I’m leaving the nation’s capital as the NFL kicks off its slate of games for its fourth week, which is probably a good idea, considering how well the Redskins have played so far this year. After last week’s loss to the Lions, a loss that ended a 19-game losing streak for Detroit, the mood here is a mix between fatalistic acceptance of another lost season to anger over incompetence, amateurism, and bungling. However, since that’s how most of the rest of us feel about Washington DC during the week, I don’t think ‘Skins fans are going to get a lot of sympathy.

Looking back over the last three weeks, I’m doing pretty good on my picks. I’m 16-3, but unfortunately two of those three losses came from the Pittsburgh Steelers. They lost last week in their division and are now looking at the backs of the Bengals and and the Baltimore Ravens, both of whom have gotten off to a better start than I thought they would. The Steelers play the San Diego Chargers in the night game at home tonight, and they have to go without Willie Parker and Troy Polamalu. I’m still going to pick Pittsburgh, who always seems to do well in night games at home. It should be close, though, perhaps 28-24.

Other notable games:

• Green Bay at Minnesota – This is a Monday Night game, which means we all get to see what happens when Brett Favre meets his old team for the first time ever as the opposing quarterback. Should be a great game, full of drama, but the unbeaten Vikings should win it, 31-21.
• Baltimore at New England – A better-than-expected Ravens team faces a weaker-than-expected Patriots squad. I’m picking the Patriots to win this one at home, though, as Tom Brady settles down and their defense picks it up against Joe Flacco. It won’t be a shootout but the Pats should eke out a 17-14 win.
• Tampa Bay at Washington – Call this the Futility Bowl. I think the Redskins win in a game no one watches, 21-14.
• Tennessee at Jacksonville – The Titans are a better team than 0-3, but I’m not sure Jacksonville is better than 1-2. I think Tennessee gets off the schneid here with a 24-10 win.
• NY Jets at New Orleans – Mark Sanchez has proven himself in three straight games as a rookie who can handle the NFL. Can the Jets defense stop the Saints, though? One of these teams has to lose its first game today, and it won’t be the Saints at home. New Orleans’ offense will overwhelm the Jets, 31-24, but expect Sanchez to continue to shine.