Week Four Predictions of NFL Games

Week Four. It's bye-week week. Say that 10 times fast—I bet you tried it.

The Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, and Miami Dolphins are all off this week, which leaves only 13 games. Only 13 games!! However will I survive? Well, with these predictions I will tell you how.

1. Atlanta Falcons (2-1) vs. Carolina Panthers (2-1)

Atlanta, coming off a 24-point demolishing win over the Chiefs, are hungry for another win to improve to 3-1. Even with terrible quarterback play, the Falcons have managed to win ballgames.

Michael Turner had three touchdowns last week on 104 yards rushing. Roddy White caught Matt Ryan's only touchdown pass. Carolina was upset last week by the Minnesota Vikings, so they will be looking to rebound on Sunday. In his return game, Steve Smith caught four passes for 70 yards. Only 47 yards on the ground to the No. 1 run defense in the league.

Carolina is healthy and ready to win.

Prediction: Atlanta 13 Carolina 24

2. Cleveland Browns (0-3) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (0-3)

Both teams in Ohio are now win-less, but that will change after this week. Cleveland was crushed last week by Baltimore 28-10. Derek Anderson threw three interceptions. Jamal Lewis carried the ball 12 times for a lousy 56 yards. Braylon Edwards, who is arguably the biggest fantasy bust thus far, only caught three passes for 27 yards.

Cincinnati came just short of escaping with a win against the Giants. In overtime, they were defeated on a field goal by John Carney, who is likely out of a job fairly soon, even though he has performed tremendously. Carson Palmer finally got it going with 286 yards and one touchdown.

This game should be close, like they normally are. Two terrible defenses equals to a lot of points.

Prediction: Cleveland 34 Cincinnati 38

3. Houston Texans (0-2) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2)

Houston was taken to school on Sunday afternoon with a 31-12 loss to the Titans. Matt Schaub threw three passes to the other team. Rookie Steve Slaton rushed for a career-high 116 yards along with a touchdown.

Jacksonville picked up their first win on the season over the Colts with a field goal by Josh Scobee that ended the game. Fred Taylor and Mo-Jo Drew combined for 228 yards on 45 attempts.

I don't see the Texans winning any time soon.

Prediction: Houston 17 Jacksonville 30

4. Denver Broncos (3-0) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (0-3)

In one of the more exciting games of the year, the Denver Broncos came out victorious over the New Orleans Saints 34-32. Jay Cutler threw for two touchdowns and 264 yards, 155 of them going to Brandon Marshall.

D.J. Williams led the defense with 14 tackles. Kansas City was defeated in a blowout to the Falcons. Tyler Thigpen threw for one touchdown and three interceptions. Dwayne Bowe caught the lone touchdown. Damon Huard will get the start this week for the Chiefs.

Kansas City's offense is terrible but the Broncos' offense isn't.

Prediction: Denver 48 Kansas City 13

5. San Francisco (2-1) vs. New Orleans Saints (1-2)

The 49ers, en route to a victory over the Lions, outscored Detroit 31 to 13.

J.T. O'Sullivan completed 16 of 23 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns. Frank Gore rushed for 130 yards on the ground and also scored a touchdown.

New Orleans was defeated in a two-point classic to the Denver Broncos. Drew Brees threw for over 400 yards along with one touchdown. Robert Meachem caught two passes for 80 yards. Reggie Bush had 148 yards rushing and receiving total.

New Orleans is looking to rebound and they are far too good to be 1-3

Prediction: San Francisco 22 New Orleans 29

6. Arizona Cardinals (2-1) vs. New York Jets (1-2)

Arizona is coming off of the first loss of the season, suffered at the hands of the Washington Redskins. Keep in mind they only lost by a touchdown and were on the road. Arizona is a very good football team when they are hot.

Kurt Warner threw for 192 yards and two touchdowns. Larry Fitzgerald hauled in seven passes for 109 yards and one touchdown.

The New York Jets were dominated on Monday Night Football against the Chargers. They did manage to put 29 points on the board, though. Brett Favre threw for three touchdowns and two interceptions. Jerricho Cotchery led the team in receiving yards with 76.

Brett Favre is questionable, which makes the Jets an underdog even at home.

Prediction: Arizona 21 New York Jets 17

7. Green Bay Packers (2-1) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)

Green Bay suffered their first loss of the season on Sunday night, losing to the undefeated Dallas Cowboys 27-16. Aaron Rodgers threw for 290 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Greg Jennings caught eight balls for 115 yards.

Tampa Bay won in overtime over the Chicago Bears on a field-goal attempt by Matt Bryant. Brian Griese completed 38 of 68 passes for 407 yards and two touchdowns. Antonio Bryant had 138 yards receiving. Earnest Graham was second on the team in rushing with only 16 yards. One-year wonder, anyone?

This should be a competitive game that could go either way.

Prediction: Green Bay 31 Tampa Bay 23

8. Minnesota Vikings (1-2) vs. Tennessee Titans (3-0)

Minnesota defeated the Carolina Panthers 20-10 for their first victory on Sunday. Gus Frerotte threw for 204 yards with a touchdown. Adrian Peterson, on a bad hamstring, rushed for 77 yards. Bernard Berrian had 79 yards receiving.

Tennessee improved to 3-0 when they beat the Texans by 19 points. Kerry Collins tossed for 185 yards with a touchdown and an interception. LenDale White had two touchdowns on the ground.

Minnesota is an underdog that could go to Tennessee and win on Sunday.

Prediction: Minnesota 21 Tennessee 17

9. San Diego Chargers (1-2) vs. Oakland Raiders (1-2)

San Diego won for the first time this season over the Jets on Monday night. Philip Rivers threw for 250 yards and three touchdowns. LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for two touchdowns and was back to the L.T. whom most of you drafted first in fantasy...Or at least planned to.

Antonio Cromartie had two interceptions on the defensive side. Oakland was beaten in an absolute heartbreaker, 24-23 against the Buffalo Bills. JaMarcus Russell completed nine of 19 passes for 156 yards and one touchdown. Michael Bush ran for 55 yards on the ground.

San Diego will not go 1-3 on the year. Oakland's defense should get torn apart.

Prediction: San Diego 41 Oakland 21

10. Buffalo Bills (3-0) vs. St. Louis Rams (0-3)

Buffalo improved to 3-0 on the year with a win over Oakland. Trent Edwards passed for 279 yards and one touchdown. Marshawn Lynch had 89 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Roscoe Parrish caught Edwards' only touchdown pass.

St. Louis was, once again, dominated by the Seahawks. With the loss, coach Scott Linehan has decided to bring in veteran Trent Green. Yeah, Trent Green—that will end all of your problems. Bring in the guy who is one concussion away from not knowing where he is.

Buffalo should dominate this game even on the road.

Prediction: Buffalo 33 St. Louis 9

11. Washington Redskins (2-1) vs. Dallas Cowboys (3-0)

Washington was victorious over the Arizona Cardinals, 24-17. Jason Campbell was on fire, completing 22 of 30 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns. Clinton Portis also ran in a touchdown.

Dallas won on Sunday night over the Green Bay Packers. Tony Romo struggled a bit, throwing for only 260 yards with one touchdown and an interception. Marion Barber and Felix Jones combined for 218 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Miles Austin had 115 yards receiving and a touchdown on two receptions.

An NFC East battle that will come down to which offense can step it up a little bit more.

Prediction: Washington 24 Dallas 31

12. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1) vs. Chicago Bears (1-2)

The Eagles were winners on Sunday with a victory over the Steelers, 15-6. Donovan McNabb threw for 196 yards and a touchdown. Brian Westbrook went down with an injury early, which meant Correll Buckhalter would get more carries. He rushed the ball 10 times for 43 yards.

Chicago lost in overtime to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 27-24. Kyle Orton threw for 268 yards, with two touchdowns and interceptions. Matt Forte rushed for 80 yards on the ground. Brandon Lloyd caught six passes for 124 yards and one touchdown.

An upset in the making for this one. Could come down to a late seconds field goal.

Prediction: Philadelphia 23 Chicago 26

13. Baltimore Ravens (2-0) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1)

Baltimore beat the Browns (28-10) to remain undefeated. Joe Flacco didn't do much, but he threw two interceptions. Le'Ron McClain made up for it with two touchdowns on the ground. Willis McGahee also had a rushing touchdown.

Pittsburgh was beaten 15-6 on Sunday. Ben Roethlisberger threw for 131 yards with one interception. Willie Parker ran for 20 yards on 13 carries. Heath Miller caught four passes for 63 yards.

Pittsburgh will rebound at home. Baltimore is still overrated to me.

Prediction: Baltimore 13 Pittsburgh 27

Start/Sit

Start

QB: Jay Cutler vs. Chiefs
QB: Trent Edwards vs. Rams
QB: Carson Palmer vs. Browns
RB: Marion Barber vs. Redskins
RB: Reggie Bush vs. 49ers
RB: Maurice Jones-Drew vs. Texans
WR: Brandon Marshall vs. Chiefs
WR: T.J. Houshmandzadeh vs. Browns
WR: Chris Chambers vs. Raiders
TE: Tony Scheffler vs. Chiefs
TE: Bo Scaife vs. Vikings
TE: Kellen Winslow vs. Bengals
K: Matt Prater vs. Chiefs
K: Rian Lindell vs. Rams
K: Robbie Gould vs. Eagles
DST: Jaguars vs. Texans
DST: Chargers vs. Raiders
DST: Bills vs. Rams

Sit

QB: Brett Favre vs. Cardinals
QB: Aaron Rodgers vs. Bucs
QB: Jason Campbell vs. Cowboys
RB: Lendale White/Chris Johnson vs. Vikings
RB: Rashard Mendenhall vs. Ravens
RB: Earnest Graham vs. Packers
WR: Andre Johnson vs. Jaguars
WR: Donald Driver vs. Bucs
WR: Santana Moss vs. Cowboys
TE: Donald Lee vs. Bucs
TE: Heath Miller vs. Ravens
TE: Randy McMichael vs. Bills
K: Sebastian Janikowski vs. Chargers
K: Rob Bironas vs. Vikings
K: Neil Rackers vs. Jets
DST: Redskins vs. Cowboys
DST: Buccaneers vs. Packers
DST: Eagles vs. Bears