Week 4 Preview:
…that’s the great Marion Motley, running the power sweep for the Browns. He’s coming to bowl you over with this week’s picks.

The NFL now moves into “Bye Week” mode, and this week’s lucky winners are: Jacksonville, New Orleans, Tennessee and Washington. For the ‘Aints the week off could not have come at a more opportune time. The year is still young so it’s not entirely appropriate to make concrete determinations on teams. Those who have disappointed have ample opportunity to turn their seasons around while teams that have flown out of the gate may yet falter. Of course, there are a few teams that simply stink, and there’s nothing that any of us can say differently. Week 4 presents a number of challenging games, so let’s take a closer look, shall we?

At Miami -4 Oakland 41.5
Daunte Culpepper returns to South Florida looking to exact revenge from the employer who abruptly terminated his services. Oakland has played pretty well so far. The problem is that 0-3 Miami desperately needs a win and this may be one of the few opportunities available. But their offense has shown zippo, nada so far.

Projected Final Score: Oakland 21, Miami 20.

Houston -2.5 At Atlanta 39

Houston has been a nice surprise so far and maybe they’re thinking that they’ll blow into town for some easy pickin’s. Were it not for Hall’s unqualified stupidity last week, the Falcons may have pulled off a win. Schaub is coming back to town, and there’s nothing more Atlanta would despise than seeing the mistake of trading him away rubbed in their face.

Projected Final Score: Atlanta 20, Houston 17.

Baltimore -4.5 At Cleveland 39

The f/k/a Browns return to their roots to face the expansion facsimile. The New Browns returned to earth last Sunday in Oakland, and if they’re looking for magic this week, they will soon discover that the Old Browns’ defense is definitely NOT the Bengals’ defense.

Projected Final Score: Old Browns 23, New Browns 14.

Chicago -2.5 At Detroit 44.5
“Vive le roi, le roi est mort!” Coach Smith finally came to his senses and put Rex on the bench. The Bears’ performance last week was an embarrassment, especially for the “class of the NFC”. The Bears’ 1-2 start hasn’t been entirely Grossman’s fault. Can you remember a critical Bears’ drive when Cedric Benson didn’t fumble? The comparisons to Curtis Enis and Abdul Salaam get stronger by the week. And his receivers weren’t all that much help either. So, they decided to stick the dependable ol’ retread out there for a few reps to see what’ll happen. On defense, Tommie Harris is out (which is certainly music to the ears of the rush-challenged Lions) maybe as well as Lance Briggs. Coach Marinelli’s crew are 2-1, and would dearly love to stick it to an ancient rival. Kitna’s going to be heavin’ the ball all day. Can the Bears’ offense keep pace? If Sid Luckman were available, sure…

Projected Final Score: Detroit 24, Chicago 23.

Green Bay -1.5 At Minnesota 38

Why must this game be played indoors? There would nothing better than Bud Grant on one side and Lombardi on the other and the game played in miserable weather on a field littered with rocks and broken glass. Anything less takes all the fun out of it. Knowing that this game will be played in air-conditioned comfort would not meet with either coach’s approval. But the show must go on…Tarvaris Jackson may or may not play which may or may not be a good or bad thing. For the Vikes to compete, Adrian Peterson needs to have a big afternoon. The Pack has done it with smoke and mirrors so far, seeing whereas there is almost a complete lack of a running game. Don’t expect things to be any different this week, not with the Vikes’ terrific D-Line.

Projected Final Score: Green Bay 20, Minnesota 17.

NY Jets -3.5 At Buffalo 37

It’s only Week 4, yet the season couldn’t end any sooner for the Bills, as they’ve been ravaged by injuries. They started out with an outside shot at a Wild Card spot and now they’re already on the clock for next April. Even in their depleted state they showed the Patriots that they could play (for 20 minutes). They are a tough, proud group who plays with a lotta heart and will roll over for no one. It’s simply hard to compete without qualified bodies. Meanwhile, the Jets’ offense kicked in gear at home against Miami last week. As of the moment, the pecking order in the AFC East is:

1. New England
27. NY Jets
59. Miami
87. Buffalo

The Jets will win in the same fashion as fighting an opponent with one arm tied behind their back.

Projected Final Score: NY Jets 27, Buffalo 13.

At Dallas -12.5 St. Louis 45.5
The sight of 12 ½ is nearly radioactive on the “must avoid” scale. Then again, these are the Rams of whom we speak. Without Orlando Pace and Steven Jackson, the offense will continue to sputter along. Dallas has gotten off to a runaway start in the NFC and the Cowboys are playing like the days of old. They dominated Chicago last week, and there’s no reason why they can’t beat the Rams by two touchdowns.

Projected Final Score: Dallas 31, St. Louis 17.

At Carolina -2.5 Tampa Bay 39.5

What’s wrong with this picture? The Bucs were supposed to stink this year, but Jeff Garcia is having another inspirational year and his team is 2-1. Jake Delhomme is a game time decision with a bad elbow, which may mean that David Carr gets the nod. With the NFC South in flux, Tampa Bay surveys the wreckage and asks, “why not”?

Projected Final Score: Tampa Bay 24, Carolina 20.

Seattle -1.5 At San Francisco 41

Coach Holmgren’s group has been among the most disappointing coming out of the gate in a division in which they were supposed to win. Alexander has sustained a broken bone in his wrist, which is being treated with (I kid you not) a “bone stimulator”. (please, let’s not go there) The ‘Hawks offense could use a little stimulation as well it seems, for it has been anemic through three games. Last week, the team finally appeared to get untracked, but it was against a bad defense. The ‘Niners continue to improve, though last week in Pittsburgh they showed that they’re still not quite ready for Prime Time. Seattle is, and it’s high time they started playing like it.

Projected Final Score: Seattle 23, San Francisco 17.

Pittsburgh -5.5 At Arizona 41.5

Give Coach Whisenhunt some credit: he’s not going to allow bruised feelings to stand in the way of winning football games. Matt Leinart learned last week that if you stink, somebody’s warming up in the bullpen. He probably hasn’t had to “compete for a job” since grade school, so last week’s benching will prove beneficial in the long run. Plus, Kurt Warner hasn’t played that well in this…millennium. This is a big week for the Cards, as Whisenhunt and Grimm will be highly motivated to have a good game against their former team, no matter who’s standing on the other sideline. Pittsburgh has come out the gate in a big way, just like the Steel Curtain days of old. Willie Parker has been running over and around anyone who tries to stop him as the Steelers try to runaway with the AFC North title. Hines Ward is doubtful, and the Cards’ attack is finally more balanced. All anyone needs to know is whether the Cards can stuff Pittsburgh’s running game.

Projected Final Score: Pittsburgh 24, Arizona 17.

At San Diego -12.5 Kansas City 39.5
If, for some strange reason, Kansas City manages to win this game, the “Norv Turner Death Watch” will be on High Red Alert. If ever there were a more opportune time for an underachieving team to get its act together, this would be the moment. Losing on the road to New England is one thing. Losing to the Packers by two touchdowns is a completely different animal. If the Chargers do not come out and completely dominate this football game, they might as well enjoy the beautiful life out in sunny Southern Cal. It’s put-up-or-shut-up time.

Projected Final Score: San Diego 31, Kansas City 13.

At Indianapolis -9.5 Denver 46

Denver ain’t got that “mile high advantage” going for them this week. And truth is, Indy’s a bit banged up on the O-Line. But each week, Denver’s D gives up more points (10, 20, 23)…and the last two games were at home, where the altitude generally works to their benefit. And, but for a lot of luck, they could just as easily be 0-3. Figure Indianapolis for 28-33 points. Figure Denver for a lot less.

Projected Final Score: Indianapolis 31, Denver 17.

Philadelphia -2.5 At NY Giants 47

At the beginning of the year, who among you (raise your hands) could have predicted that this game would have been the marquee matchup for the week? The G-Men pulled off a remarkable win last week against a Washington team that dominated Philly the week before. Meanwhile, McNabb lit it up in a big way against Detroit Both teams have played Jekyll & Hyde games this year, and this ought to be a terrific matchup, if for no other reason than two old rivals renewing their acquaintance.

Projected Final Score: Philadelphia 24, NY Giants 20.