www.RantSports.com 2010 NFL Picks: Week 4
October 1, 2010 by Dan Parzych
Filed under AFC, AFC East, AFC North, AFC South, AFC West, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Exclusive, Featured, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, NFC, NFC East, NFC North, NFC South, NFC West, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins
After three weeks, there are only three undefeated teams remaining (Bears, Steelers, and Chiefs). Last week, the Vikings and Cowboys finally picked up their first wins of the 2010 season to avoid a dangerous 0-3 start. As far as upsets, the Bears and Falcons showed the world they are for real and have just as great of a chance to win their division as anyone else.
Each week, myself (28-20 on the year, 9-7 during Week 3), Jeric Griffin from TheCowboysCentral.com (25-23 on the year, 8-8 during Week 3), and Johnny Crosskey from BucsPost.com (27-21 on the year, 9-7 during Week 3) will provide their picks and analysis to provide readers with information about what to expect for that particular week.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Atlanta Falcons
All of a sudden, the 49ers–who many predicted to win the NFC West–enter Week 4 still looking for their first win of the season. Unfortunately, they face a tough matchup against a Falcons’ squad coming off a huge win over the defending Super Bowl champions on the road. San Francisco’s offense struggled against the Chiefs last weekend and they could be in for another long day against Atlanta’s defense.
49ers: None Falcons: Dan, Jeric, Johnny
New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills
After a disappointing loss to the Ravens in Week 1, the Jets are finally playing like the team everyone expected them to be. Mark Sanchez has looked phenomenal over the last two weeks, but he’ll face a Buffalo squad hungry for their first win. The Bills came close to upsetting the Patriots last weekend–so expect them to put up a dog-fight against their division rivals on Sunday.
Jets: Dan, Jeric, Johnny Bills: None
Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers
It was close at the beginning, but once again, the Lions road woes continued after losing to the Vikings last weekend. Unfortunately, they face another difficult task at Lambeau Field against the Packers–who are coming off a frustrating loss to the Bears in which they committed 18 penalties. A key note for this game–Green Bay hasn’t lost to Detroit at home since 1991 and has won the last nine overall.
Lions: None Packers: Dan, Jeric, Johnny
Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints
If last is any indication of what to expect, the Saints should have no problem with the Panthers at home. Carolina has managed to score just 32 points over the first three games and can’t seem to get anything consistent going on offense. As for the Saints–well they’re the Super Bowl champions for a reason.
Panthers: None Saints: Dan, Jeric, Johnny
Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
In one of the most anticipated games for Week 4, these two AFC North rivals should put on one heck of a defensive battle at Heinz Field. Joe Flacco finally got out of his funk last weekend against the Browns and nobody expected the Steelers to be 3-0 considering most analysts expected them to struggle without Ben Roethlisberger. Expect this matchup to go down to the wire.
Ravens: Dan, Johnny Steelers: Jeric
Seattle Seahawks vs. St. Louis Rams
The Rams finally picked up their first win of the 2010 season (along with ending that embarrassing losing streak at home) after losing the first two games by a combined six points. If they can manage to pull off their first two-game win streak since October 2008, they could be right in the NFC West hunt. However, they face a Seahawks team coming off a very impressive win against the Chargers and continue to surprise us in what many expected to be another “rebuilding year.”
Seahawks: Dan, Jeric, Johnny Rams: None
Denver Broncos vs. Tennessee Titans
They kept it close, but in the end, the Broncos just couldn’t keep up with the high-powered offense of the Colts. The defense faces a tough task against Chris Johnson–who has rushed for over 100 yards in 13 of his last 14 games–this week. Kyle Orton and the passing offense has looked impressive so far–but this Broncos team still faces a very tough Titans team looking to keep up with the Colts and Texans in the AFC South.
Broncos: None Titans: Dan, Jeric, Johnny
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns
Despite their 2-1 record, the Bengals’ offense has yet to live up to their full potential considering all of the weapons they contain in the passing game. Carson Palmer has been heavily criticized all week for the way he’s performed over the last two games, but that could change this week considering he has a career record of 8-2 against the Browns. Cleveland lost both games by a combined 12 points last season and has lost their first three games of 2010 by that same number. Just like the other battle in the AFC North between the Ravens and Steelers, expect an intense game between these two teams.
Bengals: Dan, Jeric, Johnny Browns: None
Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Even without Pierre Garcon and Anthony Gonzalez, the Colts’ offense still managed to put up big numbers thanks to Austin Collie–who finished with 12 receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns last weekend against the Broncos. David Garrard on the other hand, he’s struggled over his last two games (five interceptions and sacked eight times). If he doesn’t perform well this week, don’t be surprised if the Jags give Trent Edwards a chance to provide a spark for the offense.
Colts: Dan, Jeric, Johnny Jaguars: None
Houston Texans vs. Oakland Raiders
After scoring 64 points over their first two games, the Texans struggled last weekend and put up just 13 points against the Cowboys. Houston’s offense looked impossible to stop the first two weeks, but Dallas proved they can be contained. Unfortunately, they face another tough task this week against a Raiders defense ranked third overall so far in 2010. Oakland will be hungry for a win–especially after how they arguably should have won last weekend’s game in Arizona.
Texans: Dan, Jeric Raiders: Johnny
Arizona Cardinals vs. San Diego Chargers
The Cardinals should consider themselves lucky considering how they managed to escape with a win over the Raiders. They will be without a valuable weapon in the passing game after Steve Breaston underwent arthroscopic surgery on his knee Tuesday. As for the Chargers, they’ll need to do a better job with turnovers and special teams after their 27-20 loss to the Seahawks.
Cardinals: None Chargers: Dan, Jeric, Johnny
Washington Redskins vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Ah, yes. The highly anticipated return of Donovan McNabb to the City of Brotherly Love. While this game was circled on most calendars to see the battle between McNabb and Kevin Kolb, Michael Vick will still make this NFC East battle just as exciting to watch. Hopefully, the fans of Philadelphia provide Donovan with a nice ovation for everything he did during his 11 years with the Eagles.
Redskins: None Eagles: Dan, Jeric, Eagles
Chicago Bears vs. New York Giants
Be honest–nobody expected the Bears to be 3-0 at this point in the season on top of the NFC North. This team looked spectacular in the fourth quarter of Monday night’s win over the Packers and they have a chance to continue being the only undefeated team in the NFC with a win over a struggling Giants team. Everyone expected the defense to bounce back after last season, but so far, New York has struggled against their opponents. You could see the frustration in Eli Manning’s actions against the Titans how this Giants’ squad should be better than their 1-2 record indicates.
Bears: Johnny Giants: Dan, Jeric
New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins comeback against the Jets fell just short on Sunday night, but this team proved they have what it takes to compete for the AFC East title. Despite their loss, the Dolphins have to be satisfied with the emergence of Brandon Marshall–who finished with 10 receptions for 166 yards and one touchdown against the Jets. Miami escaped with a win last season against New England at home and they may have an advantage considering the Patriots allowed the Bills to scored 30 points last weekend. This may be Monday Night Football, but the fact that Tom Brady is 3-5 in Miami has to play a factor in this game.
Patriots: Dan, Johnny Dolphins: Jeric
Dan Parzych is the Lead NFL Content Editor for www.RantSports.com/NFL, where he writes and edits NFL content for www.RantSports.com.