NFL WEEK 4 PREVIEW AND PICKS
Pittsburgh at Houston (-4) - Sunday @ 1:00 p.m. EST
No matchup in week four will answer more questions than this one. Are the Steelers still Super Bowl material? Are the Texans now Super Bowl material? There are more questions.
How they match up:
Steelers Defense vs. Texans Offense
Aside from having a shutout in week 2 against Seattle, the Steelers have rarely resembled the team that led the league in defense in 2010. The Ravens gashed them on the ground and through the air. Even the Colts, down to Kerry Collins and Curtis Painter were able to stay in the game. Painter led the team on a game tying drive late in the 4th quarter. They’re older. Have they lost a step?
The Houston offense is averaging 30 points per game and kept pace with the prolific Saints. Superstar receiver Andre Johnson and budding star running back Ben Tate are both averaging over 100 yards per game. Still, too many drives ended with field goals last week in the Superdome. If one doesn’t keep pace with Drew Brees, they likely lose. But, is the Texans’ offense a top shelf unit in the AFC?
This is a true challenge for the Steelers. Houston has a balanced offense and the Steelers seem vulnerable to the run. Playing at home, Houston will hope to show the world they’re passing the Steelers on the way up.
Texans Defense vs. Steelers Offense
The numbers don’t look great for Houston’s D. But, going into the Saints game, they were doing well against the opposition throwers. Could have been the opposition, since facing the Saints took them down a notch. Drew Brees has a tendency to do that to a defense. Houston has some great personnel and an offense that helps the defense by holding the ball for extended periods.
For Pittsburgh, the question is, will they have enough players dressed and healthy to field an offensive line. It seems like an annual rite that the Steelers O line is taking the lions’ share of the offensive attention, rather than the timely leadership of Ben Roethlisberger and top notch receiving corps that have taken two of three this season. But, the Steelers have shown an inability to run the ball.
Ben and the boys seemed confident that they’d put up big numbers this season. So far it hasn’t happened. Houston, meanwhile will be hoping to rebound from a scorching by one of the best QB’s in the league.
Who will cover the spread???
Are the Texans ready to take down one of the elite teams in the AFC? Have the Steelers shaken off the early season struggles? Answers to these questions should tell us quite a bit about their seasons ahead. But the answers you are looking for are yours to have…just click here and purchase this NFL winner for only $20.
Detroit at Dallas (-1) - Sunday @ 1:00 p.m. EST
The Lions are a feel good story that almost took a backward step a week ago. Their comeback against the Vikes keeps the Lions on top of the heap. Tony Romo has saved the Cowboys after a poor start, despite a broken rib and collapsed lung.
How they match up:
Lions Defense vs. Cowboys Offense
Detroit has not only taken their first three, but two of them were on the road and one, last week in Minnesota, required a second half comeback. While the Vikes were in charge after a 20 point first half, Detroit’s defense completed a second half shutout to give the comeback some legs. The Lions are #4 in pass defense, but none of their opponents have had the ability of Romo.
Romo is breaking off big chunks in the pass game. Although, they weren’t able to finish any drives a week ago. 6 field goals was enough. Romo’s passing has been top shelf, but the ‘Boys running game has been near the bottom. After a close loss to the Jets and a gutty win over the 49ers, Dallas gutted one out against the ‘Skins. All have waited for the Cowboys to rise to the top. More like what we’ve seen since the rib.
While Romo hasn’t scored a ton of points, the Lions haven’t surrendered many. Consider that two of the Lions’ games were roadies and Romo’s going to have his hands full with all those Lion pass rushers.
Cowboys Defense vs. Lions Offense
The Cowboys defense hasn’t had the luxury to let up for a moment in three games. They’ve certainly played well, but against the run, well isn’t he half of it. No one‘s hit the 100 yard mark, team or individual. Dallas pressures the quarterback extremely well. Demetrius Ware is almost impossible to block. Getting the ball from the Lions will be important.
The Lions have had an edge in time of possession in each of their games. Matthew Stafford is highly rated in efficiency. Detroit has one of the most potent passing games in the NFC. They don’t seem too concerned with running the ball. Four receivers have amassed big numbers. Hard to cover them all. And when #1 is Calvin Johnson one can expect Detroit to score some points.
These aren’t your father’s Lions, they can keep the ball, score and make a defense look silly. But the Cowboys have given their offense a chance to win every game.
Who will cover the spread???
If Detroit can pull this off and return home with a 3-1 record, fans in the motor city will be asking when they can buy playoff tickets. Even though the Cowboys have suffered injuries, they’ve hung in with everyone they’ve played. This one looks even. Looks can be deceiving. This is a game that can make your weekend, just click here and purchase this NFL winner for only $20.
New England (-4) at Oakland - Sunday @ 4:15 p.m. EST
The Patriots have looked like a perfect 10 for most of their first three games. But, they just couldn’t finish off the Bills. And the Raiders are looking like they are back in the conversation, at least in the AFC West.
How they match up:
Patriots Defense vs. Raiders Offense
Dead last. Not a position New England is familiar with. Yet, that’s what their pass defense is, last in the NFL. More alarmingly, Buffalo was able to storm past the Patriots after they had a three touchdown lead. You’d expect Phil Rivers and San Diego to score some points in New England which they did, but the Pats defense made the Miami offense look pretty decent.
Hard to say if the Raiders can run the ball like this against everyone. Perhaps this pass happy league just doesn’t spend as much time trying to defend the run as they used to. Darren McFadden has been averaging 20 carries per each of the first three games. He’s run for almost 400 yards. And Jason Campbell has a very nice 65% completion average. This Raider team is different.
The Raiders have been scoring plenty. You’ve got to be able to keep up with the Bradys to beat New England. Be sure that the Patriots are working on their defense this week.
Raiders Defense vs. Patriots Offense
It’s not great for the Raiders that not great offenses have gotten off for nice point totals so far. The Bills are undefeated, and beat the Pats so giving up a bushel of points to Buffalo isn’t a crime. Even against the Jets, the defense struggled to get off the field. Also a product of your offense scoring quickly. Limiting the opposition has been the goal for the Raider D. About the only way it can work in this game.
It just doesn’t seem like the Patriots ever go three and out. And surely, they never turn the ball over. Just when it looked like we had a new champion, Tom Brady showed his human side and threw four interceptions. The Patriots almost never lose twice in a row, so this will be a proving ground for the Pats. Won’t be an easy place to be on Sunday.
It will not be a surprise to have the Patriots do to the Raiders what they’ve done to their other three opponents. But if the Raiders can get after Brady, they’ll give their offense a chance to at least keep pace with New England.
Who will cover the point spread???
This game is a true indication that the NFL evolves throughout a season. Oakland wasn’t really expected to be much, but they’ve already knocked off the two time defending AFC runner up. And New England was cruising until they met the Bills. There are a couple of tidbits of information that we’ve uncovered that’ll really help. Click here for the final pieces to the puzzle and cash in with this NFL pick.
New York Giants (-1) at Arizona - Sunday @ 4:05 p.m. EST
Just when it looks most bleak for the Giants, they dig down and find their way to a victory. And the Cardinals seem to be on the verge of competing for division honors, when inconsistency costs them a chance to stay the pace. Now, they are in need of a win.
How they match up:
Giants Defense vs. Cardinals Offense
To say that the Giants have been opportunistic would be an understatement. While the Redskins opened the season with a solid performance against this defense, five turnovers in the last two weeks have been what the doctor ordered. To illustrate their opportunism, the Giants did what they had to, to stop the Rams in week 2. Of course, they’ve been warned about acting since. Pressure is the name of the game.
Arizona can’t seem to get out of their own way. They had the Redskins but couldn’t get ahead far enough and against one of the bottom tier teams a week ago, they scored just 10 points. You’d think Larry Fitzgerald could do better than that by himself. Of course, it didn’t help that Kevin Kolb’s passer rating was under 70. Jay Feely missed two field goals.
Give the Giants’ D an inch and they’ll score points or set the offense up to do just that. The Cardinals need a course in concentration. They need a sense of urgency when they have the ball.
Cardinals Defense vs. Giants Offense
It would help Arizona if the defense would either stop the opposition more often or even take the ball back from time to time. Numbers-wise, Arizona is near the bottom of the league in each defensive category. The Cardinals have been vulnerable to the run. Their opponent this week likes to run. Hmmm. So far, they’ve given newcomer Cam Newton a feel good debut, a comeback win to the Redskins and a first win to Seattle.
Eli Manning has heard the boo birds in his home games. And still, the Giants are 2-1 and Manning has done just enough. Receivers have made timely grabs. Victor Cruz has 5 catches and 2 touchdowns. The Giants’ O has been streaky. If you’re looking to defend them, be careful after they’ve scored. They’re scoring in bunches. They’ve already won at Philly, they must be thinking they can do enough to beat Arizona.
Again, the Cardinals need to have a good day concentrating. The Giants can look bad for long stretches before you look up and notice they’ve beaten you.
Who will cover the spread???
The Cardinals are the surprise artists in the NFL. When they win, you wonder how, lose and wonder why. And the Giants are once again at the top of the NFC East heap. There’s a couple of facts that we’ve been able to uncover that you’ve just got to see before you make your pick in this one. Click here and purchase this NFL winner for only $20.
New York Jets at Baltimore (-3.5) - Sunday @ 8:25 p.m. EST
Bad enough that you have to please the Jets fans, but when Joe Namath thinks you’re under preparing, people start to investigate. The Ravens have looked like the most powerful team in the league, 2 out of 3 weeks.
How they match up:
Jets Defense vs. Ravens Offense
The Jets under Rex Ryan have set a high bar for the defense to leap over. There just doesn’t seem to be that shut down quality to this year’s edition, despite a near shutout in week 2. The run defense didn’t do very well against the Raiders, but Oakland is better than many thought they’d be. Oakland averaged over 7 yards per carry and ripped off some large chunks of yardage to keep the Jets on the retreat.
The Rams are still in shock from the onslaught Baltimore brought last week. And, even though it happened in week 1, the Steelers are in some shock still. The Ravens are still wondering what happened in Tennessee. But, Joe Flacco has been very good, especially on short fields. Newcomer Torrey Smith picked up 152 yards and 3 touchdowns last week.
You would think this is a strength vs. strength matchup. But the Jets haven’t been invulnerable. Baltimore is at home for the second time and needs to win games like this to achieve their long term goals.
Ravens Defense vs. Jets Offense
Baltimore’s middle game is an absolute opposite of the first and third weeks. They just couldn’t come up with big stops against the Titans. But they dominated the other two opponents. This team has always been tough to run on. And, they can get pressure on Mark Sanchez. This defense is likely to keep the score down on Sunday night. The last time they played at home, the crowd was a factor.
Although the Jets have been mostly one dimensional, they have been scoring enough points. You’d think that with this defense, their output would be enough to be at the top of the league. And half way through the second quarter against the Raiders, they looked like they‘d be 3-0 in a couple of hours. Mark Sanchez has been sacked 9 times and has been picked 5 times.
The Jets need to get back on track. Last week could be an anomaly. The Ravens already bounced back from their off week. Baltimore will likely come after Sanchez.
Who will cover the spread???
If the Jets falter here, the detractors will be ready to jump ship. And keep in mind that they play New England next. For Baltimore, they just need to keep doing the work that they completed in week’s 1 and 3. It’s bound to be a war. Perhaps a war of attrition. You need to know who wants this one more. All you’ve got to do is click here and you’ll know which team keeps pace with their division leader.
Indianapolis at Tampa Bay (-10) - Monday @ 8:35 p.m. EST
All of the marquee matchups on the Colts’ schedule would have been great to watch. Without Peyton Manning, Indy is still looking for a win. Tampa Bay has taken two in a row including a big comeback over the Vikings and a big divisional win over the Falcons.
How they match up:
Colts Defense vs. Buccaneers Offense
Numbers don’t look great for the Colts. They were hammered in week 1. They weren’t awful in the subsequent weeks, but still are in need of that big stop. The Colts’ pass rush was impressive against the Steelers last Sunday night. That may be deceiving since Pittsburgh’s O line is very much patched up currently. And, the Steelers were able to drive when needed.
What the Bucs have featured so far is a toughness that will serve them well down the road. The offense has been workmanlike, not flashy. LeGarrette Blount has been effective enough in the running game. And Josh Freeman manages the game well. Most apparent is their ability to take advantage of their opportunities. The offense is doing just enough.
The Colts defense reached down and found some pride heading into a nationally televised home game last week. The Bucs’ presence in such games has been rare. Look for the offense to come to play.
Buccaneers Defense vs. Colts Offense
Until last week, the defense was doing just enough. It didn’t work against Detroit, but after falling behind in Minnesota, they shut down the Vikes when it mattered. In a defensive struggle last week against the Falcons, a team that had dominated them in recent years, Tampa’s defense played better than Atlanta’s. The Falcons amassed 30 rushing yards.
You’ll want to get the Indy Colts’ app for your Iphone to see who’ll be at quarterback. Neither was very effective last week, but Curtis Painter did drive his team to a tying touchdown late in last week’s game. Kerry Collins was perhaps concussed and that can lead to a long return trail. Indy hasn’t run the ball well and otherwise trustworthy receivers have been dropping balls.
In the NFL, it is dangerous to assume too much. Just when you think a team has no hope, they dig deep and find some. And if Collins can play, he’s picking up the offense more each week.
Who will cover the spread???
This one looks easy. The winless, ineffective, banged up Colts against a home team rarely seen on Monday Night Football, who’s on a two game winning streak. But this is the NFL. And the truth lies beneath the pile of information. In fact, the truth lies right here…go ahead and click here and purchase this NFL winner for only $20.
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