NFL: Week 4 Predictions

Brandon WrightSep 27, 2008

New this week, I will be adding the amount of points that I think each team will win by. I am no handicapper so take the scores for what they are worth!

Since I started making picks in week 3 my overall record is currently: 12-4

Sun, Sep 28

SF @ NO
My pick: NO by 10

The Saints have too much fire power for the rebuilding 49ers. Reggie Bush has had some of his best games in the NFL versus the Niners, look for that to continue!

ATL @ CAR
My pick: ATL by 7

I am torn on this game… Should be a good one, but I think that the running game of the Falcons with Michael Turner will prevail. Turner leads the league in rushing yards and TD’s. If the Falcons can get a lead they can but the game on Turners back and allow Matt Ryan to relax and not force anything.

HOU @ JAC
My pick: JAC by 17

Something is wrong in the AFC South; the Colts and Jags are 1-2, while the Titans are 3-0. The Texans however are in their normal spot. This will be a battle for the bottom, and on paper the Texans should hold that title again after this week. The Jags should run all over the Texans Sunday, while their aggressive defense snuffs out everything Houston tries to throw at them.

CLE @ CIN
My pick: CIN by 4

If you remember the game last year between these two, you know that there is potential for this game to have a combined score of 80, but I doubt they will! Both are 0-3 on the season. Both Palmer (CIN) and Anderson (CLE) have yet to show up statistically this year. The Mouth aka Ocho Cinco aka Chad Johnson has not had any success in the first three games; he has only caught 8 passes for 88 yards. Sure, he is recovering from the shoulder injury, but when you talk a game like his, excuses are weak! He should show up in this game as the Browns secondary is nicked up.

ARI @ NYJ
My pick: NYJ by 3

The “Brett’s” have not really had the best of times in the early going this year. The Card’s have the better record, but I don’t believe they are the better team in this one. The Jet’s lost to the Patriots and the Chargers; there is nothing to be ashamed of in either of those losses. The Card’s may 2-1 to the Jet’s 1-2, but records mean nothing during the game. NY’s passing game is still a little off, but the running game should help make up for that. It should be a close game till the end.

MIN @ TEN
My pick: TEN by 10

The 3-0 Titans have a rushing game that is putting the league on notice. If Collins can continue to play well, they should be fine. Adrian Peterson is looking for a breakout game but is still recovering from a hamstring injury, but is still averaging over 110 yards a game. AP has been help to only 1 TD though, and that seems to be the missing ingredient for the Vikings offense. With Gus Frerrote at QB, the passing game should stabilize and open up the running game for Peterson; but I don’t know if it can happen in this game.

GB @ TB
My pick: GB by 6

The Packers will have to get their running game going if they are going to be considered a contender this year. After their showing against Dallas last week, the Pack will be out to prove they are still a legit team. Aaron Rodgers has put up very good numbers so far amassing 796 yards and 4 TD’s in the three games. The Buc’s always have a good defense, and you know that coach Gruden will have a game plan to take advantage of every Green Bay weakness. Look for the Buc’s to shut down the run and apply an immense amount of pressure on Rodgers!

DEN @ KC
My pick: DEN by 21

The Chiefs have no offensive fluidity; no passing game due to having no real QB and the running game is hurting because of it as defenses can stack eight in the box and key on the running backs. Now the Broncos are the opposite, they have everything clicking on offense as QB Jay Cutler has been cutting defenses apart with his accuracy and amassing 914 yards and 8 TD’s (#2 in the league in both categories). The Broncos running game has been good as well, and should rack up some stats in this one.

SD @ OAK
My pick: SD by 14

These games are always hard fought and anything can happen… but the Raiders have a long way to go in order to compete week in and week out with teams like San Diego. QB Philip Rivers leads the leads the league in TD’s with 9 and is 4th in passing yards with 844. He will need to play well though as the Raiders boast an extremely good secondary; Asomugha is arguably the best corner back in the league and Hall is not too shabby either. If Rivers can avoid giving these guys a chance to snatch one out of the sky, he should be ok. The Chargers defense will have their hands full as they try to stop McFadden from running wild.

BUF @ STL
My pick: BUF by 8

The Rams would need a miracle to win this one. And it is no fault of their offense for the most part; yet the defense seems to like giving up 37+ points a game. The offense has not really helped out too much either as they have scored less than 10 points a game. The Bills should run all over the Rams this week with Lynch having the bulk of the yards.

WAS @ DAL
My pick: DAL by 13

The Cowboys are too good right now. Heck the NFC East is too good right now and Boy’s are better than all the others. The Redskins will have to play a perfect game on both sides of the ball to have a real chance; they need to play especially well on defense though. Shutting down Terrell Owens is not enough as Green Bay found out. But look for Dallas to continue to flex their muscles and run away with this one.

PHI @ CHI
My pick: PHI by 17

Defense, defense, defense… Too bad for DA BEARS they need to play offense too. Yes, the Bears can shut down offenses with their great defense, need proof, look at what they did to the Colts in week 1. But to pressure Manning is one thing, pressure McNabb is another. McNabb can move around and make plays with his feet. Now McNabb and Westbrook are listed as questionable for this game, but there is very little question about it, they will start. So, the Bears Defense will have to plan for both of them. The Eagles have a pretty good defense themselves and the Bears don’t really have much of an offense. Look for the Eagles defense to dominate and take this one easy.

Mon, Sep 29

BAL @ PIT – Monday Night Football
My pick: PIT by 9

Game of the Week – Two very good, physical defenses meeting up on Monday night should lead to a knockdown, drag it out, dog fight. The Ravens biggest downside is their passing game; Joe Flacco is a good rookie QB, but he has yet to throw a TD thus far. The Running game is young too with a 2nd year man in McClain and rookie Ray Rice. The Steelers will put pressure on Flacco all night long, while leaving eight in the box to mess with the running game. The Steelers offense will need to protect Big Ben. He is banged up after the 8 sacks in the loss to Philly last week. RB Willie Parker is listed as out for the game, so rookie Mendenhall will need to carry the load. If the Steelers can pick up the Ravens blitz packages, this could be a lot more lopsided. Winner takes sole lead of the AFC North.