NFL Picks: 2014 Week Number Four

Sep 14, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; NFL logo on the field during the first half between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and St. Louis Rams at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Week four of the NFL season is here. One quarter of the NFL season is coming up and the season is starting to take shape. The elite NFL teams are the elite teams, and the balance of the teams start to jockey for position within their divisions. With it, comes our week four NFL picks.

Last week was a good one, as we went 3-0, running our season record to 5-4. Hopefully this week will be just as good. Turn the page and we get started.

Sep 22, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) warms up before the game against the New York Jet at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Game one. The Green Bay Packers head to Soldier Field to take on the Bears. The Packers head into this one as 1.5 point favorites on the road. Aaron Rodgers has reason to seek redemption this week, being held to a mere seven points by the Lions. The Bears held off a late surge by the Jets to win 27-19 last Monday night.

For me it comes down to this: the Jets were able to score on the Packers. For a time, they were able to score quite easily. The Lions figured out how to stop the Packers and the Aaron Rodgers offense. The Packers are a good team, don’t get me wrong. But, they are not a juggernaut anymore, they have been figured out. Take the Bears and the points in this one.

Sep 21, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Houston Texans running back Alfred Blue (28) rushes the ball during the first quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Game two is in Houston. The Texans play host to the Buffalo Bills. The Texans have been installed as field goal favorites here. Arian Foster is day-to-day, per the most recent update from the Texans as of the writing of this post. Both teams enter this one with a 2-1 record, and both lost last week, the Texans to the Giants, and the Bills to the Chargers.

Simply put, the Texans have been better at home. In their one home game, they held the Redskins to six points. Even if Arian Foster can’t go, Alfred Blue will be fine. Take the Texans and the points.

Sep 21, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) is pressured by New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Junior Galette (93) and defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) during the second half of a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Vikings 20-9. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Game three of our NFL picks comes from Minnesota. It’s Teddy time as the Vikings play host to the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons come to town as the three point favorites. It’s Teddy time as Matt Cassel has been placed on injured reserve, paving the way for Teddy Bridgewater to start.

This one is clear to me as well. The Falcons, starring Matt Ryan, are flying high, scoring 31 points per game. The Vikings are not, with a rookie quarterback, and their running back eliminated until further notice. Take the Falcons and the points.

There you have it, the NFL picks for week 4:

Bears +1.5 Texans -3 Falcons -3