Durkin: Week 4 NFL Picks
By Dan Durkin--
(CBS) The NFL season will be a quarter complete after this weekend, and team identities are starting to come through.
My Week 4 predictions got off on the right foot, with my 23-20 prediction of the Ravens over the Steelers, a game in which the Ravens won 24-20 in overtime.
Here's my take on how the rest of this weekend's action will play out.
(Home team in all CAPS)
JETS 23, Dolphins 17 (in London) -- 8:30 a.m
If the NFL wants their product to take off in Europe, it needs to send better teams. I digress. The Jets defense will dominate the disappointing Dolphins and turn up the heat on Joe Philbin's seat.
COLTS 27, Jaguars 16 -- noon
Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (shoulder) is questionable, just as his team has been all season. If Luck goes, the Coltd should take care of business against an inferior Jaguars team. If it's Matt Hasselbeck under center, the Jags have a shot.
FALCONS 28, Texans 20 -- noon
The Falcons offensive line has been surprisingly stout to start the season but faces a stiffer challenge against the Texans. Nonetheless, Matt Ryan-to-Julio Jones has been Atlanta's recipe for success, and there will be more of it as they go to 4-0.
Panthers 30, BUCS 20 -- noon
Two former top overall quarterbacks square off in Tampa Bay. The 3-0 Panthers are doing it with defense. They'll make the Bucs one-dimensional and put the game into Jameis Winston's hands. He won't deliver, as the Panthers get to 4-0 for the first time since 2003.
BILLS 27, Giants 23 -- noon
It's the battle for New York in Buffalo. Eli Manning has yet to throw an interception this season, but I have a feeling that streak comes to an end this weekend against an aggressive an opportunistic Bills defense.
BEARS 27, Raiders 24 -- noon
I have a feeling Jay Cutler will play in this game and am basing this prediction off that. But how effective will he be? More than Jimmy Clausen, that's for sure. The Raiders' pass rush and offense are legit, but their defense is vulnerable.
Eagles 23, REDSKINS 20 -- noon
The Eagles offense was expected to be explosive this season. It's been anything but that through three weeks, ranking 31st in yardage and 21st in points. However, the difference in this game will be the giving ways of Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins.
BENGALS 34, Chiefs 20 -- noon
The Chiefs are reeling, while the Bengals are making a case as the second-best team in the AFC. Andy Dalton and A.J. Green will carve up the Chiefs' helpless secondary.
CHARGERS 27, Browns 17 -- 3:05 p.m.
The Chargers' offense is moving the football as well as any team in the league, but they're also giving it away as well. Look for the Chargers to establish their ground game against a Browns defense that's giving up 158 yards a game.
Packers 37, 49ERS 14 -- 3:25 p.m.
These two teams are at complete opposite ends of the NFC spectrum. The 49ers' secondary doesn't stand a chance against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers' potent passing attack.
BRONCOS 24, Vikings 17 -- 3:25 p.m.
The Broncos are doing it with defense this season, and that trend will continue against the Vikings. The Broncos' offensive line will struggle against the Vikings' front four, so look for quick throws to the perimeter to beat a shaky Minnesota secondary.
CARDINALS 27, Rams 20 -- 3:25 p.m.
The Cardinals' high-flying offense gets its first true test of the season. After facing three dreadful defenses, their leaky offensive line squares off against the league's best defensive line. This should be one of the weekend's most competitive games.
Cowboys 24, SAINTS 20 -- 7:30 p.m.
With Tony's Romo injured and Drew Brees iffy, this certainly isn't the quarterback matchup the Sunday Night Football crew had in mind for this game. Nonetheless, the Cowboys' diverse backfield will carry them against the Saints.
SEAHAWKS 30, Lions 14 -- 7:30 p.m. Monday night
The Seahawks picked up their first win of the season last week and will start to stack them up. The Lions offense is predictable, careless with the ball and out of sync, which are bad traits to have in a road game at Seattle.
Season record through Week 3: 30-18 (Last week: 14-2)
Dan Durkin covers the Bears for CBSChicago.com and is a frequent contributor to 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter at @djdurkin.
