# NFL predictions week 4 **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 1, 2004, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-week-4/266961 "2004-10-01T00:22:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-week-4/266961/1 "2004-10-01T00:22:37Z")
Week 1, 9-7, week 2 8-8, week 3 9-5, I’m kind of wondering what my totals would be if I simply flipped a coin. In consideration, I’m going to make a flip a coin pick per week. I’m not going to let my dismal performance to date prevent me from entertaining you folks. On to the games… Sunday **New York @ Green Bay Favorite: Green Bay, 7, 44** I haven’t been able to make heads or tails of this Green Bay team. Since their home I’m giving this one to Green Bay but they won’t be receiving anymore of my confidence points based on the perceived weakness of their opponents. Lets say the Giants will beat the spread, I’d go with the under. **Philly @ Chicago Favorite: Philly, 9, 40** Prediction, someone is going to surprise Philly big time this season. Prediction it won’t be Chicago. I’d take Philly by a country mile. **Washington @ Cleveland Favorite: Washington, 3, 35** This is my flip a coin pick of the week. I like what I’ve seen out of both teams. Cleveland though losing last week, showed the ability to pile on some offense. Washington also is much improved under Gibbs. Coin flip says Washington. **New England shuffling off to Buffalo Favorite New England, 5 ½, 35** And back to New England with a win. Pats beat the spread. **Oakland @ Houston Favorite: Oakland, 2 ½, 42** I’m going against the odds on this game; I think Oakland is due for a let down. They performed brilliantly against the Bucs last week, but the Raiders are not that good yet, much improved over last year though. Houston upset and take the over. **Indianapolis @ Jacksonville Favorite Indy, 4, 42** Hell Indy is capable of getting that 42 by themselves. The key to stopping Indy is an aggressive defense capable of harrying Manning. I don’t see the Jaguars pulling that off for an entire game. Indy wins and covers. **Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh Favorite Pittsburgh, 4, 39** Pittsburgh should win this one on the basis of home field advantage alone. But just to give a valid reason, Cincinnati has been up and down on the offensive side of the ball. Pittsburgh wins and cover, I’d take the under. **Atlanta @ Carolina Favorite Carolina 3 ½, 39** As much as I like Vick and the Falcons in this game, I just can’t see them going into Carolina and coming away with a win. Carolina wins, but the Falcons will make it competitive. Say a 3 point win. **New Orleans @ Arizona Favorite New Orleans 3 ½, 40** I almost picked Arizona to win this one but they haven’t done their usual thing of showing up in big games. I’m still not sure what to make of New Orleans either; the team seems leaderless and uninspired. Still they playing the Cardinals who I think may have scored in three games what your typical team does in one. Saints win and cover. **New Jersey Jets @ Miami Favorite Jets 6, 37** You know that was such fun to type, lets call the game Jets 37, Miami 6. Unless Arizona appears on Miami’s schedule I won’t be picking them. I don’t think they’ll go winless, but I won’t be surprised if they do either. Fun fact Miami has scored even fewer points than the Cardinals. **Denver @ Tampa Bay Favorite Denver, 3, 35** Tampa Bay just can’t buy any luck. They get mauled in Oakland and now face the Broncos. Should be fun watching Gruden doing Chucky impressions. Other than that nothing recommends this game. Denver wins and covers. **Tennessee @ San Diego Favorite Tennessee, 3, 41** Smart money takes the Titans. They’re clearly the more complete team. Titans win and cover. **St. Louis @ San Francisco Favorite St. Louis, 3 ½, 44** I had to think really hard on whether I’m making this pick as a Niners fan or as an intellectual exercise. I’m taking the Niners to win this game, not merely because I think they’re do, but primarily because of that shellacking they took last week. No team with any pride wants to be embarrassed that way. The Rams will be paying for the Seahawks victory. Niners win, over. Monday Night **Kansas City @ Baltimore Favorite Baltimore, 5 ½, 41 ½** This would have been my flip a coin pick if I hadn’t used it on the Browns/Giants. That said, I’m going to go against the grain again and take Kansas City. ---
**Author:** ![lno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-week-4/266961/2 "2004-10-01T00:37:16Z")
In **Hal Briston** ’s pool, I’ve got 32 correct picks so far out of 44, or about 73% accuracy. This week, I’m picking 11 road teams to win – it makes me a little nervous, but I think only Green Bay, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore will win at home. Then I look at matchups like NE-BUF, NYJ-MIA, PHI-CHI and I tell myself that maybe this _is_ the week for road teams… ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-week-4/266961/3 "2004-10-01T00:39:51Z")
> [@Stuffy](#): > > **New York @ Green Bay > Favorite: Green Bay, 7, 44** > > I haven’t been able to make heads or tails of this Green Bay team. Since their home I’m giving this one to Green Bay but they won’t be receiving anymore of my confidence points based on the perceived weakness of their opponents. Lets say the Giants will beat the spread, I’d go with the under. I think Big Blue has a legitimate shot to win outright. The Packers seemingly have pass defense issues, and Warner has been solid. I’m looking for a breakout game for ole’ Kurt. And the Colts defense is orders of magnitude worse than the Giants. What, exactly, is the perceived weakness of the Giants? I’m curious. I don’t hear anything negative about the G-Men on ESPN, they moved up several spots in most power rankings, and all 3 sets of game announcers covering the 3 Jints games so far have gushed about the solid play of the offensive line. Wait, ignore all that. Big Blue only wins when expected to lose. So, um, yeah, they suck, the Packers will crush 'em. > [@](#): > > **Kansas City @ Baltimore > Favorite Baltimore, 5 ½, 41 ½** > > This would have been my flip a coin pick if I hadn’t used it on the Browns/Giants. That said, I’m going to go against the grain again and take Kansas City. Huh? Giants/Browns was last week, and if you needed to flip a coin for that one, I’m stunned you are above .500 in picks. ---
**Author:** ![lno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-week-4/266961/4 "2004-10-01T00:47:17Z")
> [@Ellis Dee](#): > > Huh? Giants/Browns was last week, and if you needed to flip a coin for that one, I’m stunned you are above .500 in picks. If the blankety-blank Browns had won as I expected, I’d be at 75% rather than 73% accuracy. Damn Jints. ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-week-4/266961/5 "2004-10-01T01:02:26Z")
> [@Ellis Dee](#): > > I don’t hear anything negative about the G-Men on ESPN, they moved up several spots in most power rankings, and all 3 sets of game announcers covering the 3 Jints games so far have gushed about the solid play of the offensive line. I wasn’t thinking about the Giants in particular when I made that comment. Only that in the last few years if the Packers were playing a quality team, I’d pick Green Bay. Now even if Green Bay has a relatively weak opponent, im really going to have a hard time picking them. > [@](#): > > Wait, ignore all that. Big Blue only wins when expected to lose. So, um, yeah, they suck, the Packers will crush 'em.Huh? Giants/Browns was last week, and if you needed to flip a coin for that one, I’m stunned you are above .500 in picks. Oops, meant to write Washington there :smack: Gee taking this a little personally aint yah? I never said the Giants suck. Why I’m sure I must have picked the Giants to win at least once last year, probably, I think, maybe. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-week-4/266961/6 "2004-10-01T01:38:11Z")
> [@Stuffy](#): > > I wasn’t thinking about the Giants in particular when I made that comment. Only that in the last few years if the Packers were playing a quality team, I’d pick Green Bay. Now even if Green Bay has a relatively weak opponent, im really going to have a hard time picking them. Oh, gotcha. I didn’t understand before, but now I do. Traditionally, the Giants play both up (yay!) and down (doh!) to the level of their competition, so I’m well aware of that kind of tendency. > [@](#): > > Gee taking this a little personally aint yah? I never said the Giants suck. Why I’m sure I must have picked the Giants to win at least once last year, probably, I think, maybe. 😃 hehheh, fair enough. My comment on the Giants/Browns last week wasn’t implying that the Giants are such a better team, but rather that the Browns lost so many starters that the 49ers’ scout team could have beaten them. ---
**Author:** ![divemaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/divemaster/32/78_2.png) [@divemaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/divemaster)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-week-4/266961/7 "2004-10-01T16:25:51Z")
> [@Stuffy](#): > > Week 1, 9-7, week 2 8-8, week 3 9-5, I’m kind of wondering what my totals would be if I simply flipped a coin… I think it would be interesting to track predictions from week to week, but I have a hell of a time finding this thread each week. So, I was thinking, **Stuffy** , that perhaps when you start this thread each week that you would post a link to the immediately previous week’s thread? As long as you did it every week, you would only have to post the one link. I could backtrack along the links from there if I wanted. ? ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-week-4/266961/8 "2004-10-01T16:26:17Z")
Hey **Omni, Hal, duffer** where are you guys? Oh and anyone else too. ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-week-4/266961/9 "2004-10-01T16:27:54Z")
Good ideal [b[divemaster\*\* let me try and find them. ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-week-4/266961/10 "2004-10-01T16:33:59Z")
Done. [Week 1](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=275336) [Week 2](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=276441) [Week 3](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=277492) ---
**Author:** ![AndyPolley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@AndyPolley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndyPolley)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-week-4/266961/11 "2004-10-01T18:24:26Z")
> [@Stuffy](#): > > Hey **Omni, Hal, duffer** where are you guys? Oh and anyone else too. I’ll consider myself an anyone else 😉 But my picks were left at home, where my computer is under repair. I’m at work, clockwatching. I’ll get em’ up by tommorrow. Since I don’t have my complete list of picks handy, but I still want to play, I’ll give my insane upset special of the week. **San Diego over Tennessee** Last week I took Detroit over Philly, much to my regret, but I feel a little better about this one. I’ll discuss further with the rest of my picks. ---
**Author:** ![divemaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/divemaster/32/78_2.png) [@divemaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/divemaster)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-week-4/266961/12 "2004-10-01T18:40:28Z")
> [@Stuffy](#): > > Done. > > [Week 1](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=275336) > > [Week 2](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=276441) > > [Week 3](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=277492) Thanks! You’re good people. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-week-4/266961/13 "2004-10-01T18:56:09Z")
Ok…ok…here I am. And here we go: Sunday **NY Giants @ Green Bay** What’s this? My beloved Giants starting out 2-1?? Who’d-a thunk it? Oh…wait, that’s right…they started out 2-1 last year too. No matter, though. With the exception of Week 1, last year was ugly even in wins. This year is looking much, much sweeter for Big Blue. They’re leading the league in takeaways, and Favre’s habit of tossing up prayers when under pressure should translate into even more pick-offs. It won’t be an easy win, but the Giants’ll take this one on their road to “Surprise Playoff Team of the Year”. **Philly @ Chicago** Prediction: Philly _will_ collapse this year, going on a long (6+ game) losing streak. Prediction: It won’t begin with Chicago. No Green Bay surprise here. Philly in a walk. **Washington @ Cleveland** I wonder if the pre-game coach’s conversation will deal with coping with getting pantsed by the Giants?. Well, both are performing terribly, but the 'Skins less so. Should be an easy Washington win. **New England at Buffalo** The Pats got schooled here last year, 31-zip, IIRC. But no, not gonna see a repeat of that one. New England will walk through this and set their sight’s on next week’s potential record-setting game against (appropriately enough) Miami. **Oakland @ Houston** The '04 Raiders are much closer to the '02 Raiders rather than the '03 Raiders. Loosing Gannon will wind up being the best thing that could’ve happened to them all year. Look for the D-line to get to Carr early and often, but possibly not often enough. Oakland in a squeeker. **Indianapolis @ Jacksonville** Ok…I gotta go to a meeting in 5 minutes, so I gotta step this up. 🙂 I may be off base here, but I think the Jags will contain Manning. Jacksonville by 4. **Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh** Steelers in a low-scoring shutout or near-shutout. **Atlanta @ Carolina** Vick has a monster game, leading the Falcons to cream the Panthers. **New Orleans @ Arizona** Saints in a 4th quarter comeback win. **NY Jets @ Miami** Fricking sell-out Dolphin “fans” are unloading their tickets by the truckload, and they’re being bought up by N.Y. fans who retired to Florida. Consequently, Pro Player Stadium will be filled with green and white. As much as I hate them, I gotta give this one to the J-E-T-S. **Denver @ Tampa Bay** Geez, could the Bucs look any worse? Denver in a walk. **Tennessee @ San Diego** Tomlinson has his breakout game, running past the Titans like never before. Chargers eek one out… **St. Louis @ San Francisco Favorite: St. Louis, 3 ½, 44** In pre-season, I called the Niners as having two, maybe three wins this year. They’ll luck out and pick up one of them here. Monday Night **Kansas City @ Baltimore** ABC execs must be crying, having to air this dog. The Chiefs are nothing short of pathetic this year. The Ravens are gonna destroy 'em. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-week-4/266961/14 "2004-10-01T20:37:21Z")
Hey, where’s SuperM0nk? He had such an excellent prediction last week: > [@SuperM0nk](#): > > The Ravens in Cincinatti would normally be a gimmie (Ravens, of coarse), if it > wasn’t for the Week 1 disaster in Cleveland. You know, the game where the Browns, who have virtually no offence, put 20 on the board while holding the Raven’s to 3 points. With Todd Heap out this week, the Raven’s No.1 receiver, the workload on offence will be on Jamal’s shoulders. An inexperienced QB in Boller, along with zero targets for him, suddenly make Cincinatti’s already-above-average offence look that much better. I mean, Rudi Johnson fills Dillon’s shoes just fine, and throw in Pro-Bowler Chad Johnson with Heisman Trophy winner QB Carson Palmer…it’s an easy decision. Factor in the homecrowd, and you have yourself a sure victory for the Bengals. I wanna know what’s going to happen this week! 😃 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-week-4/266961/15 "2004-10-01T22:31:07Z")
> [@Weirddave](#): > > Hey, where’s SuperM0nk? He had such an excellent prediction last week: > > I wanna know what’s going to happen this week! > > 😃 😃 Hey c’mon, the guy can’t even spell Cincinnati. What’d ya expect. My picks the first week sucked so bad and the Bucs have played even worse, so I’m reduced to: whoever everyone else says is going to win will win. Ravens in a walk. ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2004, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-week-4/266961/16 "2004-10-02T20:26:41Z")
I’m BUMPING this to see if we get anymore prognosticators. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2004, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-week-4/266961/17 "2004-10-02T21:34:04Z")
Ignoring my ignorance and picking anyway, but just against the spread for laziness sakes… Sunday **New York @ Green Bay Favorite: Green Bay, 7, 44** Giants **Philly @ Chicago Favorite: Philly, 9, 40** Philly **Washington @ Cleveland Favorite: Washington, 3, 35** Cleveland no, wait, Washington if Portis isn’t hurt or something **New England shuffling off to Buffalo Favorite New England, 5 ½, 35** Patriots **Oakland @ Houston Favorite: Oakland, 2 ½, 42** Houston **Indianapolis @ Jacksonville Favorite Indy, 4, 42** Jags in the upset. **Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh Favorite Pittsburgh, 4, 39** I seem to recall the Bengals playing well against Pittsburgh lately. I’m probably wrong. **Atlanta @ Carolina Favorite Carolina 3 ½, 39** Let’s say the Falcons, just because Carolina has been floundering. **New Orleans @ Arizona Favorite New Orleans 3 ½, 40** Saints **New Jersey Jets @ Miami Favorite Jets 6, 37** J-E-T-S **Denver @ Tampa Bay Favorite Denver, 3, 35** The Shanahans in a walk. **Tennessee @ San Diego Favorite Tennessee, 3, 41** McNair’s hurt, but not dead, which always works out well for the Titans. **St. Louis @ San Francisco Favorite St. Louis, 3 ½, 44** Rams Monday Night **Kansas City @ Baltimore Favorite Baltimore, 5 ½, 41 ½** J. Lewis in a plea bargain. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-week-4/266961/18 "2004-10-04T04:39:32Z")
Well, I may have only gone 7-6 this week (so far), but I must say one thing: \*\*\*WOOHOO! The Giants beat the Packers at Lambeau!! 3-1, baby!! 😃 \*\* \* ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-week-4/266961/19 "2004-10-04T11:25:00Z")
Summing up how I did… Giants 1-0 Philly 2-0 Cleveland no, wait, Washington if Portis isn’t hurt or something 2-1 (shoulda gone with my first instinct) Patriots 3-1 Houston 4-1 Jags in the upset. 4-2 I seem to recall the Bengals playing well against Pittsburgh lately. I’m probably wrong. 4-3 (I was right about being wrong 🙂 ) Let’s say the Falcons, just because Carolina has been floundering. 5-3 Saints 5-4 J-E-T-S 6-4 The Shanahans in a walk. Push McNair’s hurt, but not dead, which always works out well for the Titans. McNair didn’t play, which screwed my theory 6-5 Rams 7-5 Okay, 7-5 against the spread with a game to go. Not brilliant, but at least not miserable.