NFL Picks Week 4: Tom Brady and 4 Stars Who Will Go Down in Defeat

No matter how great one individual performs in a game, the key to winning is the team's overall performance.

Sure that's an observation that goes without saying, but as fans we sometimes tend to forget that it's not about the stats, it's about the W's.

Therefore, here are four stars who fall in Week 4.

Tom Brady (vs. Oakland Raiders)

It doesn't matter how amazing Tom Brady plays his position, because for one, we expect that, and two, he doesn't play defense.

And even if he did, he'd probably do a better job than some of his teammates anyway.

But I digress, and this week when New England travels to Oakland, Brady will get his numbers, but they will fall to the Raiders.

Right now RB Darren McFadden is the NFL's leading rusher and rightfully so, as the Raiders have the No. 1 rush offense.

Jason Campbell is a game-managing QB and his abilities are best used once a solid run game is established.

Brady and his offense don't get their normal points as Oakland controls the game tempo with Run DMC, thus keeping the Pats' offense off the field and limiting their opportunities.

No matter how well Tom performs, it's not going to stop McFadden from plowing through Bill Belichick's defense.

Raiders 24, Patriots 21

Chris Johnson (at Cleveland Browns)

Through three games in 2011, Titans RB Chris Johnson has yet to collectively reach 100 rushing yards.

And with WR Kenny Britt out, he becomes their offense as Tennessee becomes more one-dimensional.

The Browns are going to keep at least seven defenders in the box at all times and force QB Matt Hasselbeck to beat them with subpar WRs against a solid pass defense.

In addition, Cleveland is getting RB Peyton Hillis back this week and Chris Johnson gets humbled once again for holding out all of training camp.

Browns 21, Titans 14

Ben Roethlisberger (at Houston Texans)

The last two weeks, Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger has significantly improved in 2011 after an embarrassing Week 1 performance in Baltimore.

However, the past two weeks have also been against the Seattle Seahawks and the Indianapolis Colts.

In Week 4, the Steelers get back to playing a legit contender in the Houston Texans who are much improved on defense from 2010.

They have a solid array of pass rushers in Mario Williams, J.J. Watt, and Brooks Reed.

Then with the additions of Danieal Manning and Jonathan Joseph in the secondary, it's no secret as to why Houston has made strides this year.

On the flip side, Pittsburgh's offensive line was exploited against the Colts, so now pressuring Big Ben doesn't appear to be as far-fetched.

Texans prove to be a force in the AFC with a much-needed win over the Steelers.

Texans 27, Steelers 20

Larry Fitzgerald (vs. NY Giants)

This is a big game for the Arizona Cardinals as they've dropped two straight games they should have won, and are 1-2 instead of 3-0.

WR Larry Fitzgerald has been his normal self though, much thanks to the solid play of QB Kevin Kolb.

At home in Week 4 however, the Giants use their power run game to keep Fitz off the field and control the clock vehemently.

Larry does well against a weak New York pass defense early, but with the lack of opportunities thanks to the Giants slowing the game down, Arizona falls once again.

Not to mention, as the game progresses, Fitzgerald gets blanketed since the Cardinals run game continues to suffer from being consistent.

Giants 20, Cardinals 14

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report.

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