NFL Week 4 Predictions: Redskins and Cowboys meet in key NFC East battle

I finally got on track with a good week after going 11-5.  One of my losses was an overtime game (Tampa @ Chicago) and another was the New England's loss to Miami, a total shocker.

This week there are only 13 games as bye weeks begin.

Cleveland (0-3) @ Cincinnati (0-3)

Both of these teams have looked absolutely horrific in the first three weeks.  The good news is that the state of Ohio is going to get its first win barring an unlikely tie. 

Even though the Bengals took the Giants to overtime last week, the Bengals last-minute offense was very sluggish at the end of regulation when they had to settle for a chip shot field goal.

Will the real Braylon Edwards please stand up?  After an outstanding 2007, the young receiver has been invisible on the field except when he drops the ball.  Despite the trouble for the receivers, expect the grumbling for Brady Quinn to grow louder.

Bengals, 24-10

Minnesota (1-2) @ Tennessee (3-0)

Gus Frerotte vs. Kerry Collins.  Is this 1996?  Whatever the case, both of these veteran quarterbacks are looking to steady the ship after replacing ineffective and/or injured starters.

The Vikings got their first win of the season by beating the Panthers.  In the meantime, Tennessee leads the AFC South by 2 games over the Jaguars and Colts.

Both of these teams have effective running offenses and defenses.  I like the Titans at home.

Titans, 16-9

Denver (3-0) @ Kansas City (0-3)

To me, this is one of the easiest games on the slate to pick.  The question is just by how much. 

Denver's offense has been downright explosive scoring 114 points in three games.  The defense, however, is allowing 28 per game.  The past two Broncos' games have been decided by a total of three points.

While the Chiefs have also given up a lot of points, the offense has not been able to keep up.  They are averaging less than 11 points per game and loss to Oakland at home.  K.C. has scored just one more touchdown (four) than the number of quarterbacks they have started this season (three).

Broncos, 45-24

San Francisco (2-1) @ New Orleans (1-2)

Former Saint J.T. O'Sullivan makes his first start against the team that drafted him.  He has looked solid in his first three career starts.  His worst attribute so far has been the sacks.  He has gone down 13 times in just three games. 

3rd and 1.  This has been the most loathed phrase in New Orleans the past two weeks.  The Saints inability to convert 3rd and 1 situations at crucial parts of ballgames has perhaps been the difference between 3-0 and 1-2.  Expect Saints' fans to be chanting for Deuce McAllister to see his first action of the season.

Saints, 31-21

Arizona (2-1) @ NY Jets (1-2)

Here's another match-up of old quarterbacks.  Kurt Warner has been effective in leading the Cardinals to a 2-1 mark.  Brett Favre's Jets have stumbled to a 1-2 start as he continues to learn a new playbook.

Both teams are coming off a loss, but I think the Cardinals are a little bit further ahead of the Jets as Favre continues to get used to his new surroundings.

Cardinals, 27-21

Green Bay (2-1) @ Tampa Bay (2-1)

Aaron Rodgers looked impressive in his first two starts and then fell back to Earth some last week in the loss against the Cowboys.  Now he faces the Buccaneers who will need a win to stay tied for the NFC South lead. 

Both teams will look to establish the run against defenses that rank in the bottom half of the league in stopping the run in order to set up their passing attacks.

I think Green Bay's ability to explode on offense gives them the edge.

Packers, 27-17

Atlanta (2-1) @ Carolina (2-1)

While it is not much of a surprise that one of these teams is part of a three-way tie for the division lead, it is surprising for the other.  The Falcons were supposed to struggle again as they rebuild their team. 

Now granted the Falcons' two wins have come against Detroit and Kansas City, but a win is a win in the NFL.  You have to get them where you can take them.  While Matt Ryan has been impressive to start his career, Michael Turner has been everything Atlanta has hoped for when they signed him in the offseason. 

Carolina plays two games without Steve Smith and wins them both.  In their first game with Smith, they lose to previously 0-2 Minnesota and managed only 10 points.  I don't get it.  Look for the Panthers to get their running backs going against a team that is allowing nearly 140 yards rushing per game. 

Panthers, 17-10

Jacksonville (1-2) @ Houston (0-2)

After just 12 combined carries in the first two games, Maurice Jones-Drew ran 19 times for over 100 yards against Indianapolis in the Jags first win of the season.  The Texans have allowed 170.5 yards per game on the ground.  Jones-Drew will be licking his chops in Houston.

The Texans have not looked at all like the team that was supposed to build off of its 8-8 season in 2007.  Houston ranks near the bottom of the league in both points scored and allowed.

Houston burned me in their first two games.  I can't pick them again until they win a game or play the Lions in Week 7; which ever comes first.

Jaguars, 19-7

San Diego (1-2) @ Oakland (1-2)

The Chargers finally looked like the team that was picked by so many to make it to the Super Bowl in their win over the Jets.  Then again, it was against the Jets.  LT excited fantasy owners with two touchdowns.

The Raiders' fans should hope that both teams run the ball a lot because Oakland can't pass or stop the pass.  They rank last in the NFL in passing and 26th in the league in pass defense. 

While San Diego may be the best 1-2 team in the league (yeah!), Oakland is probably the worst. 

Chargers, 38-17

Buffalo (3-0) @ St. Louis (0-3)

The 3-0 start has been no fluke.  Two of the three wins have come against 2007 playoff teams and have also won coming from behind in two of their wins.  They have a steady offense and a top ten defense.

On the other hand, the Rams are sputtering.  Benched is Marc Bulger (why? He doesn't play o-line or D) and Trent Green gets the start.  The defense is the worst in the league. 

This may be the biggest mismatch in week four. 

Bills, 30-6

Washington (2-1) @ Dallas (3-0)

On paper, the Cowboys should be able to get past the Redskins pretty easily.  They are loaded on both sides of the ball, are 3-0, and play at home.  But, this is an NFC rivalry and objects are always closer than they appear.

The Redskins appear to be putting something together offensively after wins against New Orleans and Arizona.  Now they get their biggest test of the young season against the 'Boys.

Dallas is coming off their first ever win at Lambeau Field.  While the Packers were able to shut down Terrell Owens, Marion Barber and Felix Jones each busted out for big runs and scored a touchdown apiece.

Cowboys, 34-21

Philadelphia (2-1) @ Chicago (1-2)

The Eagles have looked impressive early in the season as their lone loss was a four-point defeat to Dallas.  Philly, though, may be without Brian Westbrook due to injury.  If the defense puts on a performance like they did against Pittsburgh, they won't need him.  They recorded nine sacks against the Steelers.

The key for the Bears will be the run game.  They rank 8th in the league in rushing yards and 5th in the league in stopping the run. 

After shocking the Colts in the opener of Lucas Oil Stadium, the Bears have let two games slip from their grasps in the fourth quarter.

The Eagles win with or without Westbrook.

Eagles, 20-10

Baltimore (2-0) @ Pittsburgh (2-1)

We really don't know anything about these teams.  Combined, all four of these teams' wins have come against teams whose record is 0-11.  Both teams have beaten up on a sad Cleveland team.

As expected with a rookie quarterback, the Ravens are near the bottom of the league in passing yards.  In contrast, the Ravens' stellar defense is drooling over the prospect of facing Pittsburgh's offensive line that got trashed last week.  Oh, and rookie Rashard Mendenhall is running his mouth before his first start.

While the Steeler defense has been good, the offense has only scored a total of 16 points during the past two weeks.  As mentioned earlier, Mendenhall is making the start at running back with Fast Willie's injury.

Ravens, 13-9

Last Week : 11-5

Season: 28-19