NFL Picks Week 4: Quick Picks for All 16 Games in Week 4

Quick predictions and scores for Week 4 of the NFL schedule:

Detroit Lions (3-0) at Dallas Cowboys (2-1)

The Lions get a chance to really put a stamp on their playoff chances this season. The key will be protecting Matthew Stafford. If he's upright, Lions win. If the Cowboys are in the backfield, as Minnesota was in the first half last Sunday, Lions struggle.  

Cowboys 24, Lions 21

Carolina Panthers (1-2) at Chicago Bears (2-1)

Cam Newton can do some damage with his feet against the Bears defense, and Jay Cutler seems to be suffering David Carr Syndrome. Chicago is ripe for the picking.

Panthers 20, Bears 17 

Buffalo Bills (3-0) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-2)

Is there going to be a hangover effect for the Bills after knocking off the Pats? Can they handle the expectations of fans thinking they should win most weeks? Getting to 4-0 is tougher than you might think.

Bengals 21, Bills 20  

Tennessee Titans (2-1) at Cleveland Browns (2-1)

Who would have guessed that one of these teams would be getting to Week 5 as 3-1? The Titans need Chris Johnson to return to form now after Kenny Britt is done for the year. He steps it up in Cleveland.  

Titans 27, Browns 17

Minnesota Vikings (0-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (0-3)

The mindset of these two teams can't be good. The Vikes have blown double-digit leads in each of their three losses, and it took the Chiefs until Week 3 to realize a season was being played. I'll take Adrian Peterson and Minnesota's defense on the road.

Vikings 31, Chiefs 20 

Washington Redskins (2-1) at St. Louis Rams (0-3)

Can the Rams figure this season out before it's too late? I'm not sure it happens this week, as the Redskins have a defense that will give Sam Bradford problems. 

Redskins 20, Rams 16

New Orleans Saints (2-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2)

You have to be impressed with the way the Jags have played defense to start this season, but they haven't faced an elite offense like the Saints. Drew Brees will pick apart that secondary on the road.

Saints 35, Jaguars 14

Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) at Houston Texans (2-1)

This is one of the better matchups of the week. I'll be watching the Texans' 3-4 defense against the Steelers' shaky offensive line. Whoever wins that battle wins this game. I'll take Houston at home. 

Texans 24, Steelers 20

San Francisco 49ers (2-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (1-2)

Having Michael Vick in uniform makes all the difference for the Eagles, and I don't think they can afford to fall to 1-3. West Coast trips aren't always easy, however. This one will end closer than you think.

Eagles 24, 49ers 20 

New York Giants (2-1) at Arizona Cardinals (1-2)

The Giants offense is starting to make the big plays necessary to cover for a defense that is still recovering from injuries. Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs will carry the Giants in the desert. 

Giants 30, Cardinals 21

Atlanta Falcons (1-2) at Seattle Seahawks (1-2)

The Seahawks have offensive limitations, but winning in Seattle is tougher than people think. I'm not sold on Atlanta's offensive line and their ability to run the ball consistently. That'll be their downfall again on the road.

Seahawks 17, Falcons 13

Miami Dolphins (0-3) at San Diego Chargers (2-1)

The Chargers always seem to play down to their competition, as evidenced last week against the Chiefs. The Dolphins have to make a long trip out West, which hurts their chances of getting into the win column.

Chargers 31, Dolphins 27 

New England Patriots (2-1) at Oakland Raiders (2-1)

I just can't picture Tom Brady getting as many unlucky breaks this Sunday as he got against the Bills. This game will be the shootout of the week. Don't miss it. 

Patriots 34, Raiders 28

Denver Broncos (1-2) at Green Bay Packers (3-0)

Elvis Dumervil and Champ Bailey look like they could play, and I think that defense could give the Packers some problems. But how can you pick against the undefeated, reigning champions at home? 

Packers 28, Broncos 13

New York Jets (2-1) at Baltimore Ravens (2-1)

It's the game of the week, hands down. It'll be interesting to see if the Jets have figured out their problems with stopping the run after last week's 234-yard debacle in Oakland. I think Ray Rice and the Ravens take advantage of a team looking for an identity.

Ravens 31, Jets 20 

Indianapolis Colts (0-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)

The Colts gave us a good game in prime time on Sunday, but this Monday nighter looks like a snooze-fest. Josh Freeman and the Bucs offense jumps on the Colts defense, and Curtis Painter can't complete a Manning-like comeback in Tampa Bay. 

Bucs 32, Colts 20