The charge to greatness has begun as the Hank Goldberg of the Midwest (that's me pimping myself) had a big weekend last week with my picks...which up until approximately 5:45 p.m. on Sunday afternoon had to be the absolute worst in all the land.

Through the noon games on Sunday, I was 3-6, and that dropped my season record to 15-24-1. But, the 3 p.m. games, the Sunday night game, and Monday Night Football was a thing of beauty as I went 6-1...bringing my record going into Week 4 a disappointing---yet trending upward---21-25-1.

Most importantly, my 5 Star Play of The Year hit when the Gus Frerotte-led and winless Minnesota Vikings beat the undefeated Panthers. And, the Vikings were 3.5 point favorites. That game screamed for a bet on the Panthers...which is why it was a 5 Star Play of The Year.

I don't see any 5 Star Plays of The Year to release this week, but I do see some games I like a great deal...and much like those two midget twin brothers, I can make you a rich man:

Bills (-8) at Rams: The honest-to-God truth is, for some reason, maybe it's Trent Green, I think the Rams will keep this "respectable." However, I want to watch this game and pull for the Bills...which, in a round-about way is pulling for the Rams...because the sooner the end comes for Linehan, the better it is for the franchise...although there will be plenty of work to be done when Linehan is gone. I want Trent to do well in 2008, but I want St. Louis to have an NFL team in 2016. Pick: Bills (-8)

Broncos (-9.5) at Chiefs: What does it say for the state of pro football in Missouri when the state's two teams are a combined 17.5 point underdogs at home this weekend? What does it say about the state of the University of Missouri football program when the Broncos would be 7 point underdogs if they were playing Chase And Company at Faurot Field this weekend instead of Damon Huard And Company at Arrowhead. The Chiefs benched the guy that had the picture of him taken while fucking a skeleton? Well, fuck them. Pick: Broncos (-9.5)

Browns at Bengals (-3.5): If you thought things were bad in Missouri, take a look at the operations up in Ohio. Hell, they don't even have a college football team to get excited about. The SEC's Washington Generals are going nowhere this year, but that's still further than the Browns' offense has gone in 3 games. The ultimate insult to anyone---football player, basketball player, politician, waiter, adult film star---is to say, "You suck worse than the Rams' offense." In the case of the Browns, it's actually true. They've scored 26 points so far this year. But, fortunately for them, the 2008 Bengals are not only great for attorneys in Northern Kentucky, they're great for bad offenses to get healthy against. Pick: Browns (+3.5)

Texans at Jaguars (-8): The Texans are to the NFL what the Rays were to Major League Baseball: a team that just kind of exists and sucks...and no one really knows much about them...outside of the fact  that they suck. I know this: Jack Del Rio had his boys ready to go at Indianapolis last Sunday, and the Jags will be improving to 2-2 by beating up on whoever the hell plays for Houston. Pick: Jaguars (-8)

Cardinals at Jets (-1.5): I'm a firm believer in the Jets this year. I picked the Chargers to beat the hell out of them this past Monday, but the road to the Super Bowl versus the Cowboys gets back on track this Sunday at the Meadowlands. Kurt Warner has bad memories of Giants Stadium...whether it be when he was knocked onto queer street in 2003 with the Rams or when it was when he warmed up the seat for Eli in 2004. I'm pulling for Warner this year...because I want to see him get into the Hall of Fame, and another big year and getting the Cardinals into the playoffs would do it...but this 1-2 Jets team cannot be stopped in 2008. Pick: Jets (-1.5)

49ers at Saints (-5.5): Shoot And Fix has the 49er offense lubed up like Jim J. Bullock. It's a smooth machine right now with Frank Gore running the ball, Isaac Bruce catching the ball, and somebody with the last name O'Sullivan throwing the ball. That's the thing about Martz: he can make guys like Warner, Bulger, Kitna, and O'Sullivan look like Elway, Montana, Marino, and Favre as an offensive coordinator. Yet as a head coach, he could make the Steel Curtain of the 1970's look like the...well...Rams...when they're trying to stop the run. But, man, that Shoot And Fix sure can coach up an offense. Pick: 49ers (+5.5)

Falcons at Panthers (-7): The Falcons are to 2-1 what the 2004 Rams were to a playoff team: undeserving. The Panthers...somehow...appear to be for real this year. I guess there's something to be said for beating the shit out of each other at camp...and not drafting Tye Hill. Pick: Panthers (-7)

Vikings at Titans (-3): Kerry Collins versus Gus Frerotte. This is what you've been waiting for...kind of like a sword fight between Ron Jeremy and Randy Spears. Pick: Titans (-3)

Packers at Bucs (-1): Tampa Bay is a good team, but I think the Packers are a damn good team...that just happened to get worked over by the best team this past Sunday night. Don't be a prisoner of the moment. Think big picture. And, along the way, realize Brian Griese is quarterbacking the Bucs. There are more quarterbacks who had better decades in the 1990's getting starts this weekend than there are quarterbacks who have starred this decade. You can't tell me Chase Daniel is only a college quarterback/system QB when Brian Griese and Gus Frerotte will be lacing 'em up this weekend. Pick: Packers (+1)

Chargers (-7.5) at Raiders: Lane Kiffin has the job security of a Merrill Lynch mail room clerk. An 80 year-old man in a jump suit has allegedly been planning to fire him the last two weeks, and he hasn't gotten around to it. Sometimes I wonder if the Raiders are a real NFL franchise or if Al Davis actually believes his organization is a fantasy football team...that just happens to have cracked-out Bay Area residents play dress-up, cook meth, and come support 8 Sundays per year. Pick: Raiders (+7.5)

Redskins at Cowboys (-11): If any member of the NFC East were in the NFC West, they would've clinched the division by now. I expect the Redskins and Cowboys to go Missouri-on-Nevada when it comes to their upcoming meetings with the Fighting Rammies in October. However, as good as the Redskins are, the Cowboys are that much better. Pick: Cowboys (-11)

Eagles (-3) at Bears: The Bears blow more leads than the Cardinals' bullpen. They should be 3-0 right now. Meanwhile, the Eagles have 2 wins...although one came against the Rams. Nonetheless, they're a damn good football team...which was more evident in their loss to the Cowboys than their win against the Rams, because beating the Rams by 35 is actually, mathematically, like losing to an average team. Pick: Eagles (-3)

Ravens at Steelers (-5.5): No Willie Parker for the Steelers Monday night. But, former Illinois star Rashard Mendehall will get the call...and even though the Ravens are undefeated, I suspect something is about to change when they get off the Cleveland/Cincinnati train this Monday with a trip to Heinz Field. Pick: Steelers (-5.5)

What do you think about the picks? Leave your comments below, or you can email me at tmckernan@insidestl.com.