End of the Week NFL Picks – Week Four

Record: 10-6

All times are Central Standard Time

Washington (2-1) vs. St. Louis (0-3)

12:00 FOX St. Louis, Missouri

The Rams are a mess and Washington is hungry after letting one slip away in Dallas. Watch for Washington’s running game to take advantage of the weak front seven of the Rams.

Prediction: Washington 24 St. Louis 14

San Francisco (2-1) vs. Philadelphia (1-2)

12:00 FOX Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I see the Eagles getting back on track against the 49ers. It will be a tough cross country trip for the Niners and Michael Vick and the Eagles are looking for something to prove.  If the 49ers have a shot at winning it is dependent on whether they have success running the football and setting up play action for Alex Smith. I just don’t see that happening.

Prediction: Philadelphia 28 San Francisco 10

Pittsburgh (2-1) vs. Houston (2-1)

12:00 CBS Houston, Texas

This could be the game of the weekend. Pittsburgh struggled against an inferior team last week and the Texans had a lead in the fourth quarter in New Orleans last week. I think both defenses have the advantage in this game. This will be the Texans coming out party and they will show everyone that they are a serious threat to win the AFC.

Prediction: Houston 20 Pittsburgh 17

New Orleans (2-1) vs. Jacksonville (1-2)

12:00 FOX Jacksonville, Florida

The Saints are clicking on offense but the defense is giving up too many points and yards. They are licking their chops because of the Jags and rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert. Greg Williams will confuse the young man behind center and the Saints will win easily.

Prediction: New Orleans 31 Jacksonville 13

Carolina (1-2) vs. Chicago (1-2)

12:00 FOX Chicago, Illinois

This game will be closer than most think. Cam Newton is the real deal at quarterback and Chicago has a hard time defending a mobile quarterback. The Panthers will hang around long enough for the Chicago faithful to boo and moan about how bad their team is but then the Bears will force a key turnover late to secure a Bears victory.

Prediction: Chicago 21 Carolina 17

Detroit (3-0) vs. Dallas (2-1)

12:00 FOX Arlington, Texas

Detroit has been impressive on both sides of the ball. Dallas has disappointed me on offense but their defense is why they are 2-1. DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer are playing out of their minds pressuring opposing quarterbacks and Jay Ratliff is a beast in the middle of an underrated defensive line. Detroit will get a shot of reality this week but it may benefit them. Don’t believe the hype, Detroit, or you will fall victim to it.

Prediction: Dallas 34 Detroit 17

Minnesota (0-3) vs. Kansas City (0-3)

12:00 FOX Kansas City, Missouri

There are very few guarantees in life but one of them is that after Sunday either the Vikings or Chiefs will have their first win of the year. Kansas City showed great resolve last week in a close loss to the Chargers and the Vikings collapsed in the second half for a third straight game. This game will not be pretty to watch but in the end Adrian Peterson is the difference and the Vikings earn their first win of the year.  I use the term "earn" loosely here.

Prediction: Vikings 28 Kansas City 14

Buffalo (3-0) vs. Cincinnati (1-2)

12:00 CBS Cincinnati, Ohio

This could be a letdown game for the Bills after a huge win at home against the Patriots last week. I think this game stays close right down to the end and see the Bengals pulling off a huge upset in front of their home crowd. Buffalo has been porous in coverage and I see AJ Green having a big game.

Prediction: Cincinnati 21 Buffalo 14

Tennessee (2-1) vs. Cleveland (2-1)

12:00 CBS Cleveland, Ohio

This will be another close game but in the end it will come down to who can control the line of scrimmage and give their quarterback enough time to air it out. Chris Johnson could be an X factor in this game. I say he gets it going in this game and the Titans win by a couple touchdowns.

Prediction: Titans 27 Browns 13

New York (NFC) (2-1) vs. Arizona (1-2)

3:05 FOX Glendale, Arizona

The Giants are on a roll and that will continue in the dessert on Sunday. I just don’t trust Kevin Kolb and the Cardinals offense. They only scored 10 points against the Seahawks last week and turned the ball over when it matter most. Eli Manning will protect the football and make big plays down the field to lead his team to a convincing victory in Arizona.

Prediction: New York (NFC) 34 Arizona 17

Atlanta (1-2) vs. Seattle (1-2)

3:05 FOX Seattle, Washington

The Falcons play bad on the road and the Seahawks play well at home. Regardless, I just don’t see Atlanta losing two in a row to inferior teams. Seattle will keep it close for the first half but Matt Ryan and Michael Turner will lead the Falcons to a much needed victory.

Prediction: Atlanta 23 Seattle 10

New England (2-1) vs. Oakland (2-1)

3:15 CBS Oakland, California

This will be a tough game for the Patriots because of the travel. Tom Brady will put up his numbers but he has to protect the football. Oakland is one of the best rushing teams in the NFL and that will be on full display against a very bad New England defense. In the final minute, Tom Brady will be Tom Brady and pull it off for the Pats.

Prediction: New England 38 Oakland 35

Denver (1-2) vs. Green Bay (3-0)

3:15 CBS Green Bay, Wisconsin

Please see my Broncos vs. Packers Late Week Report for my analysis and breakdown of the game. (coming soon!)

Prediction: Green Bay 42 Denver 17

Miami (0-3) vs. San Diego (2-1)

3:15 CBS San Diego, California

Three of San Diego’s first four games have been against winless teams (Minnesota, Kansas City, and now Miami). Miami’s offense is non-existent and their defense gives up way to many yards. Expect this to hold true on Sunday and for Phillip Rivers to have a field day against the Dolphins.

Prediction: San Diego 33 Miami 13

New York (AFC) (2-1) vs. Baltimore (2-1)

7:20 NBC Baltimore, Maryland

This is going to be a physical, hard hitting football game. Both defenses will be the key figures in the game. The Jets couldn’t stop the run last week in Oakland and Ray Rice could be the difference maker in this one. The Jets have trouble late and leave Baltimore with a second consecutive loss.

Prediction: Baltimore 17 New York (AFC) 10

Indianapolis (0-3) vs. Tampa Bay (2-1)

7:30 ESPN Tampa, Florida

Tampa Bay got a huge win against the Falcons last week but can they sustain the success that they had? They are the youngest team in the NFL and will be playing on Monday Night Football. They are going up against an opponent that will possibly be without their starting quarterback. If Tampa Bay can keep Josh Freeman clean they will win. I bet they do.

Prediction: Tampa Bay 26 Indianapolis 17

Matt

End of the Week NFL Picks Rewind – Week Three

Review My Picks Here

Record: 10-6

12.00 CBS Charlotte, North Carolina

Lower scoring game because they played in a monsoon but Newton was one play better than Gabbert.

Prediction: Panthers 27 Jaguars 17
Actual Score: Panthers 16 Jaguars 10

12:00 CBS New Orleans, Louisiana

Should have been a Texan win but the Saints stole it from them with takeaways in the fourth quarter and Drew Brees confidently on top of his game.

Prediction: Saints 34 Texans 31
Actual Score: Saints 40 Texans 33

12:00 CBS Orchid Park, New York

No one got this one right outside of the citizens of Buffalo, and I am sure there were a lot of Bills fans that picked the Patriots. With the win, Buffalo is proving to be a legit AFC team.

Prediction: Patriots 42 Bills 31
Actual Score: Bills 34 Patriots 31

12:00 CBS Cleveland, Ohio

Colt McCoy proved me right and led his team down the field and made the play in the final minute to snatch a victory from the Dolphins.

Prediction: Browns 21 Dolphins 17
Actual Score: Browns 17 Dolphins 16

12:00 CBS Nashville, Tennessee

Kyle Orton did not have a good game and the Titans made just enough plays to win. The win was costly with the loss of Kenny Britt for the season with a torn ACL.

Prediction: Titans 20 Broncos 14
Actual Score: Titans 17 Broncos 14

12:00 FOX Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Manning threw for 4 touchdowns and no interceptions and Michael Vick did not look like himself at all. Giants rolled in the fourth quarter and got a surprising win in Philly.

Prediction: Eagles 24 Giants 14
Actual Score: Giants 29 Eagles 16

12:00 FOX Minneapolis, Minnesota

Many people, myself included did not see this game being close, let alone go into overtime, but the Vikings did their best. The Lions came back and won a game they had no business winning. That is the sign of a good team.

Prediction: Lions 35 Vikings 20
Actual Score: Lions 26 Vikings 23 OT

12:00 FOX Cincinnati, Ohio

Again, lower scoring then I thought but I got the win. I was really impressed with the Bengals defense, regardless of the loss.

Prediction: 49ers 26 Bengals 14
Actual Score: 49ers 13 Bengals 8

3:05 CBS Oakland, California

Cross Country trip for the Jets and they looked off the whole game. They could not stop the run and that is the Raiders strong suite.

Prediction: Jets 23 Raiders 7
Actual Score: Raiders 34 Jets 24

3:05 CBS San Diego, California

San Diego took Kansas City lightly and almost got burned. I was impressed with the Chiefs fight on the road and in the division.

Prediction: Chargers 38 Chiefs 10
Actual Score: Chargers 20 Chiefs 17

3:05 CBS St. Louis, Missouri

The Ravens were dominant on both sides of the ball and the Rams looked lost and uninspired. Steve Spagnuolo is on the Hot Seat in St. Louis.

Prediction: Ravens 31 Rams 17
Actual Score: Ravens 37 Rams 7

3:15 FOX Chicago, Illinois

Good win for the Pack in Chicago but they have to clean up the penalties and defensive miscommunication.

Prediction: Packers 28 Bears 13
Actual Score: Packers 27 Bears 17

3:15 FOX Seattle, Washington

I was very disappointed in the Cardinals on Sunday. Seattle had no business being in the game with all the talent on offense with Arizona. To score only 10 points is unacceptable.

Prediction: Cardinals 35 Seahawks 21
Actual Score: Seahawks 13 Cardinals 10

3:15 FOX Tampa, Florida

The Falcons have the look of a team that will win at home but will lose on the road. The Bucs came to play and the Falcons weren’t ready and had to scramble late and couldn’t get it done.

Prediction: Falcons 34 Buccaneers 14
Actual Score: Buccaneers 16 Falcons 13

7:20 NBC Indianapolis, Indiana

The Colts did everything they could but that won’t be enough to beat a good team like the Steelers. Big Ben has to cut down on the turnovers if the Steelers want to remain competitive throughout the season.

Prediction: Steelers 20 Colts 10
Actual Score: Steelers 23 Colts 20

7:30 ESPN Arlington, Texas

Romo did play and the Redskins almost got the win. Romo played alright but made the big third down conversion late and set up the winning field goal.

Prediction: Redskins 17 Cowboys 14
Actual Score: Cowboys 18 Redskins 16

Matt

Last Minute Fantasy: Cam Newton

It has been one week since the Packers marched into Bank of America Stadium and left the broken Carolina Panthers with their second loss in two games.  Yet, all the football “experts” are talking about is how Cam Newton is 2^nd in NFL passing yards and is destined for greatness.  Really?  It was hard enough hearing Jim Mora Jr. pine over this fraud of a quarterback during the game (thank God Gruden wasn’t around), but even the days following held nothing but praise for the 0-2 QB who has more picks thrown than TDs.  Without even considering this young man’s serious character flaws, I can’t help but question why he is getting this unwarranted praise.  Many of you are thinking, “Hey guy, the numbers don’t lie.  Only Tom Brady has thrown for more yardage than Cam.”  I can’t argue that, but I can say that Cam Newton hasn’t proven a damn thing. 

In college, Cam was great in the non-pro system of Auburn.  In the NFL, he is nothing more than another rookie quarterback who isn’t ready to start.  He threw three picks last Sunday, and the Packers dropped three more.  He could not make a play when it mattered and had several off-target throws to wide open receivers.  The Packers won by a touchdown, but should have lost by two.  After making the errors that ultimately doomed his team, Cam could be seen sulking on the sidelines in solitude with a Gatorade towel covering his face instead of being a leader and preparing his team to march down the field when they got the ball back.  Real team player.  Fact: Cam Newton led Auburn to a national championship.  Fact: Auburn doesn’t run an offense that can be applied to the NFL.  Newton is a beast of an athlete, but that’s about it.  Cam Newton may lead the Panthers to a victory next Sunday (and I hope they do as I have 8 points on them in my pick ‘em pool), but it will only be because he’s at home, facing the Jaguars, and going up against another rookie QB, Blaine Gabbert, who is making his first NFL start.

Dan