Baltimore v. Kansas City – Sunday, 1:00 – The Ravens (3-1) travel to Arrowhead as heavy favorites versus the chronically underwhelming Chiefs (1-3). Though it is early in the year, Baltimore seems to be vastly improved on offense, utilizing the no-huddle and stalwart back Ray Rice. Their defense is up to its usual habit of causing sleepless nights for opposing offensive coordinators. The Chiefs, on the other hand, have been hampered by a porous secondary and costly interceptions by quarterback Matt Cassel. Baltimore is the superior squad here, and should win easily in KC.

Miami at Cincinnati – Sunday, 1:00 – The Dolphins (1-3) have been predictably dreadful under a rookie head coach Joe Philbin and rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill. They’re coming off a heartbreaking overtime loss against Arizona, and travel to Cincinnati to face the Bengals (3-1). Cincy runs their offense through wide receiver AJ Green, who draws attention away from the other weapons on the Bengals’ roster. Cincinnati’s defense, which was so effective last year, is similarly strong this year, and should stifle any offense Miami tries to muster. Cincinnati should come out on top.

Green Bay at Indianapolis – Sunday, 1:00 – This is most definitely a favorable matchup for Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the Green Bay (2-2) offense. The Colts (1-2) have one of the weakest secondaries in the league, and Rodgers should have no problem picking them apart. However, Indy’s offense is exceeding expectations, and Andrew Luck appears to be everything he was hyped to be. Even without many offensive weapons, the Colts have managed to put together a top 15 passing attack that has been efficient and effective. I like Green Bay to win in a game that might end up closer than you think.

Cleveland at New York Giants – Sunday, 1:00 – Full disclosure: I am a rabid Giants fan. That being said, it is with no subjectivity that I say the Giants should push Cleveland around the Meadowlands. The Browns (0-4) are a team featuring a rookie quarterback (Brandon Weeden), and a shaky defense. These two factors usually combine to form a long year, and that appears to hold true for the 2012 Browns. Tom Coughlin’s Giants (2-2) return home after a grueling game in Philadelphia that resulted in a tough divisional loss to the hated Eagles. Expect Eli and Co. to return to their offensive form after scratching out just 17 points last week. New York shouldn’t have any trouble this week.

Philadelphia at Pittsburgh – Sunday, 1:00 – A new chapter in the Battle of the Keystone State will be written this Sunday at Heinz Field. The Eagles (3-1) are flying high after a big win on Sunday Night Football against division rival New York. Philly’s most valuable improvement came in the turnover department, which killed the Eagles in their first three games. If they continue to hold on to the ball and give star back LeSean McCoy enough touches, they should prove difficult to beat week in and week out. Pittsburgh (1-2) comes out of their bye week dealing with an unfamiliar phenomenon: a losing record. Running back Rashard Mendenhall will make his season debut after being out for the start of the season dealing with a torn ACL. World class safety Troy Polamalu also returns to action this week, as does Pro Bowl linebacker and walking fine James Harrison, providing a big boost to a Steelers D that was pushed around by Oakland in their previous game. In the end, I like Pittsburgh’s balanced attack and defensive tenacity to stifle Mike Vick and the Eagles.

Atlanta at Washington – Sunday, 1:00 – This game is sure to be entertaining, with both Atlanta (4-0) and Washington (2-2) featuring potent offenses led by Matt Ryan and Robert Griffin III, respectively. Washington got a hard-earned win on the road in Tampa last week on a Billy Cundiff field goal in overtime. RG3 continues to surpass expectations, and is a huge reason for their success this year. The Falcons and newly christened NFC Player of the Month, Matt Ryan, are up to their usual high scoring antics on offense, but issues with the defense could hurt them going forward. I like the Falcons to win in a game that is sure to light up the scoreboard.

Seattle at Carolina – Sunday, 4:05 – Carolina’s explosive offense squares off against Seattle’s stingy D in Charlotte. Seattle’s biggest strength is pressuring the quarterback, and their entire unit flows well to the ball. This adds up to a difficult day for Cam Newton and the rest of the Panther offense. The Seahawks (2-2) grind out the tough yards with running back Marshawn Lynch, and should have a good day running the ball against a poor Panthers defense. Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson will need to improve after throwing three interceptions last week against the Rams. I like Seattle’s ground and pound attack to lead the Seahawks to a tough victory in Carolina.

Chicago at Jacksonville – Sunday, 4:05 – No team is feeling better about themselves right now than the Bears (3-1), coming off a dominating performance against Dallas on Monday night, and sharing first place in the NFC North. The Bears defense is playing as well as any other unit in the league. However, the play of quarterback Jay Cutler will determine whether the Bears win or lose. At times, Cutler looks like a bona fide star, but at other times he looks like a backup at best. Fortunately for Chicago, Jacksonville (1-3) and second-year quarterback Blaine Gabbert should provide easy pickings for the fearsome Bears D. Chicago should easily dispatch the Jags.

Tennessee at Minnesota – Sunday, 4:25 – The Vikings (3-1) have shocked many with their strong play. Offensively, Christian Ponder seems to have taken a big step forward in his second year at quarterback, and Adrian Peterson has put to rest all doubts about his knee injury. Percy Harvin is dangerous at receiver, as well as in the return game. All this spells trouble for Tennessee, which has the league’s worst defense thus far. Combine that with starting quarterback Jake Locker’s absence, and the Titans are in for a long day. Minnesota should take care of business at home.

Denver at New England – Sunday, 4:25 – Perhaps the week’s most intriguing matchup, this game features two old rivals in Denver’s Peyton Manning and New England’s Tom Brady going head to head in Foxboro. Questions have been raised about Peyton after a three pick performance against Atlanta in Week 2, but a big day last week against Oakland has quieted some of the critics. However, Manning and the rest of the Broncos (2-2) will have to elevate their game to win at Gillette Stadium. The Pats (2-2) have surprisingly struggled early in the year, but thanks to a 45 point performance in the second half last week against the Bills, they find themselves in first place in the AFC East. Both offenses are explosive, and both will score their fair share of points, but I expect the Patriots’ defense to be more effective than the Broncos’, securing New England the win.

Buffalo at San Francisco – Sunday, 4:25 – To no one’s surprise, San Francisco (3-1) looks to be one of the best teams in the league, with an efficient ball control offense and the league’s best defense. After an out-of-character loss to the Vikings two weeks ago, the Niners quieted any critics by pitching a shutout in New York against the Jets, while putting up 34 points of their own. The Bills (2-2) have an offense that puts up points (33 on average), but turns the ball over way too much to be successful. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick threw four picks last week against New England, and another such performance would guarantee a loss. Though I would look for Fitzpatrick to improve against the 49ers, San Francisco should easily pull out a victory this Sunday.

San Diego at New Orleans – Sunday, 8:20 – The Saints (0-4) are in shambles without head coach Sean Payton and a defense as bad as any so far. The play of star quarterback Drew Brees, fresh off a tumultuous off-season contract negotiation, has fallen off a bit after a monster season a year ago. The New Orleans offense will have to have a huge game to make up for the atrocious play of the defense. San Diego (3-1) will likely counter by giving the ball to quarterback Philip Rivers and letting him loose, turning this one into a shootout. The Chargers’ D is similarly shaky, but is more likely to create stops. In the end, I believe home field advantage will prove valuable for New Orleans, and Drew Brees will lead the Saints to their first victory of the year.

Houston at New York Jets – Monday, 8:30 – Lock of the Week No team is dealing with more upheaval than the New York Jets (2-2), though many, myself included, would argue that they crave chaos-based attention. The Jets O is led by the league’s most inefficient quarterback, Mark Sanchez, and is devoid of any quality skill players with the loss of receiver Santonio Holmes. The defense is equally troubled. The much ballyhooed Jets D takes the field without the league’s best corner, Darrelle Revis, hurting what has already proved to be an ineffective unit. Houston (4-0), on the other hand, is the class of the NFL, and the favorite of many to make it to the Super Bowl. The Texans boast an outstanding offense that starts with one of the league’s best rushing attacks featuring two dangerous backs in Arian Foster and Ben Tate. The defense has been stifling, and features playmakers up front (DE J.J. Watt), at linebacker (ILB Brian Cushing), and in the secondary (CB Johnathan Joseph). This one won’t even be a contest. Houston will trounce the Jets, and set off another chorus of calls for Tebow Time in New York.