I had my first decent outing in picking games last week, finishing with a mark of 10-6 to improve to 27-21 on the year. I'm 0-3 at picking Browns games though, and that's what happens when all three games end on game-winning field goal attempts. Feel free to share your general thoughts on this week's games in the comments section.
Week 4 Games | Explanation | Pick | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
vs. |
Call it a Resurrection: Eli throwing touchdowns and not interceptions? Rashad Jennings going for 176 yards on the ground? Victor Cruz learning what the end zone is? The Giants finally found their glory days last week against the Texans, but how long will the magic last? This week, they run into a Redskins team led by a red-hot Kirk Cousins. This game doesn't scream defense whatsoever, and that might be a good thing: we're due for a competitive Thursday Night Football game already. Redskins 27, Giants 24 |
|||
vs. |
Call it a Toss-Up: Both of these teams are 2-1, but they aren't built like teams you'd expect to see move to 3-1. The quarterback position for each team still faces a great deal of uncertainty, and that makes the game tough to predict. Buffalo should have more weapons, and while the Texans' defense as a whole isn't great, I can just picture J.J. Watt wreaking havoc on E.J. Manuel. I'll run with that vision. Texans 20, Bills 13
|
|||
vs. |
A Change of Heart: I was so disappointed with how pitiful the Panthers' offensive gameplan looked last week that I initially picked Baltimore to win this game. Then, I heard about the injury to Eugene Monroe, who I consider to be the key to the Ravens' offensive line. That, coupled with a Panthers' defense looking to avenge their AFC North letdown to the Steelers last week, tips the scale in favor of Carolina. Panthers 24, Ravens 20
|
|||
vs. |
Defensive State of Mind: "I'm in a de-fen-sive state of mind..." ...except the defense doesn't just apply to the New York Jets, but rather the Detroit Lions too. The Jets have fared pretty well over the last two weeks against the Packers and Bears, but they're not a good enough team talent-wise to beat their competition. It's still a testament to the job Rex Ryan does, but he'll see his team take another tough loss this week to an NFC North opponent. Lions 28, Jets 17
|
|||
vs. |
Something's Wrong in Cheesetown: I'm certainly not used to this: three weeks into the season, the Packers are one of the worst offenses in the NFL. I think there should be some legitimate concern that the offense this year is just Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson, without anybody else worthy of a good supporting cast. The Bears have faced their own issues on offense, but Jay Cutler seems to have his guys a little further along right now. Bears 23, Packers 20
|
|||
vs. |
Watch the Tumbleweeds: This is the least interesting game of the week. The Dolphins are scuffling after their Week 1 win over the Patriots, and the Raiders are averaging just 12 points per game. I'll go with the Raiders pulling off what the oddsmakers would technically call an "upset" here as Derek Carr gets his first professional win. Raiders 17, Dolphins 14
|
|||
vs. |
Near-Upset of the Week: Despite the atrocity that we saw a week ago from the Buccaneers, I still have faith in their defense, and I think Mike Glennon can provide the same type of lift he did a year ago for them. While they will give the Steelers a brief scare, Pittsburgh is fortunate to have two dynamic weapons on offense now -- Le'Veon Bell on the ground and Antonio Brown as a receiver. Steelers 21, Buccaneers 16
|
|||
vs. |
Big Division Game: With the Texans being a questionable contender, this is a big division game between the Titans and Colts. Tennessee has not lived up to their potential, but they still have a chance to make a splash in the division against the reigning AFC South champs. With Jake Locker's health in question, though, Charlie Whitehurst isn't the guy to pull off that type of upset. Colts 28, Titans 20
|
|||
vs. |
Blake Who? I think Blake Bortles will do some good things this year, but not in his debut. The Jaguars are going up against a team that has just put the Seahawks and the Bills through a clinic on how to manage a football game all the way to victory. Bortles will press when the opportunities are slim, and the Chargers will capitalize. Chargers 31, Jaguars 14
|
|||
vs. |
Road to Redemption: When the Falcons lost to the Bengals in Week 2, I had some doubt, thinking Atlanta might be the same, inconsistent offense we saw a year ago. Then, I realized it was more of a testament to how good the Bengals are after Atlanta slaughtered the Buccaneers last week. Teddy Bridgewater is in for the Vikings, which provides some excitement, but I'll stick with Atlanta and their weapons. Falcons 34, Vikings 20
|
|||
vs. |
A Tough Test for Harbaugh: Since Jim Harbaugh came to the 49ers, I've seen his team play a lot of disappointing games. However, he's always been able to find a way to get his team to snap out of it. That hasn't been the case the past two weeks, though, and now the 49ers find themselves falling fast in the tough NFC West. Even with the right fixes this week, how can you beat the Eagles with the amount of points they put on the board? Eagles 31, 49ers 24
|
|||
vs. |
Game of the Week: These two teams met on Sunday Night Football in 2013 when the Browns were on the bye, so it's funny that they are doing it again in 2014. The Saints still seem "off" on offense, but this has to be the week where things settle as they were expected to: a great Saints offense and a terrible Cowboys defense. Saints 42, Cowboys 31
|
|||
vs. |
Winning Isn't Pretty: The Patriots are 2-1 and Chiefs are 1-2, but I think both teams' fan bases would tell you that winning isn't always pretty. The Patriots barely held on to beat the Raiders last week, and the Chiefs won ugly against the Dolphins. I don't think either team plays well enough to win in impressive fashion this week either, but I think Tom Brady will find a way to improve upon his deep passes to open up the field more. Patriots 23, Chiefs 17
|
|||
Bye Week |
Pokorny's Week 3 NFL Picks Record: 10-6
Pokorny's Record w/ Browns Games: 0-3
Pokorny's 2014 NFL Picks Record: 27-21
Survivor Pick: I have a two-game winning streak going after the Saints beat the Vikings last week. I've already used NE and NO. This week, I'll take the Chargers to top the Jaguars.
---------------
To buy tickets, visit the NFL Ticket Exchange.