NFL Week 4 Preview and Picks

Hey what's everybody? Sorry I'm late, but sometimes it's better to be late than never. I'm thrilled to be able to have my "voice" heard through this article and the other ones to come. Any who can you believe we're alright at week 4 of the NFL season? If you ask me the Baltimore Ravens and the New York Giants look like the early favorites to represent the AFC and NFC respectively in the Super Bowl this year in beautiful Miami. But, let's not get too carried away because there's still a lot of football to be played and we all know how things can change in a heartbeat. Just ask the Redskins. After staring the season 6-2 last year, since then they are just 3-8. Everyone had the New York Jets penciled into the Super Bowl after an impressive victory in Tennessee against a previously unbeaten Titans team, which improved their record to 8-3. Turnovers and the inability to win easy games on the road led to their downfall. With that said, let's get to this week's games.

Detroit (1-2) at Chicago (2-1)- You have to figure the Lions are now feeling better about themselves after getting that much needed win against the Deadskins last Sunday. With an upset in Chicago, maybe Detroit can carry some positive momentum into their season. The Lions are a much better football team this year; however the Bears need this game to keep pace with the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North division and can't afford to lose another game in the division this early in the season. Bears win by two touchdowns in this game.

Cincinnati (2-1) at Cleveland (0-3) - Believe it or not I think with the insertion of quarterback Derek Anderson, this game may be closer than people think. The Browns are hungry for a win. How bout those Bengals? They are much more balanced football team this season with Cedric Benson running the rock and that much improved Cincy defense is making some serious noise. I like the Bengals in this one.

Tennessee (0-3) at Jacksonville (1-2) - The Titans at 0-3 are still a good football team. The Jacksonville Jags looked like they gave up on their coach two weeks ago against the Cardinals and then played inspired football against the Houston Texans last week. This game might come down to the team that takes care of the football. If the Jags can keep it close because they have a weak passing game, they just might be able to shock the hungry Titans. I like the Titans in this one.

NY Giants (3-0) at Kansas City (0-3) - The Giants are well coached; know what their strengths and weaknesses as a team as well as having a cool and confident Eli Manning. I get a sense the Kansas City Chiefs are still trying to find an identity after three weeks of football. That's not a promising against a Giants team looking for another shutout against an inferior opponent. The Giants will win this game easily.

Baltimore (3-0) at New England (2-1) - This could be an early preview of the AFC championship game. That's if the Pats figure it out and start playing championship football everyone has come to expect of this team. However, something is different about this New England team this year. They are not getting the home run plays that they got in 2007. Brady doesn't seem like he's having that much fun. All that could change with a victory over a solid Ravens team. On the contrary Baltimore Ravens are a complete team. Well coached, improving passing game, solid running attack and a good defense. The Ravens stop the run, but are a little prone to giving up big plays in the passing game. That's the perfect recipe for a victory against a Pats team that can be one dimensional at times. I like the Ravens because they are playing like the better team right now.

Oakland (1-2) at Houston (1-2)- After playing the Chargers tough week 1, the Raiders have been turrible in the words of Charles Barkley. Simply put, the Texans are an enigma. Which Texans team shows up the one that beat a tough Tennessee team on the road in week 2 or the team that got beat by the Jets and Jags? I think the good Texans team shows up and blows out JaMarcus Russell and the Raiders in this one.

Tampa Bay (0-3) at Washington (1-2) - Washington's enigmatic offense will keep this one closer than you think. Clinton Portis is the guy that makes the Washington offense go, but he's banged up, so Tampa just might be able to pull the upset in DC. Josh Johnson is making his first pro start after Byron Leftwich, who was actually pretty decent for Tampa until last week's disaster against the Giants, resulting in being demoted to third string on the Tampa Bay quarterback depth chart. Washington is embarrassed after last week's loss to the lowly Lions. I like the Redskins in this one.

Seattle (1-2) at Indianapolis (3-0)- The Seahawks are banged up and looking at a daunting task of going into Indianapolis to try to slow down a Colts offense that's really starting to find it's groove. The Colts haven't missed a beat without retired coach Tony Dungy and longtime wide receiver Marvin Harrison. Seattle will have to force turnovers and make plays on special teams to stand any type of chance of winning this game. I like the Colts in this one.

NY Jets (3-0) at New Orleans (3-0) - To say that this is going to be a great game is an understatement. Both teams are playing solid football. Both are well coached and very confident. Drew Brees has the support of a good running game when teams are daring the Saints to beat them on the ground. However the Saints haven't played a complete and healthy team like the Jets this year. Mark Sanchez has been better than advertised for the J-E-T-S, YES THAT'S THE JETS, JETS, JETS, JETS. I expected the Jets defense to slow down the explosive Saints offense. I like the Jets in a close one on the road.

Buffalo (1-2) at Miami (0-3) - I think Buffalo is a little bit overrated. Terrell Owens has seen his best days. The Bills are banged up in their secondary. Chad Henne gets his first pro start and can save the Dolphins season with their first victory. Something tells me Miami's going to win a close one and pull the upset.

St. Louis (0-3) at San Francisco (2-1) - The 49ers are not all the way back yet, but they are a much improved football team. Maybe this year's most improved team. The Rams are just trying to get a win for their new coach Steve Spagnuolo. The 49ers play great defense and run the ball to control the clock. I think the Rams will keep it close for a while, but eventually the 49ers will grind away and get their second division win.

Dallas (2-1) at Denver (3-0) - Most people look at Denver's 3-0 start and say they haven't beaten anyone this year. They will get their first crack at a quality opponent at home this Sunday. The Cowboys are coming off a Monday Night win against a Carolina team that is still reeling from last year's playoff to the Arizona Cardinals. Where are the Cowboys explosive plays going to come from without running back Flex Jones? Denver has an improved rushing attack with Corell Buckhalter and rookie runner Knowshon Moreno and a defense that's improved from a year ago. I like Denver at home in a close game in game.

San Diego (2-1) at Pittsburgh (1-2) - The Norv Turner effect is taking hold of the Chargers. This team can't beat physical football teams anymore because they can't run the football. Phillip Rivers has to play mistake free football and make big plays in the passing game. That's going to be a tall order for a team going against an angry Pittsburgh team that lost its last two games by a combined six points. Look for Big Ben and the Steelers to get back on track against the Chargers on Sunday night.

Green Bay (2-1) at Minnesota (3-0) - This might be the second most anticipated matchup of the weekend behind the Jets/Saints matchup. Rodgers versus the Gunslinger. Something tells me that Favre may get out of character early in the game to show up his old team. The Vikings need Brett Favre the game manager and not the turnover machine that he can become when he's amped up. Green Bay has big play receivers in Greg Jennings and Donald Driver; however Green Bay has some offensive line issues. The Vikings stop the run and will make Aaron Rodgers one-dimensional. I think the Vikings are the more balanced team and should win a close game for the ages at home on Monday Night Football.