Cleveland at Baltimore
By selecting Brandon Weeden and Trent Richardson in the draft this year, the Browns were hoping to revamp their offense. While Richardson and Weeden have shown glimpses of why they were selected so high, the Browns still find themselves as one of the least productive offenses in the league scoring only 19 points per game. In week four, the Browns will travel to Baltimore to take on the 2-1 Ravens. The Ravens are perennially competitive with a fierce and aggressive defense, but that identity is changing. The Ravens are allowing over 400 total yards per game, specifically struggling to stop their opponents passing attacks. Even though the Browns are simply outmatched in terms of personnel, they always play the Ravens tough. On such a short week after a heroic comeback against the Patriots, the Ravens are set for a letdown. They won’t lose to the Browns, but this will be a closer game than expected.
Cleveland- 24
Baltimore- 30
Carolina at Atlanta
An ingredient that is heavily underplayed in the NFL is the impact coaches and coordinators have on teams. The perfect example demonstrating this point is the Atlanta Falcons. Last year, with similar personnel on defense, the Falcons were mediocre at best and got limited pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Last week against the Chargers, the Falcons surrendered only a field goal and Philip Rivers was often seen scrambling from Falcons defenders. Mike Nolan’s defense and Dirk Koetter’s pass-heavy offense have given the Falcons a new identity as the Falcons are playing with a renewed sense of confidence. That confidence is only magnified when this fast and aggressive team they play at home. This week the Falcons welcome the Carolina Panthers to the Georgia Dome. Someone prepare Steve Smith and the rest of the Panthers for another pouty performance from Cam Newton as Matt Ryan lights up a porous Panthers secondary.
Carolina- 23
Atlanta- 31
New England at Buffalo
It is obvious after the last four games that these New England Patriots are not the same team we saw in the early 2000’s. Tom Brady is usually one of the best “closers” with the ability to finish teams off with key drives late in games. However, their most recent Superbowl loss to the Giants and week three against the Ravens, illustrate how different this team is. Missed field goals, dropped passes, and inaccurate passes have pushed this team to 1-3 in its last four , including that Superbowl loss. This matchup with the Buffalo Bills in week four is almost a must-in for the Pats. The Patriots have not lost three consecutive games in the regular season since 2002. That doesn’t change, as the Patriots crush the Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
New England- 35
Buffalo- 21
Minnesota at Detroit
Who could have predicted that after week four the Vikings would be the only team in the NFC North with a winning record. The Vikings are traveling to Ford Field fresh off a shocking upset over the San Francisco 49ers. Even though Christian Ponder’s statistics aren’t amazing, he played arguably the best game of his career against the 49ers. He controlled the game, excelled when he ran with the ball, and did not turn the ball over. Turnovers and special teams should be a focal point of the Lions practices this week. The Lions gave up touchdowns on a punt return, kick return, and fumble return last Sunday to the Titans. Amazingly enough, the Vikings will go on the road and defeat the Lions to improve to 3-1.
Minnesota- 27
Detroit- 24
San Diego at Kansas City
The 2-0 start was too much for the Chargers to handle. They are not used to winning this many games so early in the season. They have to put themselves in a position to scramble late in the season to compete for the AFC West division title. Scoring only three points against the Atlanta Falcons, Philip Rivers and the Chargers offense looks to rebound in week four with a division game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs offense has played well, but cannot turn the ball over as much as they have if they are going to be successful. With help from the crowd at Arrowhead stadium and several big plays from Jamaal Charles, the Chiefs will improve to .500.
San Diego- 20
Kansas City- 22
Seattle at St. Louis
Even if Russell Wilson’s career doesn’t pan out as expected, he will forever be remembered as the quarterback who won a game by throwing an interception. The way the Seahawks defense pressured Aaron Rodgers in the first half Monday night was extremely impressive. Rodgers looked uncomfortable in the pocket all night and was pressured on virtually every pass. This week four matchup between the Seahawks and Rams will be a physical, gritty matchup won by the team who can establish the better rushing attack. Marshawn Lynch truly is a beast running the ball between the tackles and will amass over 125 rushing yards against the Rams.
Seattle- 21
St. Louis- 18
San Francisco at New York Jets
Mark Sanchez gives more souvenirs to a crowd with wild passes than Alex Rodriguez does with foul balls at Yankee Stadium. Inaccuracy has always been a weakness in Sanchez’ game, but isn’t he supposed to improve as he plays more games? His passes continue to sail over wide-open receivers heads causing the Jets offense to stall against the Dolphins. The Jets welcome the San Francisco 49ers to Met Life Stadium in week four. The 49ers are reeling after a week three upset loss to the Vikings. Jim Harbaugh will have this team prepared as Alex Smith and the 49ers offense will take advantage of a Jets defense without Darrelle Revis
San Francisco- 23
NY Jets- 13
Tennessee at Houston
Joe Mays played the part of Mike Tyson last Sunday ripping off part of Matt Schaub’s ears with one of the most vicious hits seen on a football field. Schaub managed to bounce back and hold off a last minute effort from Peyton Manning and the Broncos to help the Texans improve to 3-0. In week four the Texans will welcome their division rival Tennessee Titans. Division games this year for the Texans should be among their easiest games. The Titans have by far the worst rushing game in the league, and will struggle to establish a passing offense given the Texans ability to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks
Tennessee- 10
Houston- 30
Cincinnati at Jacksonville
Cincinnati quietly has a well-balanced offensive attack that ranks in the top ten in the NFL. Andy Dalton and A.J. Green give the Bengals big play ability through the air, while Benjarvus Green-Ellis has been serviceable on the ground. Balance is something that Jacksonville seriously lacks. Without Maurice Jones-Drew, the Jaguars would not have an offense. Blaine Gabbert stands only in front of Russell Wilson in terms of total passing yards and Justin Blackmon has two fewer receptions than Ravens fullback Vontae Leach. Once the Bengals get a lead, Gabbert will be forced to throw and well, he simply just does not do that well.
Cincinnati- 24
Jacksonville- 14
Miami at Arizona
If Reggie Bush had not fallen to injury last week, the Dolphins would be in first place in the AFC East right now. Joe Philbin has an undermanned team that many expected to be one of the leagues worst, playing at a pretty high level right now. Ryan Tannehill gives the Dolphins high hopes for the future. This week the Dolphins face one of the three undefeated teams in the Arizona Cardinals. Kevin Kolb continues to prove coach Ken Whisenhunt wrong in his preseason decision to make John Skelton the starting quarterback. Arizona will win this game because they will win the turnover battle and because the absence of Reggie Bush will be too much for the Dolphins to overcome.
Miami-17
Arizona- 24
Oakland at Denver
Peyton Manning should start games thinking it is the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter this season, Manning has a passer rating of 110 and has thrown three touchdown with no interceptions. He has shown glimpses of the Manning that we were used to seeing with the Indianapolis Colts, but has also shown a turnover prone side we have never seen before. The Broncos opponent in week four, the Raiders, should not exactly strike fear in Manning. The Raiders have managed only two takeaways and have yet to force an opponent to throw an interception. If Manning doesn’t turn the ball over, the Broncos should walk away with this game at home.
Oakland-21
Denver-31
New Orleans at Green Bay
The New Orleans Saints were once known as a franchise that drove its fans to put paper-bags over their heads in disgust. Once Sean Payton arrived, the Saints franchise turned into a contender and got a Superbowl victory in 2009. Without Sean Payton, Saints fans should do some extra grocery shopping, pick up some extra paper bags, and start wearing them in week five at home against the Chargers. The “Aints” will start the 2012 regular season 0-4 with a loss to the Packers. Their defense is in shambles and the cure is not traveling to Lambeau Field to take on an angry Aaron Rodgers. Packers by two touchdowns.
New Orleans- 28
Green Bay- 42
Washington at Tampa Bay
RGIII is single-handedly keeping the Redskins close in these football games. He is completing over 67% of his passes, thrown for 747 yards in three games, and has thrown four interceptions with only one interception. The most amazing part about the way RGIII has been playing is the way he bounces back from big hits he takes from rushing. Big hits are something the Buccaneers dole out when the other team has already won the game. Schiano’s efforts are now laughable because he is teaching his team how to be the best loser’s instead of how to win games. Schiano’s focus should shift to his quarterback Josh Freeman to figure out how to help the fourth year player out of Kansas State. Freeman looks like he is playing scared and has had issues with accuracy so far this season completing only 51% of his passes. Freeman should take some notes from RGIII this Sunday on how to make plays with his legs like he used to in his first, second, and third years. RGIII and the Redskins go on the road to defeat the Buccaneers in a low-scoring content.
Washington- 20
Tampa Bay- 16
NY Giants at Philadelphia
Michael Vick isn’t the only problem with the Philadelphia Eagles. Another problem with the Eagles is the poor play of cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. The Eagles signed Asomugha last year in the efforts he would give them one of the best secondarys in the league. Even though as a whole the Eagles are giving up the third least amount of passing yards per game, Asomugha has not lived up to expectations. The Giants meanwhile looked all the part of defending Superbowl champions last Thursday night against the Panthers. Eli Manning and the offense looked sharp and the defense held Cam Newton in check. With over ten days of rest and the Eagles offense struggling to maintain possession of the ball the Giants will travel to Philly, defeat the Eagles, and take control of the NFC East.
NY Giants- 33
Philadelphia- 25
Chicago at Dallas
Despite having arguably two of the better quarterbacks in the league, the Cowboys and Bears rank 20th and 27th in total offense so far this year. The inconsistencies of Tony Romo and Jay Cutler can be attributed to the inconsistencies in the rushing game, wide receiver play, and pass protection by both teams. This Monday Night football contest will be won by the team whose quarterback plays best. Jay Cutler and the Bears offensive struggles will continue at Cowboys stadium and the Bears will fall to 2-2.
Chicago- 23
Dallas- 29
