Week 4: Putting it on the line

After a great week 3 going 14 - 2, week 4 is definitely more of a challenge to predict. There are a lot of games that could go either way.

Byes: Arizona, Atlanta, Carolina, Philadelphia

Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears
Pick: BEARS - The Lions finally come into a game on a winning note. They are definitely improved, but I'm not thinking they make it two in a row. RB Kevin Smith was great last week, but got hurt in the game. Chicago has won six of the past eight games, although the Lions almost ended there losing streak last year against them. If the Lions can not expose Chicago's secondary with Charles Johnson, look for the Bears to win at home.

Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
Pick: BENGALS - The Bengals have won seven of the last nine meeting and come into this game on a high note (by beating the Steelers week 3). Derek Anderson replaced Brady Quinn at quarterback for the Browns. Although the Browns should be better this week with Anderson at the helm, it won't be enough. Look for the Bengals to eat up the clock with Ced Benson and win this one on the road.

Oakland Raiders at Houston Texans
Pick: TEXANS - The Texans have won three of the last four meetings. Oakland will need to run on Houston to have a chance in this game. Houston was unable to contain Maurice Jones-Drew, who scored three TDs, and lost 31-24 to the Jaguars last week. The Texans will win this one on the road with the passing game though.

Seattle Seahawks at Indianapolis Colts
Pick: COLTS - Peyton Manning, enough said! Actually, the Colts have struggled against the Seahawks, who have won three of the past four meetings. Manning is off to one of the best starts of his career though. He leads the AFC in passer rating (117.7) and is also atop the conference in touchdown passes with seven. The Seahawks are banged up, so look for the Colts to win at home.

Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars
Pick: JAGUARS - The Titans have won four of the past five meetings. starting 10-0 last season, the Titans have begun 2009 at 0-3. There has to be a clear sense of urgency for the Titans to win, especially since all of their losses have been close games. Going with the upset here though, and picking the Jaguars to win at home.

New York Giants at Kansas City Chiefs
Pick: GIANTS - The Giants have won six of the past seven meetings and have a dominant 9-2 overall series edge. New York handed the Bucs a 24-0 shutout. The Chiefs went into Philadelphia and got rocked in a 34-14 loss. The Giants rank fifth in the league with five interceptions and rank first in passing defense. It is going to be a long day for Matt Cassel and the Chiefs. The Giants win this one on the road.

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots
Pick: PATRIOTS - This game spells upset all over it the way the Ravens are playing this season, but everyone knows I won't ever pick against the Patriots (why would I since they always find a way to get it done!). All four meetings between these two teams have been won by New England. The Patriots' defense revolves around confusing opposing quarterbacks and forcing them into mistakes. New England held second-year QB Matt Ryan in check last week and hopefully will do the same to Joe Flacco. Ravens will shut down the running game, so it will be up to Tom Brady and the Defense to win this one at home.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Washington Redskins
Pick: REDSKINS - Hand me a coin please... The Bucs have won the past three regular-season meetings. After one of the worst offensive peformances in team history last week, Byron Leftwich will be replaced by Johnson as the team's starting QB. Hopefully the Redskins can rattle Johnson, so take the Redskins at Home.

Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins
Pick: DOLPHINS - Two teams that are tough to get a read on (another coin toss).The Bills have won four of the past six meetings. Chad Henne's gets his first start at quarterback for Miami. Look for the wildcat and the Miami heat to wear down the Bills. Here is hoping TO goes for zero catches a second week in a row as well! Miami wins at home.

New York Jets at New Orleans Saints
Pick: SAINTS - The Saints have taken four of the past five meetings. Brees is leading the league in passer rating so far this season and has thrown for an NFL-high nine touchdowns. This is a classic battle between one of the league's best quarterbacks (Brees) and one of the league's most innovative defensive minds (Ryan). I usually lean towards defense, but I think offense wins at home this weekend!

Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos
Pick: BRONCOS - Another tough game to pick. The Broncos have won the past three meetings. The Broncos have played phenomenal defense this season and rank first in the league. In perspective though, they have faced the league's worst two offenses the past two weeks and played against Cincinnati's 24th-ranked unit in Week 1. The Cowboys' have the third-ranked offense right now, but is banged up at Running Back. Going to stick with the Broncos for the upset at home.

St Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers
Pick: 49ERS - The 49ers have won six of the past eight meetings. With Frank Gore out this week, the rookie Coffee will take over the starting role at running back. San Francisco's loss last week was about as exruciating a loss as a team can experience. The players must quickly put that defeat behind them and avoid a costly let-down against the winless Rams. Niners QB Shaun Hill has won both of his starts against the Rams. 49ers win at home.

San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers
Pick: STEELERS - Pittsburgh has won six of the last seven meetings. The Steelers have dropped two straight close games and find themselves two back of first-place Baltimore. Watch out for Philip Rivers in this game...The quarterback leads the league with 991 passing yards through three games. Chargers Tomlinson looks ready to play, Steelers Parker doubtful to start. Still going with the Steelers at home, but this game definitely has upset written on it.

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Pick: VIKINGS - The Packers have won five of six to take a 49-46-1 overall series lead, including the playoffs. They have never played against Brett though! This is the game Favre has been waiting for since leaving Green Bay. This game will end up being about Adrian Peterson though, who is averaging 6.1 yards per carry and already has four rushing touchdowns. Did I mention Green Bay's defense is ranked 23rd against the rush. Vikings win at home.

OK, so going with three Underdogs in the Jaguars (over Titans), Dolphins (over Bills), and Broncos (over Cowboys). There are definitely additional upset teams in the Ravens (over Patriots), Jets (over Saints), Chargers (over Steelers), and Greenbay (over Vikings). That makes seven game out of fourteen that could go either way!


Please note, nerangers picks are done for fun only!
Stat info from NFL.COM

wk1: 13-3 wk2: 8-8 wk3:14-2