Predicting Week 4

Why are there bye weeks already in Week 4? They shouldn't start until at least Week 6.


Detroit at Chicago
With a win and a Packers loss, the Lions could be tied for second place in the NFC North at the end of Week 4. That would still be last place in the division, but how great would that feel for a team that has been dead last since...what feels like forever. If the Bears on-and-off run defense is off this week, the Lions might win this one. I like Jay Cutler to keep the turnovers down and have another solid 4th quarter. Bears 20 Lions 15.

Cincinnati at Cleveland
The Bengals defense is looking tough, and the Browns are awful. Derek Anderson is back under center, but that won't be enough. Bengals 20 Browns 6.

Seattle at Indianapolis
The Seahawks have a strange advantage over many NFL teams. Because Matt Hasselbeck has missed so many games the last couple years, Seneca Wallace has played a lot. They are one of the few teams that isn't doomed when the second quarterback has to start. Still, the Colts are home are almost a lock against a team like Seattle, Hasselbeck or not. Colts 31 Seahawks 20.

NY Giants at Kansas City
The Giants dominated an awful Tampa Bay team last week, and should follow the same script in Kansas City. If they do, they'll win easy. Remember Larry Johnson? Giants 28 Chiefs 13

Baltimore at New England
Baltimore is playing the best football of any team in the NFL. New England has sneeked away from three so-so games with a 2-1 record. This one will probably come down to whether Joe Flacco is successful throwing the ball; I don't think Flacco will be successful throwing the ball. Patriots 20 Ravens 17.

Tampa Bay at Washington
This is one ugly matchup. Tampa Bay is arguably the worst team in the league, and Washington plays like they can't wait for games to be over. Washington 17 Buccaneers 9.

Tennessee at Jacksonville
Tennessee absolutely has to win this week. That alone doesn't mean they will. Kerry Collins need to go back managing games--and doing it well--before Tennessee can turn this season around. Titans 30 Jaguars 17.

Oakland at Houston
Houston as been all over the place through three weeks. The Raiders have mostly just been bad. I'll assume that Matt Schaub will have a decent game. Texans 24 Raiders 10.

NY Jets at New Orleans
This is a huge game for two 3-0 teams. The Jets will have to "prove it" all season long; nobody is going to give them the benefit of the doubt with a rookie quarterback. If Drew Brees can beat the blitz, this will get ugly. The Saints defense is good enough to keep the Jets offense in check. Saints 28 Jets 16.

Buffalo at Miami
Chad Henne strikes fear into the hearts of nobody. Buffalo's pass rush has been very good, and now they will have two very good running backs to help Trent Edwards. Bills 27 Dolphins 20.

St. Louis at San Francisco
The 49ers are going to be talked about a lot in the next few seasons. They will likely take over the "team that is just a quarterback away." I like their run defense, I like their secondary, and obviously Patrick Willis is amazing. This is used to be a great rivalry, but it has been too long since both reams were relevant at the same time. 49ers 21 Rams 7.

Dallas at Denver
Denver may be a mirage right now, but Dallas can't be counted on for anything. Sure, their Monday night victory over Carolina was nice, but we can't be too quick to forget their Sunday night loss to the Giants in Week 2. Dallas tends to drift back towards that Week 2 team, the one that can score a lot, but not when they need to, and gives up way too many yards and points. If they keep running like they have been, maybe they can smooth out the wild inconsistency. Cowboys 31 Broncos 21.

San Diego at Pittsburgh
It's official. Losing Troy Polamalu was huge. With a defense as good as they've been, one wouldn't think they would lose games with Polamalu out. The Chargers might be better than I give them credit for. We'll see. Chargers 27 Steelers 17.

Green Bay at Minnesota
Forget all the Favre crap. This would have been a big either way. The Vikings have a chance to go to 4-0 and 2-0 against the NFC North. If the Packers 3-4 is effective against Adrian Peterson, they will win. Vikings 30 Packers 27.