Thursday
Game: Baltimore at Pittsburgh
Prediction: Pittsburgh - I have a hard time seeing a John Harbaugh-coached team starting the year 0-4, but then again, I had a hard time seeing a John Harbaugh-coached team starting 0-3. With Michael Vick now the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, it's difficult to know what to expect from the team offensively. He's past his prime, but looked good in the preseason and definitely has more weapons to work with in Pittsburgh than he did in New York (Jets). With the Ravens defense playing as poorly as they have, though, and with this game being on the road during a shortened week, I'm going to give the slight edge to Vick and the Steelers. So long as Vick gets adequate protection and doesn't turn the ball over (much), I'll take the Steelers by 4.
Result: Baltimore 23 Pittsburgh 20 OT
Record: 0-1
Sunday
Game: NY Jets at Miami
Prediction: NY Jets - Through the first quarter of the season, many have hailed the 1-2 Philadelphia Eagles as the most disappointing team in the league. However, I may go a different route and lay that label down on the 1-2 Miami Dolphins, who bared squeaked by Washington in Week 1, lost to Jacksonville in Week 2, and were pummeled by Buffalo this past Sunday. With the NY Jets posing a similar defensive scheme as Buffalo, I have a hard time thinking Miami's inconsistent offense will be able to make the proper adjustments to improve much on that side of the ball this week. So long as Ryan Fitzpatrick doesn't throw three interceptions like he did against Philadelphia, I'll take the Jets by a field goal.
Result: NY Jets 27 Miami 14
Record: 1-1
Game: Jacksonville at Indianapolis
Prediction: Jacksonville - I initially took Indianapolis by a touchdown, but in light of Andrew Luck being unable to play, I'm going to change my pick and go with Jacksonville by a field goal.
Result: Indianapolis 16 Jacksonville 13 OT
Record: 1-2
Game: NY Giants at Buffalo
Prediction: Buffalo - This should be a fun match-up when the Giants have the football. The Bills pose one of the better defenses in the league, but struggled mightily against the New England Patriots' passing attack in Week 2. If Eli Manning is able to avoid the rush through quick reads and passes, the Giants could put up some points in this game. However, for as little of a pass rush as the Giants have on the defensive side of the ball, I have to like how the Bills' offense matches up with the Giants' defense more than the reverse. I'll go with Buffalo at home by a touchdown.
Result: NY Giants 24 Buffalo 10
Record: 1-3
Game: Carolina at Tampa Bay
Prediction: Carolina - Carolina may be the worst of the remaining unbeatens, but they're still unbeaten, which has to say something about a team which won the NFC South with a 7-9 record a year ago. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, is young, inconsistent, and therefore hard to predict. Tampa should play the Panthers fairly close at home, but I see them falling short in the end, much like they did against Houston this past Sunday. I'll go with the Panthers by 10.
Result: Carolina 37 Tampa Bay 23
Record: 2-3
Game: Philadelphia at Washington
Prediction: Philadelphia - While I still contend that the AFC South is the weakest division in the NFL, the NFC East is the most head-scratching division. Dallas may be leading the way at 2-1, but they're 0-1 without Tony Romo and Dez Bryant, not to mention DeMarco Murray. The NY Giants are 1-2, but should be 3-0. Washington and Philadelphia are both 1-2 as well, with the former overachieving to this point in the season, while the latter has underachieved. Philly's offense continued to struggle in their win against the Jets on Sunday, but they did get a solid performance from tailback Ryan Mathews, as well as their defense and special teams. I have a feeling they'll continue to show signs of improvement in this game to even their record with a big in-division game against Washington. I'm going with Philly by 4.
Result: Washington 23 Philadelphia 20
Record: 2-4
Game: Oakland at Chicago
Prediction: Oakland - There's a chance I could change this pick if Jay Cutler comes back healthy. However, I do like how Oakland's young offense has been performing these past two weeks and think they match up well with the Bears' defense. For the time being, I'll go with the Raiders by a field goal.
Result: Chicago 22 Oakland 20
Record: 2-5
Game: Houston at Atlanta
Prediction: Atlanta - I've been pleasantly surprised by the Falcons to this point in the season. Their offense has been one of the best in the league and their defense has shown signs of marked improvement from a year ago. Houston's defense is still solid, but their offense gives me worries, and I have a difficult time seeing the Texans be able to match the Falcons' explosive offense score for score on the road. I'm going with the Falcons by 10.
Result: Atlanta 48 Houston 21
Record: 3-5
Game: Kansas City at Cincinnati
Prediction: Cincinnati - I was very tempted to take Kansas City in the road upset here, but with the Chiefs playing on Monday night this week in Green Bay, I think this will be an incredibly difficult game for them to win. I'm slightly hesitant, but I'll take the Bengals at home by 6.
Result: Cincinnati 36 Kansas City 21
Record: 4-5
Game: Cleveland at San Diego
Prediction: San Diego - I hate calling games must-wins this early in the season. However, if San Diego falls to Cleveland at home to drop to 1-3 with six games remaining in division against the 3-0 Denver Broncos, the suddenly resurgent 2-1 Oakland Raiders, and the-better-than-their-record-indicates Kansas City Chiefs, it could be too steep a hill for even Philip Rivers to climb. Given that, I think Rivers shines in this one and gets his Chargers back to .500 with a 14-point win at home against the Browns.
Result: San Diego 30 Cleveland 27
Record: 5-5
Game: Green Bay at San Francisco
Prediction: Green Bay - After watching the 49ers these past two weeks, the first question that springs to mind is, "How in the world did they beat Minnesota in Week 1?" After beating the now 2-1 Vikings 20-3 at home in Week 1, the 49ers have fallen to Pittsburgh and Arizona by the combined score of 90-25 (average of 45.0 - 12.5). Unless there's another Week 1-esque miracle in San Francisco, I don't see how the 49ers can win this one. I'm going with the Packers by a couple of touchdowns.
Result: Green Bay 17 San Francisco 3
Record: 6-5
Game: St. Louis at Arizona
Prediction: Arizona - If tailback Chris Johnson continues to run as well as he has for the Cardinals, look out! While the Cards have had a solid passing attack through the Carson Palmer years and a great defense, what they've lacked is an efficient running game. From what I've seen through the first quarter of the season, barring injuries, Arizona may be my favorite to win the Super Bowl. St. Louis, meanwhile, can't seem to click on offense, being outscored 36-16 in their previous two games, both losses. While their defense might be able to slow down the Cardinals offensively, it won't be enough to get the victory. I'll take the Cards at home by a touchdown.
Result: St. Louis 24 Arizona 22
Record: 6-6
Game: Minnesota at Denver
Prediction: Minnesota - This is probably my upset pick of the week. After their disappointing showing in San Francisco in Week 1, the Minnesota Vikings have played great football, outscoring the Detroit Lions and San Diego Chargers 57-30, improving to 2-1 in the process. Adrian Peterson appears to be getting a feel for things again, not to mention the Vikings defense, their secondary in particular. With the Broncos' ground attack being sub-par to this point in the season and the Vikings' secondary (and pass rush) giving Matthew Stafford and Philip Rivers fits these past two weeks, I like for Minnesota to hand the Broncos their first loss of the season, winning a huge game on the road by a field goal.
Result: Denver 23 Minnesota 20
Record: 6-7
Game: Dallas at New Orleans
Prediction: New Orleans - I initially took Dallas, but in light of Drew Brees starting and sounding to be healthy, I'm going to reverse my pick and go with the Saints at home by 4.
Result: New Orleans 26 Dallas 20 OT
Record: 7-7
Monday
Game: Detroit at Seattle
Prediction: Seattle - Weren't the Detroit Lions a playoff team a year ago? After falling to San Diego, Minnesota, and Denver to start the year 0-3, things won't be getting any easier for the Lions, as a road date in Seattle on Monday night will likely send them to 0-4, not to mention a home date against the 3-0 Arizona Cardinals. Two weeks from now, the Lions could very well be the only winless team in football at 0-5. I'm going with Seattle by 13.
Result: Seattle 13 Detroit 10
Record: 8-7
Week 4 Record: 8-7 (.533)
Overall Record: 38-25 (.603)
Game: Baltimore at Pittsburgh
Prediction: Pittsburgh - I have a hard time seeing a John Harbaugh-coached team starting the year 0-4, but then again, I had a hard time seeing a John Harbaugh-coached team starting 0-3. With Michael Vick now the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, it's difficult to know what to expect from the team offensively. He's past his prime, but looked good in the preseason and definitely has more weapons to work with in Pittsburgh than he did in New York (Jets). With the Ravens defense playing as poorly as they have, though, and with this game being on the road during a shortened week, I'm going to give the slight edge to Vick and the Steelers. So long as Vick gets adequate protection and doesn't turn the ball over (much), I'll take the Steelers by 4.
Result: Baltimore 23 Pittsburgh 20 OT
Record: 0-1
Sunday
Game: NY Jets at Miami
Prediction: NY Jets - Through the first quarter of the season, many have hailed the 1-2 Philadelphia Eagles as the most disappointing team in the league. However, I may go a different route and lay that label down on the 1-2 Miami Dolphins, who bared squeaked by Washington in Week 1, lost to Jacksonville in Week 2, and were pummeled by Buffalo this past Sunday. With the NY Jets posing a similar defensive scheme as Buffalo, I have a hard time thinking Miami's inconsistent offense will be able to make the proper adjustments to improve much on that side of the ball this week. So long as Ryan Fitzpatrick doesn't throw three interceptions like he did against Philadelphia, I'll take the Jets by a field goal.
Result: NY Jets 27 Miami 14
Record: 1-1
Game: Jacksonville at Indianapolis
Prediction: Jacksonville - I initially took Indianapolis by a touchdown, but in light of Andrew Luck being unable to play, I'm going to change my pick and go with Jacksonville by a field goal.
Result: Indianapolis 16 Jacksonville 13 OT
Record: 1-2
Game: NY Giants at Buffalo
Prediction: Buffalo - This should be a fun match-up when the Giants have the football. The Bills pose one of the better defenses in the league, but struggled mightily against the New England Patriots' passing attack in Week 2. If Eli Manning is able to avoid the rush through quick reads and passes, the Giants could put up some points in this game. However, for as little of a pass rush as the Giants have on the defensive side of the ball, I have to like how the Bills' offense matches up with the Giants' defense more than the reverse. I'll go with Buffalo at home by a touchdown.
Result: NY Giants 24 Buffalo 10
Record: 1-3
Game: Carolina at Tampa Bay
Prediction: Carolina - Carolina may be the worst of the remaining unbeatens, but they're still unbeaten, which has to say something about a team which won the NFC South with a 7-9 record a year ago. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, is young, inconsistent, and therefore hard to predict. Tampa should play the Panthers fairly close at home, but I see them falling short in the end, much like they did against Houston this past Sunday. I'll go with the Panthers by 10.
Result: Carolina 37 Tampa Bay 23
Record: 2-3
Game: Philadelphia at Washington
Prediction: Philadelphia - While I still contend that the AFC South is the weakest division in the NFL, the NFC East is the most head-scratching division. Dallas may be leading the way at 2-1, but they're 0-1 without Tony Romo and Dez Bryant, not to mention DeMarco Murray. The NY Giants are 1-2, but should be 3-0. Washington and Philadelphia are both 1-2 as well, with the former overachieving to this point in the season, while the latter has underachieved. Philly's offense continued to struggle in their win against the Jets on Sunday, but they did get a solid performance from tailback Ryan Mathews, as well as their defense and special teams. I have a feeling they'll continue to show signs of improvement in this game to even their record with a big in-division game against Washington. I'm going with Philly by 4.
Result: Washington 23 Philadelphia 20
Record: 2-4
Game: Oakland at Chicago
Prediction: Oakland - There's a chance I could change this pick if Jay Cutler comes back healthy. However, I do like how Oakland's young offense has been performing these past two weeks and think they match up well with the Bears' defense. For the time being, I'll go with the Raiders by a field goal.
Result: Chicago 22 Oakland 20
Record: 2-5
Game: Houston at Atlanta
Prediction: Atlanta - I've been pleasantly surprised by the Falcons to this point in the season. Their offense has been one of the best in the league and their defense has shown signs of marked improvement from a year ago. Houston's defense is still solid, but their offense gives me worries, and I have a difficult time seeing the Texans be able to match the Falcons' explosive offense score for score on the road. I'm going with the Falcons by 10.
Result: Atlanta 48 Houston 21
Record: 3-5
Game: Kansas City at Cincinnati
Prediction: Cincinnati - I was very tempted to take Kansas City in the road upset here, but with the Chiefs playing on Monday night this week in Green Bay, I think this will be an incredibly difficult game for them to win. I'm slightly hesitant, but I'll take the Bengals at home by 6.
Result: Cincinnati 36 Kansas City 21
Record: 4-5
Game: Cleveland at San Diego
Prediction: San Diego - I hate calling games must-wins this early in the season. However, if San Diego falls to Cleveland at home to drop to 1-3 with six games remaining in division against the 3-0 Denver Broncos, the suddenly resurgent 2-1 Oakland Raiders, and the-better-than-their-record-indicates Kansas City Chiefs, it could be too steep a hill for even Philip Rivers to climb. Given that, I think Rivers shines in this one and gets his Chargers back to .500 with a 14-point win at home against the Browns.
Result: San Diego 30 Cleveland 27
Record: 5-5
Game: Green Bay at San Francisco
Prediction: Green Bay - After watching the 49ers these past two weeks, the first question that springs to mind is, "How in the world did they beat Minnesota in Week 1?" After beating the now 2-1 Vikings 20-3 at home in Week 1, the 49ers have fallen to Pittsburgh and Arizona by the combined score of 90-25 (average of 45.0 - 12.5). Unless there's another Week 1-esque miracle in San Francisco, I don't see how the 49ers can win this one. I'm going with the Packers by a couple of touchdowns.
Result: Green Bay 17 San Francisco 3
Record: 6-5
Game: St. Louis at Arizona
Prediction: Arizona - If tailback Chris Johnson continues to run as well as he has for the Cardinals, look out! While the Cards have had a solid passing attack through the Carson Palmer years and a great defense, what they've lacked is an efficient running game. From what I've seen through the first quarter of the season, barring injuries, Arizona may be my favorite to win the Super Bowl. St. Louis, meanwhile, can't seem to click on offense, being outscored 36-16 in their previous two games, both losses. While their defense might be able to slow down the Cardinals offensively, it won't be enough to get the victory. I'll take the Cards at home by a touchdown.
Result: St. Louis 24 Arizona 22
Record: 6-6
Game: Minnesota at Denver
Prediction: Minnesota - This is probably my upset pick of the week. After their disappointing showing in San Francisco in Week 1, the Minnesota Vikings have played great football, outscoring the Detroit Lions and San Diego Chargers 57-30, improving to 2-1 in the process. Adrian Peterson appears to be getting a feel for things again, not to mention the Vikings defense, their secondary in particular. With the Broncos' ground attack being sub-par to this point in the season and the Vikings' secondary (and pass rush) giving Matthew Stafford and Philip Rivers fits these past two weeks, I like for Minnesota to hand the Broncos their first loss of the season, winning a huge game on the road by a field goal.
Result: Denver 23 Minnesota 20
Record: 6-7
Game: Dallas at New Orleans
Prediction: New Orleans - I initially took Dallas, but in light of Drew Brees starting and sounding to be healthy, I'm going to reverse my pick and go with the Saints at home by 4.
Result: New Orleans 26 Dallas 20 OT
Record: 7-7
Monday
Game: Detroit at Seattle
Prediction: Seattle - Weren't the Detroit Lions a playoff team a year ago? After falling to San Diego, Minnesota, and Denver to start the year 0-3, things won't be getting any easier for the Lions, as a road date in Seattle on Monday night will likely send them to 0-4, not to mention a home date against the 3-0 Arizona Cardinals. Two weeks from now, the Lions could very well be the only winless team in football at 0-5. I'm going with Seattle by 13.
Result: Seattle 13 Detroit 10
Record: 8-7
Week 4 Record: 8-7 (.533)
Overall Record: 38-25 (.603)
Comments
Post a Comment