Week 4 NFL picks: Green Bay will top Detroit, Chicago will beat Giants
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Week No. 4 of the NFL season is here, and that means the first week of byes. Dallas, Kansas City, Minnesota and Tampa Bay all have the week off.
In the early games Sunday, Oct. 3, the Denver Broncos visit Tennessee. The Titans are coming off a nice win over the New York Giants, and the Broncos are coming off a home loss against the Colts. I like the Titans to continue their winning ways and drop the Broncos to 1-3.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are 3-0 without their starting quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. They host the Ravens this week. The Steelers should hold serve and advance to 4-0. Can you say “Ben who?”
In the battle for supremacy in the state of Ohio, the Bengals travel to Cleveland. Cincinnati is 9-2 in their last 11 games against the Browns. I think they’ll make it 10 out of 12. The Lions will remain winless in 2010 when they drop to 0-4 against Green Bay.
The defending champion New Orleans Saints lost in overtime last week. I look for them to bounce back big against the Carolina Panthers. The Falcons were the team to beat the Saints in week three. The Falcons host the 49ers this week. I like Atlanta at home.
The Seahawks fly into St. Louis. Seattle is 10-0 in their last 10 games against the Rams. They won’t have any problem making it 11 straight. The New York Jets have to shuffle off to Buffalo this week. I like the Jets on the road.
The Colts are on the road for the second consecutive week. This week, they are in Florida to face off against the Jaguars. Jacksonville is 4-14 in the last 18 games against Indy. Look for the trend to continue. The Colts will improve to 3-1.
The Raiders are at home against the Texans. Last week, Oakland won and Houston lost. I’ll say the same thing will happen this week. I like Oakland by the bay. In the same state, but a little farther south, the Chargers welcome the Arizona Cardinals to town. They won’t be such welcome visitors when this one is over. I look for the Cardinals to win big in San Diego.
In Philadelphia, it’s a game that has been circled on the calendar for some time. Former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb and his new team, the Redskins, come to the “City of Brotherly Love” for the first time since Philly let him go. Thanks to Michael Vick, the Eagles haven’t missed McNabb. I think Vick and the Eagles won’t show any love to their rivals from the East. I’m figuring the Eagles by at least 10.
The Sunday-night game features the Bears in the Big Apple against the Giants. That’s not good news for Eli Manning and his Giants. The road team has won the last seven straight meetings. I look for the Bears to add another win to their record and make it eight in a row for the road team.
In the Monday-night game, the Dolphins host the Patriots. This one could go either way, but I’m taking the Patriots to pull the mild upset on the road.
At press time, the only game undecided from week three was the Bears and Packers’ Monday-night contest in Chicago. Since I picked the Bears, I’m hoping I went 10-6 instead of 9-7. It’s hard to type this column with my fingers crossed.
Shaun Hill to start for Detroit against Green Bay
Shaun Hill will make his third consecutive start at quarterback for the Detroit Lions on Sunday at Green Bay.
Lions Coach Jim Schwartz said Matthew Stafford is making progress in his rehab from a right shoulder injury, but he added that the quarterback is not nearly ready to return to the field.
Hill, who took over for injured Stafford in the season-opening loss to the Chicago Bears, has completed 63 of 107 passes for 660 yards and three touchdowns with five interceptions.
Rookie running back Jahvid Best and veteran receiver Nate Burleson did not practice Wednesday, but both are anticipating being healthy enough to play Sunday.
Jaguars' Osgood jumps out of window to flee attacker
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Kassim Osgood jumped from a second-story window to escape an armed man who attacked him and struck him in the head with a pistol, while also striking the 19-year-old woman Osgood was reportedly visiting Monday, according to the Florida Times-Union.
The intruder left Osgood with minor bumps and bruises, according to the report.
"He's fine. I'm aware of it," Coach Jack Del Rio said. "I really can't comment on that whole deal. He's doing OK."
Julian Armond Bartletto, 20, was identified by Mackenzie Rae Putnal as her ex-boyfriend. The two exchanged gunfire during the incident, but no one was hit.
Osgood, 30, is a special teams ace who was signed away from the San Diego Chargers during the offseason. He also has three receptions this season.
Jets' Revis not expected to play Sunday
New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis did not practice and, according to coach Rex Ryan, is not expected to play Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.
Linebacker Calvin Pace also did not participate in team drills, though he was on the sideline. Pace has not played since he broke a foot in August.
"I think Calvin has a better chance to play than Revis," Ryan said. "I don't feel great about Darrelle playing."
Revis, who missed most of training camp because he was holding out for a new contract, injured his left hamstring in Week 2 against the New England Patriots.
Colts' Polian clarifies comments about schedule
Indianapolis Colts President Bill Polian said he was "very imprecise" when he was quoted on his Monday radio show as saying a move to an 18-game regular-season schedule was "fait accompli."
Interviewed on ESPN's "Mike and Mike in the Morning" radio show Wednesday, Polian said he meant that the Colts are preparing as though the extended schedule will happen.
Expanding the regular-season schedule by two games and cutting the exhibition season from four games to two is one of the major discussion points in talks between the NFL and NFL Players' Association about a new collective bargaining agreement.