NFL Preseason Week 4: Tomorrow night and Friday night mark the end of the 2009 NFL preseason. The month of August and the exhibition season have answered questions for a number of teams while raising some for others. With that in mind, the Steelers versus Panthers game as well as the Texans versus Buccaneers contest make for two of the more interesting preseason finales. For the latest odds and NFL Preseason Week 4 Picks visit Bodog.com today.
Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers had a scare after their first 
exhibition contest when right tackle Max Starks stepped on Ben Roethlisberger's achilles tendon at practice. Roethlisberger missed the next game but allayed any fears with a 15-of-19, 168 yard performance in the Steelers 17-0 win over Buffalo this past weekend. Also of note regarding Pittsburgh is a possible changing of the guard at halfback. Last year's first round draft pick, Rashard Mendenhall, has been impressive this preseason while Willie Parker has missed a great deal of practice time recovering from a hamstring injury.
Carolina Panthers: The Panthers have some definite concerns heading into the preseason climax and regular season. On top of going 0-3 in the exhibition frame, the injury bug has hit the team hard as a number of major pieces are listed as questionable with game one just around the corner. Linebacker Jon Beason is still dealing with a knee injury while running back Jonathan Stewart and cornerback Charles Godfrey are battling achilles and hand injuries respectively.
Houston Texans: The Texans are a sexy pick to make the playoffs this year, but a good deal of the team's post-season expectations hinge on the health of quarterback Matt Schuab. Schuab has looked excellent this exhibition season but he tweaked an ankle in the team's Monday night loss to the Vikings. He will not play versus the Bucs this Friday, which is not of significance, but given Schaub's past health issues, the ankle injury is a red flag.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Head Coach Raheem Morris finally settled on a starting quarterback over the weekend, electing to go with off-season acquisition Byron Leftwich. The battle for the number two spot may be established after Friday's meeting with the Texans. Luke McCown is 15-of-28 for 108 yards and two touchdowns while rookie Josh Freeman is 14-of-30 for 149 yards and an interception.
Bodog.com NFL Preseason Week 4 Picks:
Pittsburgh Steelers +3 (+100)
Carolina Panthers -3 (-120)
Houston Texans +3 (-110)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers -3 (-110)
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