NFL Picks Week 4: Which Teams Will Be Tested Most?

Are we going to see a handful of closely-contested games again in Week 4? 

Maybe not the record number we saw last week, but a few favorites will most certainly be tested, as has come to be the norm in today's NFL. 

Teams that "shouldn't" be in the game will find a way to stick around long enough to have a legitimate chance to win in the final minutes.

It happens often.

These teams will face tougher tests than the records indicate.

San Diego Chargers

Their matchup with the Dolphins intrigues me.

Miami, for some reason, is a much more competitive team on the road and this one is being played in San Diego. 

Philip Rivers is coming off a surprisingly bad effort against a the lowly Kansas City Chiefs and faces a Dolphins defense that has already faced Tom Brady and Matt Schaub this year. 

Yes, both opposing quarterbacks were successful against Miami, but the experience should help in this one. 

Will Antonio Gates play? 

If he does, how effective will he be?

I like the Daniel Thomas-Reggie Bush duo in the backfield to take some pressure off Chad Henne and would like to see more of Davone Bess as an underneath chain-mover. 

On paper, this looks like an easy win for the Chargers, but they shouldn't take the Dolphins lightly.

Chicago Bears

Until the Bears protect Jay Cutler on a more consistent basis and he learns to get rid of the ball more quickly, I can't see Chicago making many strides as an offense. 

The defense is good, but I wouldn't call it great, and Cam Newton is coming to town this week. 

I think the Panthers coaching staff will continue with another solid game plan against Chicago, and Newton will have another respectable game.

Don't sleep on his ability to create plays with his feet, either.

Because of the Bears sometimes-stagnant offense, I think Carolina stays in this game and it will come down the final minutes.