my picks for week 4 nfl action. the home team's name is in CAPS, and the level of confidence (LOC) is listed after each pick. the higher the LOC (out of 10) the more certain i am that the pick is accurate. there are three "LOC picks of the week," and for week 4, they are: San Diego, Minnesota, and Cleveland. also, my eliminator pick for week 4 is dallas.
NY JETS (+ 9 ½) over Indianapolis - LOC: 5 -> obviously, indy's offense is explosive, but i think coles and co. keep it within a touchdown. indy 23 - n.y. 16
San Diego (- 2 ½) over BALTIMORE - LOC: 8* -> baltimore's stingy defense will hold up, but gates and lt will score outscore mcnair by more than a touchdown. san diego 17 - baltimore 10
Minnesota ( + 1 ½) over BUFFALO - LOC: 8* -> i'm very impressed with minny this year, and i think they avenge the chicago loss with a roasting of the bills. minnesota 24 - buffalo 13
TENNESSEE (+ 9 ½) over Dallas – LOC: 6 -> dallas will win this game, but too much has gone on this week to completely focus and shred the titans. dallas 23 - tennessee 16
San Francisco (+ 7 ½) over KANSAS CITY - LOC: 7 -> san fran wouldn't roll over last weekend, and with huard at the helm, k.c. will be tested. kansas city 21 - san fran 18
CAROLINA (- 7 ½) over New Orleans - LOC: 6 -> new orleans suffers a major letdown after monday night football in the dome, and carolina finally puts it together. carolina 26 - new orleans 13
ATLANTA (-7 ½) over Arizona - LOC: 5 -> atlanta's d makes big turnaround after awful loss to hold warner, fitz, and co. at bay. atlanta 20 - arizona 10
Miami (- 3 ½) over HOUSTON – LOC: 4 -> very unsure about this one. miami hasn't covered yet this year, but i keep hoping they do. miami 18 - houston 13
ST. LOUIS (- 5 ½) over Detroit - LOC: 6 -> martz's return home provides extra incentive for st. louis's underrated d to shine. st. louis 23 - detroit 13
New England (+ 6 ½) over CINCINNATI - LOC: 7 -> new england is primed for rebound after denver debacle. cincy left it all on the field last week, and still has too many lingering injuries. cincy 19 - new england 18 WASHINGTON (+ 3 ½) over Jacksonville – LOC: 6 -> jaguars had huge loss last week, while redskins rolled over houston. if things are coming together for 'skins, they win big. washington 17 - jacksonville 10
Cleveland (+ 3 ½) over OAKLAND – LOC: 8* -> cleveland looked great against baltimore last week, while oakland had its first non-losing week of the year. heads roll after this one. cleveland 21 - oakland 19
CHICAGO ( - 3 ½) over Seattle - LOC: 5 -> loss of alexander moves my pick on this one. chicago's secondary will be tested early and often, but chicago comes up with enough o and turnovers to win. chicago 15 - seattle 10
Green Bay (+ 11 ½) over PHILADELPHIA – LOC: 6 -> green bay has no chance in this one, but favre will be gutsy enough to score on ####ed-up eagles dbs. philly 32 - green bay 26
i am an avid steelers, timberwolves, and tarheels fan, as well as KG, Griffey, Tiger, and Hines Ward fanatic. i am a recent college grad who has entered the real world, but who has not completely forgotten my dream of being an owner, superagent, or sports beat writer. although my life path will most probably not lead me to one of these destinations, i do have the undying itch to write about and debate both past and current sports topics. this arena affords me the ability to scratch.
