo Bills (3-0) stunned the New England Patriots (2-1), 34-31. The Oakland Raiders (2-1) did the same to the New York Jets (2-1), 34-24.

In Week 2, the Tennessee Titans knocked off the Baltimore Ravens, 26-13. The Washington Redskins defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 22-21.

The better teams in the NFL can fall on any given Sunday, as was the case in these games.

Expect more of the same in Week 4.

Here are three games to watch for an upset:

New York Giants

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 25:   Larry Fitzgerald #11 and  Kevin Kolb #4 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrate a touchdown for a 10-3 lead over the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field on September 25, 2011 in Seattle, Washington.  (P
Harry How/Getty Images

The New York Giants enter their matchup with the Arizona Cardinals on a two-game winning streak, while the Cardinals are on a two-game losing streak.

The Giants should be favored, and rightfully so.

After slipping up against the Washington Redskins, 28-14, in Week 1, they have been running on all cylinders the past two weeks, scoring 28 and 29 points, respectively, and allowing 16 points each week.

When the Giants fell to the Redskins, two things happened: quarterback Eli Manning was under constant pressure and the running game wasn't strong.

Against the Redskins, Manning was sacked four times and hit seven times. He threw an interception and had a passer rating of 70.8. His running game only gained 75 yards on the ground.

In two victories, the Giants had 102 yards or more rushing and Manning was sacked three times or less.

The Cardinals have the offense to win a shootout, so if the defense can get to Manning and shut down the running game, they should be able to knock off the Giants in Week 4.

Chicago Bears

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 25:  Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 25, 2011 in Charlotte, North Carolina.  (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

The Bears, coming off of a 27-17 loss to the Green Bay Packers, enter Week 5 against the Carolina Panthers on a two-game losing streak with the Detroit Lions looming in Week 5.

The Bears need a win badly. Fortunately, the Carolina Panthers should be an easy home victory, shouldn't they?

Carolina's rookie quarterback Cam Newton didn't throw for over 400 yards passing in Week 3, but he led his team to victory despite monsoon-like playing conditions.

Newton is a phenomenal talent. He has a cannon for an arm. Can the Chicago Bears handle that?

New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees dropped 270 yards and three touchdown on the Bears in Week 2. Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers had 297 yards and three touchdowns in Week 3.

The Bears' secondary can be had. And in regular playing conditions, Newton is two-for-two on throwing for 400-plus yards passing (on Sunday he dealt with monsoon-like playing conditions, which limited the passing game).

With two consecutive losses, the Bears are in a tailspin. They need a victory. But can they slow Newton and the Carolina offense?

New England Patriots

FOXBORO, MA -  SEPTEMBER 18:  Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots watches the action during a game with the San Diego Chargers at Gillette Stadium on September 18, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Jim Rogash/Getty Images

The New England Patriots (2-1) were shocked Sunday afternoon on the road against the Buffalo Bills, 34-31. They showed that they are human and can be beaten.

The Oakland Raiders (2-1) showed that they can play the smash-mouth football game with the best of them when they knocked off the New York Jets (2-1) 34-24 Sunday.

Oakland can give New England a run for its money in Week 4.

The Jets entered the game as the ninth-best rush defense (88 yards per game), but allowed Darren McFadden to rush for 171 yards and two touchdowns. The Raiders scored an additional two touchdowns on the ground. 

The Raiders may have broken Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez's nose on a day when he threw for a career-high 369 yards. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will put up similar numbers to Sanchez's in Week 3.

But the Raiders have a new toughness about them. They sacked Sanchez four times and got six quarterback hits in the game. They can get after Brady and get him thinking twice as he roams about the pocket.

The Raiders don't have the passing game to compete in a shootout, but if this game stays in the 20s, they can take down New England—especially since it's in Oakland.

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