NFL Office Pool Picks - Week 4

Presented by Dale Sims

The Crystal Ball

Another mediocre week in the books, after going 8 – 6 my straight up record is at 28 – 18 and although I managed to go 7 – 6 against the spread last week I am still down one overall at 21 – 22.  Another strange week where visiting team went 10 – 6 and teams won the statistical battle only to give away the war with strange turnovers.  Well undeterred we plunge once more into the fray.

The standard disclaimer here is that these are my own best guess and not necessarily the view of anyone else at Football Forecastes.  They are based on early week information, Ouija board, and the arious entrails that I examine to divine the coming weeks NFL results.  I do use these for my pick’em league but what you see here is not what might be my final submission.  (Things like injury reports actually work better than chicken guts.)  Anyone using this information for anything other than amusement value is an idiot.

Week 4

Arizona at Atlanta – Arizona takes a trip to the East to face Atlanta off their Monday night loss.  Atlanta should be able to keep the Arizona offense off the field with their running game.  Arizona does not travel all that well and are out-manned in this one; Falcons win 31 – 21.

Dallas at Tennessee – Tennessee got closer last week but that should not create delusions of adequacy in anyone.  Dallas is coming off of a bye and while they are vulnerable in some ways the Titans are not able to exploit them, Cowboys win 28 – 17.

Indianapolis at N.Y. Jets - The Jets have been playing surprisingly well; Indianapolis has for the most part been playing just well enough.  Indianapolis is vulnerable to the run but the Jets do not seem to have a running game available, Colts win 28 – 14.

Miami at Houston – Here is a study in futility; Miami did win its first game last week against Tennessee, Houston has not seemed to be able to mount any defense up to this point in the season allowing over 95 yards/game more than anyone else; Dolphins win 24 – 17.

Minnesota at Buffalo – Buffalo has been up and down, both teams lost tough divisional games at home last week.  This rates to be a solid defensive battle with the win going to the team making the least number of mistakes, which translates to a Vikings win 21 – 17.

New Orleans at Carolina –New Orleans coming off an emotionally charged Monday night game travels to Carolina a team that has had key injuries on both sides of the ball.  The Saints have certainly over achieved but a let down seems likely, Panthers win 24 – 17.

San Diego at Baltimore – Two statistically good defenses pound it out as San Diego off their bye week takes the long trip to the East coast.  Both defenses will get to the quarterback but experience will be the difference maker, Ravens win 17 – 14.

San Francisco at Kansas City – San Francisco has been playing surprisingly well offensively but is starting to accumulate injury problems.  They travel to Kansas City who has problems of their own without Trent Green, still with the extra week to prepare the Chiefs win 20 – 10.

Detroit at St. Louis – The St Louis offense seems to be settling into its new format; unfortunately, it is not clear that the same can be said for Detroit.  The Rams seem to have found a defense that has reduced their need to score thirty-five every week, Rams win 28 – 20.

Cleveland at Oakland – Cleveland lost a close game at home and travels out to the west coast to face a well-rested Oakland team.  If Oakland were going to win a game, it would seem that this would be one of their few opportunities, Raiders win 24 – 21.

Jacksonville at Washington – The Jaguars are clearly a good defensive team and playing at a high level.  Washington beat up on Houston last week for a convincing win and they have Portis back but not enough to deal with the Jaguars who rate to win 20 – 14.

New England at Cincinnati – Cincinnati comes home off an emotional win on the road to more off field problems.  New England is starting to show signs that they are just getting thin on talent these days coming off a rare home loss, Bengals win 27 – 20.

Seattle at Chicago – Seattle does not travel well, Chicago is not a good place to travel to, and they will be without the NFL MVP.  This is a game that could be replayed in January, and the winner has a leg up to say where it is played, Bears win 24 – 20.

Green Bay at Philadelphia – Green Bay got a road win last week after two home losses not a trend that they should expect to continue.  Philadelphia is playing well on both sides of the ball and rates to have their way as they will get pressure on Farve, Eagles win 28 – 14.