Last week’s picks: 10-4, 71 percent
I was dead-on on most of my predictions last Sunday. All four of the games I lost came down to the fourth quarter or in the final minute. It could have went one way or the other.
With a lineup of new games this week, I’ll share my thoughts on who I believe will win.
Week 5 Predictions
Denver (2-2) at Baltimore (3-1)
The Ravens are playing the best football of any team right now in the NFL. With a healthy Ray Rice back in action, QB Joe Flacco and the receivers will only get better with each game.
Pick: Baltimore
NY Giants (2-2) at Houston (3-1)
The resurgent Giants defense is playing like it did it when it captured the Super Bowl title a few years ago after a nine-sack performance against the Bears in the first half alone last week. The Texans have yet to face a defense line that is stacked at all four positions.
Pick: NY Giants
Green Bay (3-1) at Washington (2-2)
An early pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl this season, the Packers have surprisingly struggled to contain the run game. Redskins’ coach Mike Shanahan loves to run the ball with his zone-blocking scheme so expect backup RB Ryan Torain to have a big day filling in for an injured Clinton Portis.
Pick: Washington
Chicago (3-1) at Carolina (0-4)
QB Jay Cutler got clobbered last week after taking nine sacks and suffering a concussion, but Cutler won’t be asked to win the game this week. With the way the Bears’ defense has been playing, it’ll be a long day for rookie QB Jimmy Clausen.
Pick: Chicago
Atlanta (3-1) at Cleveland (1-3)
The Browns stunned everybody last week by pulling off an upset against the Bengals, but it’s hard to do that twice in as many weeks. QB Matt Ryan has been delivering the ball at will this season to Pro Bowlers Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez. It’ll be hard to stop Ryan and Co. on Sunday.
Pick: Atlanta
Jacksonville (2-2) at Buffalo (0-4)
The Bills look as bad as any team starting 0-4 this decade. The defense is allowing an NFL-worst 125 points through four games. That’s not going the change this week against the Jaguars.
Pick: Jacksonville
Tampa Bay (2-1) at Cincinnati (2-2)
At some point this season QB Carson Palmer is going to have a breakout game and return to his Pro Bowl form. Something tells me that it’s going to come this week against the Buccaneers.
Pick: Cincinnati
Kansas City (3-0) at Indianapolis (2-2)
Nobody predicted the Chiefs to be the only undefeated team in the NFL entering the month of October, but stranger things have happened. We’ll find out how good this team is Sunday against the Colts. Peyton Manning and his offense is second in the league in scoring with 117 points.
Pick: Indianapolis
New Orleans (3-1) at Arizona (2-2)
It’s amazing how Arizona has gone 2-2 this season considering how badly they have played. Their Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde identity is going to get exposed again this week.
Pick: New Orleans
Tennenesee (2-2) at Dallas (1-2)
The Cowboys are hungry to prove that its a much better team than their record indicates, but their early-season struggles cause a concern. However, playing at home helps and America’s team will climb back to .500 against the Titans.
Pick: Dallas
San Diego (2-2) at Oakland (1-3)
The porous Raiders defense gave up 249 rushing yards to the Texans. That should be easy for the Chargers to match, especially with a healthy Ryan Mathews in the backfield. Expect Mathews to have his first breakout game as a pro.
Pick: Chargers
Philadelpia (2-2) at San Francisco (0-4)
The last time the Eagles flew out west to the Bay Area, it got upset by the Raiders. Expect much of the same. San Francisco hasn’t been playing terrible football this season, it just needs to put together a complete game.
Pick: San Francisco
Minnesota (1-2) at New York Jets (3-1)
With all the drama that is surrounding Brett Favre this week and his times as a former Jet, Favre will enter the game with a chip on his shoulder. The addition of Randy Moss will do wonders for the Vikings and the offense, especially for Adrian Peterson. The Jets defense won’t be able to key in on Peterson with Moss and Co. to worry about on the edges.
Pick: Minnesota
Upset of the Week
St. Louis (2-2) at Detriot (0-4)
Detriot is a much better team than their 0-4 record indicates. The Lions have dropped four games in a row including three road losses, but the Lions will be able to pull off the upset of the week against the Rams.
Pick: Detriot
