Wow! Week four proved to be a very difficult and unpredictable week for hognosticating and ended up the worst week of results in the history of our competition. Only ten of the total fifty-four hognosticators picked over .500. Nine favorites lost including shockers in Detroit, San Diego and Phoenix. Congratulations to the ten hognosticators that did do well during such a difficult week.
Even more difficult to endure for Redskin fans is the early two-week bye period. Hopefully the rest benefits the injured and revitalizes the Skins after the demoralizing loss to the Giants. Nothing short of a victory over the surging Lions will re-energize Redskin fans and awake us from this lengthy and uncomfortable stupor. Thank your lucky stars you’re not smack-dab in the middle of Cowpuke-country right now; it’s nauseating.
Cleveland at New England:
The Browns are playing better and have the lowly Dolphins and Rams to look forward to after they’re brought back down to earth by the Pats this week.
Pick – Patriots
Seattle at Pittsburgh:
This should be a close one, but favor Pittsburgh at home, coming off a loss with a better defense and rushing attack. The Seahawks have taken 4 of the last 5 regular season match-ups against the Steelers, but Pittsburgh won the post-season game that mattered most in Super Bowl XL (2006).
Pick – Steelers
Carolina at New Orleans:
Things are not going to get any easier for Drew Brees and Reggie Bush without McAllister – not that the Saint rushing game was effective with him. Bush should get plenty of carries this week and somehow the Saints will find a way to get a win over the Panthers, assuming David Carr is at the helm. Both of these teams have looked just awful.
Pick – Saints
Detroit at Washington:
The high-flying Lions will test the Redskin’s secondary. Hopefully the bye week allowed for much extra film study of the Eagles and Bears games, which showed both sides of Detroit’s persona. Without Moss, someone else on the Redskin offense is going to have to step up. A huge game of rushing the ball by Portis and/or Betts, keeping the Lion offense on the sideline, would be just what the doctor ordered. The Lions have taken 2 of the last 3 against the Skins, but Gibbs has never lost to Detroit (11-0).
Pick – Redskins
New York Jets at New York Giants:
These inner-city rivals haven’t met for almost four years. In that meeting, the Jets lost on an overtime field goal despite 4 TD passes from Pennington. It’ll be interesting to see if the Jets can protect the fragile one against the surging Giant pass rush.
Pick – Giants
Miami at Houston:
This is a tough game to pick. If the Texans were healthy with their top three receivers and running back, it would be much easier. Kubiak cannot allow the Texans to suffer a second straight embarrassing loss to a winless team. Look for the Texan defense to step up and carry their injury-plagued offense.
Pick – Texans
Atlanta at Tennessee:
A home loss to the 1-3 Falcons would be a major setback for the Titans, who are coming off a bye and should be rested and focused. Coach Fisher will make sure of both and is 12-1 lifetime against NFC South opponents.
Pick – Titans
Jacksonville at Kansas City:
Neither of these teams has been able to make strides offensively this season. The question here is, can the Chiefs and Larry Johnson run all over the Jags as the Titans did in week one. Surprisingly, the Chiefs defense is ranked third in the AFC, just ahead of the Jaguars. Damon Huard is undefeated at home as a starter, until Sunday.
Pick – Jaguars
Arizona at St. Louis:
The Rams suffered yet another offensive line injury last week (T – Adam Goldberg, MCL tear). As bad as the Rams offense has been, their defense hasn’t fared much better, currently ranking 29th in the League against the rush. Look for the Edge to have a big game.
Pick – Cardinals
Tampa Bay at Indianapolis:
The potential of Indy holding out Marvin Harrison could make this game a bit closer considering the way Tampa’s defense has played early this season, but the Colts should prevail at home.
Pick – Colts
San Diego at Denver:
This is a huge game for both these teams. The Broncos look to avoid dropping a third straight, while the Chargers, unbelievably, look to avoid dropping their fourth. Look for Selvin Young to fill in admirably for Travis Henry in the Broncos rushing machine, and for Shanahan to continue his coaching dominance over Norv ‘I never should have taken this job’ Turner.
Pick – Broncos
Baltimore at San Francisco:
The Raisins won’t take the 49ers lightly like they did the Browns last week, despite the 49ers touting the distinction of the League’s worst offense. San Francisco is averaging a paltry 213 yards per game offensively, only 118 per game through the air. And now, Alex Smith is out for at least a week with a separated shoulder, to be replaced by Trent Dilfer. Who knew he was still playing?
Pick – Raisins
Chicago at Green Bay:
Problems are mounting for the Bears, when their defense, injured or not, gives up an NFL record 34 points in the fourth quarter to the Lions. The Pack must keep Devin Hester under wraps. If they do, look for Favre to pick on the depleted Chicago secondary and outscore the struggling Bear offense. Amazingly, the Packers are last in the League in rushing, averaging just 54 yards per game, yet make it to 5-0 and hold two game lead in their division after Sunday.
Pick – Packers
Dallas at Buffalo:
Buffalo statistically is dead last in the AFC on both offense and defense. Once again, piss poor scheduling by the League and ESPN for MNF, as the Pukes continue to fatten up their record on cupcake opponents.
Pick – Pukes
– Frank Hastings
Last Week: 5-9
Season: 40-22
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Frank Hastings