Mattie T’s Week 4 NFL Predictions

Justice League Update!

I was once again involved in a nailbiter, but i was able to squeak past Go Gettas with a 47-45 win. Also going to make a few changes for this week, as Dustin Keller & the Eagles’ defense will be inserted into my starting lineup. So far, i’m a 12-point favorite to beat DJ Special Blend’s Inner City Youth team, which would send him to an 0-4 start. I promised not to do a lot of trash talking with him this week, i’ll just let my team do the talking for me. 🙂

Here we go….

Week 3: 12-4

Overall: 29-19 (.604)

49ers/Falcons:

San Francisco has decided to make personnel changes following their embarassing 31-3 loss to Kansas City, as Mike Johnson is set to make his debut as offensive coordinator on Sunday in Atlanta.

The Falcons are flying high after a stunning 27-24 OT win over the Saints, and they have gotten back-to-back strong starts from Matt Ryan (453 pass yards, 5 TD & 0 INT in last 2 weeks).

Unless the 49ers can get their 27th ranked run offense going, then i don’t see them winning this game.

Mattie T’s Pick: Atlanta

Jets/Bills:

Jets are looking stronger after back-to-back big wins over New England & Miami.

Even with C.J. Spiller’s breakout performance (1 receiving touchdown & a 95-yard kickoff touchdown return), the Bills felt short 38-30 to the Patriots in Week 3.

Buffalo’s secondary could be in big trouble Sunday, as Terrence McGee has been ruled out with a knee injury.

Dustin Keller could be the man to watch for the Jets, as he’s delivered back-to-back strong games as well as LaDainian Tomlinson, who has put in some solid work as the Jets’ lead back & could break out this week against the Bills’ 27th ranked run defense.

Mattie T’s Pick: N.Y. Jets

Ravens/Steelers:

Pittsburgh will try to pull off a remarkable 4-0 start on Sunday without Ben Roethlisberger, as Charlie Batch finished with a rating of 100 or higher during Week 3 for the first time since September of 2006.

This should be a game dominated by two strong defenses, but Rashard Mendenhall could have a big performance against Baltimore’s 23rd ranked run defense.

Heinz Field hasn’t been so kind to the Ravens (2-9 career record) there, and i expect for that to continue this weekend.

Mattie T’s Pick: Pittsburgh

Panthers/Saints:

Different quarterback, same result for Carolina as the offense looked lifeless once again during their 20-7 loss to Cincinnati in Week 3.

There could also be a controversy brewing with Jimmy Clausen & Steve Smith, as Smith was seen screaming at the Panthers’ rookie quarterback late into last week’s game.

As for New Orleans, they have their own concerns as Pierre Thomas (ankle) will be a game-time decision for Sunday’s game.

If Thomas can’t go, then 3rd string running back Chris Ivory will get the start against Carolina.

This could be the week DeAngelo Williams goes off, as he seeks his 4th straight 100-yard game against New Orleans. However, Claussen’s inexperience will be shattered by Drew Brees, who figures to have another big game through the air in this one.

Mattie T’s Pick: New Orleans

Broncos/Titans:

Broncos are coming off a head-scratching Week 3 loss to Indianapolis, where they totaled 519 net yards on offense yet only managed 1 offensive touchdown.

This could be the week Tennessee gets their 30th ranked pass offense in order, as they’ll face a Denver secondary that’s been burned in both of their losses to David Garrard & Peyton Manning.

Kyle Orton (2nd in NFL with 1,078 passing yards) will also be tested against the Titans’ 5th ranked pass defense, but i think Tennessee will win in a somewhat close game.

Mattie T’s Pick: Tennessee

Bengals/Browns:

I sense an upset coming in this game, and i’ll tell you why.

Cleveland has suffered three straight close losses by 7 points or fewer, and Carson Palmer hasn’t exactly delivered for Cincinnati with his 71.3 rating, which ranks 22nd among starting quarterbacks.

Peyton Hillis will try to repeat last week’s impressive performance, as he ran for 144 yards & a touchdown during the Browns’ 24-17 loss to the Ravens.

The Bengals’ slow offensive start has even puzzled talkative Chad Ochocinco, who vows not to talk any trash until his team plays better.

I have a feeling Ochocinco won’t have much to say after his team gets upset on Sunday.

Mattie T’s Pick: Cleveland

Lions/Packers:

After committing an uncharacteristic 18 penalties during their Week 3 loss to Chicago, Green Bay looks to get back on track against winless Detroit.

The Packers already have bad blood with Lions safety Louis Delmas, who hit a defenseless Jermichael Finley during last November’s Thanksgiving Day matchup.

That play drew the ire of several Green Bay players which included Aaron Rodgers, as Finley promised to “go after him” during their next meeting.

Brandon Jackson could finally bust loose on Sunday, as he’ll face the same Lions team that he rushed for a career-high 113 yards against in December of 2007.

Packers should roll in this one at Lambeau.

Mattie T’s Pick: Green Bay

Seahawks/Rams:

Rams will try to move into a 1st place tie in the NFC West possibly without Steven Jackson, who injured his groin last week during their Week 3 win over Washington & will be a game-time decision.

If Jackson can’t play, the Rams will suffer as Kenneth Darby hasn’t rushed for over 51 yards in his 4-year career.

For that reason alone, i’m going to go with the Seahawks here.

Mattie T’s Pick: Seattle

Colts/Jaguars:

Could be a rout on Sunday, as a red hot Peyton Manning gets to tee off on Jacksonville’s 29th ranked pass defense.

In order for the Jaguars to have a chance at an upset, they must get better play out of David Garrard. Over the past two weeks, Garrard has combined to throw just 1 touchdown & 5 interceptions.

Garrard says that he’s “unfazed” by the team’s recent signing of Trent Edwards, but he may feel differently if he’s benched during a blowout loss.

Mattie T’s Pick: Indianapolis

Texans/Raiders:

After a disappointing Week 3 loss to Dallas, Houston might be without the services of Andre Johnson on Sunday, who re-aggravated his ankle injury & will be a game-time decision against Oakland.

Arian Foster (leads NFL with 406 rushing yards) will have a chance to shoulder the  load against the Raiders’ 24th ranked run defense.

As for the Raiders, they let one slip away after Sebastian Jankowski’s third different field goal miss cost them a chance at beating Arizona in Week 3.

I think Oakland will be able to move the ball fine here, but their red-zone struggles continue as they’ll drop another close game.

Mattie T’s Pick: Houston

Cardinals/Chargers:

Chargers have to be steaming mad, as they have allowed three special teams touchdowns that have prevented them from a possible 3-0 start.

Instead, they’re at 1-2 & in a must-win game against an Arizona team that won’t have the services of Steve Breaston on Sunday, as he might miss a few games following knee surgery.

San Diego’s slow start cannot be blamed on Philip Rivers, as he leads the NFL with 1,087 passing yards.

I anticipate Ryan Matthews getting his first touchdown against a woeful Cardinals run defense that ranks 31st in the league.

That along with a struggling Derek Anderson should be enough to boost the Chargers to a nice home win.

Mattie T’s Pick: San Diego

Redskins/Eagles:

Game of the week, as Donovan McNabb returns to Lincoln Financial Field for the first time as a visitor since his offseason trade to Washington, as he’ll look to steal a win away from his old Philadelphia team.

Michael Vick may have something to say about that, as he has put together back-to-back outstanding starts since taking the starting job away from Kevin Kolb.

Now he’ll try to post a career-best 3rd consecutive game with a rating of 100 or higher against the Redskins’ NFL worst ranked defense, as their secondary has really struggled so far.

Look out for DeSean Jackson, as he has four career touchdowns (all 35+ yards or more) against Washington.

McNabb’s return to Philly will be spoiled, as Vick has another huge day to put the Eagles in 1st place.

Mattie T’s Pick: Philadelphia

Bears/Giants:

Second straight prime-time game for the Bears following their big 20-17 Week 3 win over Green Bay.

As for the Giants, they seem to be heading in the opposite direction as their offense has only put up 24 combined points in the last 2 games.

They will be without defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka on Sunday, who was tied for second in the NFC with 4 sacks.

Jay Cutler will face a stiff test against the Giants’ 2nd ranked pass defense, but he’ll make just enough plays to keep the Bears unbeaten in the NFC.

Mattie T’s Pick: Chicago

Patriots/Dolphins:

If there’s one place that the Patriots usually struggle at, it’s South Florida.

New England will look to overshadow their inconsistent road play on Monday night, as they’ll visit Miami in another key AFC East matchup.

The Patriots’ struggling defense could have trouble stopping Brandon Marshall, who’s just coming off a 10-catch, 166 yard performance despite the Dolphins’ Week 3 loss to the Jets.

I think this will end up in a shootout, but Stephen Gostkowski’s field goal struggles (has 3 misses so far this season) will cost New England dearly in a close loss.

Mattie T’s Pick: Miami