NFL Week 4: A True Bye Week For Me

The poor performances stop this week. I’m guaranteeing it. Last week’s 8-7 overall mark and the 7-6-2 performance against the spread were not acceptable for the second week in a row. Here’s how it stands up after three:
Overall: 27-18 (60%)
Vs. Spread: 23-19-3

Luckily for me, the Redskins have a bye week, so this is all you are getting from me until next Thursday.

SUNDAY

Oakland Raiders (1-2) vs. Miami Dolphins (0-3)(-4.5)
1:00 p.m. Dolphins Stadium
The Dolphins stink. Ronnie Brown manages to run for three touchdowns and they still lose to an equally terrible Jets team. Meanwhile, the Raiders (as I’ve been saying) are not as bad as most people think they are. They’ve played three close games, including taking the Broncos to overtime on the road. This team may not win eight games, but they shouldn’t lose more than ten.
Pick: Raiders

Houston Texans (2-1)(-3) vs. Atlanta Falcons (0-3)
1:00 p.m. Georgia Dome
Matt Schaub should be starting for the Falcons right now. You think Atlanta made a mistake letting him go? This is a great litmus test game for the Texans. Anytime a team reaches the quarter poll at 3-1, they deserve recognition. If the Texans are to be taken seriously, they must beat the worst team in the NFL and do it handily. While I don’t think Houston is capable of a sound beatdown, I think Schaub should be able to lead his new team to win against whatever leftovers and scrubs the Falcons are lining up Sunday.
Pick: Texans

Baltimore Ravens (2-1)(-4.5) vs. Cleveland Browns (1-2)
1:00 p.m. Cleveland Browns Stadium
How does a team, with a supposedly magnificent defense, surrender a 17-point late third quarter lead at home, to the Arizona Cardinals? Brian Billick is the head coach.
Pick: Ravens

Chicago Bears (1-2)(-3) vs. Detroit Lions (2-1)
1:00 p.m. Ford Field
I have no confidence in Brian Griese being any better than Rex Grossman. However, I still have no confidence picking the Lions whatsoever. So I’ll wuss out here, and take the Bears straight up, but the Lions against the spread. I’ll at least be right once.
Pick: Bears, Lions cover

Green Bay Packers (3-0)(-3.5) vs. Minnesota Vikings (1-2)
1:00 p.m. H.H.H. Metrodome
The Packers at 4-0? Something doesn’t seem right about that. Give me the home team in a building where Brett Favre has always played badly.
Pick: Vikings

St. Louis Rams (0-3) vs. Dallas Cowboys (3-0)(-14)
1:00 p.m. Texas Stadium
Nothing like a two touchdown spread to make this pick an easy one. And before we get carried away with the Cowboys offense, let’s remember that they’ve played three defenses that are statistically in the bottom half of the NFL. That includes Chicago’s D, which is really banged up and nowhere near as good as it has been the last few seasons.
Pick: Cowboys, Rams cover

New York Jets (1-2)(-4) vs. Buffalo Bills (0-3)
1:00 p.m. Ralph Wilson Stadium
The Jets should never be favored on the road this season. I don’t care if they’re playing the University of Buffalo.
Pick: Bills

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) vs. Carolina Panthers (2-1)(-3)
4:05 p.m. Bank of America Stadium
Since I don’t know who is starting at quarterback for Carolina, I have to assume it’s the backup David Carr. And that’s what I’m basing this pick on.
Pick: Buccaneers

Seattle Seahawks (2-1)(-1.5) vs. San Francisco 49ers (2-1)
4:05 p.m. Monster Park
The 49ers faced their first tough test of the season, and in a complete shock, they were embarrassed by the Steelers. Who could have seen that coming? I don’t think “Real Test #2” is going to go that much better for them.
Pick: Seahawks

Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0)(-5.5) vs. Arizona Cardinals (1-2)
4:15 p.m. University of Phoenix Stadium
Was that really Kurt Warner torching the Ravens the defense last week? I hardly recognized him since he wasn’t on his posterior in the backfield with the ball bouncing away from him. This could be a trap game for the Steelers, considering that Ken Whisenhunt surely has some tricks planned against his old team. I have faith in my new favorite coach Mike Tomlin getting the job done.
Pick: Steelers

Kansas City Chiefs (1-2) vs. San Diego Chargers (1-2)(-11.5)
4:15 p.m. Qualcomm Stadium
LaDainian Tomlinson didn’t come close to rushing for 100 yards and the Chargers end up losing to Green Bay. What exactly did Norv Turner expect last weekend when his genius offensive gameplan was being put in to motion?
Pick: Chargers, Chiefs cover

Denver Broncos (2-1) vs. Indianapolis Colts (3-0)(-9.5)
4:15 p.m. RCA Dome
Like I told you at the beginning of the season, Jay Cutler is talented, has all the tools necessary to succeed and will one day be a great quarterback. Just not this year. Two very close wins and a blowout loss at home doesn’t bode well for the Broncos. Especially when visiting Indianapolis, where they’ve been blown out several times in the past few years
Pick: Colts

Philadelphia Eagles (1-2)(-2) vs. New York Giants (1-2)
8:15 p.m. Giants Stadium
Remember opening week when the Giants played Dallas. I was happy because one of them would fall to 0-1. This week will be even better, because one of these teams will fall to 1-3 and basically have their season end only one month into the season.
Pick: Eagles

MONDAY

New England Patriots (3-0)(-8) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (1-2)
8:30 p.m. Paul Brown Stadium
What I said for the Dallas offense goes the same for New England. They’ve played three defenses ranked 22nd, 28th and 32nd. Sorry if I’m not impressed. Here comes the 29th ranked defense to help New England some more.
Pick: Patriots, Bengals cover

Bye Week: Jacksonville, New Orleans, Tennessee, Washington