Week 4 2007 NFL Picks and Podcast

We’re almost through a quarter of the NFL season. Can you believe it? We’ve got some byes this week so you there’s less ways to win (or lose) your money in week 4. Last week, RJ and Ryan both went 11-5 while Trevor and Vin went 10-6. More importantly, everyone got their Lock correct. Hope you made a few bucks off that.

The featured games this week are Seahawks @ Niners, Broncos @ Colts, Eagles @ Giants, and the Patriots at the Bengals. You can download the podcast directly (running time 50 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.

NFL Week 4 2007 Picks

Locks of the Week

[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: You know what’s sad? The Chicago Bears. After getting to the Super Bowl, they lose two out of their first three and are two games behind the Packers (?!). On top of that, their QB sucks. But I guess that was apparent last season too. But the worst part is that they are only giving three points to the Detroit Lions. The Detroit Lions!

I’ve read all the injury reports (Nathan Vasser and Charles Tillman both out) and it seems like the Bears defense won’t be able to keep up with the Lions 4 WR attack but that’s only if they can’t get to Kitna first. Kitna has been throwing up huge numbers but he is prone to turn the ball over (4 INTs and 2 fumbles) and the Bears are masters of creating takeaways. It’s not as if the Lions won’t score. They certainly will. But the Bears, behind Brian Griese, will be able to put enough points to keep pace. And special teams and defense will provide some of the scoring too. The Lions couldn’t stop the Eagles on a long field. Imagine the Bears offense going to work on a short field. I see something like a 31-24 game and I’ll put $55 on the Bears (-3) to win $50. (Balance = $985)

BostonMac: I can’t believe I am going to pull the trigger on this, but after hitting on my first three locks of the season, I’m going to roll the dice. I like what Lane Kiffin and the Oakland A’s are doing. Granted, last week they only beat the Browns, but in the NFL, a win is a win, and the Dolphins have yet to show that they can rack one up. Miami just flat-out sucks; in the past few years, they could rely on their defense to keep them in games and give their dicey offense a chance to pull something out. Now even their defense can’t stop anybody, not even Kellen Clemens and the mediocre-at-best New York Jetropolitans. Throw in the Culpepper revenge factor (assuming he plays QB) and we have the makings of a mini-upset here. A winless team shouldn’t be legally allowed to give more than a field goal, even at home against the Raiders. I’m going to put $55 to win $50 on OAKLAND (+4) over Miami. (Balance = $1200)

Trevor F: First off, I would like to once again thank the people in Las Vegas for
their continued undervaluing of the Tennessee Titans. Outstanding work
gentleman. Way to provide solid proof that the house can be beaten on a
regular basis. I would also like to thank the Tennessee Titans and
especially Vince Young for their continued efforts over the last two
seasons. When I get some time, I’m going to write a nice fluff piece.
Wracking up a 12-2 record and winning 9 out of your last ten against the
spread is no small feat. In my humble opinion, you have already done
enough to clinch a Team of The Year ESPY nomination.

With the Titans off the board, I am going to pull the trigger on my
beloved 49ers. I cannot believe we are getting 2 points right now at home
against Seattle. This is a pure reputation number being given to Seattle.
The 49ers win this game convincingly and bounceback from their loss
against Pittsburgh. The score in the Steeler game makes it look like a
blowout, however anybody who watched the game saw a 49er team that
competed with one of the AFC’s best for 3 quarters before falling apart in
the fourth. I will put $55 on the Niners (+2) to win $50. (Balance = $1150)

RJ Warner: Talk about storylines: Jay Cutler makes his triumphant return to Indiana, where he grew up and actually won a state championship game in the RCA Dome! How about Brandon Stokley’s return to Indy to prove that the Colts made a huge mistake in letting him walk? It’s a battle of former SEC quarterbacks! No, the real story, of course, is no. 18 for the Colts. Peyton Manning always feels right at home against the Broncos, and he will be this week. In five games, he has thrown 12 TD passes, with a completion rate of over 75 percent and a passer rating of 140. The Broncos could easily be 0-3 heading into the RCA Dome, but a few lucky breaks actually have them in first place in the AFC West. It won’t last long, with games against the Colts, Chargers, Steelers and Packers coming up. Denver’s trouble against the run doesn’t help either. If they stack the line, then Manning can….well, you know what will happen. Pick your poison, Shanahan. I pick the Colts (-9.5) in a yuk-fest for $55.
(Balance = $1045)