NFL Picks Week 4: Which Defenses Will Stifle Opposing Offenses?

We see it happen each week and it becomes ever so important to winning when the defense steps it up.

Perhaps the most notable one came on Monday Night Football, where the Dallas Cowboys' and Washington Redskins' defenses were virtually impenetrable, once backed up inside their own red zone.

Or maybe it was the Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars, where the defenses took advantage of the weather conditions.

In other words, defense wins championships, and here are three who will step up in Week 4.

Houston Texans (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)

In Weeks 1 and 2, the Houston Texans allowed a combined 20 points, but in Week 3 they were bombarded by Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints for 40 points.

The interesting thing, however, was that Houston had the Saints within their grasp at only 17 points going into the final quarter.

That fourth quarter collapse cost them the game, but it gives them motivation to revive themselves against Pittsburgh.

And based on how shabby the Steelers' offense performed against Indianapolis, the Texans are a better defense and it will show on Sunday.

For one, their pass rushers J.J. Watt and Brooks Reed will dominate the Steelers' weak and vulnerable offensive line, while the secondary is able to run with WR Mike Wallace anywhere he goes.

Texans don't win big as Pittsburgh's defense is still solid, but Houston is the more complete team.

Texans 23, Steelers 16

  

Cleveland Browns (vs. Tennessee Titans)

Last week the Browns' defense were one of the dark-sides that stepped it up big in crunch time.

After taking a 17-16 lead with under one minute to go, the Miami Dolphins were driving with enough time on the clock, but DB Mike Adams picked off Chad Henne and sealed the deal.

Not to mention CB Joe Haden blanketed WR Brandon Marshall to only four catches on seven targets for 43 yards.

This week Cleveland hosts the Tennessee Titans who are without WR Kenny Britt, while RB Chris Johnson continues to underachieve after missing all of training camp because of a holdout.

In addition, the Browns are getting RB Peyton Hillis back, so the defense now has even more confidence in knowing the offense will put up points.

Look for the Dawg Pound to only drop four into coverage with one LB or a nickel/dime back spying RB Chris Johnson, that way the rest of the defense can blitz and force a ton of QB pressure.

Cleveland wins their third straight, while Tennessee continue to be inconsistent.

Browns 21, Titans 14

St. Louis Rams (vs. Washinton Redskins)

The Rams are hungry for a win and the Washington Redskins fell back to earth after their Monday night loss in Dallas.

QB Rex Grossman didn't play bad, but it wasn't good either.

When Week 4 kicks off in St. Louis, we're going to see Grossman get pressured like no other, as that's how the Dallas Cowboys were able to limit his opportunities in Week 3.

Expect the Rams to play a very complex package, because Rex isn't smart enough to make multiple audibles, multiple times in one game.

It was one major area that the Cowboys exploited, so watch when St. Louis puts eight in the box but only blitzes one, or uses the CBs to blitz, therefore forcing his WRs to adjust their patterns mid-route.

Adding to that, his offensive line slowly began to crack last week as Dallas kept blitzing.

Forcing the Redskins into having the RB block and getting Grossman antsy, will thus force a ball where it'll be picked off.

Head coach Mike Shanahan knows what he's doing, but unfortunately, Rex just hasn't been a consistent enough QB throughout his career to succeed once exposed in the pocket.

Rams 20, Redskins 13

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report.

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