Sportsgirl's week 4 NFL picks column
Good luck, everyone 
NFL PICKS: Carolina hosts Atlanta in NFC South division match up
In a NFC South match up, the 2-1 Atlanta Falcons head to Carolina to visit the Panthers, also 2-1. Some are shocked by Atlanta’s record, but, really, is it all that surprising? Wins over hapless Detroit and Kansas City this season really don’t do much to bolster confidence or suggest this team can go on the road and topple the Panthers. On the other side of the ball, the Panthers have a road win over San Diego, albeit a last-second victory and another comeback win over Chicago. Much was anticipated last weekend from Carolina with the return of WR Steve Smith; however, not much materialized from that hype as QB Jake Delhomme and Smith never seemed to find their rhythm during their loss in Minnesota.
For Carolina to be successful at home against Atlanta, Delhomme and Smith have to get together, and the defense will have to stop Falcons RB Michael Turner, putting pressure on rookie QB Matt Ryan – pressure Ryan proved in Tampa Bay he can’t handle. Carolina (-6.5) both wins and covers.
San Diego (-7) at Oakland
Who would have thought that these AFC West teams would be tied at 1-2 going into week 4 of this NFL season? I would have suspected the 1-2 from Oakland, but the Chargers? San Diego has suffered two tough losses – one even heart-wrenching – in these first weeks of the season, but still they sport the 29th ranked defense in the league. Can Oakland QB JaMarcus Russell score on this Chargers defense? He has amassed a paltry 391 yards passing in three games, completing only 51.6 percent of his passes. Conversely for San Diego, QB Phillip Rivers has completed more than two-thirds of his passes for 844 yards. Chargers win, but don't cover.
Baltimore (+5.5) at Pittsburgh (Monday night)
Baltimore travels to Pittsburgh with the league’s top-ranked defense in tow – but with games against Cincinnati and Cleveland, and an unplanned bye week in between, is that really saying much? Disturbing for the Baltimore offense is that rookie QB Joe Flacco has thrown for a mere 258 yards in two games, has no TDs and 2 INTs. With Pittsburgh holding the No. 2 spot in the league with six picked-off passes, this could be a long day at Heinz Field for the Ravens’ QB. Steelers win and cover.
The rest
Arizona (+1) at N.Y. Jets: Cardinals, Cardinals +1
Minnesota (+3) at Tennessee: Titans, Titans -3
Denver (-9) at Kansas City: Broncos, Broncos -9
San Francisco (+5) at New Orleans: Saints, Saints -5
Atlanta (+6.5) at Carolina: Panthers, Panthers -6.5
Cleveland (+3.5) at Cincinnati: Bengals, Bengals -3.5
Green Bay (+1) at Tampa Bay: Bucs, Bucs -1
Houston (+7.5) at Jacksonville: Jaguars, Houston -7.5
Buffalo (-8) at St. Louis: Bills, Bills -8
San Diego (-7.5) at Oakland: Chargers, Raiders +7.5
Washington (+11) at Dallas: Cowboys, Redskins +11.5
Philadelphia (-3) at Chicago: Eagles, Eagles -3
Monday's Game
Baltimore (+5.5) at Pittsburgh Steelers, Steelers -5.5
Open: Indianapolis, Miami, New England, Seattle, N.Y. Giants, Detroit
Last week, 8-8 straight up, 4-12 spread; overall, 27-20 straight up, 19-26-1 spread
In a NFC South match up, the 2-1 Atlanta Falcons head to Carolina to visit the Panthers, also 2-1. Some are shocked by Atlanta’s record, but, really, is it all that surprising? Wins over hapless Detroit and Kansas City this season really don’t do much to bolster confidence or suggest this team can go on the road and topple the Panthers. On the other side of the ball, the Panthers have a road win over San Diego, albeit a last-second victory and another comeback win over Chicago. Much was anticipated last weekend from Carolina with the return of WR Steve Smith; however, not much materialized from that hype as QB Jake Delhomme and Smith never seemed to find their rhythm during their loss in Minnesota.
For Carolina to be successful at home against Atlanta, Delhomme and Smith have to get together, and the defense will have to stop Falcons RB Michael Turner, putting pressure on rookie QB Matt Ryan – pressure Ryan proved in Tampa Bay he can’t handle. Carolina (-6.5) both wins and covers.
San Diego (-7) at Oakland
Who would have thought that these AFC West teams would be tied at 1-2 going into week 4 of this NFL season? I would have suspected the 1-2 from Oakland, but the Chargers? San Diego has suffered two tough losses – one even heart-wrenching – in these first weeks of the season, but still they sport the 29th ranked defense in the league. Can Oakland QB JaMarcus Russell score on this Chargers defense? He has amassed a paltry 391 yards passing in three games, completing only 51.6 percent of his passes. Conversely for San Diego, QB Phillip Rivers has completed more than two-thirds of his passes for 844 yards. Chargers win, but don't cover.
Baltimore (+5.5) at Pittsburgh (Monday night)
Baltimore travels to Pittsburgh with the league’s top-ranked defense in tow – but with games against Cincinnati and Cleveland, and an unplanned bye week in between, is that really saying much? Disturbing for the Baltimore offense is that rookie QB Joe Flacco has thrown for a mere 258 yards in two games, has no TDs and 2 INTs. With Pittsburgh holding the No. 2 spot in the league with six picked-off passes, this could be a long day at Heinz Field for the Ravens’ QB. Steelers win and cover.
The rest
Arizona (+1) at N.Y. Jets: Cardinals, Cardinals +1
Minnesota (+3) at Tennessee: Titans, Titans -3
Denver (-9) at Kansas City: Broncos, Broncos -9
San Francisco (+5) at New Orleans: Saints, Saints -5
Atlanta (+6.5) at Carolina: Panthers, Panthers -6.5
Cleveland (+3.5) at Cincinnati: Bengals, Bengals -3.5
Green Bay (+1) at Tampa Bay: Bucs, Bucs -1
Houston (+7.5) at Jacksonville: Jaguars, Houston -7.5
Buffalo (-8) at St. Louis: Bills, Bills -8
San Diego (-7.5) at Oakland: Chargers, Raiders +7.5
Washington (+11) at Dallas: Cowboys, Redskins +11.5
Philadelphia (-3) at Chicago: Eagles, Eagles -3
Monday's Game
Baltimore (+5.5) at Pittsburgh Steelers, Steelers -5.5
Open: Indianapolis, Miami, New England, Seattle, N.Y. Giants, Detroit
Last week, 8-8 straight up, 4-12 spread; overall, 27-20 straight up, 19-26-1 spread
You're just trying to peeve me right? LOL
