NFL Predictions Week 4: Quick Picks for All 16 Games

This is the second week this season that the NFL schedule features no divisional matchups, a strategy employed by the league should the lockout have canceled any games.

Luckily, this measure proved to be unnecessary, but here we sit in Week 4 with the first two non-divisional weeks in the league's history. The lack of divisional matchups makes for a interesting slate of games. Here, I will preview each game and predict the winner.

DETROIT LIONS at Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have proven they can win games even with injuries to quarterback Tony Romo and wide receiver Dez Bryant, even without Miles Austin in the game. They cannot, however, win them convincingly. The Lions can, and will shut down Dallas and reach 4-0 since the 1950s.

Carolina Panthers at CHICAGO BEARS

While Panthers quarterback Cam Newton clearly throws a wrinkle into this game, and while the Bears have serious issues on offense, Carolina won't best Chicago at Soldier Field. Chicago's defense will be the deciding factor in the team's win.

BUFFALO BILLS at Cincinnati Bengals

The Bills' high-octane offense will continue to roll this week, against the slumping Bengals. Cincinnati has yet to see a team as overwhelming on all sides of the ball as Buffalo, and it will be made clear in what looks to be a blowout for the undefeated Bills.

Tennessee Titans at CLEVELAND BROWNS

Without wide receiver Kenny Britt on the field, Nate Washington will take most of the targets and the Browns defense's attention, which will limit the Titans' passing game considerably. Tennessee running back Chris Johnson, who has struggled through three weeks, will be held down again. The Browns don't field the most exciting team in the league, but they will get the job done today at home against the Titans.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS at Kansas City Chiefs

Yes, both teams are winless going into this week, and yes, the Vikings have to travel to Arrowhead Stadium, one of the hardest road fields in the league. But the Chiefs are that much worse than the Vikings and it won't take much for the team to take Kansas City to an 0-4 record.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS at St. Louis Rams

The Rams have collapsed much as the Chiefs through three weeks, and it doesn't look to improve when they host the Redskins today. While Washington isn't the best team in the league, they've benefited from a soft early-season schedule that's brought them to 2-1. After today, they'll head into the bye 3-1.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS at Jacksonville Jaguars

The Saints are superior to the Jaguars in every facet of the game, and it's hard to imagine Jacksonville having much of a chance to reach and maintain any kind of upper hand. The Saints will have an easy win today against one of the worst squads in the NFL.

Pittsburgh Steelers at HOUSTON TEXANS

The Steelers need a win against a dominant team in order to prove they're yet again one of the best in the league, and the Texans present a great chance for that. However, Pittsburgh will struggle against Houston's defensive pressure as well as their run game, and it will overwhelm them.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS at Philadelphia Eagles

The Niners have been holed up together as a team in Youngstown, Ohio, preparing for this game, and the kind of camaraderie they've likely created this week will serve to capitalize on an Eagles team plagued with both injuries and controversy. I see the Eagles playing a distracted game, and will yet again be unable to protect quarterback Michael Vick.

NEW YORK GIANTS at Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals are disorganized on offense and weak on defense. While the Giants have issues of their own, on both sides of the ball, they will prove to be the better team today. While quarterbacks Eli Manning and Kevin Kolb are, on paper, quite similar, the discrepancies between the two teams' defenses will make the difference in this game.

ATLANTA FALCONS at Seattle Seahawks

Like the Chiefs, the Seahawks boast a difficult stadium for visiting teams. However, like the Chiefs, the Seahawks are a terrible team and will be bested by the superior Falcons at home this afternoon. Simple as that.

Miami Dolphins at SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

The Dolphins have a lot going for them, both on offense and defense, but those weapons aren't being utilized properly, leading them to be the best 0-3 team in the NFL. Unfortunately for them, today they face the San Diego Chargers. The Dolphins will leave California as the league's best 0-4 team.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS at Oakland Raiders

While I am picking the Patriots to win this game, there's a lot of good to be said about the Raiders' chances to emerge victorious as well. In a hard contest to choose, I am going with the Patriots, after three weeks of insane offense. I don't forget how many ways the team was exposed in their Week 3 loss to the Buffalo Bills, however. If they repeat that showing, the Raiders have an excellent shot at the upset.

Denver Broncos at GREEN BAY PACKERS

Simply, the Packers are a far more dominant, consistent and healthy team than the Broncos. Denver has little chance to dig themselves out of their considerable hole against the defending Super Bowl champions this week.

New York Jets at BALTIMORE RAVENS

The Jets are getting more credit than they deserve, coasting on previous seasons' results and the bombast of head coach Rex Ryan. While they are a good team, the Ravens are the most balanced and talented team in the league, quickly separating themselves from the rest of the pack. It might be low scoring, but the Ravens aren't going to lose this one.

Indianapolis Colts at TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Sure, the Colts looked a bit tougher last week against the Steelers, but they're still 0-3 with no way to dominate and then finish a game. The Buccaneers will be a major test, one the Colts aren't likely to pass.