NFL Week 4 Preview and Picks

A quick look at the slate of games upcoming in Week 4 of the NFL:

Cleveland at Cincinnati 1:00pm – The Battle of Ohio has lost its luster with both teams coming in winless. Cleveland’s vaunted offense has accounted for 26 points in three games and Cincinnati is not much better with 40 points, 23 coming last week.

Tim – Cincinnati <> Depaoli -Cleveland

Houston at Jacksonville 1:00pm – The Jaguars might have saved their season with their comeback victory in Indianapolis last week. Houston has yet to limit an opponent to less than 30 points.

Tim – Jacksonville <> Depaoli -Jacksonville

Atlanta at Carolina 1:00pm – Carolina’s supposed strong backfield is averaging just over 100 yards per game while Atlanta’s stable of backs is #1 in the league averaging 203 yards per game.

Tim – Carolina <> Depaoli -Carolina

Denver at Kansas City 1:00pm – Denver scores at will but their defense has given up 70 points in their last two wins. Kansas City has scored a total of 32 points while Denver has scored that many in all three games.

Tim – Denver <> Depaoli -Denver

San Francisco at New Orleans 1:00pm – New Orleans offense is fourth-best while their defense is fifth from the bottom. San Francisco comes into the game on a two game win streak averaging 32 points in those wins. Frank Gore fresh off of a 130 yard performance will look to ground down the Saints 22nd ranked rush defense.

Tim – New Orleans <> Depaoli -San Francisco

Arizona at N.Y. Jets 1:00pm – Interceptions were costly for both teams in losses last week. Kurt Warner’s fourth quarter pick led to the Redskins go-ahead touchdown while the Jets QB’s¬†combined for three interceptions in a 19-point loss.

Tim – Arizona <> Depaoli -Ny Jets

Green Bay at Tampa Bay 1:00pm – The Battle of the Bays is about as statistically even as you can get. The Bucs¬†have the 7th ranked offense while the Pack’s offense is ranked¬†8th. The Pack’s defense is ranked 27th while the Bucs have the 26th ranked defense.

Tim РGreen Bay <> Depaoli - Tampa Bay 

Minnesota at Tennessee 1:00pm – Tennessee comes in with a two game lead in the tough AFC South while giving up less than 10 points per game. Minnesota changed quarterbacks last week and got their first win of the season. Coincidence? No.

Tim – Tennessee <> Depaoli -Tennessee

San Diego at Oakland 4:05pm РSan Diego exploded for 49 points last week as most of their offense got on track. Most because LaDainian Tomlinson has yet to heal from an injured toe. Oakland blew a 9-point lead late in the 4th quarter last week in Buffalo mostly due to their running game being bogged down.

Tim РSan Diego <> Depaoli РSan Diego 

Buffalo at St. Louis 4:05pm – Buffalo escaped on a 38-yard field goal at the gun last week but should not have to struggle as much this week. The winless Rams will turn to Trent Green at quarterback but he will not have the endorsement of the Rams best weapon, Steven Jackson.

Tim РBuffalo <> Depaoli РBuffalo 

Washington at Dallas 4:15pm – Dallas has been unstoppable on offense averaging a league-best 440 yards per game. Washington is on a two-game win streak behind an opportunistic defense and a confident Jason Campbell. Records don’t matter when these rivals faceoff.

Tim – Dallas <> Depaoli -Dallas

Philadelphia at Chicago 8:15pm – Philadelphia’s defense was embarrassed two weeks ago on Monday night but took out their frustrations on Pittsburgh to the tune of nine sacks. After shocking Indianapolis in Week 1, the Bears have lost late in the game¬†and in overtime. Brian Westbrook is a question mark with an ankle injury.

Tim – Philadelphia <> Depaoli -Philadelphia

Baltimore at Pittsburgh 8:30pm Monday Night – The top two defenses square off in Pittsburgh where the Steelers have won 13 straight games on Monday night. Pittsburgh needs to figure out a way to protect Ben Roethlisberger while opening holes for rookie Rashard Mendenhall in his first start. The Ravens have run the ball 90 times so far this year in order to protect rookie QB Joe Flacco but this game is not against a winless team from Ohio.

Tim – Pittsburgh <> Depaoli -Pittsburgh