NO PRISONERS : WEEK 4 MRQUEE MATCH-UPS

Week 4 of the NFL regular season began Thursday night as the Ravens escaped Pittsburgh with a 23-20 victory. The game, which took an extra quarter to finalize, set the tone for a few hard hitting contest set to take place this afternoon. A few games in particular are looking like potential marquee match-ups. Not because these particular games feature the best teams in the league, but because these teams in the following match-ups we've selected can make bold statements and top headlines by getting victories this weekend. Take a look below at the games we feel you should be extra tuned into this afternoon.

(Sept. 12, 2015 - Source: Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images North America)

(Sept. 26, 2015 - Source: Tom Pennington/Getty Images North America)

Houston Texans @ Atlanta Falcons 1:00 p.m. E.T on CBS

The Texans will face an NFC South opponent for the third week in a row today as they go up against the Atlanta Falcons. The undefeated jaw busting Atlanta Falcons pack a powerhouse offense led by WR Julio Jones and QB Matt Ryan. Atlanta has averaged 411 total yards per game (305 of those through the air) in 2015 and sent Cowboys fans heading for the exit at AT&T Stadium last week when they outscored the Cowboys 22-0 in the second have to top off their 39-28 victory. This week the Houston Texans will be looking to put a halt in the Falcons offensive onslaught.  The Texans have allowed just 20.0 ppg over three weeks putting them towards the top of the league in defense (as we predicted prior to the season). What Houston does well is run the ball with RB Alfred Blue who tally 100+ yards last week in the Texans win over the Bucs (19-9). They'll need to keep QB Matt Ryan on the sideline out of commission if they hope to seal a victory today and push their season record to .500. This is a hard one to call, but I would not be surprised to see the Texans get the win. Especially if they get RB Arian Foster back this afternoon. 

(Sept. 12, 2015 - Source: Justin Edmonds/Getty Images North America)

(Sept. 13, 2015 - Source: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images North America)

Minnesota Vikings @ Denver Broncos 4:25 p.m. E.T on CBS

Sports Authority Stadium at Mile High and the Denver Broncos welcome in the Minnesota Vikings this afternoon. The 3-0 Broncos will face a Vikings defense who have given up just 6 touchdowns this year. Ironically, the Broncos defense have given up just 6 as well. With that being said, this game will come down to two key things; who can run the ball more effectively and which defense will fatigue out faster as the game gets down the stretch. Seeing that the Minnesota Vikings bring to town 2013 season MVP HB Adrian Peterson and a lot of youth on the defensive side of the ball, I like their chances in this game. Easily, this is the match-up of the day and a clear sleeper game for unawares. Expect a chippy field day filled with sacks, interceptions and field goals. I'll go with the the Vikings here with a +5 point advantage. Of course though, Broncos QB Peyton Manning may have plans of his own.

OTHER NOTABLE MATCH-UPS

Detroit Lions @ Seattle Seahawks MON 8:25 p.m. E.T on ESPN

• Will likely be the second straight season win for Seattle as they look to climb out of an 0-2 start in 2015
• This is an opportunity for the Seahawks to show on National TV why they are still a force to be reckoned with.
• Detroit is looking for their first win of the season (0-3). They'll be w/o LB DeAndre Levy and RB Joique Bell

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts 1:00 p.m. E.T on CBS

• Colts wil be without star QB Andrew Luck.
• Jacksonville could snap a 4+ game losing streak to the Colts with victory
• Colts 1-2 start makes room for the Texans to gain ground.