NFL 2011 Week 4 picks

Sunday early games:
Buffalo Bills (3-0) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-2):  Buffalo beat the Patriots!  If they don't get so excited this week that they suffer a letdown, they should win this game easily.  Ryan Fitzgerald is leading the most potent offense in the league.  BILLS, 31-21

Carolina Panthers (1-2) at Chicago Bears (1-2):  Carolina won their first game last week, but Cam Newton still has things to learn.  The Bears defense will teach him a few things.  He may be a better quarterback AFTER this game, but he won't look great during the game.  BEARS, 20-17

Detroit Lions (3-0) at Dallas Cowboys (2-1):  Tony Romo's physical condition may improve by game time, but its their defense who look weak.  Detroit has a powerful offense and their speed is greater than the Cowboys' defense.  LIONS, 31-21

Minnesota Vikings (0-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (0-3):  The Chiefs' offense is struggling, while McNabb seems to connecting with his new team.  I think the Vikings will gain their first win, while the Chiefs look stronger as the leading candidate for Andrew Luck.  VIKINGS, 23-10

New Orleans Saints (2-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2):  Jacksonville's offense has been struggling.  The Saints offense just keeps rolling along, but their defense needs work.  The holes in the defense should allow the Jags to score, but they won't score enough against the high-powered Saints.  SAINTS, 30-16

Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) at Houston Texans (2-1):  Pittsburgh's running game has been anemic, and their passing game hasn't been spectacular, either.  Worse, their rush defense is suffering, which opens the door for the Texans.  TEXANS, 23-20

San Francisco 49ers (2-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (1-2):  It looks like Vick is out for a week or two, which is great news for San Fran.  Their offense isn't great, but they should be able to score enough against the Eagles that a Vick-less offense can't surpass them.  49ERS, 20-17

Tennessee Titans (1-2) at Cleveland Browns (2-1):  This should be a close game, and I usually go with either the home team or the best defense in those cases.  I think Cleveland qualifies for both of those.  BROWNS, 23-21

Washington Redskins (2-1) at St Louis Rams (0-3):  The Rams defense can't stop anyone.  This is the type of defense that Rex Grossman loves, so expect Washington to move the ball well.  REDSKINS, 27-13

Sunday late games:
Atlanta Falcons (1-2) at Seattle Seahawks (1-2):  Seattle's offense has been a bit anemic.  The Falcons' offense hasn't been as sharp as recent years, but the potential exists.  I think Matt Ryan gets into a better groove in this game, as he's taking some heat this week.  FALCONS, 23-16

Denver Broncos (2-1) at Green Bay Packers (3-0):  The Pack are a strong team, and that fast rushing defense will frustrate Kyle Orton.  PACKERS, 31-20

Miami Dolphins (0-3) at San Diego Chargers (2-1):  The Dolphins aren't terrible, but they can't seem to finish games.  The Chargers will take a strong second half lead, which will make things worse for the non-closing Dolphins.  CHARGERS, 23-17

New England Patriots (2-1) at Oakland Raiders (2-1):  The Raiders are proving to be tenacious at home -- they beat the Jets last week!  The Pats rarely lose two games in a row, and their loss to Buffalo last week will add incentive to win this one.  I'll pick Bill Belichick and the "never say die" Patriots, but don't be surprised if the Raiders pull it out.  PATS, 30-24

New York Giants (2-1) at Arizona Cardinals (1-2):  The Giants are starting to come together, both on offense and defense.  The Cardinals are still too inconsistent to feel confident about them.  GIANTS, 23-20

Sunday night:
New York Jets (2-1) at Baltimore Ravens (2-1):  The Jets faltered against the Raiders last week, and the Ravens have been a powerful team (except for their stumble against the Titans).  This is another game that could go either way, but I like the Ravens at home, where they slaughtered the Steelers.  RAVENS, 23-20

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL -- Indianapolis Colts (0-3) at Tampa Bay Bucs (2-1):  Kerry Collins is starting to improve, but the Bucs defense will frustrate them all day.  The Bucs gave a Peyton Manning-led offense (with a patchwork of receivers) great difficulty last season, and I see them abusing these leaderless Colts this year.  BUCS, 24-16