The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

rwells@tribunemedia.net

MY prediction last week was better than weeks one and two combined, calling 14 of last week’s 16 games correctly.

Week four is now upon us: this is where the contenders and pretenders begin to separate. I only play for championships, so here we go!

Baltimore Ravens (0-3) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1)

The toughest aspects of this game to gauge is the intensity and the desperation of both teams. Despite the records on each side, both teams are playing to prove doubters wrong. Ravens are out to show that their winless record is just that, a record. Meanwhile the Steelers are in a “Win one for Ben” mode. Reality is, this game is always tough, physical and hard hitting. The winner in this match-up is usually the team that is more desperate and intense.

Ravens

New York Jets (2-1) @ Miami Dolphins (1-2)

Miami is reeling after last week’s debacle against the Bills. The Jets are still trying to figure out what sputtered their defence against the Eagles. I think both offences start out slow this weekend in London and this game comes down to the defences.

Jets

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2) @ Indianapolis Colts (1-2)

Andrew Luck showed up for three of the four quarters in last week’s game. I think he plans to show up for the entire game this week. The Jaguars are bad team, but a bad team that can put up some points. Luck needs a get right game and I think this is it.

Colts

New York Giants (1-2) @ Buffalo Bills (2-1)

This match-up is probably the most intriguing of the weekend. The Giants have a weird habit of playing to their opponents. Against tough teams we see top-level plays by Eli’s boys, but against mid-level to lower-level talent, Eli tends to look lost. Bills are certainly a top tier team, so with that said I expect Eli to show up. The game is in Buffalo, the Bills’ third home game of the year. Teams (all except my Pats) struggle against the noise. Eli will this week.

Bills

Carolina Panthers (3-0) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-2)

So Cam doesn’t get calls because he is young. In this weekend’s match-up against the Bucs he is the more seasoned quarterback. For that I will give him the nod in Tampa.

Panthers

Philadelphia Eagles (1-2) @ Washington Redskins (1-2)

The Eagles bounced back in a big way last weekend. Their win opened up the door for them to climb out of the NFC East basement and compete for a division title this year. They keep that momentum rolling.

Eagles

Oakland Raiders (2-1) @ Chicago Bears (0-3)

I see what you are trying to do here NFL. You kept the Chargers east for two consecutive weeks and they got blasted in their second game so you set the Raiders up in the same scheme. Good try, but the Carr/Cooper tandem are better than that. The Raiders are for real.

Raiders

Houston Texans (1-2) @ Atlanta Falcons (3-0)

In my weekly why waste time segment ...

Falcons

Kansas City Chiefs (1-2) @ Cincinnati Bengals(3-0)

How do you follow up getting schooled by Aaron Rodgers in a Monday Night Football game? You lobby not to play Andy Dalton and the red-hot Bengals. I think Andy Reid tried and got laughed at by the NFL lead office.

Bengals

Cleveland Browns (1-2) @ San Diego Chargers (1-2)

There was some talk about Johnny making an appearance on Sunday. But its just talk. The Chargers are one of those teams that aren’t convincing winners, but they aren’t pushover losers. Strangely enough they show up against tough teams, but mail it in against teams that they are suppose to beat. They will struggle this week against the Browns … Philip will make it look tough at times but because they are at home they manage to pull it out.

Chargers

Green Bay Packers (3-0) @ San Francisco 49ers

Did you know that Colin Kaepernick has never lost to the Packers. In fact, he has always had career days against the cheese heads of Wisconsin. This game is at the Levi Stadium, home of this year’s Superbowl. A-Rod (the football version) has a chance to feel out the stadium he hopes to celebrate in come early February. The Niners are going to get punished this week at home.

Packers

St Louis Rams (1-2) @ Arizona Cardinals (3-0)

One doesn’t simply go to Arizona and beat the Cardinals.

Cardinals

Minnesota Vikings (2-1) @ Denver Broncos (3-0)

There is a joke that goes “a man went into Denver and ran for miles”. It never made me laugh because I always knew that man was going to be Adrian Peterson. The Vikings have one hope this weekend, and I think they are smart enough to know that Adrian Peterson is their only chance to compete in this game. They will give him the rock and he will carry them.

Vikings

Dallas Cowboys(2-1) @ New Orleans Saints (0-3)

The Cowboys managed to look good in their loss to the Falcons last week. That defensive unit produced and that offensive line showed up. I expect those two units to perform the way the usually do in New Orleans this weekend.

Cowboys

Detroit Lions (0-3) @ Seattle Seahawks (1-2)

The Lions are done. The schedule gods have not been kind to them. It gets worse this weekend as the Seahawks work to get back to .500 football.

Seahawks

Teams on bye: Tennessee Titans (1-2) , New England Patriots (3-0).