Dear Fantasy Doctor X.

NFL week 4 Pick'em!

Another week has gone by in the season and contenders are starting to separate from pretenders. We have seen some disappointments like the Cleveland Browns and some surprises like the Buffalo Bills. Week 4 highlight was the loss of the Patriots(16-0 in 2007) to the Miami Dolphins(1-15 in 2007) in a shocking way. What a difference a Tom Brady makes!

Without further ado, I move on to Week 5 games predictions.

Cleveland (0-3) at Cincinnati (0-3): This is always an intense Ohio rivalry where fireworks can happen at any time. The Browns beat Cincinnati 51-45 in Week 2 of the 2007 season and the Bengals won 58-48 back in 2004. Both offenses have to be happy to see one another. Each needs to get their offense in a rhythm and each team’s defense is the perfect cure for offensive woes.
Cleveland is probably the most disappointing team of the 2008 season. A team that was expected to contend for a wildcard has been outscored 26-66.  As critical as I have been of Cincinnati

I think they win this game. They played the N.Y. Giants tough and were in the Baltimore game. They seem to be getting better as strange as that statement seems.  Cleveland has looked lost the whole season. Carson Palmer showed signs on Sunday of coming out of his funk and I think he goes for a big game this week.
Winner: Cincinnati

Green Bay (2-1) at Tampa Bay (2-1): This is a very important game for both teams. The Packers started off the season 2-0. They need to show they can bounce back from a tough home loss to Dallas.
Tampa Bay has beaten Atlanta and Chicago. They need a signature win. This is my upset pick for the week.  
I like Tampa Bay for a couple reasons.

The Buccaneers had the number one pass defense in the NFL last season. They currently rank 27th, but that is in large part due to Drew Brees on Opening Day. They have been fine since then.  
The Packers have been very one-dimensional on offense. They are calling a lot of runs and short passes.  They need to throw down field. Monte Kiffin will have a game plan to stop the Packers from beating the Bucs on short passes. The Packers also have their work cut out for them on defense without Harris. They have to show they can stop the running game. Green Bay needs to get a good rush on Griese; otherwise, he won’t make the bad mistakes Green Bay needs him to make. Bucs win a close one.  
Winner: Tampa Bay
 
Minnesota (1-2) at Tennessee (3-0): Minnesota finally got their first victory with a 20-10 home victory over Carolina. Tennessee has been playing some of the best defense in the NFL.  
This is a game between two quarterbacks that figured to be holding clipboards for Tarvaris Jackson and Vince Young going into the season. I like Tennessee in this game.  Albert Haynesworth is so hard to run at and the Tennessee defense has been awfully good. Minnesota will put pressure on Kerry Collins, but I like him to make just enough plays against a Minnesota defense that is good, but not as good as Tennessee.  
Winner: Tennessee
 
Washington (2-1) at Dallas (3-0): The NFC East has been an amazing division this year. The teams there are a combined 10-2. The two losses were the Redskins to the N.Y. Giants and the Eagles to the Cowboys. It doesn't get more dominating than that.
Dallas is a pretty hard team to pick against. Their offense has been solid both running and passing the ball. The defense has played solid with the exception of the Monday Night Philly game. They are clicking on all cylinders.
Jason Campbell has looked much better since the opener and seems to be grasping the offense. The Taylor injury is a huge blow, because the Redskins must put pressure on Romo if they want to win. I look for a competitive game, but I think Dallas is too good right now for me to pick the upset.
Winner: Dallas

Baltimore (2-0) at Pittsburgh (2-1): Baltimore has had it pretty good out of the gate. They played the two Ohio teams, which are a combined 0-6. Their game against Houston was postponed due to Hurricane Ike. I think Pittsburgh is the superior team. Better QB, better receivers, better backs (when Parker is healthy), and a better line. Both teams have comparable defenses. The losses of Parker and Hampton hurt, but I think that Pittsburgh has enough weapons to handle the Ravens. Pittsburgh in a low scoring affair.
Winner: Pittsburgh

And the rest…

Atlanta (2-1) at Carolina (2-1): This is a pretty interesting match up. Michael Turner, Matt Ryan, and company have made the Falcons very competitive in their first two games. However, playing Detroit and Kansas City will do that for just about any team. I think the Panthers will bounce back and take this game behind their two-headed monster of Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams.
Winner: Carolina

Houston (0-2) at Jacksonville (1-2): Jacksonville finally established their running game against Indianapolis as Fred Taylor and MJD both went over 100 yards rushing. Look for more of the same against a disappointing Houston team that has been blown out its first two games.
Winner: Jacksonville

Denver (3-0) at Kansas City (0-3): I will not pick Kansas City to win a game this year, unless they have an inter squad scrimmage or play the Rams. Denver has too much offense for Kansas City to stay in this game.
Winner: Denver

San Francisco (2-1) at New Orleans (1-2): San Francisco has also had a nice draw in the early season. Seattle’s offense was very injured and Detroit is just an awful football team. New Orleans is 1-2, but their two losses have been in very close games. I look for Drew Brees to have a big day and the Saints to win in a high scoring game.
Winner: New Orleans

Arizona (2-1) at New York Jets (1-2): This is a very interesting contest. The Cardinals have to travel east for the second straight week. The Jets should start gaining some chemistry now that Brett Favre has been in New York for three games.  Favre has a bum ankle, but it’s Favre.  He will play. I like the Jets to play better defense and get the win in a very close game.
Winner: New York Jets

San Diego (1-2) at Oakland (1-2): San Diego has run wild over Oakland in the Tomlinson era. Oakland does not have a defense to score the points necessary to beat San Diego and the Chargers offense will look good again with a young inexperienced Raider squad. Lane Kiffin is another week closer to being fired.  
Winner: San Diego

Buffalo (3-0) at St Louis (0-3): Sorry to hate on the state of Missouri, (0-9 so far) but I didn’t put together these two bad football teams and I am not seeing the Rams breaking out of this funk anytime soon. Buffalo in a blowout. Marshawn Lynch has a huge day.
Winner: Buffalo

Philadelphia (2-1) at Chicago (1-2): I would pick the Eagles to win this going away, but Brian Westbrook hurt his ankle in the win over the Steelers. They need him to keep the Bears linebackers honest. Philadelphia cannot beat Chicago if they have to rely on Donovan McNabb and their inexperienced receivers alone. You saw what happened when Westbrook left in the second quarter. The Eagles got a big play out of Buckhalter and little else. I am picking Philly, so long as Westbrook suits up and is close to 100 percent.
Winner: Philadelphia

Byes: Detroit, Indianapolis, Miami, New England, New York Giants, Seattle

See how other members in the forums have picked:

My 2008 record: 28-19

Official picks scoring!

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