NFL Picks And Predictions Week 4: Redskins Vs. Buccaneers

The Washington Redskins visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday as both teams try to end their respective two-game losing streaks in a battle that has pundits predicting a close game that could go either way.

ESPN's 12-man panel of game-pickers is leaning 7-5 overall in favor of Tampa Bay, though Accuscore and the fans' Pick 'em feature both side with the Redskins.

In his weekly round of predictions, SB Nation's Joel Thorman notes that, while it's a big game for Washington, the defense must improve.

Here's Thorman, as he foresees a 27-24 Buccaneers victory:

"Washington needs this game with games against the Falcons and Vikings coming up -- then the Giants and Steelers on the road -- but I can't pick Washington until that defense settles down."

Along those same lines, Sports Illustrated's Peter King is predicting a tight 27-25 Tampa Bay win. "I'd like Washington a lot more," King writes, "If Brian Orakpo would be in the fold for this one instead of in sick bay."

The three-man group of Mike Silver, Jason Cole and Les Carpenter at Yahoo! Sports went two-thirds with the Redskins, as Silver and Carpenter both predicted a Washington win.