GAME OF THE WEEK – Houston Texans (3-1) at Dallas Cowboys (3-1), DAL by 4 – I was considering Cincy/NE for GOTW before the Pats got blown out. But this should be a solid game as well. Two teams that are running the ball well, the Texans are playing some great defense and then there’s the added factor of it being a Texas vs. Texas matchup. The Cowboys played some stunningly complete football against the Saints. The question is, can that defense hold up? But another question – does it even need to against the Texans, who don’t have nearly the caliber of offense that the Saints do? I’m going to go with the safe pick and say Dallas, but it should be interesting to watch. Cowboys 23, Texans 17
THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL – Minnesota Vikings (2-2) at Green Bay Packers (2-2), GB by 9.5 – Which Packers team is going to show up? Hard to say. On paper the Packers are the significantly better team, but the Vikings looked pretty solid at home against the Falcons with Bridgewater under center. I think it’s probably a bit much to pick the Vikings on the road against a divisional rival in primetime on a short week with a rookie QB. Packers 31, Vikings 20
Chicago Bears (2-2) at Carolina Panthers (2-2), CAR by 3 – The Panthers seem to be falling apart, and you never know what you’re going to get from the Bears. But my pick here is simple enough – the Panthers simply don’t have enough offense to keep up with Chicago. UPSET! – Bears 27, Panthers 16
Cleveland Browns (1-2) at Tennessee Titans (1-3), TEN by 1 – The Browns are coming off a bye and are playing a bad Titans team on the road. I’ve liked what I’ve seen out of this team in the first three weeks, so I think they can even their record here. UPSET! – Browns 23, Titans 20
St. Louis Rams (1-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (3-1), PHI by 7 – A date at home with the hapless Rams is just what the Eagles need after a heartbreaking loss in San Francisco. Eagles 30, Rams 10
Atlanta Falcons (2-2) at New York Giants (2-2), NYG by 4 – At this point, why would anyone ever trust the Falcons on the road? The Giants are suddenly picking up some steam after an awful start to the season, and if the Falcons’ road woes continue, this one could turn ugly in a hurry. Giants 33, Falcons 24
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-3) at New Orleans Saints (1-3), NO by 10.5 – The Bucs may have stolen a win from the Steelers on the road, but I don’t see them faring well in the Superdome after the Saints just suffered an embarrassing loss in primetime. Saints 37, Bucs 13
Buffalo Bills (2-2) at Detroit Lions (3-1), DET by 7.5 – The Lions are looking like a force early in the season so far. They’ve combined a suffocating defense with a rock solid passing game and a steady rushing attack. The only thing getting in their way of picking up their first division title in 20 years is themselves. With the Bills moving to Kyle Orton this week, expect another victory for the upstart Lions. Lions 30, Bills 17
Baltimore Ravens (3-1) at Indianapolis Colts (2-2), IND by 3.5 – Another really intriguing, game of the week potential matchup. Both these teams have shaken off some early season issues and struggles to get on a roll the last couple weeks. I’m taking the Colts with homefield advantage, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Ravens take this one. Colts 27, Ravens 24
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2) at Jacksonville Jaguars (0-4), PIT by 6.5 – This Jaguars team is historically bad, and the Steelers will be able to right the ship for at least a week thanks to this game. Steelers 33, Jaguars 10
Arizona Cardinals (3-0) at Denver Broncos (2-1), DEN by 7.5 – This game would be a lot more intriguing if it was being played in Arizona. Instead, the Cardinals go on the road to a hostile environment where they’re facing a Peyton Manning who’s had two weeks to prepare for their sturdy defense. I’ll take the Broncos. Broncos 28, Cardinals 17
Kansas City Chiefs (2-2) at San Francisco 49ers (2-2), SF by 6.5 – Even in victory this season, the 49ers have not particularly looked outstanding. Maybe I’m overreacting to the Chiefs’ smackdown of the Patriots, but right now they just look like they’re playing more inspired football than the Niners. UPSET! – Chiefs 23, 49ers 20
New York Jets (1-3) at San Diego Chargers (3-1), SD by 6.5 – Philip Rivers is looking unstoppable this season, and the Chargers are starting to make people stand up and take notice. This is a team that’s definitely a contender to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl this season. The Jets, on the other hand… nope. Chargers 30, Jets 12
Cincinnati Bengals (3-0) at New England Patriots (2-2), CIN by 1 – When was the last time the Patriots were underdogs on their home turf in prime time? The Bengals have completely looked the part of a contender this season. The Patriots almost never lose back to back games, however. This Bengals D is going to get after Brady, but I’m going to bank on the Belichick/Brady combo pulling some sort of trick out of their sleeve to somehow get the win. UPSET! – Patriots 20, Bengals 17
Seattle Seahawks (2-1) at Washington Redskins (1-3), SEA by 7.5 – This one could get ugly real quick. Seahawks 31, Redskins 9
BYES: Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders
