BLOG: 3 Of The Best In NFL Week 4
3 Of The Best In Week 4
And that doesn't include our AFC headliner with the Jets and Ravens at the Bank. Football night in America in our town with Bob Costas pontificating like he cares. I was confused last week watching Football night in America in Mexico. Anyway, I think the Ravens are in for their first close game of the year. The Jets got embarrassed last week in Oakland I think their defense bounces back with a big effort. It'll be close but I like the home team by a TD or less.
Detroit (3-0) at Dallas (2-1) 1:00
Down 20 at the half, on the road, Matthew Stafford throws for 378 yards and the Lions beat the Vikings to go 3-0. Calvin Johnson is the first player in NFL history to catch 2 TD passes in each of his team's first 3 games.
Arbutus native Jim Schwartz has restored the roar to the long-suffering Lions. The Cowboys will need more than field goals to win this one. Romo, Dez and Witten are all banged up but I think the 'Boys still find a way to get the W.
Buffalo (3-0) at Cincinnati (1-2) 1:00
The NFL history book has good news for the Bills. 76% of teams (82 of 108) that started 3-0 since 1990 have made the playoffs. Ryan Fitzpatrick is Mr. September (but it's October) and the Bills are the NFL highest scoring team averaging nearly 38 a game. RB Fred Jackson doesn't get much love but he's rock solid.
Here's what I like about this game...the Bengals D is good. They rank 3rd in the NFL and they had 5 sacks last week. We'll know more about the Bills after this road test. I'm leaning Bengals.
New England (2-1) at Oakland (2-1) 4:15
Looks like a track meet. The Patriots lead the NFL in passing yards while the Raiders lead the league in rushing yards. How do you blow a 21 point lead? Tom Brady threw 4 interceptions last season he also threw 4 last Sunday that's how.
But he's hardly in a slump, Brady has passed for 1,327 yards this season, the most ever for any three-game span in NFL history. He leads the league with 1,327 yards and 11 touchdowns. Wes Welker leads the NFL in receptions (31) and receiving yards (458).
Jason Campbell loses any passing battle with Brady but Campbell can hand it off to Darren McFadden. Run DMC ran over and through the Jets for 171 yards and 2 TD's last week.
Should be entertaining with the Brady Bunch likely winning.
Next best...Steelers at Houston. A pair of 2-1 teams that have post-season hopes. Steelers have won 8 of their last 10 on the road. They'll have to play better than they did at Indy last week. Mike Wallace can tie an NFL record with his 7 straight 100-yard receiving game.
Mario Williams and J.J. Watt will challenge the Pittsburgh O-line and Schaub and Andre Johnson will test the secondary.
