Week Four NFL Picks (2013)
By: Matt Harmon
Administrator's note: I am truly sorry that this week's picks are a condensed and shortened version of what i normally put out. Those who follow me on Twitter (@BackyardBanters) know I have been dealing with a serious family situation and have not had the time to dedicate to the site as I normally do. I still tried to provide you all with my picks and a matchup for us to monitor during the games. I hope you all still enjoy this weeks picks, and know things will be back to normal soon.
San Francisco 49ers (1-2) at St. Louis Rams (1-2)
Matchup to Watch: Anquan Boldin vs. Cortland Finnegan
Pittsburgh Steelers (0-3) vs. Minnesota Vikings (0-3)
Matchup to Watch: Big Ben vs. Vikings Secondary
Baltimore Ravens (2-1) at Buffalo Bills (1-2)
Matchup to Watch: Torrey Smith vs. Justin Rodgers
Cincinnati Bengals (2-1) at Cleveland Browns (1-2)
Matchup to Watch: A.J. Green vs. Joe Haden
Indianapolis Colts (2-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3)
Matchup to Watch: Coby Fleener vs. Jaguars linbackers and safeties
Seattle Seahawks (3-0) at Houston Texans (2-1)
Matchup to Watch: DeAndre Hopkins vs. Brandon Browner
Arizona Cardinals (1-2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-3)
Matchup to Watch: Doug Martin vs. Karlos Dansby
Chicago Bears (3-0) at Detroit Lions (2-1)
Matchup to Watch: Alshon Jeffery vs. Darius Slay
New York Giants (0-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (3-0)
Matchup to Watch: Justin Houston vs. William Beatty
New York Jets (2-1) at Tennessee Titans (2-1)
Matchup to Watch: Santonio Holmes vs. Jason McCourty
Dallas Cowboys (2-1) at San Diego Chargers (1-2)
Matchup to Watch: George Selvie vs. D.J. Fluker
Washington Redskins (0-3) at Oakland Raiders (1-2)
Matchup to Watch: Pierre Garcon vs. Mike Jenkins
Philadelphia Eagles (1-2) at Denver Broncos (3-0)
Matchup to Watch: LeSean McCoy vs. the Broncos front seven
New England Patriots (3-0) at Atlanta Falcons (1-2)
Matchup to Watch: Julio Jones vs. Devin McCourty
Miami Dolphins (3-0) at New Orleans Saints (3-0)
Matchup to Watch: Jordan Cameron vs. Tyson Clabo/Jon Martin
Administrator's note: I am truly sorry that this week's picks are a condensed and shortened version of what i normally put out. Those who follow me on Twitter (@BackyardBanters) know I have been dealing with a serious family situation and have not had the time to dedicate to the site as I normally do. I still tried to provide you all with my picks and a matchup for us to monitor during the games. I hope you all still enjoy this weeks picks, and know things will be back to normal soon.
San Francisco 49ers (1-2) at St. Louis Rams (1-2)
Matchup to Watch: Anquan Boldin vs. Cortland Finnegan
- Finnegan has been abysmal all year, and the Niners need Boldin to get back on track. I bet he makes some big catches against Finnegan.
- The Rams are on my list of teams that have wronged my by underperforming from my expectations. I think this becomes a get right type of game for San Francisco.
Pittsburgh Steelers (0-3) vs. Minnesota Vikings (0-3)
Matchup to Watch: Big Ben vs. Vikings Secondary
- The Vikings secondary is both very bad, and banged up. Ben and the passing game were pretty electric for the first time all year last week. Look for that to continue in Week Four.
- In this London game, I bet the Steelers emerge from this fight as the team with their first victory.
Baltimore Ravens (2-1) at Buffalo Bills (1-2)
Matchup to Watch: Torrey Smith vs. Justin Rodgers
- Rodgers was torched unmercifully against the Jets last week, and things will not get any easier against Torrey Smith. Smith has been very good all year, but he has not managed to score yet. I am almost certain that changes this week. Fantasy players, start Smith, he is in for a huge day.
- The Ravens are the better team, and I expect the Bills offense to struggle against a very good Ravens defense.
Cincinnati Bengals (2-1) at Cleveland Browns (1-2)
Matchup to Watch: A.J. Green vs. Joe Haden
- This is a great matchup to watch for a number of reasons. For one, they are both elite players at their position and they will do great battle all day. Secondly, if the Haden shuts down Green, the Browns have a decent shot at the upset. Lastly, if the stud corner does shut down Green, can Dalton get his other weapons involved? He has struggled to do that to this point.
- I think the Browns showed us something last week, but the Bengals are still the better team. I am not completely sold
Indianapolis Colts (2-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3)
Matchup to Watch: Coby Fleener vs. Jaguars linbackers and safeties
- The Jags were torn apart by tight end Zach Miller in Seattle last week. Fleener has the Colts gig all to himself now, and we just need him to show he is capable of excelling in that role.
- I probably will not be picking the Jags in a game again all year.
Seattle Seahawks (3-0) at Houston Texans (2-1)
Matchup to Watch: DeAndre Hopkins vs. Brandon Browner
- Hopkins is one of the most impressive rookies to this point. Andre Johnson is hobbled right now, so it may be up to the technically sound rookie to take advantage of the very good, but very aggressive Browner to make plays down field.
- I am aware the Seahawks are a much different team on the road, and I am worried J.J. Watt and company could tear up an offensive line that will be missing three starters. However, Seattle is number one in my Week Four NFL Power Rankings for a reason, and that is because I believe they can still win tough matchups on the road.
Arizona Cardinals (1-2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-3)
Matchup to Watch: Doug Martin vs. Karlos Dansby
- This is not just about the running game. with rookie Mike Glennon under center and his top two receivers nursing injuries, the Bucs need to get Martin involved in the passing game. It will be up to linebackers like Dansby to make sure he does not break off any big catches.
- It scares me to take a mediocre team on the road, but I also am not a believer in Mike Glennon at all; especially if Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams are not 100%.
Chicago Bears (3-0) at Detroit Lions (2-1)
Matchup to Watch: Alshon Jeffery vs. Darius Slay
- Slay has had his issues this season, but he has played solidly for a rookie cornerback. Jeffery is sort of the forgotten man in this Bears passing offense behind Marshall, Bennett, and Forte, but he can still bust a big play. I would not be surprised if we see him use his size to grab a few balls over Slay.
- I hate taking another road team, and the Bears have had trouble with the Lions in the Jay Cutler era, but this is a different Bears team; one I believe ot be elite.
New York Giants (0-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (3-0)
Matchup to Watch: Justin Houston vs. William Beatty
- We watched as Carolina’s Greg Hardy had his way with Beatty last week. Houston similarly demolished the Eagles offensive line. I would not be surprised to see these two players have a repeat of last week’s outputs.
- The Giants have to win eventually, but they are such a mess right now I cannot pick them to beat the very efficient Chiefs.
New York Jets (2-1) at Tennessee Titans (2-1)
Matchup to Watch: Santonio Holmes vs. Jason McCourty
- Holmes looked reborn last week with Geno Smith chucking him bombs, and this week he draws a matchup against the very underrated McCourty. I sure hope Holmes can consistently play to his old form.
- Both of these teams have surprised me with some pretty positive play so far, but I will take the Titans here because they are at home.
Dallas Cowboys (2-1) at San Diego Chargers (1-2)
Matchup to Watch: George Selvie vs. D.J. Fluker
- Of course DeMarcus Ware is always a factor, but I want to highlight Selvie because he has played so well in relief of Anthony Spencer. He is a smaller player who plays with great speed, and those are the type of plays who give Fluker fits.
- The Cowboys are clearly the best team in the NFC East, but I am still not quite a believer yet. I am picking the Chargers to win at home, but I do not feel great about it.
Washington Redskins (0-3) at Oakland Raiders (1-2)
Matchup to Watch: Pierre Garcon vs. Mike Jenkins
- Jenkins has played decently as a Raider, but some of his old poor tackling tendencies showed up on Monday night. Garcon is a great after the catch receiver with his speed and elusiveness. The Redskins should look to exploit this matchup early.
- Either way I am taking the Redskins, but if Terrelle Pryor plays, I may have some pause with this pick. If it is Matt Flynn is behind center, I am fully confident the Redskins get their first win.
Philadelphia Eagles (1-2) at Denver Broncos (3-0)
Matchup to Watch: LeSean McCoy vs. the Broncos front seven
- The Broncos are number one in defending the run in the NFL, but they face their stiffest test in McCoy. The Eagles need McCoy to take over this game if they hope to keep up with Denver.
- There will probably be a ton of points between these two teams, but I do not see anyway the Eagles defense can stop this Broncos offensive machine.
New England Patriots (3-0) at Atlanta Falcons (1-2)
Matchup to Watch: Julio Jones vs. Devin McCourty
- Bill Belichick prioritizes taking away the thing you do best on offense, and for Atlanta, that is clearly Matt Ryan throwing to Julio Jones. I imagine he will devise some sort of plan that involves doubling him with safety Devin McCourty. If it works, Atlanta does not have a ton of other options on offense right now.
- Despite their records, I think these teams are pretty evenly matched. Since the game is in Atlanta, I will take the home team.
Miami Dolphins (3-0) at New Orleans Saints (3-0)
Matchup to Watch: Jordan Cameron vs. Tyson Clabo/Jon Martin
- Cameron Jordan is having a fantastic year, and may be emerging as the best 3-4 defensive end not named Watt. The Dolphins are not protecting Ryan Tannehill well, so Jordan could have another field day.
- I really do believe in the Dolphins, but I think going into the Super Dome and winning in prime time is a little too much to expect right now.
