If you have ever been sucker-punched in the gut, you know exactly how I feel after a dreadful Week 3. The 5-11 performance leaves the one and only Raisin’ Brant at a disappointing, but manageable, 24-22-1 through three weeks.

Week 4 has got it all: quarterback questions (Rams, Chiefs, Browns), injured stars (RB Willie Parker and DE Jason Taylor ruled out for respective divisional matchups), even GM firings (… and fans in Detroit rejoice). With all of that and more playing into the picks, this week is the trickiest one to date.

After watching the Dolphins dismantle the Patriots last week, all bets are off. OK, the bets are still on, but it’s sure not leaving me feeling warm and fuzzy. So, with our bottom line still in the black, it’s time to tackle (lots of pun intended) this week’s docket of games.

Beginning this week, we will be ranking games based on “watch-ability”. Each week, the picks will start with the least desirable game, working down to the five must-see games of the weekend.

13. Cleveland at Cincinnati (-3.5)
After Week 4, an NFL team in Ohio is all-but-guaranteed to have a win as these struggling squads come into the week sharing the same 0-3 mark. Cleveland is sticking with Derek Anderson under center, despite leading only two TD drives in the first three games. If he struggles early against an average Bengals D, head coach Romeo Crennel made it clear he will turn to backup Brady Quinn.

Cincinnati had been struggling offensively, but look to be moving in the right direction after a game effort last week against the New York Giants. Both teams have the talent, but the Bengals appear to have the better chemistry right now.
Pick: Cincinnati -3.5

12. Atlanta at Carolina (-7)
The Falcons are still a long way from being a great, or even consistently good, team, but they are making huge strides. Rookie QB Matt Ryan has played very smart and efficient thus far, which is a much easier task when Michael Turner is standing behind you. Turner is making the most of his first starting gig, rushing for five TDs in the first three games.

While Steve Smith is the ultimate clutch performer, the real key to Carolina’s success is the running back tandem of DeAngelo Williams and rookie Jonathan Stewart. Giving up a full seven points here is tough, but sometimes you’ve got to trust your gut.
Pick: Carolina -7

11. Buffalo (-8) at St. Louis
The Bills narrowly escaped the upset-minded Raiders last week, but remain unbeaten at 3-0. Buffalo’s run defense has vastly improved with the addition of tackle Marcus Stroud, which could spell disaster for the lifeless Rams offense.

With their highest paid player (QB Marc Bulger) now on the bench, not only is St. Louis a terrible team, it is forced to rally behind behind the arm of 38-year old Trent Green, who is in his second stint in the STL. For all you Rams fans, here’s to hoping RB Steven Jackson is able break loose.
Pick: Buffalo -8

10. Denver (-9) at Kansas City
Sure, the Broncos are scoring at will, but eventually the 28 points they are allowing each game will come back to haunt them. Still, Denver has fought, clawed, scraped and even had a blown call go their way en route to a 3-0 start.

Rams fans may disagree, but the Chiefs are the worst team in the NFL. But while they won’t win the game, the Kansas City faithful will flex their muscle at Arrowhead stadium and the Chiefs could give the Broncos their third scare in as many weeks.
Pick: Chiefs +9

9. Houston at Jacksonville (-7.5)
For the third straight game, the Texans have gotten blasted the second they got off the bus, especially on defense where they are allowing more than 35 point per contest. WR Andre Johnson is always a threat, and Rookie RB Steve Slaton has shown flashes of star power, but the consistency is just not there.

The Jags are coming off a huge win, taking down the mighty Colts on a last-second, 51-yd field goal by Josh Scobee. Scobee should not have to deal with that kind of pressure this week. Expect a HUGE day on the ground for the Jags as they pound an overmatched Houston front line.
Pick: Jacksonville -7.5

8. Arizona at New York Jets (-2.5)
The Cardinals continued their losing ways on the East Coast last week and, to their dismay, have another East Coast matchup this week. In order to shake this “Curse of the East”, Arizona decided not to travel, hoping a week in a hotel would serve them better than two more cross country flights.

A turned ankle suffered in a loss to the Chargers threatens quarterback Brett Favre’s streak of 256 consecutive starts, but of course he is going to play … he’s Brett <bleeping> Favre! The Jets, however, could be in trouble if they get behind early and the ol’ gunslinger starts to force the action. Arizona’s defense is too athletic and will take advantage of Favre’s trademark errant tosses.
Pick: Arizona +2.5

7. San Diego (-7.5) at Oakland
After two heartbreaking losses, San Diego blew out the Jets on Monday night for their first win. The Chargers hope the slow start for L.T. will come to an end, but they may not need him in this one.

Most people, including myself, expected Al Davis to fire Lane Kiffin after last week’s loss. Kiffin is still coaching, thanks in large part to his Raiders team going on the road and giving the Bills all they could handle. Davis is a smart man and realizes the firing will play better following a drubbing in front of the home fans. Bye Bye, Lane.
Pick: San Diego -7.5

6. San Francisco at New Orleans (-6)
You won’t see a better played game than the Niners had last week against Detroit. Then again, it was against Detroit. Frank Gore keeps rolling as the feature man in Mike Martz’s new scheme, but an underrated defense could be the difference in this one.

The Saints know the importance of containing Gore, and any GI Joe fan can tell you, “Knowing is half the battle.” However, the other half could prove to be more difficult, as they actually attempt to stop him.
Pick: San Francisco +6

5. Green Bay at Tampa Bay (-1.5)
Calm down, Packers fans, Favre didn’t win every game either. While Aaron Rodgers would have loved to get a win in front of the home crowd, Green Bay simply lost to a better team last week against the Cowboys. They look to bounce back without shutdown corner Al Harris. who has a lacerated spleen.

After attempting 67 passes a week ago, Bucs QB Brian Griese is licking his chops to try his luck against the Harris-less Packers. This could turn into a shootout before the day is over.
Pick: Tampa Bay -1.5

4. Philadelphia (-3) at Chicago
With QB Donovan McNabb and RB Brian Westrook both nursing injuries, the Eagles may find themselves searching for playmakers on Sunday night. While both are expected to play, Philly fans know their chances of winning are slim to none without their two stars.

In Chicago, it’s been all about rookie RB Matt Forte. Forte has been spectacular in the earlygoing, keeping his name among the top rushers in the league. This pick comes down to defense and special teams, both of which are advantage Eagles.
Pick: Philadelphia -3

3. Baltimore at Pittsburgh (-7)
The Ravens take their 2-0 record to Hines Field for this Monday night game. With two games under his belt, rookie QB Joe Flacco is gaining confidence every day. After picking the Browns apart, Flacco may have trouble finding the same success against a Steelers D that will certainly land some big blows.

The Steelers lost much more than a game in last week’s Keystone matchup with the Eagles. Big Ben is banged up, but is ready to go, but the same can’t be said for Fast Willie Parker. The Steelers will be without their speedy RB, who will be replaced by bragadocious rookie Rashard Mendenhall.
Pick: Baltimore +7

2. Minnesota at Tennessee (-3)
Adrian Peterson must be 100 percent this week in order for the Vikings to piece together some semblance of a passing game. The Minnesota D finally stepped up last week, holding the upstart Panthers to 10 points and scoring a TD of their own.

Tennessee continues to ride the success of their defense, which has allowed only 29 points through three games. Kerry Collins has proven to be just what the Titans needed; a passing compliment to the NFL’s top-ranked rushing attack in LenDale White and rookie Chris Johnson.
Pick: Tennessee -3

1. Washington at Dallas (-11)
After looking completely lost Week 1 against the Giants, Jason Campbell and the rest of the ‘Skins appear to have finally caught on to Jim Zorn’s offense. Not a moment too early as they hit the road to take on arguably the best team in the NFL. The loss of Taylor and his pass rush could be huge , but not as huge as the Cowboys offensive line.

I could sit here and wax poetic about all aspects of football being played in Dallas, but there has been one constant on the road to 3-0 - Felix Jones and Marion Barber. The two running backs have combined to score eight touchdowns for the ‘Boys and are both threats to take any touch to the house.
Pick: Washington +11