NFL Week 4

Coming off a hideous Week 2, we'd hoped for some better results last week, but the downward spiral continued with another abomination in Week 3 at 3-11-2, bringing the 2007 ledger to a ghastly 14-29-5. The only thing worse than my picks were the garish throwback uniforms worn by the Eagles. Please, throw them back.

Out of nowhere, the Eagles exploded for eight touchdowns, the Saints and Rams, considered potential Super Bowl teams in some quarters, haven't won a game, Denver stunk it up against the Jags, San Diego lost at surprising Green Bay and I learned not to pick against New England, even when they're laying 16.5 points.

So let's see if I can approach respectability before I start having my dog make picks. That would really be a problem, since I don't even have one.

As always, the picks are for recreational purposes, or if you want to make some money, do the exact opposite.

SUNDAY

Jets -3.5 BILLS: Buffalo will be starting rookie Trent Edwards and although Jets don't exactly inspire confidence as a road dog, things are already getting ugly in Western New York. If they can bottle up Marshawn Lynch, it could be a blowout. Jets 27-17.

DOLPHINS -4 Raiders: Miami welcomes back Daunte Culpepper, who did nothing in his one year in South Florida. Raiders have eben respectable, but Fish are desperate and will take it out on immobile Culpepper. Dolphins 26-14

Texans -3 FALCONS: Great week for Michael Vick. Fails a drug test and gets sued. I suspect he won't be back at QB for the Falcons any time soon. Matt Schaub runs salt in the wounds in Atlanta. Texans 30-13

BROWNS +4 Ravens: This will probably be one of my weekly ties. The Browns have played well the past couple of week while the Ravens have been uninspiring in two narrow home wins. Raven squeeze by, barely. Ravens 24-23

LIONS -3 Bears: Midwest correspondent 3 wood says: "Griese will not make as many mistakes at Grossman (nobody could), but he is a short thrower and the Lions secondary will be able to cheat up and sit on the short routes. Benson has a real slow first step and cannot get to the hole in time, so the running game will go nowhere. The banged up Bears "D" will not be able to cover the Lions receivers, the Lions were embarrassed last week by the Eagles and will come out mad, I take the Lions by 21 points." Good enough for me. Lions 31-10

Packers -1.5 VIKINGS: 3 wood also says the Vikings stink and the Packers are strong up front on both sides. He's right. Packers 26-10

COWBOYS -13 Rams: Last week I went with Buffalo and the huge number and got burned. Rams can't score, Stephen Jackson is out, and Dallas is scoring at will. Cowboys 34-14

PANTHERS -3 Bucs: Tampa comes back to earth as Carolina grinds out home win. They've usually has the Bucs' number. Panthers 24-16

49ERS + 2 Seahawks: Punchless 49ers need to get offense on track, or the Alex Smith doubters will be howling. Lots of Frank Gore in this one. Niners won at Seattle late last year and can play division rival tough. A field goal should decide this. 49ers 27-24

Steelers -6 CARDINALS: Stay with the hot team, my neighbor's dog told me. Steelers 33-17

CHARGERS -11.5 over Chiefs: Chargers are angry and if Norvelous Norv wants to survive in San Diego, he starts by burying the Chiefs at home. Chargers 44-10

COLTS -9.5 Broncos: It's been a couple years, but every time I see Denver playing at Indy, the Colts score about 49 points. Broncos have some problems and visiting the Colts isn't a solution to them. Colts 49-17

SUNDAY NIGHT

Eagles -3 GIANTS: Giants showed some heart on defense last week, but now the Eagles show up coming off 56-point laugher. Not good. Plus, they usually have fun with the NYG in primetime. As always, The Olbermann Rule is in effect, so find something else to do for the pregame and halftime. Like check my picks to see how badly I did. Eagles 28-24

MONDAY NIGHT

Patriots -7 BENGALS: New England smoked then at Cinci last years and can't see the Bengals stopping them at all. New England won't score 38 every game. Patriots 45-24