NFL Week 4 Preview
We are nearly a month into the 2010-11 NFL season and Week 4 brings the first bye weeks of the year. Teams with a bye are Dallas, Kansas City, Minnesota, and Tampa Bay. It has been a season dotted with upsets and this week could be more of the same.
Here I look at the matchups, giving you some early insight that will help make your 2010 NFL wagers winners.
SUN, OCT 3 TIME (ET)
San Francisco at Atlanta 1:00 PM FOX – The Falcons (2-1) have been impressive through the first three weeks and cemented their place as one of this year’s teams to beat with a big win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 4. The 49’ers (0-3) are quite the opposite, and the chaos culminated in the release of coordinator Jimmy Raye earlier in the week. Last year the Falcons hammered San Francisco, 45-10 on the road, and this year will be no different at home.
NY Jets at Buffalo 1:00 PM CBS- The New York Jets’ (2-1) Mark Sanchez has shown his better half over the past two games, but has also benefited from two weak defenses, especially against the pass. Buffalo’s (0-3) QB situation just got more clouded as Ryan Fitzpatrick will start for a dearly departed Trent Edwards. These two rivals played an ugly pair of games last season filled with turnovers. The Bills are just 3-11 ATS at home, so look for the Jets to grab on the road.
Cincinnati at Cleveland 1:00 PM CBS – The Bengals (2-1) are wining some ugly games, but it’s working. The defense has been key, and after last week’s bout against the Panthers, has held an opponent to 13 points or less for the 13th time in 26 games. Cleveland (0-3) continues to struggle and it won’t get any better this week as it looks like Shaun Rogers will be out again and they just lost D’Qwell Jackson for the year. In addition, their lone offensive weapon, Josh Cribbs, is out for Sunday. Cincy’s D keeps gets them a narrow victory here.
Detroit at Green Bay 1:00 PM FOX – Green Bay (2-1) let one get away on Monday night and they better take advantage of a Detroit team they have dominated recently – winning by an average of 20.4 points in the last five meetings –before having to face Minnesota, Washington and Dallas in the next three weeks. The Lions’ (0-3) defense line is solid but the back seven has been the worst in recent years. Rodgers should have a field day as Detroit falls to 2-18 under Jim Schwartz.
Denver at Tennessee 1:00 PM CBS – The Broncos (1-2) have been moving the ball well but is yet to be tested by a decent defense. Defensively, they have a talented, veteran safety and should be better than their record shows. Tennessee (2-1) has been solid, and although most of the attention has been focused on QB Vince Young and RB Chris, you have to give a shout out to a defense that is now rated in the top 10. I think the Titans have the edge here as well as home field advantage.
Seattle at St. Louis 1:00 PM FOX – Seattle (2-1) are currently enjoying first place courtesy of the imploding 49ers and Chargers. They are No. 29 in total offense and No. 28 in total defense and although having the division’s best quarterback, are not overly talented anywhere else. The Rams (1-2), who have showed signs of improvement after each game this season, are coming off a big win over the Redskins. It may be a little premature to think they could string together two wins in a row, but if Steven Jackson, who’s battling a groin injury, suits up this week, they could improve to 2-2 with a huge win at home.
Carolina at New Orleans 1:00 PM FOX – Carolina’s (0-3) problem is that its offense is too predictable. Stop the running game, double Steve Smith and you’ve bunged them. The Saints (2-1) shot themselves in the foot with turnovers last week and paid the price. The run defense was once again inconsistent last week, and this could be a problem as they now face a team that will try to run the ball at them for 60 minutes. If the Saints are successful in stopping the run, they will walk away with the win.
Baltimore at Pittsburgh 1:00 PM CBS – The Steelers (3-0) had managed just one offensive touchdown so far this year, prior to last week’s offensive outburst. Now they face one of the toughest defenses in the league. Baltimore (2-1) has won just one time in their last 10 trips to Heinz Field. And although no one expects the Ravens to score massive amounts of points, the way they played against Cleveland in its home opener leaves some doubts. Home field advantage prevails in this one.
Indianapolis at Jacksonville 4:05 PM CBS – The Colts (2-1) gave up more than 500 yards, but still walked away with the win in Denver. That’s because they win with great red zone defense and an offense that can’t be stopped. Jacksonville’s (1-2) problems are more than QB David Garrard and it probably won’t get any better as the Jags posses the second youngest functional roster in the NFL. There just isn’t enough experience to beat Indy.
Houston at Oakland 4:05 PM CBS – The Houston (2-1) offensive line that played so well through two games had no chance of slowing down the Dallas pass rush last week. They were outmanned and outgunned and their lack of depth finally hurt them. Oakland (1-2) has played well in all of its contests and has showed signs of improvement, but lost on a late missed field goal in Arizona. A game they should have won. But Oakland has 33 penalties through three games and it’s those types of things that will hurt them against the Texans.
Arizona at San Diego 4:15 PM FOX – Arizona’s (2-1) quarterback situation has held one of the best receiving corps in the division to very little, and it could get worse as WR Steve Breaston is sidelined with a knee injury. The Chargers (1-2) has outgained their opponents by 571 yards, but still have a losing record. But it’s the little things like giving up three kick return touchdowns in three weeks, delay of game penalties and not being able to convert first downs on potential game-tying drives, that’s killed the buzz in San Diego. If they can’t turn things around this weekend, the Cardinals could embarrass them.
Washington at Philadelphia 4:15 PM FOX – The Philadelphia Eagles (2-1) decision to start Michael Vick has paid dividends. But it could turn ugly for Vick if the O-line, who has been by far the worst in football, don’t give him some protection. Washington (1-2) has now lost four games in the last three years to St. Louis. They have all but totally abandoned the running game and the defense that had finished in the Top 10 in yards allowed eight times in 10 years, has performed miserably under the new 3-4 scheme. The Redskins are now last in the league in yards allowed. Vick should have a field day in this one.
Chicago at NY Giants 8:20 PM NBC – Chicago (3-0) is probably one of the biggest surprises thus far with wins over Dallas and Green Bay. The Giants (1-2) are a team that has major issues all over the field and in the locker room, and it has reflected in their record. Overall, they are just undisciplined and lazy. Though a couple of the Bears’ wins have been against teams that have helped beat themselves, I just don’t see the Giants being able to behave like winners in this one.
MON, OCT 4 TIME (ET)
New England at Miami 8:30 PM – The Miami Dolphins (2-1) showed its weakness’ in last week’s loss to the Jets, as Mark Sanchez tore up the Fins young secondary with a subpar passing game. The New England (2-1) defense has given up 82 points in three games this year, the worst total in recent years. However, they offense has been averaging 57.3 points per game, and unleashing Tom Brady on a secondary that just got beat up by Sanchez just spells blowout.
Matt Martz is a freelance writer located in Central California. Blessed is the gambler who expects nothing, for ye shall not be disappointed.
