Week four is here and with it comes bye weeks. Grr. Here are the storylines to look for this weekend.
(0-3) San Francisco 49ers at
(2-1) Atlanta Falcons
They've fired their offensive coordinator, but that won't help the struggling Niners this week in Atlanta. The Falcons proved to be a legitimate contender by beating New Orleans last week in overtime and now Matt Ryan can take advantage of a defense that isn't playing with the intensity of their head coach. I expect to see the Falcons win and win big.
(2-1) Seattle Seahawks at
(1-2) St. Louis Rams
As bad as Seattle has been on the road the past few years, this is a game they should win. Still, the Rams aren't a locked-in blow-out anymore now that Sam Bradford is at quarterback. If Seattle can get to 3-1, they can run the NFC West for the rest of the year by simply going .500. These early wins could make all the difference in getting to the playoffs.
(0-3) Detroit Lions at
(2-1) Green Bay Packers
I didn't put this game in because I think it's going to be dramatic. I listed it so if you wanted to relax and watch a no-mercy pounding, you'd know to tune in to this one. The Packers are going to be angry after their Monday night loss in Chicago and will look to take it out on the Lions. They won't commit another 18 penalties this week, that's for sure. Fantasy owners, Aaron Rodgers is your best friend this week against a severely lacking Lions secondary.
(2-1) Baltimore Ravens at
(3-0) Pittsburgh Steelers
Yep, they're 3-0 without Ben Roethlisberger. I still can't believe it. They'll get their final test today from the Ravens, who won't be able to live with losing to their division rival that's missing their star. Pittsburgh's defense is head and shoulders the best in the NFL right now, but their offense might not be explosive enough to take advantage of the Ravens' secondary. Charlie Batch is going to throw some picks today, I promise you.
(1-2) Washington Redskins at
(2-1) Philadelphia Eagles
McNabb returns to Philly this week, only to see Michael Vick filling the role he left behind. Vick is essentially a younger, faster McNabb that is enjoying all the weapons Donovan saw for only one year. In the lacking NFC East, the Eagles could get a jump on the competition this week. The Redskin defense will be the best they've seen since their week one loss to Green Bay, but Vick always causes problems for the opponent. The real test will be if the Eagle defense can keep their former QB in check and expose his weaknesses.
(2-1) New England Patriots at
(2-1) Miami Dolphins
On Monday night the AFC East is on display when the Patriots visit the 'Fins. If Mark Sanchez could have a good day against Miami, Tom Brady shouldn't have any issues at all. If Miami loses two home games to division opponents early they could have to spend a few weeks digging themselves out. Bill Belichick knows that and will use every trick in the book.
