Last week’s picks: 12-4
Season total: 45-19
Lock of the Week: 4-0 (Texans, Lions, Chargers and Saints)
Teams with byes: Ravens, Browns, Cowboys, Dolphins, Rams, Redskins
It’s already week 5 of the NFL season and the weekly byes have begun as shown above. As you can see, I have advanced to another week in “Lock of the Week” and did well with my picks last week. Anyway, enough of the bragging! Let’s get to the picks for week 5.
Sunday, October 9
New Orleans Saints (3-1) @ Carolina Panthers (1-3) – You know Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will send the blitz. The question is: will it faze Cam Newton? He hasn’t really yet. This one will be close into the third quarter and the Panthers may give the Saints a scare but New Orleans has too much offense. My pick: New Orleans Saints
Kansas City Chiefs (1-3) @ Indianapolis Colts (0-4) – After being the two worst teams in the NFL through the first two weeks of the season, the Chiefs and Colts have played better over the last two weeks. I’ll take the Colts here for their first win only because they’re home. My pick: Indianapolis Colts
Philadelphia Eagles (1-3) @ Buffalo Bills (3-1) – The “Dream Team” has been the most disappointing team in the league and has a good shot of starting the season 1-4. After huge comeback wins, the Bills were due for a letdown game. The only problem is that it came against a team who isn’t very good. Eagles do just enough to win. My pick: Philadelphia Eagles
Seattle Seahawks (1-3) @ New York Giants (3-1) – It hasn’t really been played up too much but the Giants are one of the surprises in the league at 3-1. They have managed to overcome all of their injuries and Eli Manning has played great the last two games. The Seahawks aren’t a good team and have to travel all the way out east. My pick: New York Giants (*My “Lock of the Week” pick)
Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3) – The Bengals have been okay. The Jaguars have been terrible. Cincy has enough offense. My pick: Cincinnati Bengals
Tennessee Titans (3-1) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2) – The Steelers just have not looked good at all this season. They have shown flashes of their former selves but they’re aging. Meanwhile, the Titans have to be considered a surprise at 3-1 led by a bit of a resurgence from Matt Hasselbeck. Logic dictates the Titans then, right? I’ll go against it and say Pittsburgh steals one late. My pick: Pittsburgh Steelers
Oakland Raiders (2-2) @ Houston Texans (3-1) – Houston has looked impressive but they are going to be without their best player in Andre Johnson for a few weeks. Oakland, on the other hand, has looked impressive at times but then not so good. They’re such a confusing team. Houston wins a close one as their D causes some big plays to win this one. My pick: Houston Texans
Arizona Cardinals (1-3) @ Minnesota Vikings (0-4) – So which team will blow the late lead? Neither team is as bad as their record shows but, in the end, you are what your record is. This game is a toss-up so I’ll take the Vikes only because they’re home. My pick: Minnesota Vikings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1) @ San Francisco 49ers (3-1) – This game will go a long way in showing which team is for real and which one is not. I still don’t believe in the 49ers. The Bucs proved they’re a pretty good team last year. Freeman wins this in the 4th quarter. My pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New York Jets (2-2) @ New England Patriots (3-1) – It’s arguably now the NFL’s biggest rivalry. The Jets offense has been really out of sync in the early going but look for them to get back on track against an average D. However, Brady and company should expose the Jets defense which is overrated. Pats get revenge in this one and win by at least a touchdown. My pick: New England Patriots
San Diego Chargers (3-1) @ Denver Broncos (1-3) – The Chargers haven’t lost to the Broncos in their last three games against them and I don’t expect that to change. They looked a lot better against a bad team last week and should beat up on the Broncos. They are the Chargers, though, so they may make it interesting and give their fans a scare. My pick: San Diego Chargers
Green Bay Packers (4-0) @ Atlanta Falcons (2-2) – The Packers lost a close one to the Falcons in Atlanta in week 12 last year but then blew them out in the divisional round of the playoffs. This one will be more like week 12’s game as the score should be closer. With that said, the Falcons have been average and the Packers continue to be the best team in the league. My pick: Green Bay Packers
Monday, October 10
Chicago Bears (2-2) @ Detroit Lions (4-0) – The undefeated Lions will play on Monday night for the first time in ten years against their long time divisional opponent. While they’re 4-0, they have been playing with fire the last two weeks and coming back from huge deficits. They won’t be able to do that against a Bears defense which thrives when playing with the lead. Peppers and company could give the Lions offensive line fits but I like Detroit here in front of the hometown fans who should be revved up. My pick: Detroit Lions
Thanks for reading. See you again next week.
Cheers!