Week 4 NFL Picks: Struggling Teams That Will Bounce Back with Big Wins

Week 4 is the difference between digging your way out of a two-game deficit or climbing back to .500 in the NFL. This week, the Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers and a slew of other teams all face the reality that a loss would drop their record to 1-3, decreasing their chances to make the playoffs.

It's been a strange season for the NFL's former elite. Names like New Orleans and Pittsburgh have struggled out of the gate, while Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay were robbed last Monday night on what will be one of the most talked about plays of all-time.

There's only two teams that haven't picked up a win (New Orleans, Cleveland), so the talent pool seems to be spread pretty evenly across the league over the first couple of weeks.

However, as we hit Week 4, it's time for the real players and teams to start separating themselves from the rest of the pack. That starts with these three teams, who desperately need wins to get out of their early season funks.

Detroit Lions (1-2) vs. Minnesota Vikings (2-1) - 1 p.m. ET

It's a big week for the Lions, whether or not Matthew Stafford takes the field. After a disappointing report that he was not at practice on Wednesday, Stafford returned Thursday, according to Lions lead writer Tim Twentyman. The news increases the likelihood that he'll be able to take the field against the surprise 2-1 Vikings.

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Lions QB Matthew Stafford back on the practice field. TE Tony Scheffler and WR Titus Young also back. Williams,Lewis and Delmas still out.

— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) September 27, 2012"

His presence on the field will be huge, but Shaun Hill once again proved to NFL fans that he can sling the ball a little bit, his weird drop-back not withstanding. Factor in new starter Mikel Leshoure, who picked up 134 total yards in his first NFL start, and the Lions have all the weapons to turn this thing around.

However, the Vikings haven't been an easy out and are coming off of an impressive win against the San Fransisco 49ers. I think it gets to their heads a little bit, and Detroit is the team most in need of a win on Sunday.

Green Bay Packers (1-2) vs. New Orleans Saints (0-3)

Big week for both teams. The Saints are tasked with picking up their first win on the road, against a team that was just robbed by the league with a defense that is made of Swiss cheese? I just don't see it.

It might not be fair for Saints fans, but they're going to get the best that the Pack has to offer on Sunday. Coming off a short week and the emotion of the loss in Seattle is a concern, but I think Green Bay uses that fire to climb back up the NFC North leaderboard, handing the Saints an improbable fourth loss to start the season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-2) vs. Washington Redskins (1-2)

Tampa Bay didn't win on the road in Dallas, but it took some more positive steps under new head coach Greg Schiano that didn't involve taking a knee.

The defense was swarming to the ball, didn't allow anything on the ground and beat up on Tony Romo all afternoon. They were one play away from winning that game, and the way Josh Freeman was slinging it in the fourth quarter made you wonder why Tampa wasn't opening up the playbook a little bit more.

I think they do that against the Redskins, who will prove to be a tough game for almost every team in the league this season. Tampa Bay's defense does just enough to keep Robert Griffin III out of the end zone on the final drive, and Tampa turns things around in the suddenly open NFC South.