Each week we will review each matchup and give the straight up selection for each NFL game, as well as the pick with the point spread, to assist you in making your selections for the upcoming week.

Season records

Straight up: (19-11) Spread: (13-16-1)

Record includes results from Week 2 through 17

Last Week

Straight up: (10-4) Spread: (6-8)

Kansas City Chiefs (-3) at Baltimore Ravens

Priest Holmes leads the Chiefs into Baltimore to face his former team. The Chiefs have been scoring points at a dizzying pace, averaging 36.7 PPG in three games. They faced a comparable defense against the Steelers in Week 2 and shredded them for 41 points. Over their past two games, the Ravens have faced the Browns and Chargers, teams who have a combined 1-5 record. They have averaged 28.5 points in those games, however. Kansas City is 3-0 against the spread (ATS) this season and the Chiefs covered the last meeting in the series at Baltimore in 1999. Each of the past three meetings between these clubs in Baltimore has gone over. The Ravens are 2-1 ATS this season. Look for the Chiefs offense to continue rolling in a high-scoring affair.

Straight up: Kansas City
Spread: Kansas City

Philadelphia Eagles at Buffalo Bills (-3)

The Eagles have lost consecutive home games against Tampa Bay and New England. The Bills roll out a decent defense, one which shut out those same Patriots in Week 1. Donovan McNabb has struggled mightily, but he and the Eagles have had two weeks to prepare. Buffalo faced a suffocating defense in Miami in Week 3, as the offense failed to score a point and Travis Henry suffered bruised ribs. Henry expects to play in Week 4. The Bills have dominated this series, winning the past six meetings. They are also 5-1 ATS, including a 26-0 pasting of the Eagles in 1999. These are two clubs going in opposite directions.

Straight up: Buffalo
Spread: Buffalo

Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers (-6)

The Atlanta Falcons are reeling, losers of two straight games. They took a 31-10 licking at home by the defending Super Bowl champion Buccaneers in Week 3. The Panthers defeated those same Buccaneers 12-9 in overtime at Tampa Bay in Week 2. The Falcons are 5-0-1 ATS in the past six meetings in this series, but that was also not with a struggling Doug Johnson. The Panthers defense should be able to confuse Johnson and the Atlanta offense into making mistakes. Carolina's Stephen Davis should be the difference in this game, although the Falcons might keep it close. Atlanta is 1-2 ATS this season, while Carolina is 2-0.

Straight up: Carolina
Spread: Atlanta

Green Bay Packers (-4) at Chicago Bears

The Packers were shocked in the desert in Week 3 by Jeff Blake and the Arizona Cardinals. The Bears have had a week to review tape of that game and rest up. This game is a must-win for both clubs, more so for the Bears, who have been listless on offense. The Packers have covered the past five meetings in this series, including a 34-21 pounding in Champaign last October. They should be able to spoil the debut of the Bears in the refurbished Soldier Field. Green Bay is 1-2 ATS, while the Bears are 0-2.

Straight up: Green Bay
Spread: Green Bay

Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns (-5.5)

The scrappy Bengals are still searching for their first victory. After being paddled by the Broncos in their home opener, they gave the Raiders and Steelers all they could handle, before remembering that they are the Bengals. The Browns won an improbable game at San Francisco a week ago, as Kelly Holcomb rallied the troops for a come-from-behind 13-12 victory. Holcomb sustained a hairline fracture of his fibula, but remained in the game. He wants to play, but even if Tim Couch goes, the Browns should win. The Browns have covered the past three in this series. William Green began his string of impressive performances after facing the Bengals last season and is the key to victory for the Browns.

Straight up: Cleveland
Spread: Cleveland

Detroit Lions at Denver Broncos (-12.5)

The Lions clubbed the Cardinals in their opener, but have been spanked in their previous two outings. The road gets much worse, as they head to Invesco Field to meet the undefeated Broncos. Jake Plummer and Denver drummed the Raiders on Monday night. The Broncos head to Kansas City in Week 5 and might have a bit of a letdown in this sandwich game. Each of the previous three meetings in this series has gone under. Detroit is 1-2 ATS this season, while Denver is 3-0. The Broncos should win, but perhaps by only 10.

Straight up: Denver
Spread: Detroit

Jacksonville Jaguars (-3) at Houston Texans

The Jaguars have been downright awful in their three games, as their offensive production has decreased each week. Fred Taylor finally got on track last week at Indianapolis, but Mark Brunell suffered an elbow injury and is questionable. Byron Leftwich might get his first start. The Texans shocked the Dolphins at Miami in Week 1, but have come back to Earth in their previous two games at New Orleans and against Kansas City in Week 3. The Texans covered both of their previous meetings against Jacksonville, including a rare road victory last October. The Jaguars are 4-12 in their past 16 meetings against AFC opponents. Jacksonville is 0-3 ATS this season, while Houston is 1-2. Perhaps the wrong team is favored in this one, although the feeling is not strong one way or the other in the worst game on the schedule.

Straight up: Houston
Spread: Houston

San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings (no line)

The 49ers are coming off a shocking loss at home to Cleveland in Week 3, while the Vikings rolled at Detroit. Daunte Culpepper (back) is doubtful, which is why there is no line. Gus Frerotte played well spelling Culpepper a week ago, but the 49ers are a much better club. The 49ers are hungry for a victory and need one to keep pace in the competitive NFC West. Minnesota blasted San Francisco in their previous meeting in 1999. San Francisco is 1-2 ATS this season and Minnesota is 3-0. The 49ers have lost both of their games by four points total. I like the 49ers in what could be perceived as an upset, as they keep their hopes alive.

Straight up: San Francisco
Spread: No selection

Indianapolis Colts (-1.5) at New Orleans Saints

In a game that previously meant who would get the No. 1 draft pick overall, the Saints covered the previous four meetings. The Colts are a totally different team these days, as they have gotten the offense on track in the past two weeks. Edgerrin James (ribs) might be forced to the sidelines for this one, however, possibly leaving James Mungro as the starting tailback. The Saints have been crushed in two road games and have only a win against second-year Houston. Still, the Saints seem to be a totally different team in the friendly confines of the Louisiana Superdome. Indianapolis is 3-0 ATS, while New Orleans is 1-2. In a mild upset, I like the Saints to enjoy a little home cooking.

Straight up: New Orleans
Spread: New Orleans

Dallas Cowboys at New York Jets (-3)

The Cowboys surprised the Giants in their last game in the same setting on Monday night in Week 2. They have had two weeks to prepare for the winless Jets, who put forth a much better effort, but came up with the same result in Week 3 at New England. Quincy Carter has been on the mark in each of his two outings and the Jets offense has struggled with Vinny Testaverde at the helm. The focus likely will be on coach Bill Parcells, as he makes yet another homecoming against a former team. Coach Herman Edwards should have the troops ready, but Dallas' underrated defense should make the difference in this one. Dallas is 1-1 ATS, while N.Y. Jets are 0-3.

Straight up: Dallas
Spread: Dallas

San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders (-7)

The winless Chargers head to Oakland to meet the reeling Raiders. David Boston was sent home from practice Wednesday for disciplinary reasons and LaDainian Tomlinson has looked human in three games this season. Drew Brees has been terrible, as the Chargers are 0-3 ATS. The Raiders have covered three of the past four in the series, but the Chargers are 10-3 ATS at Oakland in the past 13 meetings. The Raiders should be able to regroup and get by the Chargers, although this game might be a close shave.

Straight up: Oakland
Spread: San Diego

Tennessee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3)

In what should be considered the game of the week, the Titans march into Pittsburgh to face their old nemesis. The Steelers have won three of the past four meetings and they have covered five of the past six. The past six games at Pittsburgh have gone over. The Pittsburgh defense is not as formidable as past years, although they got Joey Porter back last week, as they peppered the Bengals. The Steelers should be able to hold off the Titans to maintain first place in the AFC North. Both teams are 2-1 ATS this season.

Straight up: Pittsburgh
Spread: Pittsburgh

Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams (-10.5)

The Cardinals caught the Packers napping a week ago at home, pulling off the second biggest shocker in the NFL this season. They head to St. Louis to meet the Rams, who will be without Marshall Faulk (hand). Lamar Gordon is a capable replacement and he will get a bulk of the carries. The Cardinals played well at St. Louis late last season, falling short 30-28 in a December Sunday night game. Both teams are 1-2 ATS this season. The Rams should be able to get it done, but the spread is a bit inflated and the Cardinals should keep it within a touchdown.

Straight up: St. Louis
Spread: Arizona

New England Patriots at Washington Redskins (-3)

This game originally opened as a pick 'em, but the wise guys have entrenched the Redskins as a field goal favorite. Patrick Ramsey has looked like the second-coming of Sonny Jorgensen, leading the Redskins to a 2-1 record in three starts. New England has played much better after being shut out in its opener at Buffalo. The Pats still have yet to find a running game, which will force Tom Brady to have to win the game against a tough Redskins secondary. Both teams are 2-1 ATS. The Patriots are 12-5 ATS in their past 17 meetings against NFC East teams.

Straight up: Washington
Spread: Washington