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2006 NFL Week 4 Picks

By Editor, Section NFL
Posted on Thu Sep 28 2006 at 12:04 PM EST
More on: NFL Picks, gambling (all tags)

Last week we went a combined 33-23, a win percentage of .589. While this a big dropoff since the previous week, it was a tough week all around for pigskin prognosticators -- the ESPN "experts" only went .541. The top scorer for the third straight week was Vegas Vinny going 10-4. We're also going to let the weekly winner of the Sportscolumn pickem contest pick the games as well. Week 3's winner was Jackson with 12 correct and his picks for this week are included below.

The featured games this week are Minnesota @ Buffalo, San Diego @ Baltimore, New England @ Cincinnati, and Seattle @ Chicago. You can download the podcast directly (running time 35 mins) or subscribe to the feed.

If you use iTunes, just click here and then click subscribe and iTunes will take care of the rest.

Week 4 Picks

**The weekly winner from the Sportscolumn Weekly Pickem Contest will be featured as the fifth prognosticator.

Locks of the Week Sponsored by:

[Editor's Note: This year, we're making the Locks of the Week a little more interesting as we have a side bet amongst the four experts. The person with the most money at the end of the year in Locks betting takes home all the money. Disclaimer: The amounts discussed are for illustrative and entertainment purposes only. Gambling may be illegal in your locale.]

Vegas Vinny: Sorry I've been letting you down folks. I've been going against my gut and going with the trends and those trends are biting me in the ass. Chicago was 55-5-2 ATS when winning the game straight up? Well after I put money on them last week, they're 55-6-2. Bastards. Anyway, I'm going trend free this week. I have no idea how Jax has done ATS in the past 5 years or what they're like against the NFC East ATS. What I do like is that the Jaguars are good enough on defense to hold the Colts to 14 points. On the flip side, this line is so low because Mark Brunnel and the Redskins had a big win against the Texans. But remember, it was the Texans. If Peyton can't light up the Jaguars, neither can Mark Brunnel, 22 completions in a row or not. I'll put $55 to win $50 on Jaguars (-3) (Balance = $940)

BostonMac: This marquee matchup of the two best teams in the NFC sees each team coming off a big statement win: the Seahawks completely embarrassed Young Eli and the Giants, while the Bears showed some poise in scoring a late touchdown to beat the Vikings. Chicago’s defense is probably the best in the league; with Shaun Alexander not expected to play, the Seahawks will have to work hard for any points. However, their talented offense will move the ball and will limit the 30-yard fields that have given the Bears offense and their average-at-best QB's much of their success over the past two seasons. The question comes down to, who can win the battle between the mediocre Bears O and the Seattle D? Ken Hamlin and Michael Boulware (each with 2 INT’s this season) made Eli look like Gary Hogeboom; this is the week that Grossman looks like the inexperienced QB that he is. I’m up a little bit after last week’s Green Bay, so I’m taking the points and putting $110 to win $100 on Seattle (+3.5). (Balance = $1045)

Trevor F: I'm taking Minnesota on the road getting one point. I think Minnesota will bounce back from their heartbreaking loss at home to Chicago and beat the Bills. Buffalo just lost at home to the Jets and the Vikings are light years better than the New York Jetropolitans. Look for Chester Taylor to have a nice game on the ground. The Vikings win 17-14. $55 to win $50 on Vikings (+1). (Balance = $1,045)

RJ Warner: I love the Bengals (-6) at home this week over New England. Not just because they beat my Steelers in Pittsburgh, but the way they did it. They played nowhere near their best game and they still pulled it out. That?s what Elite teams do and the Pats know it more than anybody. The Patriots have been giving up way too many big plays this year and Carson Palmer and his recievers love to make big plays, so look for more this week. The line is a little higher than I expected, but it doesn't matter this week. These two teams are going in opposite directions, and Bill the Genius won't be able to coach his way out of this one. The Bengals simply have better players than the Patriots this year. I'll put 55 to win 50 on Cincinnati (-6). (Balance = $990)

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