NFL Pro Football 2007 Week 4 Picks early games

NFL Pro Football 2007 Week 4 Picks

Sports Handicappers Lounge
Check out the web's best sports handicapping forum - get free service plays from Capper's Lounge.
www.capperslounge.com

Football Picks
Free NFL and NCAA College Football Picks with expert handicapping and analysis weekly.
www.ScottsPicks.com

Sports Handicappers Lounge
Check out the web's best sports handicapping forum - get free service plays from Capper's Lounge.
www.capperslounge.com

Fearless Rick's NFL Week 4 Picks - Early Games

Rick Gagliano | Sept. 27

All times Eastern - Click here for late Sunday and Monday night games.

Sunday, September 30

Baltimore (-4, 40) at Cleveland 1:00 pm - OK, the Browns got robbed last week in Oakland when Lane Kiffin, Oakland's coach, called time out just as Browns' kicker Phil Dawson was about to put a leg into a game-winning field goal attempt. The same strategy worked against Kiffin the previous week when Mike Shanahan did it to Oakland kicker Sebastian Janikowski. In both cases, the kickers made the initial attempt - which didn't count - and missed the next try. Rule change coming.

This game is the first of many in which home teams are underdogs and my strategy is pretty straightforward. I'm going to take the points at home. The Ravens haven't won on the road yet, Cleveland is just OK, but the fans will keep them in this one.

Prediction: Browns 24 Ravens 21

Chicago (-3, 45) at Detroit 1:00 pm - Here's another home dog. The Lions got off to a fast start and then were steamrolled in Philly last week. They will rebound at home. The Bears' defense was pounded by Romo, TO and the Cowboys on Sunday night, prompting a change at QB, from Rex Grossman to Brian Griese.

The truth of the matter is that Grossman was pretty bad, but his receivers, Bernard Berrian and Mushin Muhammad, didn't help him any, cutting off routes and dropping more than a few passes. We'll see if they're any better with Griese chucking the rock at them.

To make matters worse, the Bears have injuries galore on defense. Defensive tackle Tommie Harris, linebacker Lance Briggs, cornerbacks Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman are all nursing injuries and while they will play, keeping up with the Lions' ends will not be easy. Detroit could pound them badly.

Prediction: Lions 31 Bears 17

Green Bay (-1 1/2, 38) at Minnesota 1:00 pm - Brett Favre is having his way thus far with opposing defenses. This one may be a little different, though Minnesota doesn't have an offense of which to speak. They rank 26th overall and 28th in passing. That's not going to get it done against Favre and the Pack.

Prediction: Packers 21 Vikings 16

Houston (-3, 39) at Atlanta 1:00 pm - At 2-1, the Texans suddenly look like contenders, especially after playing the Colts tough in a 30-24 loss last week. The Falcons (0-3) simply look bad. Joey Harrington will be harassed continually by Houston's front line and linebackers and he could be out by halftime. The Texans should come away with a win.

Prediction: Texans 28 Falcons 10

--- Story continues below ---

N.Y. Jets (-3 1/2, 37) at Buffalo 1:00 pm - Outside of the Bears, the Bills are probably the most banged-up team in the league. Whether they can pull together a game plan and a defense to stuff the Jets is questionable. New York didn't impress anyone, nearly blowing a big lead at home to Miami, finally winning by 3 points. The Bills will start rookie Trent Edwards at QB, which may be an improvement over J.P. Losman, but Buffalo is dead last (32nd) in both offense and defense. The Jets aren't much better, ranking 28th in both categories. If you're looking for an upset, look no further. The Bills will gut out a win over a hated divisional rival.

Prediction: Bills 23 Jets 21

Oakland at Miami (-4, 42) 1:00 pm - Oakland is moving in the right direction and getting points from the Dolphins is a real gift. Miami hasn't won a game this season and this looks like a good spot, against the 1-2 Raiders. However, Oakland is beginning to take on the look of a real team, and are in a good spot in the beaten-down AFC West. A win here would be very important to them, whereas the Dolphins may be ready to throw in the towel on the season.

Prediction: Raiders 16 Dolphins 13

St. Louis at Dallas (-13, 46) 1:00 pm - Dallas has reached elite status as one of only two teams (Green Bay is the other) in the NFC without a loss. The Rams have lived down to expectations from cynics who believe that wholesale changes need to be made in St. Louis. At 0-3, the Rams have only one close loss, a 17-16 decision against the 49ers. Their two other losses, to Carolina and Tampa Bay, have been blowouts. There's no reason to believe they'll be competitive here.

Prediction: Cowboys 31 Rams 16

All times Eastern - Click here for late Sunday and Monday night games

Copyright 2007, 2008, Rick Gagliano, Downtown Magazine. All rights reserved. Downtown Magazine is located in the Uinted States of America and is not affiliated with the National Football League or the NCAA. For more information, contact us here. Use of this site is for entertainment purposes only.