Week Four is the start of the bye weeks, as the Colts and Steelers take the week off.  The rest of the league is back at it here in the early stages of another fascinating NFL season.

Thursday Night

 Cleveland (1-2) at BALTIMORE (1-2) – Vegas: Ravens -1
This is the fourth game in an absolutely brutal stretch to start the season for the Ravens.  They just hosted New England on Sunday night, after getting Cincy and Philly in 6 days to start the year.  But, it is the Browns at home on a Thursday night.  If the game was on the road or against someone better, I would think they could be pretty vulnerable here, but they should beat the Browns at home.  Ravens (moderate)

Sunday, Early Afternoon

Carolina (1-2) at ATLANTA (1-2) – Vegas: Falcons -4.5
The Falcons are just coming back from a trip out West last week, while the Panthers have 10 days to prepare for this one.  I might take Carolina and the points, but, as for the game, I think the Falcons are just the better team.  Falcons (close)

New England (3-0) at BUFFALO (2-1) – Vegas: Patriots -5.5
This could be one of the biggest games in Ralph Wilson Stadium in a decade, especially if the Bills could enter this game at 3-0.  We have them at 2-1, but still immensely fired up for this one.  The Pats are coming off a physical Sunday Night game in Baltimore and are awaiting the return of Peyton Manning next week.  I think this is a trap game for the Pats and will take a big upset here.  Bills (close)

Minnesota (2-1) at DETROIT (1-2) – Vegas: Lions -9
Records aside, the Lions are the better team and are at home.  Lions (easy)

San Diego (3-0) at KANSAS CITY (1-2) – Vegas: Chargers -1
We all know how tough it is to win a game in Arrowhead.  Add on the West Coast team at 1:00 factor, and I like the Chiefs to get a big win here.  Chiefs (moderate)

Seattle (1-2) at ST LOUIS (1-2) – Vegas: Seahawks -1
Another West Coast team at 1:00 coupled with the fact that the Seahawks are on a short week, after playing the Monday Night game.  This is one of those “schedule wins” for the Rams.  Rams (moderate)

San Francisco (2-1) at N.Y. JETS (0-3) – Vegas: Jets -1
A third straight game with a West Coast team coming east for the early game.  I don’t mean to overrate this phenomenon, it just so happens that I think all three road teams here are vulnerable.  The Jets come into this game 0-3 and desperate.  Plus, the big problem for the Jets this year is going to be their offense, so they will be used to play 13-9 kind of games.  Whether it’s Sanchez or Tebow, by this point, the Jets should get on the board here.  Jets (close)

Tennessee (1-2) at HOUSTON (3-0) – Vegas: Texans -7.5
It’s always hard for teams after a trip to Denver the week prior, but the Texans are just a far better team than Tennessee and should beat them at home.  Texans (easy)

Sunday, Late Afternoon

Cincinnati (2-1) at JACKSONVILLE (1-2) – Vegas: Bengals -2.5
The Jags are one of the hardest teams to figure out before the season starts because (a) we don’t know if MJD is even going to play and (b) we don’t know if Blaine Gabbert is even competent at QB.  And, this is one of those games that could be swung by a full, healthy Jax team.  But, in the end, I just don’t see it turning out all that well, so I am going to go with the Bengals here, with full caveats…  Bengals (close)

Miami (2-1) at ARIZONA (1-2) – Vegas: Cardinals -2.5
I actually think that the Dolphins are the better team on a neutral field, and, while the Cardinals home games are the closest thing in the NFL to “neutral,” there still is a homefield advantage, especially when a team travels 3,000 miles to get there.  Cardinals (close)

Oakland (0-3) at DENVER (0-3) – Vegas: Broncos -7
Finally.  It looks like Peyton Manning will be able to get his first win…just in time for a trip to Foxborough.  Broncos (easy)

New Orleans (3-0) at GREEN BAY (3-0) – Vegas: Packers -7
One of the best games of the early season so far could be as entertaining as football can be.  I like the Saints a lot more than many people this year, and they are getting the Pack at just the right time – coming off of a Monday Night game in Seattle.  BUT…I still think that the Packers can eek this one out at home.  That being said, I would definitely take the Saints and the touchdown.  Packers (close)

Washington (0-3) at TAMPA BAY (1-2) – Vegas: Bucs -1
Am I crazy to think that the Bucs aren’t going to be that bad this year?  I actually think they might be the better team in this game, so there is no reason not to pick them to win at home.  Bucs (close)

Sunday Night

N.Y. Giants (2-1) at PHILADELPHIA (3-0) – Vegas: Eagles -4.5
Absolultely HUGE early season game in the NFC East here in prime time.  The schedule-makers did the Giants are really nice favor here, giving them 10 days to prepare for this game, while sending the Birds out to the West Coast the week before.  As good as Michael Vick and company play in prime time, I am going to disappoint some of the BSB supporters (and myself) and pick the road ‘dog in this one.  Giants (close)

Monday Night

Chicago (2-1) at DALLAS (1-2) – Vegas: Cowboys -3
I think the Cowboys might struggle this year.  Their o-line is awful, and their weapons are fragile.  And, I like the Bears this year.  I think Cutler is due for a big year, and he has his safety blanket back.  But, with all that said, the Cowboys, at home on Monday Night, with the bye week upcoming (favor from the schedule-makers there), I think they can pull this one out in a really tough spot.  Cowboys (close)

Standings After Week Four

NFC EAST:
A HUGE win for the New York Football Giants over the Eagles, giving them the first head-to-head matchup and the outright lead in the division
3-1 Giants
3-1 Eagles
2-2 Cowboys
0-4 Redskins

NFC NORTH:
Green Bay continues to roll, beating a good Saints team, while the rest of the division is all 2 games back
4-0 Packers
2-2 Bears
2-2 Lions
2-2 Vikings

NFC SOUTH:
The Saints lose and drop a game to both Atlanta and Tampa
3-1 Saints
2-2 Bucs
2-2 Falcons
1-3 Panthers

NFC WEST:
The Niners come back to the pack in a three-way tie, though none of the three leaders have played each other yet
2-2 49ers
2-2 Cardinals
2-2 Rams
1-3 Seahawks

AFC EAST:
A gigantic win for the Bills over New England puts them in first place; the Jets are off the schneid
3-1 Bills
3-1 Patriots
2-2 Dolphins
1-3 Jets

AFC NORTH:
Pittsburgh enjoys their early bye week and remains undefeated, though they do lose a half-game to both Cincy and Baltimore
3-0 Steelers
3-1 Bengals
2-2 Ravens
1-3 Browns

AFC SOUTH:
Houston gets the only win in the division and now has a 3-game lead
4-0 Texans
1-3 Jaguars
1-3 Titans
0-3 Colts

AFC WEST:
And, just like that, the Chargers big lead in the division gets a lot smaller, as the Chiefs get a big win in Arrowhead; the Broncos also win a division game
3-1 Chargers
2-2 Chiefs
1-3 Broncos
0-4 Raiders