NFL Lines Week 4: The Quick Read

By Louis “King of Roncesvalles” Pisano

The Manning brothers stay perfect through three weeks with a sibling rivalry driving the ever growing debate as to who is the better QB in the family. Papa Archie Manning should have his DNA stored for future cloning...just a thought.

The Ravens are quickly establishing themselves as not only a defensive juggernaut but an equally potent offensive threat.

Seemingly everyone’s pre-season pick as a powerhouse, the Green Bay Packers, don’t look as good as projected, especially in their new 3-4 defence. For now, my record is sitting at 30-18 against the spread and 36-12 straight up.

Lions @ Bears -10 O/U 40.5

Both teams defences are plagued by injury, and Cutler seems to be getting more comfortable in his new home as is his counterpart Matthew Stafford, last week breaking the goose egg (0-19) in the win column against the offensively challenged Redskins.

Both teams' receivers should have big games. The Lions have covered five of the last six spreads, including both games in Chicago.

Bears Win 31-24

Buccaneers @ Redskins -7.5 O/U 37

This game isn’t worth the pixels in this sentence, really! Both teams average a meagre 13 points per game on offense, Washington should be looking to improve on those stats playing against the Bucs.

With Tampa’s injuries on offense and a completely inept defence which ranks 31st in 3 of 4 categories including giving up an average of 187.3 yards on the ground, Clinton Portis may look like the running back of old when he came over in the trade for Champ Bailey.

Redskins Win 17-6

Raiders @ Texans -8.5 O/U 42.5

This may look like a blowout game, but it’s a lot closer than one might think. The Texans while having a good passing attack, are challenged defensively and rank 32nd in both total yards 436.7 and in rush yards allowed at 205 per game.

The Raiders may have an answer for the passing game ranking 14th overall. Darren McFadden could have a big day and chew up valuable time off the clock. Houston lost last year in Oakland 27-16 in week 16.

Houston Wins 24-17

Seahawks @ Colts -10 O/U 44

Peyton Manning continues to be one of the elite quarterbacks in the league and should carve up the secondary of the Seahawks though they rank 12th against the pass giving up 246.3 yards per game. Wayne, Clark, and Garcon should get the ball quite a bit as both CB for Seattle are banged up.

Seattle will have to run the ball well with Julius Jones and Edgerrin James in his first game against his old team, and should have some success against one of the league’s worst run defences, if they hope to hand around in this game.

Colts Win 30-17

Titans @ Jaguars +3 O/U 41.5

In this tough divisional battle, we’ll see a clash of power football both teams run the ball and run the ball and run the ball, but one team defends the rush better and that’s the Titans.

If the Jaguars can throw the ball they may have some success against a pass susceptible Titans team, but that seems to be a problem for them ranking 19th through the air.

Kerry Collins should be able to throw the ball effectively when necessary against the worst pass defence in the league.

Titans Win 23-17

Ravens @ Patriots -1.5 O/U 44.5

This is one of the premiere match-ups of the week and both these teams come in playing some good football, statistically.

Baltimore has only been challenged by San Diego albeit on the road. New England’s only game against a good team was the Jets in which they lost on the road as well.

Also, they were close to a loss to division rival Buffalo, but they did beat a good team in the Falcons.

This game comes down to who wants it more, and after all the factors, Baltimore looks like the team on the rise where as the Pats seem to be on the decline.

Baltimore Wins 23-17

Giants @ Chiefs +8.5 O/U 42

The Giants dominance on the road should continue facing a weak Kansas City team who still lacks identity Eli Manning should be able to move the ball through the air with ease against the 20th-ranked pass defence of KC.

Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw will dominate the run defence of KC which ranks 19th. The Chiefs may put up a couple points, but not enough to make this a game.

Giants Win – 35-10

Bengals @ Browns -6 O/U 37.5

With both these defences injured all over the place, the Browns may actually finally score a touchdown. Eventually, the Bengals offense will score more than the Browns while Carson Palmer seems to be finding his groove again.

Ocho should have a couple celebrations ready for a crowd that may be cheering on the visitors.

Bengals Win 27-17

Bills @ Dolphins Pick O/U 37.5

This should be a battle of ground games with the return of Marshawn Lynch, for Buffalo, who will split carries with Fred Jackson who so far this year has been great.

The Dolphins lost QB Chad Pennington last week and QB Chad Henne will get his first start in the NFL.

He gives the Fish a new dimension with a much more powerful arm than his predecessor and may at points challenge the injury riddled CB position of the Bills.

Miami will have to defend against the pass as well, where TO and Lee Evans will try and take advantage of a weak secondary that ranks 26th against the pass.

Bills Win 20-17

Jets @ Saints -7 O/U 45.5

This game features two undefeated teams, but only one can stay that way. New Orleans has one of the most prolific offenses that the NFL has seen in a number of years led by Drew Brees.

The Jets defence has been great and ranks in the top 10 in every category and rookie QB Mark Sanchez hasn’t disappointed his New York fans, though he has been kept on a tight leash and has been pretty much mistake-free.

The rookie maybe overwhelmed in the Superdome, while Brees is quick enough to elude the pass rush of the Jets.

Saints Win 31-21

Cowboys @ Broncos +3 O/U 42.5

Denver’s statistics shouldn’t be a factor when looking at this game considering they beat Cincinnati with a last second play and two terrible teams, Oakland and Cleveland who can’t put any points on the board.

Dallas beat Tampa and Carolina, nothing to brag about, but they hung with the Giants who are one of the best teams in football and lost by two points.

This will be the Broncos' first real challenge of the season and they should see a heavy dose of Marion Barber and Tashard Choice and a Dallas team that ranks first overall running the ball.

Two big injuries on the offensive line may hamper Denver’s ability to block the pass rush of the Cowboys.

Cowboys Wins 27-20

Rams @ 49ers -9.5 O/U 37.5

The 49ers will be without their star running back Frank Gore but rookie Glen Coffee an Alabama product should be able to fill the position quite nicely while facing a horrid Rams team.

The Rams are terrible and rank in the bottom of the league in almost every category aside from running the ball with Stephen Jackson who will be going up against the fourth ranked rushing defence of the 49ers.

The problem facing the 49ers is they are injured in almost every position though most participated fully in practice.

This game and Detroit in week 8 may be the only chance this team has to get a win, is St. Louis the Detroit Lions of last year?

49ers Win – 24-10

Chargers @ Steelers +6.5 O/U 42.5

We all remember the craziness of last year’s regular season meeting and the 20 minute wait to determine the final score.

Well, this game may be just as close and the Chargers must want some revenge after the Steelers knocked them out of the playoffs last year 34-24.

Pittsburgh hasn’t been the same on either side of the ball without team leader Troy Polamalu and with Willie Parker listed as doubtful the Chargers must be licking their chops there is still Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore to worry about.

Darren Sproles hasn’t been lights out but he has breakaway speed and could go off at any moment while Philip Rivers has been going to the air with quite a bit of success.

After losing to the Bengals last week and Chicago week two the Steelers are in dire need of a win.

Steelers Win 23-20

Packers @ Vikings -4 O/U 45.5

This prime time game between division rivals will be one for the ages, as it is the first game Brett Favre faces his old team the Green Bay Packers. Favre and the undefeated Vikings look to stay that way while pummelling the porous run defence of the Packers.

The Packers will have a hard time on the offensive side of the ball as well, as they face the Vikings fourth-ranked pass defence and a 12th-ranked run defence. Both teams are completely healthy so lets the sparks fly on Monday Night!

Vikings Win 38-24

Enjoy the weekend of football; good luck and all the best!

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