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 – Week Three

This is my first set of picks for week three of the NFL Season.  See if you agree or think I am crazy!  Enjoy!

Panthers 27 Jaguars 17
12.00 CBS Charlotte, North Carolina
 
Cam Newton makes more plays then his rookie counterpart Blaine Gabbert and the Panthers record their first win of the season.

Saints 34 Texans 31
12:00 CBS New Orleans, Louisiana
 
The Texans are almost there but they can’t get past a really good team like the Saints.  Drew Brees sets up the game winning field goal and the Saints go to 2-1.
 
Patriots 42 Bills 31
12:00 CBS Orchid Park, New York
 
The Bills are surprising a lot of people, myself included, but that will end this week.  The Pats are playing like they are on a mission to dominate every team in the league.  Tom Brady is a machine and shows it again against Buffalo.
 

Browns 21 Dolphins 17
12:00 CBS Cleveland, Ohio
 
Tony Sparano and the Dolphins need a win but will not find one in Cleveland.  Colt McCoy does just enough and the Miami offense still can’t get on track.
 
Titans 20 Broncos 14
12:00 CBS Nashville, Tennessee
 
The Broncos are a mess and Tennessee is coming off a huge win against the Ravens.  The Titans stay hot and the Tebow chants grow in Denver.
 
Eagles 24 Giants 14
12:00 FOX Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
 
I have a funny feeling that Michael Vick plays after his concussion against the Falcons.  Vick plays and has success against an injury depleted Giants secondary.  Eli Manning also turns the ball over way too much and that will continue against the Eagles.
 
Lions 35 Vikings 20
12:00 FOX Minneapolis, Minnesota
 
The Lions are favored on the road against the Vikings.  Doesn’t happen often but there is good reason why they are.  Their offense stays hot and Minnesota and Donovan McNabb are left to keep looking for their first win.
 
49ers 26 Bengals 14
12:00 FOX Cincinnati, Ohio
 
The 49ers let one slip away against the Cowboys.  I like the way the Bengals are playing with all the youth on that team.  The youth will show this week and they will have to endure some more growing pains but the Bengals are on the right track. 

Jets 23 Raiders 7
3:05 CBS Oakland, California
 
The Jets are playing really good football and that will continue in Oakland.  Expect a rusty start because of the cross country flight, but then the Jets will pull away in the second half and cruise to a 3-0 start.
 
Chargers 38 Chiefs 10
3:05 CBS San Diego, California
 
There are few words to describe how bad the Chiefs are.  Horrendous is my favorite word to use.  The Chargers will destroy the Chiefs and Todd Haley’s future in Kansas City may be running out.

Ravens 31 Rams 17
3:05 CBS St. Louis, Missouri
 
The Ravens were shalacked by the Titans last week and I am sure John Harbaugh let his team hear about it all week in practice.  A lot of Ray Rice is expected and also look for a bounce back game from that vaunted Ravens defense.
 
Packers 28 Bears 13

3:15 FOX Chicago, Illinois
 
See Packers vs. Bears Late Week Report for summary of my prediction.
 
Cardinals 35 Seahawks 21
3:15 FOX Seattle, Washington
 
This is the home opener for the Seahawks and they will play hard for a little bit but this game will be all Cardinals.  Kolb to Fitzgerald, get used to hearing that those names because you will hear them all game.
 
Falcons 34 Buccaneers 14
3:15 FOX Tampa, Florida
 
The Falcons have momentum after their come from behind win against the Eagles and will take Tampa Bay out of it early.  Look for the Atlanta defense to make life tough for Josh Freeman and the Falcons to roll over the Bucs.
 
Steelers 20 Colts 10
7:20 NBC Indianapolis, Indiana
 
The Colts offense is like a high school offense with Kerry Collins running the show.  Look for that to continue this week against the Steelers.  Big Ben will be off a little but will still have enough to send the Colts to their first 0-3 start since 1998.
 
Redskins 17 Cowboys 14
7:30 ESPN Arlington, Texas
 
Will Tony Romo play or won’t he?  That is the big question around the Monday night showdown in Big D.  I say he doesn’t play and the Redskins sneak out of Dallas with a close win.

Matt