NFL Week 5 Predictions

       

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London Game - Buffalo vs. Jacksonville – The Jaguars looked impressive in their win over Atlanta last weekend in London. The Bills, however, have looked quite impressive since that stunning, opening week loss to the Jets at the Meadowlands. It seems clear that the Bills are the better, more complete team overall. The one advantage that Jax does have is that they have been in Britain for a week, and so the wears of traveling and possible jetlag will not be with them for this game. Still, I do not believe that it will be enough to beat the Bills. My pick: Buffalo 

NY Giants at Miami – This has been an absolutely disastrous week for the G-Men. Not only did they get blown out at home…again, but they have been outscored at home, 64-3, in their two homes games. Not sure if any team in NFL history has started off with such historically poor showings in both of their first two home games. Plus, their offensive line looks atrocious, once again. It did not help that one of the members of the offensive line lashed out at Giants fans, insulting them as “sheep.” That certainly will not help the Giants get back on track. Daniel Jones may or may not be the answer that the Giants are looking for, but no QB will do well if the opposing defenders are in their face almost as quickly as possible, which has been the case with Jones so far this season. That O-line is, once again, looking like the worst unit in the entire league. Seems like this is the same story year after year after year. At the beginning of the season, I thought that seven of their first ten games being on the road would surely hurt them. So far, however, they have been better – even far better – on the road. However, this visit will take them to Miami. The Giants have allowed a lot of points in each of their games so far, with the 24 they gave up to Seattle last weekend being their best defensive showing. The Dolphins obviously have an explosive offense, and their defense seems pretty solid, too. This one could get ugly. My pick: Miami 

Baltimore at Pittsburgh -  A big showdown in the AFC North, which could go a long way towards determining who wins the division. If the Ravens win this away game at the Steel City, they will have established themselves as one of the relative elites in the AFC, and the clear cut favorites to win the division. If the Steelers win, on the other hand, the race remains too tight to call or predict accurately. Should be a good one. My pick: Pittsburgh

New Orleans at New England – Interesting match-up, and a difficult one to forecast. The Saints started off red hot, but have cooled off significantly with two straight losses. The Pats, meanwhile, got blown out last weekend, and are now 1-3. Both teams desperately need this win, because the current slump for both teams could quickly spiral out of control. A win would be a good remedy, but only one of these teams can win. To my mind’s eye, the Pats, with home field advantage, and with Belichick, should be able to pull it off. My pick: New England 

Tennessee at Indianapolis –  Neither of these teams are exactly a model of consistency. You never know which version of these teams will show up. So this one could go either way. This one feels like a trap, where whoever I pick will likely fail me and wind up losing. Still, here goes...My pick: Indianapolis

Carolina at Detroit – The Panthers are now the league’s lone remaining winless team. They go on the road to Detroit, to face a red hot Lions team that seems to be really feeling their oats. The offense and the defense both look solid for the Lions, and they hope to get a chance to solidify, and possibly to expand, their lead in the NFC North. With home field advantage, the Lions should pull this one off. My pick: Detroit

Houston at Atlanta - The Falcons are coming back from an overseas trip, and a crushing loss to the Jaguars. After a 2-0 start, the Falcons are looking decidedly more mediocre. They have been great at home, but the Texans suddenly look incredibly impressive. Should be a good one. My pick: Houston

Philadelphia at LA Rams - Philly remains one of only two unbeaten teams left. They take their perfect 4-0 record and put it on the line today in Los Angeles. Granted they do not look as strong thus far this season as they did last season at this point. Still, they are far and away the better team, and should be able to get this win in California. My pick: Philadelphia

Cincinnati at Arizona - The Bengals have more on the line in this one. They were considered one of the favorites in the AFC this season, but have staggered to a disappointing 1-3 start instead. Another loss could be just too much of a hole to dig out from. They are the better team - I think - and so should be able to find a way to win this one to remain relevant. My pick: Cincinnati

Kansas City at Minnesota - The Vikings are no longer winless, that much is true. And they are playing at home. But the Chiefs are looking like...well, like the Chiefs normally do. Their offense is dangerous, and their defense compliments their offense very well. Right now, they are running on all cylinders, and that should be enough for them to get past the Vikings in Minnesota in this one. My pick: Kansas City

NY Jets at Denver - Neither team can afford to lose this one. The Broncos finally won last weekend, mounting a serious comeback to beat Da Bears. But Gang Green played very well last weekend against the Chiefs. Zach Wilson actually showed something, and the defense was tough. Assuming that they show up with anywhere near the same intensity, this should be a road win. My pick: NY Jets

Sunday Night - Dallas at San Francisco - The most eagerly anticipated match-up for this weekend, it seems safe to say. The 'Boys have some question marks entering this one. Their loss to Arizona showed that they still might be susceptible to disappointing losses. And remember, they got knocked out of the playoffs by San Francisco in each of the past two seasons. So the pressure is on them to beat a very solid looking 49ers team, who appears to be, quite possibly, the best team in the league. Not sure that the Cowboys have shown enough consistency to truly expect that they are up for pulling off this magnitude of an upset. Still, who knows? My pick: San Francisco 

Monday Night - Green Bay at Las Vegas - Two teams that are inconsistent meet up on Monday Night. Again, this could go either way, with either team suddenly showing up and having a great game. Still, with the Raiders enjoying home field, it should help them to find a way to win. y pick: Las Vegas