Week 4 Picks

Like I said before...give me a minute to get my picks together and I'll be alright Dizzy Dean once said it ain't braggin' if you can back it up. a 12-2 week and a Vikings win brightened the dark mood around the desk of your humble scribe, but the glow only lasts a couple days as there are tough games on the docket. I'll outline the hot five in college after the picks. (I put the local times, in since this will also be posted on my blog, which has readers across the country...honestly my stepbrothers and daughter in California and my friends in Minnesota, I know read this)

NFL SCHEDULE – WEEK 4
Sunday, October 2
Buffalo (1-2) @ New Orleans (1-2)
Alamodome, San Antonio TX-1p(12pCT)
Favorite Pick 'em
The Saints get a home game, sort of. San Antonio lays out the red carpet and tries to woo the Saints in a more permanent move. Politics aside the Saints may play better not feeling like they are on someone elses turf. JP Losman will do what he can to avoid mistakes, but the Saints may have just enough to overcome the Bills weakened by the loss of Takeo Spikes Pick-New Orleans

Denver (2-1) @ Jacksonville (2-1)
Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville-1p
Favorite-Jags by 4
Denver whaled on the Chiefs on Monday, but have a short turnaround and a 2nd trip to Jacksonville ("who makes this schedule?" Shanny wonders) It may hurt the Broncos as the Jags are brimming with confidence after outgunning the Jets in OT. If Leftwich stay fairly healthy he can keep the Broncos defense honest
Pick-Jacksonville

Detroit (1-1) @ Tampa Bay (3-0)
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
Favorite-Bucs by 7
The Lions had a week to lick their wounds after a beat-down on the Midway, those wounds may be reopened by a rugged running game that the Bucs featured. Cadillac Williams is the real deal and the Lions will find this out all too clearly in the Florida heat.
Pick-Tampa Bay
Houston (0-2) @ Cincinnati (3-0)
Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati 1p
Favorite-Bengals by 13
Bengal Nation grows by leaps and bounds as the Bengals have roared out to their best start in 15 years and have suddenly become the darliings of the football world after being virtually ignored. Really now before this season did you ever see the Bengals in any highlights outside of the hardcore football shows other than being beaten on? Pity the poor Texans who once had aspirations of taking the next step to becoming a playoff caliber team. The Bengals, ever mindful of not letting the hype get to them will be plenty focused and Houston's lightweight offense and susceptible defense will serve as a suitable punching bag before a rowdy home crowd, the weeks biggest favorite is the lock of the week
Pick-Cincy
Indianapolis (3-0) @ Tennessee (1-2)
The Coliseum-Nashville-1p(12pCT)
Favorite- If you had of told anyone that the Colts offense would have only scored 47 points in three games, you wouldve assumed Peyton Manning was hurt. He is hale, but the offense has been sputtering. The Colts D however has been rock solid, if the offense wakes from its slumber...uh oh. The Titans have been wildly inconsistent. The Colts should begin their offensive resurgence here
Pick-Indianapolis

San Diego (1-2) @ New England (2-1)
Gillette Stadium, Foxboro MA
Favorite-Pick 'Em
Didn't I tell you that the Chargers were due to break out??? Going back to their bread and butter got the Bolts a badly needed win. The task will be much tougher against a Pats defense that despite looking like a MASH unit is still rough and ready. This game will be a slugfest won in the trenches, a home crowd and big game experience will be the deciding factors
Pick-New England

Seattle (2-1) @ Washington (2-0)
FedEx Field-Landover, MD-1p
Favorite-
Another team making a cross country trip, the Seahawks are a pound the rock type team whose bend but don't break defense should have little problem against a Skins team searching for its identity. Trust and believe that the Seahawks will not let the Skins off the hangmans noose if they have a lead late.
Pick-Seattle
St. Louis (2-1) @ NY Giants (2-1)
Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ-1p
Favorite-
I despise Mike Martz, but I love the offense he has. Isaac Bruce's abscence may pose a problem as defenses can key more on the elusive Torry Holt. I'm still not sold on Eli Manning's abilty to win games having had won against a hapless Cards squad and a road weary Saints team. I think the Rams steal a win on the road. But I still think Martz's overthinking will make it closer than it should be.
Pick St. Louis
NY Jets (1-2) @ Baltimore (0-2)
M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore 4:05p
Favorite-No Line
Call this the no name QB bowl. The Ravens hope that Anthony Wright can master the offense and be a factor and the Jets are hoping that anyone can QB at all. Look for a lot of running in this game. Both teams have high quality running back who are aching to have a breakout game. I think Jamal Lewis will have an easier time against the Jets defense as opposed to Curtis Martin having to deal with a Ray Lewis led Baltimore defense that feel disrespected.
Pick-Baltimore
Dallas (2-1) @ Oakland (0-3)
McAfee Coliseum, Oakland 4:15p (1:15p PT)
Favorite-Raiders by 3.5
The Pokes stay in the Bay area and after rallying to beat a surprsingly tough Niner squad, head to the black hole to face a Raider team that is offense oriented, but has trouble with stopping opposing offenses. If Drew Bledsoe is allowed to remain upright he will pick the Raiders apart in a hurry
Pick-Dallas

Minnesota (1-2) @ Atlanta (2-1)
Georgia Dome, Atlanta-4:15p
Favorite-Falcons by 5.5
I have nightmares about Michael Vick juking and scrambling his way to big plays, and I know that Ted Cottrell the Vikes defensive coordinator is having them too. The Vikes need to control the clock and utilize Mewelde Moore as much as possible. On defense they need to keep Vick in the pocket. Easier said than done. I hope I'm wrong on this pick though. Pick-Atlanta

Philadelphia (2-1) @ Kansas City (2-1)
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO-4:15p (3:15pCT)
Favorite-Chiefs by 2.5
After the abysmal performance that the Chiefs had on Monday against the Broncos, I'm stunned that they are favorites in this matchup. Philly looks like they are starting to gel into midseason form. The Chiefs had better find a way to keep TO quiet or the Arrowhead faithful will be silent in the latter stages of the game.
Pick-Philly

San Francisco (1-2) @ Arizona (0-3)
Azteca Stadium, Mexico City-8:30p (7:30pCT)
Favorite-Cardinals by 3
The NFL decided that the Cardinals didn't deserve 8 home game as bad as their team and attendance is. The NFL's first regular season game outside of the US might draw 4 times what the Cards will draw for a single game. The Mexicans might want their money back after watching two lackluster teams like this
Pick-San Francsico

Monday, October 3
Green Bay (0-3) @ Carolina (1-2)
Bank of America Stadium-Charlotte
Favorite-Panthers by 6
As much as I detest the Packers it pains me to see Brett Favre play as bad as he has been. He'll get no love from a Panthers defense angry over a tough road loss to Miami and would love to use a Monday Night stage to tee off on a weakened Pack.
Pick-Carolina

BYE WEEK: Chicago (1-2) Cleveland (1-2) Miami (2-1) Pittsburgh (2-1) Last Week-12-2
Overall 26-20

College Hot 5
1) USC (3-0 last week 1 beat Oregon 45-13 next at Arizona State)
Okay so they were behind against Oregon. The Trojans shrugged and ripped off 45 points to win going away. The Sun Devils are another test, but they should pass it

2) Texas (3-0, 2 and on a bye,next at Missouri)
Vince Young and his crew are waiting to pounce on the #1 slot should SC fall

3) Va. Tech (4-0, 3 beat Ga. Tech 51-7 next at West Virginia)
The Hokies took the Yellowjackets to the Woodshed but must take care not to get a backhand from a tough Mountaineer squad on its home turf

4) Florida (4-0,4 beat Kentucky 49-28, next at Alabama) Gators looked sharp in 1st half, but ragged in 2nd. Crimson Tide won't be so easy to roll on.

5) Florida State
(5-0 last week NR, beat Boston College 28-17, next vs Syracuse)
Newest entry in the Hot 5 took a tough one from a game BC squad. The 'Cuse will be glad they didn't move to the ACC after this game

Dropped out LSU lost Monday to Tennessee 30-27 in OT As much love as I had for the Bayou Bengals, blowing a 21-0 in your own crib is inexcusable