NFL Picks Week 4: Favorites on Upset Alert

Through Week 3 of the 2012 NFL season fans have seen a handful of shocking upsets, and that will continue into Week 4.

Here are three teams on upset alert this Sunday:

*All spreads via Yahoo! Sports

Green Bay Packers (-7.5)

When the NFL created the 2012 schedule, I don't think they expected this matchup to read 0-3 New Orleans at 1-2 Green Bay.

Nonetheless, despite being winless on the season, the Saints always have a chance to win with Drew Brees under center.

You can throw out all the statistics when these two teams play. We know it's going to be a high-scoring affair, the only question is if the Saints' D can contain Aaron Rodgers and the Packers' offense, which has been uncharacteristically average in 2012.

I know this is a tough road test for New Orleans, but they've got to win eventually, don't they?

Don't be surprised if Brees & Co. go off on the Packers in Lambeau Field this Sunday.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5)

Something has to give between the 1-2 Tampa Bay Bucaneers and the Washington Redskins (1-2).

The Redskins sport the No. 2 rushing attack while the Bucs boast the the No. 1 rushing defense, making for a great showdown on Sunday.

The problem for the Bucs will be stopping not only a power running back, but an elusive quarterback on the ground.

Whereas Tampa Bay has mostly seen immobile QBs this season (with an exception of Cam Newton), RGIII proposes an extremely difficult matchup for the Bucs' defense.

And if Pierre Garcon returns to action this Sunday, I believe Tampa is on serious upset alert before the home crowd.

Detroit Lions (-4.5)

No team is on bigger upset alert than the shockingly 1-2 Detroit Lions at home against the Minnesota Vikings.

The Vikings are coming off an impressive 11-point win against the San Francisco 49ers, in which they forced three 49er turnovers.

The Lions are fresh off a disheartening overtime loss to the Tennessee Titans and have a QB in Matthew Stafford who has thrown more interceptions (four) than touchdowns (three).

Against a tough Vikings D this weekend, I'm expecting Stafford to struggle again.

If Adrian Peterson could rush for 86 yards against the best rushing defense over the course of the past two seasons, I'm willing to bet he can do some damage against Detroit this Sunday.

The Lions have officially been placed on upset alert.

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