NFL Week 4: Fearless Forecast; McNabb Returns to Philly
Three weeks have passed of the 2010 NFL season, and things unexpected have happened, such as Michael Vick starting for the Eagles.
Here are a few more surprising facts heading into week four:
The Chiefs and Bears are both 3-0 and atop their respective divisions.
The Steelers look like the best team in the NFL without Ben Roethlisberger.
The Cowboys and Vikings each are off to slow starts.
Think that's crazy? It gets even crazier this week as Donovan McNabb returns to Philly.
Here are my week four predictions.
Top QB: Aaron Rodgers - 25-33, 306 yards, 4 TDs
Top RB: Cedric Benson - 33 carries, 187 yards, TD
Top WR: Reggie Wayne - 10 catches, 172 yards, TD
Top Kicker: Nate Kaeding
Top Defense: Green Bay Packers
New York Jets at Buffalo Bills
1 of 13
Is Mark Sanchez growing up before our eyes? In his last two games, Sanchez has thrown for six touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Not surprisingly, the Jets won both of those games, both key division wins. Can he keep it going this week against another division rival?
The Bills come into week four with zero wins, and just made a quarterback change with Ryan Fitzpatrick. Last week in New England, Fitzpatrick gave the Bills offense a definite spark, but it wasn't enough to get the win. The Bills could get their first win of the season here, but it will be tough, the Jets are clicking right now.
I like the Jets to win their third straight.
Fearless Forecast: Jets 23, Bills 16
Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams
2 of 13
The Seahawks have been a mystery this season. After winning their opener to the tune of 31-6, the Seahawks followed that up with a 31-14 loss on the road in Denver. But then last week, the Seahawks returned home and took down the Chargers 27-20 thanks to Leon Washington's heroics.
That leaves one option: This team plays great at home.
Can they win in St.Louis? The Rams have been competitive all three of their games thus far, and had a nice win last week against the Redskins. Believe it or not, with a win here, the Rams are in the mix for the NFC West crown.
Steven Jackson is a question mark for the Rams, not knowing how healthy he is. If he does not play, it's a huge blow for this offense.
I like the Seahawks in this one, as they look to take control of the NFC West.
Fearless Forecast: Seahawks 24, Rams 17
San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons
3 of 13
The 49ers have been one of the most disappointing teams so far, if not the biggest. After being pegged to win the NFC West by many people, the Niners are 0-3, and Mike Singletary is on the hot seat. A win in Atlanta would save their season, but I don't see it.
The Falcons are flying high following their big win in New Orleans, and now host a 49ers team who is reeling. The trio of Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, and Roddy White has been deadly, and will continue against the Niners.
Mike Singletary's seat will get even hotter with an 0-4 start.
Fearless Forecast: Falcons 27, 49ers 17
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Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
4 of 13
The Packers made mistake after mistake monday night in Chicago, committing 18 penalties in the process, resulting in a 20-17 loss. Think they're angry? Sorry Lions, they are taking it out on you.
The Lions defense is struggling big time, and with the Packers offense not clicking in Chicago, they will definitely get the offense going at home against Detroit.
If you are in a survival pool, and you still have the Packers left, they are the surest thing in week four.
Fearless Forecast: Packers 38, Lions 10
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints
5 of 13
Last week the Saints were a field goal away from being 3-0. In overtime though, Garrett Hartley missed a 29 yard field goal, and it cost them the game. Now the Saints have brought in veteran kicker John Carney, and they hope he can be the solution.
Meanwhile, everything points to a disaster season for the Panthers. Jimmy Clausen did not look ready to take an NFL field in his first start a week ago, and it's gotta be frustrating for Steve Smith. The Panthers won't win their first game of the season in New Orleans, I just don't see how they can pull it off.
The Saints will rebound.
Fearless Forecast: Saints 31, Panthers 17
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
6 of 13
Does it even matter who plays quarterback for the Steelers? Throughout the first three weeks, both Dennis Dixon and Charlie Batch have started for the Steelers and did exactly what they were supposed to, which is win. Now the Steelers have their biggest test of the season as they host the Ravens in what is due to be a hard hitting battle.
Joe Flacco and Anquan Boldin connected three times last week for touchdowns while the Ravens improved to 2-1. Flacco struggled the first two weeks, but finally had a big game against the Browns. But then again, it is the Browns. He needs to show what he can do against a good defense, and the Steelers are as good as they come.
This will be a physical game, it always is, and I like the Steelers to remain unbeaten, just in time for the return or Big Ben.
Fearless Forecast: Steelers 16, Ravens 13
Denver Broncos at Tennessee Titans
7 of 13
Vince Young rebounded nicely following his benching in week two and the led the Titans to a convincing win over the Giants. Chris Johnson did his part, scoring two touchdowns and running for 125 yards.
The Titans pass defense better show up, because the Broncos love to throw it. So much that Kyle Orton threw it 57 times in week three, throwing for 476 yards. Yep, it's safe to say this team is a passing team.
The Titans should take care of business here, but I still am not sold on them. Which Vince Young are we going to see?
Fearless Forecast: Titans 24, Broncos 17
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
8 of 13
The Bengals won in week three, but it was not impressive. Carson Palmer is struggling this season, and needs to wake up if he is serious about winning his first career playoff game.
This season the Browns have played close games all three weeks, but unfortunately have nothing to show for it, losing all three. Seneca Wallace did a nice job filling in for Jake Delhomme against a good Ravens defense, but it wasn't enough.
However the story wasn't Seneca Wallace, rather Peyton Hillis, who shredded the Ravens defense for 144 yards. He has scored every week, will the streak continue?
Fearless Forecast: Bengals 20, Browns 17
Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars
9 of 13
If you don't know who Austin Collie is, I bet you do now after his 12 catch, 171 yard performance in which he also reeled in two touchdowns against the Broncos. Collie has emerged as yet another weapon for Peyton Manning, and should expect another good week against a terrible Jaguars secondary.
For the Jags, the clock is ticking for David Garrard. He has committed five turnovers the past two weeks, and cannot generate any offense. It's no coincidence that this team signed Todd Bouman, Keith Null, and Trent Edwards. They are worried about Garrard.
The woes continue.
Fearless Forecast: Colts 34, Jaguars 14
Arizona Cardinals at San Diego Chargers
10 of 13
The Chargers have gotten off to a slow start thus far, but that has become a trend with them as they have started 2-3 the last two seasons. They shouldn't worry yet and should bounce back against the Cardinals.
The Cardinals are coming off of a game where they should have lost had Sebastian Janikowski done what he's been doing his entire career. But the Cardinals won and improved to 2-1 in the weak NFC West. For them to win this one, their turnovers must be held to a minimum and their defense will have to contain Phillip Rivers. The Cardinals defense has let them down this season.
Fearless Forecast: Chargers 34, Cardinals 10
Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles
11 of 13
Here it is, the game of the week four, and possibly the most anticipated game of the season. Donovan McNabb returns to Philly to face a team he led to five NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl berth.
McNabb continues to say that he is going to treat this like any other game, but who is he kidding? Did anyone ever picture last season that a year later Michael Vick would be the starting Eagles quarterback with McNabb on the Redskins?
Now, lets get to the game.
After winning their opener, the Redskins have now dropped two straight games and in need of a win. The biggest problem has been their defense, giving up 30 points their last two games.
As you know, the Eagles have gotten a huge spark since Michael Vick has taken over at quarterback, including last weeks 28-3 win in Jacksonville in which Vick scored four touchdowns. But now, the task is bigger, he has to take down the best Eagles quarterback in franchise history.
The intensity is high. Will McNabb shred the Eagles like Brett Favre shredded the Packers? We will find out Sunday.
Fearless Forecast: Eagles 31, Redskins 27
Chicago Bears at New York Giants
12 of 13
This is a match up of two teams going in completely different directions.
The Giants are 1-2, and are just playing stupid football. They are making mistake after mistake. Everything points towards a disaster season for the G-Men between Brandon Jacobs launching his helmet in the stands in Indianapolis to Eli Manning's lefty throw inside the five yard line. A win here can turn their season around.
Meanwhile, the Bears are one of the biggest surprises of the season and are fresh off a win over the Packers. Jay Cutler is finally playing like the quarterback the Bears envisioned when they traded for him. Their defense is back too, and have the best rush defense in the NFL. Can they continue it? The Giants are desperate, and the Bears are confident. I wouldn't be surprised if they had a let down here.
Having said that, I don't think the Bears will have a let down. They will win this one.
Fearless Fearless: Bears 23, Giants 20
New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins
13 of 13
For the second week in a row the Dolphins play a division rival in a prime time game. Last week it was Sunday night versus the Jets, and this week it's another home game, but on Monday Night Football against Tom Brady and the Patriots. If the Dolphins want to be taken seriously in the AFC East, they need this game. They cannot lose two straight home games to the two teams they are fighting with in their division.
This game is big for the Patriots as well, who lost to the Jets. Just like the Dolphins, they do not want to the two teams they are fighting with in the division. Luckily for the Patriots, they get to have both the Jets and Dolphins come to New England still.
This game will go right down to the wire, and I think the Patriots will win it. Sorry Dolphins fans.
Fearless Forecast: Patriots 30, Dolphins 26
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