Eric's Week 4 Picks

LOCK

Carolina at Atlanta -7

Atlanta is getting a lot of “Best Team” hype after San Fran’s defeat at the hands of the Vikings. The passing game is as explosive as they come and they’re doing a great job of protecting Matty Ice. The running game leaves an awful lot to be desired. DUI aside, Turner’s effectiveness is waning. Running backs often experience a precipitous decline once they reach 30. Quizz Rodgers doesn’t appear to be the answer either. Can the Falcons make a serious run as a 1 dimensional offense? Maybe not, but it’s more than enough to cover against the Panthers.

Carolina looks disjointed. Cam Newton’s sophomore slump must end for Carolina to capitalize and make a wildcard run. At times, Newton looks lost as a passer. Teams simply need to focus on limiting the Panthers’ run game and Newton’s deficiencies as a passer take care of the rest. On the other side of the ball, Carolina fails to get much of a rush. Opposing QBs have been given too much time to pick apart the Panther’s relatively young defense. Atlanta runs away with this one.

CAR 13 ATL 31

 

LOCK

San Francisco -4.5 @ New York Jets

Could losing the (arguably) best player in your franchise’s history hurt? Kyle Wilson is a solid player but the drop off is immense. This will change the nature of Rex Ryan’s defense; a defense that must play well given the erratic nature of Mark Sanchez and the relative ineptitude of Shonn Greene. SF took a surprise beating in Minnesota. They’re a resilient bunch and Harbaugh will surely have them prepared to run wild in the new Meadowlands.

SF 24 NYJ 12

 

LOCK

New York Giants +2.5 @ Philadelphia

Michael Vick isn’t going to win a championship as a starting quarterback. The Eagles are slowly and somewhat painfully coming to this same conclusion. With a rookie backup and with some much invested in Vick, Reid will diligently march ahead. Give the ball to McCoy, ask less of Vick, and allow your Wide 9 do the dirty work. It’s not within Reid’s nature, but he must adapt to succeed.

NYG 33 – PHI 23

 

New England -4 @ Buffalo

NE 30 BUFF 24

 

Minnesota +4 @ Detroit

MIN 17 DET 21

 

San Diego -1.5 @ Kansas City

SD 30 KC 20

 

Seattle -3 @ St Louis

I’m a little late to the NFC West bandwagon but it appears the division boasts 3 premier defenses. Seattle’s pass rush and big secondary continues to impress. Overshadowed by the game stealing play in Green Bay on Monday night, the Seahawks defense slowed the explosive Green Bay offense to a crawl. Seattle’s lone loss at the hands of Arizona looks much better in retrospect after the Cards’ 3-0 start.

SEA 27 STL 21

 

Tennessee +12 @ Houston

TENN 17 HOU 27

 

Oakland @ Denver -7

OAK 17 DEN 27

 

Miami +6 @ Arizona

MIA 21 ARI 17

 

Cincinnati @ Jacksonville +1.5

CIN 24 JAX 21

 

Washington +2 @ Tampa Bay

WAS 30 TB 27

 

Chicago +3.5 @ Dallas

CHI 28 DAL 27